[hinc et inde]

Based on his files, there was no way that Chase should have survived his injuries. At least, not to Kaden. The son of Venus had pored over the reports and accounts that Tessa and Flynn had both filled out, the medical records upon Chase's entry into the infirmary, just about everything marked with Chase Ferguson's name in the past six months, and there was nothing that would indicate a survival rate above fifty percent.

And yet, Chase had awoken without so much of a scratch.

Kaden furrowed his brow as he reread the report of Chase's initial injuries, reaching for the goblet before him at Table Ten. The dining pavilion's air spirits filled it up as he raised it to his lips, the caffeine of the drink revitalizing him. Most demigods had the domains of their godly parents to energize them, whereas all Kaden needed was caffeine.

He took another hearty sip and turned the page of Chase's report.

Symptoms: internal bleeding; fractures along rib cage, tibia, and ulna; minor concussion

Notes: Patient's brain scans report indications of both unconsciousness and REM sleep

Kaden frowned. That made no sense. How could Chase have been dreaming when he was in a coma?

Kaden shifted to reach for his phone to call Flynn, but a shadow crossed over his papers, and he looked up to see Alex Deven and Kaya Blackwood standing before him. Discreetly, Kaden shut the file folder as he nodded to them.

"Kaya, Alex," He greeted. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Can old friends not share a lunch together?" Alex asked, taking a seat across from Kaden. The son of Mars was normally tense and stern, but something seemed even more off kilter about his winning personality today.

Even more off kilter was how Kaya and Alex were both donning their praetor's cloaks, medals and all. Everything about them radiated war and power, sharp skill and cunning. The demigods dotting the tables around Kaden's kept stealing glances, and suspicious whispers began to float around.

"We just wanted to inform someone of our plans," Kaya reached for the goblet that materialized before her, her dark eyes glinting in the afternoon sun like a single star in a black hole. If she could hear the whispering and feel the staring, she didn't show it.

Kaden arched an eyebrow. "What plans?"

Kaya laced her fingers together on the table. "In order to aid Camp Half-Blood in the impending war, Camp Jupiter will be creating a military base in Midtown."

Suspicion began to creep over Kaden, but he didn't let it show. "Where in Midtown?"

"That's confidential," Alex said breezily, as if they were discussing the weather.

"Funny," Kaden managed a venomous smile. "I thought allies didn't keep confidential information from each other."

"So did we," Alex muttered under his breath. He'd probably hoped Kaden couldn't hear him, but he had, and the final piece slid into place in Kaden's mind.

Their military base wasn't just a strategy against Menoetious. It was a cautionary measure against the Greeks, too. And suddenly, Kaden found himself standing atop that precipice he'd stood on when he was seventeen. A battle of identity waged on in his head. Who would he side with if things turned south? His blood, the Romans? Or his family, the Greeks?

Kaya rolled her eyes at Alex's remark, but the benevolent smile on her face didn't reach her dark eyes. "Ignore him. He's just petty." She met Kaden's gaze. "Do you all have a strategy? Something about Rainier's gala or...?"

"Yeah," Kaden cleared his throat. "Rainier's gala is tonight. We're hoping to infiltrate it and gather some form of intel against him."

"Riddle me this, Gray," Alex fixed Kaden with a deep, dark stare. "What happens if Rainier isn't Menoetious? What if he's just another crooked, preening politician?"

"Then we go from there," Kaden said simply.

"You have, what, ten days until this war begins? Do you even know who you're fighting against?"

"When did this become an interrogation, Alex?" Kaden's voice took on a cold quality, his charmspeak lacing his words. "I may be in Camp Half-Blood right now, but I'm a Roman. A former praetor, in fact. So, I think that reaps a certain level of respect."

Alex narrowed his gaze at Kaden, but Kaden didn't back down. For a moment, the two dared one another to step a toe out of line, but Kaya only scoffed and turned to her boyfriend.

"Do you want to end up dead again?" The daughter of Trivia rebuffed. "Play nice."

Alex didn't seem too convinced, but Kaya turned back to Kaden. "Best of luck on your mission tonight." She slid her pointed gaze to Alex. "Come on, old man."

