Agustín added an extra scoop of cake to his fork and considered ordering a port to go along with it. Chocolate was a barrier against bad news and dashed dreams. He thought about that official seal burned into the wax of Harper’s letter, and his stomach clenched. What office would Harper strip from him next?

He sensed Triptych was still smiling behind those veils, as if this were all a game to him. Summoning up a tentative telepathic ear in the man’s direction also proved a dead end. Which meant either Triptych was telepathic himself, or he had extensive training to block such talent.

“Go on.” Agustín finished his slice and helped himself to a second piece even though he knew he shouldn’t. The cake was spongy and moist; the chocolate wasn’t overpowering or heavy like bricks in his belly. Raynard must have hired new confectioners since his last visit. He’d have to send his chef here to purchase cakes or collect the recipe. He had a feeling his diet would be consisting of a lot of this treat in the next several weeks.

“These triplets exude raw power.” Triptych took another sip of his coffee before arranging his veils back into place. “A power that originates from another plane of existence, on another world. And Calico controls a portal.”

“Portals are a dime a dozen,” Agustín said dismissively.

“This isn’t just any portal. Calico has absolute control over space and time.”

That got his attention. “Absolute control? Are we talking about wayfaring godlings here?”

“A god, not godling.”

Agustín let the spoonful of chocolate pool on his tongue. Harper had a lot of faith in him if he was expected to handle a god. That had to be the reason for his demotions—to focus his attention solely on delivering this deity. But it also raised questions.

“Why me? Infinity 1 is composed entirely of angels. Most of them full-bloods. Four of them originate from Heaven, while the others are Earthborn. What better group than that to handle a god?”

“Mr. Harper decided your background would better serve this assignment.”

Agustín pushed aside his plate of crumbs; he was sorely tempted to, in a fit of bad behavior, pull the remaining cake, stand and all, in front of him and dig in. “On what grounds?” he inquired.

“On the grounds of your heritage, of course. Being half-angel permits you the raw celestial power, should you need it.”

“And my demonic half?” To hell with appearances and propriety. Agustín yanked the cake stand closer and helped himself to thirds.

“A shared heritage.”

Inhaling silently through his nose, he sent Triptych a quick, concerned glance from lowered eyelids. That response was all Harper.

“Just because we both share demonic blood doesn’t ensure the target’s cooperation. You mentioned they’re from another plane, another world. Are they spies from the Amaranth Empire?”

“No, not spies. Mr. Harper wants Calico folded into the corporation, and he wants that portal. You are to recruit him into your Infinity 8 group. Woo him.”

That brought him enough unease that he put down his fork. Would Harper sink so low? “Woo him how? I refuse—”

“Your priority is your assignment, Lord California. Mr. Harper says to handle it how you see fit.”

“Offering me complete control of the reins? That does not sound like Harper,” Agustín replied automatically. “At all.”

Triptych found more interest in slowly folding his serviette into thirds.

“Well . . .” Agustín said with reluctance. “Our roster’s been somewhat empty in the last decade. Not many want to work with a team consisting of rehabilitated burnouts and screwups.”

“That’s why I’m now in charge of this sector—to help rebuild Infinity 8’s image.”

Agustín raised an eyebrow at the possible insult, but let it pass. He tapped his chin. “Where can I find these triplet gods?”

“Only one is a god. The one named Calico.” Triptych pushed the stack of papers toward him. “Everything you need to know is in his file, but I’ll tell you, that new bakery everyone’s raving about? The one that opened in Redwood City? Calico owns it.”

Agustín glanced at the cake he’d been eating. “Who’s been doing the reconnaissance on them?”

There was another chuckle behind the veils. “Me.”

“You? And this Calico baked that?” He’d have to stop and buy out anything chocolate left on the shelves. He was going to need it.

“I special ordered it for our late afternoon tea. I’m also the one who greeted the triplets when they first came to this world. Well, that was long before I joined IC.”

Agustín flipped through the report. “I should have known. I don’t even need to read this, do I? You have firsthand knowledge—”

“You’ll want it as a reference. I have other business to attend to, so I won’t always be available. You know how being liaison works. Now, about your assignment. Calico’s the brains behind their magic. His brothers are more like his keepers. He doesn’t function well without them.”

“And?”

Triptych shrugged. “And Calico is Calico. He’s quite . . . uh . . . how do I say this? Chaotic and a chaotic thinker. Whimsical. Flighty. His brothers are Frazil and Maars—they go by Franklin and Martin in the mundane world.”

Agustín gulped his coffee. “What is it that Harper wants me to do?”

“He wants that portal. It’s also the easiest way to get the oracle back to Earth.”

The cup nearly slipped from Agustín’s fingers. “Oracle? Don’t tell me—is Syd coming home? It’s about time.”

He’d been the girl’s mentor and guardian while IC searched for someone better suited to hone her powers. It would be good to see her again.

Triptych nodded. “Just finished her training. Mr. Harper wants her back on Earth and under IC’s protection right now. Our New York branch has urgent need of her skills. Calico’s portal is not only the quickest, safest, and most stable, but he can also open it whenever he wants to.”

Agustín nearly fell out of his chair. “Open a long-distance portal? At will? Just like that?”

Triptych’s hat bobbed the reminder. “God of space and time.”

*End*