29
I rematerialized in Kathy’s bedroom next to her bed. I landed on my knees.
The lights were on, and there were a lot of people. Darius, Destiny, Niecy, and Harriet.
Darius helped me up.
“We gotcha, cuz,” he said.
I shook my head, hoping some of the confusion would fade away. But it didn't.
“Will someone tell me what is going on?” I asked.
A falcon next to the bed flapped its wings and transformed into Destiny.
“You killed Balthus,” she said. “That's what matters.”
“No,” I said. “Why am I here? Why did that battle happen so unexpectedly?”
Harriet stepped forward. “Balthus outsmarted us. We expected him to hatch an elaborate scheme when we found the demon nests. But they were a distraction. When you pulled up to the neighborhood, his associates were hiding in the crowd. They kidn