Kaden acknowledged the praetors with a nod, and watched intently as they disappeared down the pavilion's hill. As soon as they were gone, Kaden dug out his phone and texted Reese: just sat down with Alex and Kaya. I have news. Meet me soon?

Reese responded with a thumbs-up emoji, taciturn as always. Kaden pocketed his phone and got to his feet, making to gather his files when he realized a few papers were poking out from inside the folder.

As if someone had tried to pull them out when Kaden hadn't been looking.

Kaden snapped his head up, searching for Alex and Kaya, but they were gone. He couldn't very well accuse them of stealing, as a quick flip through the file indicated that nothing had been taken, but it did confirm Kaden's growing suspicions.

With a deep breath, Kaden gathered his files and left the pavilion. Now wasn't the time to point fingers. He'd talk to Reese, decipher a plan, and go from there.

But Kaden couldn't help but notice how the whispers of the dining demigods seemed to get louder as he left them.

--

Four hours and still no sign from Reese later, Kaden readjusted his bow tie in the mirror of his guest room in the Big House. Rainier's gala was set to begin in a half hour, and in order to blend in with New York City's finest, Kaden had to be dressed to the nines.

Kaden blew out a deep sigh, staring at himself in the mirror. He tightened his bow tie, checked his cufflinks, adjusted his tuxedo coat. He was ready for a gala, and with his sword in dormant form as his father's ring, he was ready for a fight.

The door to Kaden's room swung open, and Kaden turned around to see Reese darting in, a mess in more ways than one. His blond hair was tousled, his bowtie draping untied around his neck. He had one shoe on and half of his slacks were tucked into his sock. A button was open on his dress shirt, and his collar was crumpled.

Kaden couldn't help but laugh.

Reese frowned. "What? What's so funny?"

Kaden gestured to the son of Apollo. "You. Why do you look like a mess?"

Kaden thought Reese was blushing, but realized that his cheeks were coated in a dusty pink tint.

Aha.

Kaden hung his head, sighing. "Hale, you're married. Do what you want. But not when we've got a mission to go on."

Reese mocked Kaden, attempting to fix himself in the mirror. "Don't tell me what to do, Gray."

Kaden put his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay. If you say so." He sat down on the sofa, watching as his best friend tried and failed to recover from the hands of his wife.

"You had something you wanted to discuss?" Reese asked as he readjusted the fit of his dress shirt.

"Oh, you remembered," Kaden drawled sarcastically. "But, yeah. Alex and Kaya paid me a visit earlier."

"What'd they want?" Reese drew his eyebrows together.

"To tell me that the Romans are creating a base in Midtown. They wouldn't tell me where."

Reese froze as he reached up to tie his tie. He turned around, facing Kaden incredulously. "You don't think—"

"That they're trying to keep an eye on us? Because that's exactly what I think." Kaden huffed a breath, resisting the urge to run a hand through his styled hair. "We've got enemies on all sides, it seems."

Reese drew in a slow breath, as if trying to get his nerves in order. "One sword goes missing out of eight thousand and suddenly, they're toddlers that want their toy back."

"You'd think someone would have found it by now," Kaden sighed. "Makes me wonder if those bodies in the streets of Chase's dream are due to some civil war of ours."

Reese hesitated long enough for Kaden to notice. The son of Venus averted his gaze to his best friend, pulling on his coat. "What?"

"What?" Reese asked.

"You looked like you'd seen a ghost for a second there," Kaden quirked a brow. "Everything all right?"

"Yeah," Reese said calmly. "Everything's fine."

Kaden wasn't convinced, but before he could prod Reese any further, his laptop chimed atop his desk along the opposite wall. Kaden sprang to his feet and darted over to it, typing in his passcode.

"What's that?" Reese asked, crossing over to meet Kaden.

"It's the bug I put in Rainier's office," Kaden pulled up the footage. "It got something."

The footage on Kaden's screen was of Rainier, dressed in his gala finery, behind his desk at his campaign headquarters. The smiling, benevolent politician was nowhere to be found. Now, Rainier's expression was one of harshest winter, sharpest stone, strongest storm. He seemed to be glaring at someone just out of the bug's field.

"I thought I told you not to interfere," Rainier was saying, each word like a jab. "And what do you do? Interfere."

