“Go down a few steps and take your positions,” Prometheus instructed. “Let no one onto the roof. Will and Palamedes, you take the north side. Saint-Germain, can you take the west? Joan, the east is yours. I’ll guard the south.”“How come you get the dangerous side?” Saint-Germain asked.The big Elder smiled. “They’re all dangerous sides.”

“Why do you want to do this?" he asked curiously. "Why is this woman so important to you?"Saint-Germain blinked in surprise. "Have you ever loved anyone?" he asked."Yes," Tamnuz said cautiously, "I had a consort once, Inanna...""But did you love her? Truly love her?"The Green Man remained silent."Did she mean more to you than life itself?" Saint-Germain persisted."They do not love that do not show their love," Shakespeare murmured very softly.The French immortal stepped closer to the Elder. "I love my Jeanne," he said simply. "I must go to her.""Even though it will cost you everything?" Tamnuz persisted, as if the idea was incomprehensible."Yes. Without Joan, everything I have is worthless.""Even your immortality?""Especially my immortality." Gone were the banter and the jokes. This was a Saint-Germain whom neither Shakespeare nor Palamedes had ever seen before. "I love her," he said,”

“Saracen The Knight: There will be a cost.Saint-Germain: Anything. I will pay anything to get my wife back.Saracen: Even your immortality?Saint-Germain: Even that. What's the point in living forever, when it is not with the woman I love?”

“The small group hugged one another quickly. Although nothing was said, they knew this could be the last time they ever saw one another again.Saint-Germain kissed Joan before they parted. “I love you,” he said softly.She nodded, slate-grey eyes shimmering behind tears.“When all this is over, I suggest we go on a second honeymoon,” he said. “I’d like that.” Joan smiled. “Hawaii is always nice at this time of year. And you do know I love it there.”Saint-Germain shook his head. “We’re not going anywhere that has a volcano.”“I love you,” she whispered, and turned away before they could see each other cry.”

“The only consolation we have is that few of those will have active weapons either," Prometheus told them.Palamedes looked over at Scathach. "When you say 'few...,'" she began."Some will be armed," Prometheus clarified."Incoming!" Saint-Germain yelled. "Two of them have launched missiles.""Sit down and strap yourselves in," Prometheus commanded. The group scrambled to get into the seats behind him, and he added, "We're too slow to outrun them, and the smaller ones are infinitely more maneuverable.""Is there good news?" Scathach demanded."I am the finest flier in Danu Talis," The Elder said.Scathach smiled. "If anyone else said that I would think they were boasting. But not you,Uncle."Prometheus glanced quickly at the Warrior. "How many times do I have to tell you-I'm not your uncle.""Not yet,anyway," she muttered under her breath."Everyone strapped in?" Prometheus asked. Without waiting for an answer, he brought the triangular vimana straight up into the air, then flipped it back, so that the ground was directly overhead and the sky below them, before he leveled it off and the earth and sky resumed their normal positions."I'm going to throw up," Scatty muttered.”

“But do I need to say anything?" Sophie asked. "Do I need to learn any words?""Like what?" Saint-Germain said."Well, when you lit up the Eiffel tower, you said something that sounded like eggness." "Ignis," the count said. "Latin for fire. No, you don't need to say anything." "Then why did you do it, then?" Sophie asked. Saint-Germain grinned. "I just thought it sounded cool.”

“Are you coming with us?"Black Hawk laughed. "Are you insane, or do you think I am? One immortal and three Elders,heading onto an island of monsters. I know who's not coming back from that trip."Mars worked his head from side to side, easing the stiffness. "He's probably right-he'd slow us down.""I'll be right here," Black Hawk said, "so that when you all come screaming back here,I'll be able to get you off the island."Even Hel laughed. "We'll not come screaming to you.""Have it your way.I'll be here,though. For a while,anyway," he added with a grin."I thought you would want to rescue your friend Billy," Mars said.Black Hawk laughed again. "Trust me, Billy never needs rescuing. Usually people need to be rescued from him.”