And now everything made sense. Ascanio got his ass handed to him in public. Derek embarrassed Ascanio and then left before Ascanio could get a rematch. No matter what Ascanio did, his crew would always wonder if Derek was the better shapeshifter.

He had to fight Derek to keep his authority.

“So Ascanio has Clan Bouda, Clan Jackal, and Clan Nimble,” I thought out loud. “Clan Cat and Clan Heavy are in opposition. Clan Rat is sitting on the sidelines. Ascanio needs Clan Wolf. They are the largest clan. All of them are solid fighters, and they work well together. If he gets the wolves, he could tip the balance in his favor.”

“That’s right,” Nick said.

“What does Desandra think about him?”

“He irritates her.” Nick smiled. “Desandra is an alpha before all else. For her to bow her head, you would have to be stronger, smarter, and more skilled. Someone who would make her feel secure. Ascanio isn’t trustworthy. In her eyes, the very fact that he is resorting to money instead of making alliances or just challenging Jim makes him unfit.”

“That’s why he went after Pastor Haywood’s killer. Tying Desandra’s children to it would give him leverage.”

The muscles on Nick’s jaw bulged. “That’s what he thinks.”

I really wanted to ask what was wrong with Desimir that Nick would suspect him of flying around and murdering people, but he wouldn’t tell me in a million years.

“It’s not Desimir,” I told him. “I’m absolutely sure. The magic signatures don’t lie. Your stepson isn’t involved in this at all.”

Some of the tension went out of Nick’s shoulders. Despite everything, he still worried.

We looked at each other.

“You almost killed me.”

“I didn’t know who you were.”

“You made up this huge crazy theory and nearly started a war. I thought you were better, Uncle. You seemed so sane until this morning, but you’re worse now than when I left eight years ago.”

A slow, crooked smile stretched his lips. “Insanity works for me.”

Eventually the Order and the Pack would come into conflict. It was inevitable. I didn’t know what he would do then, and I had a feeling neither did he.

“What’s your next step?” Nick asked.

“I’m going to drop my great uncle off at my house and then I’ll go after Mark Rudolph.”

“Use the badge,” he told me.

“I’m planning on it.”

“I want updates. Every day.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t die.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

He waved his hand. The magic slithering along the floorboards died. I was free to go.

I was almost to the door when he asked, “The old man in Stella’s office, you said he was the highest-ranking minister.”

“Yes.”

“Minister of what?”

“Internal security.”

“He is a counter-spy?”

“He’s a royal assassin. The best in the Old Kingdom.”

Nick stared at me.

“Like I said, Shinar had its issues.” I smiled and escaped.

When I walked through the door of Stella’s office, she was on the phone. She had this flat expression on her face. Namtur watched her quietly.

Stella saw me. “She is right here.”

She held the phone out to me. I took it. Miraculously, the connection held.

“Knight Ryder?” Bishop Chao said into the phone.

“Yes?”

“Douglas had a stroke. I’m so sorry.”

Cold rolled over me. The world slid sideways. The memory of Douglas on the ground, his small, battered body smeared with blood. Don’t let them hurt me anymore… The words blended with a hoarse whisper from all those years ago that didn’t even sound like Kate. Want to…die…at home…

I heard myself say, “I thought he was improving.”

“So did we. They are working on him now. I will let you know if there is any change.”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” I said.

“We will pray for him,” she said.

I handed the phone to Stella. She carefully hung it up and looked at me.

“You should sit down,” she said.

“I have things to do.” My voice sounded light, almost carefree.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not good,” she said. “I think you should sit down, take a breath, and reevaluate.”

I didn’t need to reevaluate anything. I was crystal clear on what I needed to do. “Thank you for your advice, Knight Davis. We will be going now.”

I walked out of the office with Namtur next to me. The groom was walking Tulip and Lady toward us.

“Who was he?” Namtur asked.

“A street child.”

“There will always be street children,” he said gently. “They will always get hurt. Some will die too early. You and I know this better than anyone.”

“This one was different.”

“How?”

“I saved him. He is supposed to survive.”

I took the reins from the Order’s groom and swung into Tulip’s saddle. She sensed my mood. Her ears went flat back.