"I had no choice," His comrade spoke. His voice sounded familiar to Kaden, scarily familiar. But for whatever reason, he couldn't identify it. "The situation needed provoking."

"Who is he talking to?" Reese insisted.

"I don't know," Kaden tried rotating through camera feeds, but it was like this guy knew exactly where they were and how to avoid them, because the only person in each one was Rainier. "I can't find him."

"Is this happening now?" Reese asked.

"Yes, now shush!" Kaden waved for Reese to shut up, which he did.

"—I was trying to help."

Rainier interrupted whoever it was by slamming his hands down on the desk. Even through the screen, Kaden could feel the intensity of his stare.

"I did not have to go through what I did for some individualistic henchman to take matters into his own hands." His voice was severely low, like the rumble of thunder. "Now, get out of my way, or face the consequences."

The man beyond the camera chuckled. "You and what army?"

Something glinted in Rainier's eyes, but just as swift as it had formed, it was gone. Rainier's face shifted into a serpentine grin as he straightened his posture. "Thank you for meeting with me. I won't need to show you the door. I'm afraid I have other engagements this evening."

Rainier left the camera's line of sight and Kaden shut off the camera feed.

"Who the hell was that?" Reese asked, his sapphire eyes blazing.

Kaden shook his head. "No idea. But was it just me or did they sound familiar?"

Reese nodded, spooked. "Very familiar, which isn't exactly a good sign."

Kaden turned back to his laptop, shut on his desk. The man of the hour was unwittingly waiting for them at the gala, but Kaden couldn't help but feel a terrible feeling begin to blossom in his soul. Maybe it was fear, maybe it was every bad experience he'd harbored in his twenty-some years of life, but something was going to happen tonight.

Kaden just wasn't sure what.

Reese finished getting dressed shortly after that, despite the chilling feeling in the air. Together, Kaden and Reese left the Big House and headed to the Library of Athena, where their team would be no doubt be expecting them.

What Kaden wasn't expecting to see was half the team dressed in their finery and the other half in an odd assemblage of camouflage and armor. Sophia and Dale were poring over a battle strategy on the white-board; Amelie had summoned her magically-rendered model of the camp, and was discussing something with Calum and Nova Brooks; Mark was chatting away on the phone, probably beseeching Adhara to show up; and Imogen and Tessa were strapping guns to holsters beneath their dresses.

Wait...what?

"What are you doing?" Kaden asked, approaching the two girls.

Tessa looked up, her turquoise eyes vibrant against the black fabric of her sleek, long-sleeve dress. She lowered her leg, a mischievous smile on her face. "Getting ready for a gala, duh."

Kaden blinked, and despite his confusion, lost himself in the vision that was Tessa. Her long, dark hair was perfectly curled over her shoulder. Her makeup accented her bright eyes. Her dress hugged her curves—

"Oy, Gray," Imogen snapped, and Kaden snapped out of his haze to face the daughter of Cupid. "Calum and Nova created some more modern weapons for us to use tonight if things go ugly."

At the sound of their names, the twins of Hephaestus walked over to the group.

"Imogen's right," Nova chimed brightly. "All four of you will be armed with your demigod weapons, as well as guns."

"We'll be going through a metal detector for a government function, Nova," Reese hedged. "I think these will—"

"Don't worry," Calum interrupted, snatching a gun off the nearby table and handing it to Reese. "It's forged with a Celestial Bronze alloy, and charmed by Amelie. It won't set anything off, and it's discrete enough for your comfort."

Reese scratched his nose, holding the gun as if he had no idea how to use it. However, Kaden supposed that out of the four of them, it'd be Reese who'd become the star marksman.

"So, what's the plan?" Kaden asked, allowing Calum to strap the gun into a discrete holster within his coat jacket.

Sophia and Dale whirled around, beaming.

"We're glad you asked," Sophia said, sauntering over to them.

Dale addressed the group as the daughter of Athena dished out comms to the group before her.

"Tonight is a crucial mission if we want to stand a chance at defeating Menoetious, Hopefully, we'll find out enough to discover his identity. So, without further ado, here are the mission assignments.

