“Does it have to be right this minute? You’ve seen the surge in monstrous violence. Now more than ever, we need everyone to fight.”

The rebuke lifted Libra’s chin. “And who will protect my family when I’m gone?”

“They’d be safe if you brought them to Tower.” Other warriors who had partners and children had done so.

“That’s no life for them,” Libra argued. “My children deserve a normal upbringing with other kids. Not to mention, I can’t exactly dump my wife here and run off without an explanation.”

“An explanation that wouldn’t have been necessary if you’d been honest with her from the start.” Libra had chosen to keep his Zodiac Warrior side a secret.

“Too late now. I don’t know why you’re so worried. I’m sure it won’t take long before I’m replaced.”

“With someone who will require weeks of training.” Aries couldn’t have said why he tried to convince Libra. A warrior who’d lost his purpose would only be a detriment.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve made up my mind. I have to do this.”

“In that case, I wish you well, brother.” Aries held out his hand, and Libra clasped it tight before dragging Aries into a hug.

“It’s been an honor fighting with you,” Libra murmured, his voice raspy with emotion.

Aries hugged him back. “You will be missed.”

“How soon can I relinquish my position?”

“Guess there’s no point in waiting. Let’s head down to the portal room.”

Since all the warriors had been deployed on assignment, only Aries and his wife, Sage, were present for the ceremony. Not so much a ritual as a stripping of powers. Libra stood on his sigil—for the last time—and bowed his head. Nothing needed to be said. The magic that transformed them into Zodiac Warriors read the hearts of those who served and knew when the time came to let them go.

The saddest part was losing a friend. Once a warrior left, the brothers cut off contact. They had to because their former friend wouldn’t remember any of them. Libra’s years of service, all those memories and experiences collected while he served the stars, would fade. Alas, those who’d served with him would never forget.

A light flashed, and Libra—henceforth Jonathon Montgomery—disappeared, leaving them down a warrior.

Sage, cradling their child in a chest carrier, put a hand on Aries’ arm and murmured, “I’m sorry.”

“I knew it was coming, but it still sucks.” Aries sighed. He’d begun seeing hints years ago as Libra pulled away from his brothers and balked at assignments. He’d hoped reassigning him to watch over the Athens portal would give him a chance to recoup and come to his senses. It obviously hadn’t worked. Aries glanced at his wife. “Any clues as to who’s going to take his place?”

“No. I’m going to try and see, though, after I put little bean down for a nap.”

A seer who’d long guided the Zodiacs, a fatigued Sage had struggled since the birth of their child with her foresight.

“Should I talk to Olivia? Maybe she knows something.” Leo’s young daughter also had the gift of seeing branches of the future, but her age and limited vocabulary, as well as life experience, made deciphering her visions a challenge.

“It wouldn’t hurt, but don’t worry if she can’t tell you anything about our next Libra. I doubt we’ll have to wait long.” While the constellations never revealed the process they used for choosing a candidate, the position of warrior—and avatar—wouldn’t remain vacant for long.

Aries held Sage’s hand as they began trekking up the many stairs to their apartment, pausing at the dining level for their midday meal. As Sage stroked little bean’s head, she sighed. “I hope Jonathon finds the balance he’s been seeking.”

“Me, too, but his timing is shit. We’ve never been this busy before. Something’s changed because this kind of violence in so many places at once is unheard of.”

“Change isn’t always a bad thing.” She smiled down at the baby. “But I agree; something is afoot.”

“I still don’t understand why you thought it best I send Aquarius out in the field instead of me going. He’s a whizz when it comes to seeking out commonalities in events.”

“While I can’t see it yet, a different task awaits you.” No sooner had she murmured than Sage’s gaze unfocused, the sign of a vision rolling over her. “I see Aquarius returning within the next few days and, from then on, working diligently to solve the mystery.”

“Good. If anyone can find a link in what’s happening, it’s him.” Aries and computers did not get along.

“Unfortunately, neither he nor the others will be back in time for the hockey game this Saturday night in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It will have to be you who attends.”

His brows lifted. “You know I don’t follow sports.”

“Maybe you should. It’s the Stanley Cup match, and it’s a doozy. The Maple Leafs are playing in the finals, something that hasn’t happened since 1967.”

“Still don’t care.” And since when did Sage know anything about sports?

“Be that as it may, you have to go.”

“And leave you alone? Like fuck.” Aries only rarely went on missions because his task involved more the coordinating of them. Not to mention, he’d long ago made a rule to never leave Tower without at least one warrior to guard it.

“You don’t have a choice. You have to be there. I already bought you a ticket, and it was not cheap.”

When Sage stood firm on an issue, a warrior should always listen because she wouldn’t insist without a reason.

“I take it something is going to happen.”

Her eyes swirled as she spoke in what he called “the Prophecy voice.”

“Shattered ice. Blood. Death. The screams of the innocent echo around the world, their deaths heralding the beginning of our end.” Sage dropped out of the trance and shook her head.

“Sounds like I should be bringing more than just myself to this game. Maybe I should call back some of the warriors.”

She shook her head. “I saw only you.”