"Tessa, Kaden, Reese, Imogen: you four are to infiltrate Rainier's gala and acquire intel. Mark and Adhara's job will be to raid Rainier's penthouse while he's gone for clues. The rest of us will defend camp in case of any other attacks or breaches." Dale explained, folding her arms across her chest. "Simple enough?"

No one seemed to have any complaints, and that was that. Kaden and his team were ushered over by Amelie, who cast a portal before them. Kaden fought a sour expression at the sight of it: ever since their mission through time a few years back, Kaden and portals didn't exactly have the best standing relationship.

"Ready?" Amelie asked.

"As we'll ever be," Tessa said, confidence underlying her soft tone of voice. She was the first one through the portal, followed by Imogen, and Reese and Kaden brought up the rear.

When Kaden stepped through the light, he found himself in a glittering ball-room shaped like the inside of a jewelry box. Balconies ringed the room, decorated romantically with ornate lights and garlands. A sea of people milled about around them, chatting and laughing with champagne flutes in their ready-to-be-shaken hands. A large orchestra was playing jazz music atop the small stage in the distance, and a handful of couples were dancing at its foot.

"So," Reese spoke, looking around the place. "Where to first?"

"We need to split up," Tessa decided. "We'll blend in easier that way."

Normally, Kaden liked to think he had a pretty good impulse control for a demigod. However, with the jazz music floating through the air and Tessa before him looking as radiant as ever, he couldn't help himself.

"Tessa, would you like to dance?" Kaden asked, holding out his hand like he was a prince in a Disney movie.

The daughter of Poseidon's luminous eyes widened in surprise, and Kaden knew exactly what she was thinking. However, a small smile unfolded on Tessa's lipstick-stained lips, and she put her hand in his. "I'd love to."

Something in Kaden's heart did a little tap-dance at the small victory, as if he were sixteen and falling in love with her all over again. He smiled and led Tessa over to the dancefloor, just as the band played some Frank Sinatra song that he knew Tessa would love.

Tessa rested a hand on his shoulder and fit the other one in his, her touch igniting little wildfires. Kaden slid one hand around her waist, and tried not to think about all the times they'd danced like this before, fit like two puzzle pieces before.

"Think we'll get something tonight?" Tessa asked, glancing around the room.

Kaden made a face, swaying to the music. "I'd hope so. But even if we don't, this mission would still be worth it."

Tessa arched a brow, meeting his gaze impishly. "And why's that?"

"Because you look beautiful tonight, Tess." Kaden said with a slight smile.

What must have been a reluctant blush crept over Tessa's cheeks. "Thank you. Not too bad yourself, Gray."

Kaden laughed, grinning. "I try."

"You succeed."

Kaden spun Tessa out, and pulled her back in to the beat of the music. "So Kaya and Alex gave me a message today."

Tessa knit her eyebrows together. "What was it?"

Kaden recalled his encounter with the two praetors, monitoring Tessa's reactions. She had a good poker face, as any good warrior would, but he knew that beneath the stoic expression was a sea of emotion and thought.

"Excellent," Tessa grumbled. "We'll have a civil war by next Tuesday."

"We could be wrong," Kaden tried reassuring her. "Isn't Lukas trying to find that sword of theirs as we speak?"

Tessa sighed, shifting her hands to rest behind Kaden's neck. As if it were second nature, he pulled her closer, his arms around her waist.

"Lukas was never good at the whole grief thing." Tessa explained. "He doesn't have a lead, he doesn't know what he's doing, but it's the only thing he could do to escape everything after Sierra."

Kaden nodded in understanding. "Grief turns us into creatures of denial."

"Yeah," Tessa met Kaden's gaze, and some mutual understanding must have passed through them, because the nerves in Kaden's veins seemed to calm.

Kaden had fought at Tessa's side for years. He loved her in every way one could love another person, and while the distance was killing him, he could rest easy knowing she was safe. He remembered how tormented he had been when Deimos had stabbed her, when the Curses had rendered her comatose, and he'd feared that she wouldn't return.

What would happen if this time, Tessa was hit, and she couldn't shake it? What if she died, and Hades wouldn't let her back this time?

What if he lost her? Forever?

They'd stopped dancing at this point, but neither of them seemed to care. Kaden looked down into Tessa's eyes, and she looked up at his, and it felt like the years faded between them.

"I can't lose—" Kaden began to form the words, but he was interrupted by a voice he'd only heard a few times before.

"Tessa," Adam Bennet spoke, and the daughter of Poseidon sprang out of Kaden's hold on her. "You're here too?"

"Adam!" Tessa plastered a pleasantly surprised smile on her face. "What're you doing here?"

"I'm doing a story on the gala," Adam reported. "Is there something shady going on here that they sent you too?"

Tessa pursed her lips, popping them. She met Kaden's gaze and smiled nervously. "Adam, I'd like you to meet Kaden Gray."

Adam fixed his attention on Kaden, who tried not to glower.

"Adam Bennet," Adam reported, shaking his hand. Kaden wondered if he always sounded like he was interviewing someone, or if that was just part of his job description.

"Kaden Gray," Kaden managed, hoping his smile didn't appear as forced as it was. "Tessa's mentioned you before."

Tessa's eyes widened ever so slightly from behind Adam. What're you doing?

Relax, I've got this, Kaden said with his eyes. Tessa rolled her eyes, but acted as if nothing happened when Adam glanced at her.

"All good things, I would hope," Adam said jokingly.

Kaden laughed airily, clapping Adam on the shoulder. "Yeah, she said you're a great friend. Almost like a brother to her."

Adam blinked at Kaden, evidently confused, but before he could try and make anything of it, the audience burst into applause. Kaden turned and found Alderman Rainier emerging onto the stage, shaking the hands of the conductor and other figures before reaching the microphone.

"Thank you, thank you, everyone," Rainier began, addressing the crowd. "Thank you all for coming. You all look so good you'd think this was a beauty pageant instead of a mayoral race."

The audience burst into laughter, save Kaden and Tessa, who shared the same disgruntled look.

"I'll save the speech for our impending victory," Alderman Rainier laughed. "Please, enjoy yourselves tonight!"

The crowd applauded once more, and the band began to play again. Rainier shuffled off the stage and was sucked into conversation with the closest group of people, and Kaden felt the shift in the air.

Their time for prep and dancing was over. They were on mission, Alderman Rainier was their target, and the gun in Kaden's jacket seemed to get a little heavier at the sight of him.

"I'm gonna see if I can get a quote," Adam managed, digging out his phone. He nodded to Kaden. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Cody."

"Kaden," Kaden corrected as politely as he could. "Likewise."

Adam turned to Tessa and smiled to her, bobbing his head forward as if he wanted to kiss her on the cheek but couldn't quite do it. He managed an awkward hug. "You look great tonight, Tessa."

"Thank you, Adam," Tessa laughed her easy laugh, and Kaden knew that he couldn't exactly blame Adam for falling for her. She was easy to love. "I'll see you around."

It wasn't until Adam disappeared into the crowd that Tessa dropped her façade and faced Kaden.

"Who are you and what have you done with the polite, charming Kaden Gray I know and love?" Tessa folded her arms across her chest.

Kaden tried not to linger on the 'know and love' part, despite being a hackneyed expression that didn't mean anything. He scoffed. "He's right here. I'm always polite and charming."

Tessa nodded slowly. "Sure," She drawled, as if she were trying not to laugh.

"We have a mission, in case you two are done dawdling," Imogen hissed through the comms.

Kaden pressed a finger to his ear. "Are you eavesdropping, Cadwell?"

"It's Hale," Imogen corrected, and Kaden gagged sarcastically. "And yes, yes I am. And I will continue to if you both don't get a move on."

"Relax, we're moving," Tessa responded, meeting Kaden's gaze as she lowered her hand. "Well, here we go."

"Any idea what we're up against?" Kaden surveyed the ballroom.

"My money's on monsters posing as politicians, an imminent fight, secrets about to be unveiled, and one angry Titan." Tessa figured, starting forward and glancing over her shoulder at Kaden. "Would I be wrong?"

"Let's hope you are." Kaden drew out a sigh, feeling adrenaline begin to sharpen his battle senses. If someone wanted a fight, he'd be ready to give it them.

"Let's get moving."