“Me alone against whatever is going to happen?” He couldn’t help a skeptical note.

“Even were you to bring all the warriors, it would make no difference. Tragedy will strike.”

“Then why even bother going? You know I hate leaving you alone.” Even more now with the baby.

“Given our roles, it’s never about what we want, but what we must do.”

A reminder Aries should not have needed, and in that moment, he envied Libra the freedom from the burden of safeguarding the world. Would they never know peace?

Chapter 1

Grayson laced up his skates and tuned out the noise of his teammates. The upcoming game, the last of his professional NHL career, would be intense. The Maple Leafs hadn’t made it to the Stanley Cup finals since the sixties. Six games they’d played thus far and they were tied three to three. This final match would decide the winner.

If they could pull it off, Grayson would end on a career high. Now, if only he could figure out what came after.

How did a forty-some-year-old man, who’d made hockey his whole life from the moment he could hold a stick, shift into another career? Some well-meaning friends had suggested he turn to coaching. Perhaps see if Team Canada wanted him, or some of the local sports clubs. An option, except for the fact he couldn’t properly teach how to be a good player. Some guys studied the game, could spout off strategic plays and how they worked. Grayson simply hit the ice, stick in hand, and let instinct guide him. His dad used to say Grayson could see the ice, predict where people would move, and get ahead of them. How was he supposed to explain something that had always come naturally?

Forget coaching. What else did that leave? His buddy Ralph told him he should get into boxing. After all, he’d never hesitated to drop gloves and pummel an asshole who thought they could get away with chirping or tripping. Not on his watch. He’d surpassed the Leaf’s icon Tie Domi for penalties and might just squeeze out the top spot held by Tiger Williams if he got kicked off the ice for at least seven minutes in this final game.

How would that look on his resume?

The head coach entered the locker room and launched into a speech both inspirational and threatening. If they lost, chances were the owner would scrap a good chunk of the players and staff. After all, these final few games should have been a cakewalk, seeing as how they’d beaten their opponents in the regular season without fail.

Grayson stood with the others when it came time to slap hands and utter a manly yodel that got them pumped for the game. The young guys bristled and bounced on their blades with excitement and energy. Veterans, like Grayson, preserved it. Too fast and furious out of the gate would leave him gassed and sluggish.

The team emerged from the locker room and headed onto the ice to the roaring of the fans in the packed stadium. While some of the fellows waved and showboated, Grayson stretched as he did a slow skate around the arena, limbering and loosening muscles made solid by years of following a strict exercise regimen. What would he do when he no longer had to work out and practice seven days a week? Hopefully not get fat. He’d best find some kind of active hobby and fast.

The Canadian anthem played, and Grayson held a hand over his heart and closed his eyes, unable to help feeling nostalgic, knowing this would be the last time he’d be on the ice for the patriotic hymn.

As part of the defense for the first line, he was on the ice when the puck dropped. Was first to get tossed in the box for high-sticking. First to score, despite being a defenseman. First to drop gloves when number eighteen laughed after crashing into their goalie.

All in all, the usual kind of game for him.

Nearing the end of the third period, with the score tied at one, Grayson snagged the puck and skated hard on a breakaway. He danced around the opposing team’s defense and headed for the net. The half-crouched goalie waited to stop him and tried to stare him down.

Grayson kept his eye on the prize. Top left corner. As he pulled his stick back to slap the puck, the ice exploded!

The violence of it tossed him onto his back, and he hit his head hard. Thank fuck for the helmet or he might have been knocked out cold. It took a few seconds of dazed What the fuck just happened? before he could register anything. First and foremost, the screams, not of pleasure or excitement, but terror. A still slightly stunned Grayson sat up and gaped. For one, a huge hole cratered the ice. Second thing to catch his gaze, the goalie, splayed in front of the net, blood seeping and steaming on the cold surface. Why did no one help him?

Wh-h-ohm.

The odd noise turned his head, and he blinked then blinked again at the sight of a creature, two-legged, four-armed with a tail, aiming some kind of bazooka device at the screeching and fleeing crowd.

Wh-h-ohm.

The bazooka shot out a beam of blue light and evaporated a section of seating. Like literally, gone. As for the people caught in the arena? They never had a chance.

A glance to this other side showed two more creatures, climbing over the arena glass and launching themselves at those who’d decided to gawk rather than flee. The blood spatter of those attacked startled the other lookie-loos into motion. However, where could they go? The full stadium couldn’t funnel the mad stampede of panicking people. They pushed and shoved as if that would move those ahead faster. The spectators should have found another exit or hidden because they became easy targets for the hunting monsters.

A wince tugged Grayson’s face as people got torn apart by the two creatures.

Wh-h-ohm.

Another section of seating disappeared, and Grayson finally realized, if he didn’t move his ass, he’d end up dying—like Tommy, his defense partner, who lay on the ice in two pieces.

Getting to his feet, Grayson glanced around seeking the best place to escape and noticed one person not stampeding. The man, thick and determined looking, vaulted seats, since the staircase aisle was jammed, and headed for the creature who’d bitten off a head and crunched it.

Was the dude fucking nuts? Apparently, because he strode onto the ice and pulled a fucking gun. He fired and blew a hole in the monster’s head before immediately aiming at the creature with the bazooka. The thing must have sensed the incoming threat because it whirled with a screech and aimed its cannon at the brave—and soon-to-be-dead—man, who stood his ground.

Wh-h-ohm.

The energy beam blasted for the man who stood unflinching and simply held up his arm, as if it would prot—

Well, shit. Somehow his sleeve deflected the attack right back at the monster, who exploded into chunks.

Hell yeah! At least someone was doing something, and even better, dude had just proved these creatures could be killed.

The man stalked for the other side of the arena, heading for the pair of monsters slashing their way through the crowds. The guy never saw the creature that crept from the hole in the ice, but Grayson did. He skated for it, the cracks in the surface reminding him of when he used to practice on the pond by his place as a kid. Bumpy, but still slippery enough for his blades to gain traction. He somehow still had a hold of his stick, and as he swooped close enough to the creature, he swung, bonking it in the head, not enough to kill, but it did stop its stalking of the man.

It whirled and hissed, obviously annoyed. Grayson looked it dead in the eyes—of which it had three—and snarled, “Go back to hell, motherfucker.”

When it rushed Grayson, he held up his stick and used it to keep the unhinged jaw from taking a bite. Fucker might not be as tall as Grayson, and maybe half the weight, but it was strong. Grayson planted the tips of his blades in the ice and pushed back, grunting and wondering exactly how to end this impasse. He didn’t have a gun. Didn’t want to put his fists anywhere near the thing’s mouth. If only he had some kind of weapon.

The idea hit suddenly, or should he say, the reminder of accidents he’d seen during his career? Letting go of the hockey stick, he spun and lifted his leg, spinning it—more specifically, the blade—across the monster’s midsection.

Guts spilled, along with black fluid that had to be blood. The monster didn’t die quietly. It uttered a noise that hurt the ears. Apparently, a call to its buddies, because suddenly two more appeared in the gaping hole, peering over the edge with their ugly three-eyed bulbous heads.

They ululated as they raced for Grayson, giving him the incentive to take off in the opposite direction, speedily, too, since his skates gave him an advantage on the ice.

He didn’t count on them using their claws to give themselves a grip.

Instinct more than anything had him crouch. A good thing, since a monster soared over his head. It hit the slick surface and slid, slamming into the boards. A woman popped up on the other side, wide-eyed with terror, holding the hands of two kids.

The monster decided Grayson wasn’t the tastier snack and began slamming the glass. And what did the stupid mother do? Stared instead of running.

For fuck’s sake.

Before Grayson could do shit to help, the second creature, which he’d forgotten about, slammed into his back and knocked him face-first on the ice. Good thing for his mouth guard, or he’d have bitten his tongue. Still, the impact hurt, and he huffed out a hard breath.

His life might have ended then and there but for the gunshot. The heavy weight pinning him went limp. Grayson grunted as he strained to heave it off.

Then what did his dumb ass do? Immediately shot to his feet and lunged for the monster trying to scrabble through the hole it had made in the protective glass, slavering with eagerness to munch on the frozen mommy and her sobbing kids.

Being too close to do a proper spin kick, Grayson instead threw himself onto the monster’s back, wrapping his arm around its corded neck and squeezing as he pulled back.

The creature wriggled and snarled in his grip. It wouldn’t be long before it broke free. Grayson lifted a foot and dug the blade of his skate against its spine. Not exactly a killing slice, but the thing stopped wiggling so hard, likely worried it would cause more damage.

And, still, the mother watched, leading Grayson to yell, “Would you get the fuck out of here?”

Apparently, she needed instruction to act because she suddenly woke up and began dragging her kids towards the marked exit.

At least this side of the arena had managed to mostly clear itself out, except for the morons with their cameras pointed, live-streaming. Maybe his death would go viral because Grayson saw no way he’d get out of this alive.

The monster in his grip bucked him off, and as Grayson flew, he saw even more monsters exiting the hole in the ice. Too many for him to vanquish, and yet, he couldn’t run away. Every monster he could maim or take down was at least one life or more he could save.

Fuck retirement. Time for this final stand.

Grayson dropped the gloves and yelled, “Let’s go, motherfuckers.” More bravery than brains, his mom always used to say. But she’d also raised him right.

He did his best as the creatures raced for him, dropping into a spin with a foot extended to see how many he could slice as he whirled like a top. When he wobbled, he immediately popped to his feet and grabbed the head of the monster lunging at him, doing his best to hold those snapping teeth away from his throat. He doubted his neck guard would protect against a chomp.

However, while he wrestled with one, others moved in, slashing through his protective gear, tearing at his flesh.

Biting.

Slashing.

Tripping.

A monster fell atop him, and Grayson almost passed out. Through the roaring in his ears, he heard a man huffing, “Where the fuck did you all come from? Fuck me, I should have brought a bigger gun.”

Grayson almost laughed at the man’s annoyance. It emerged as a choking cough that led to the weight atop him being flung aside.

“Shit, you’re still alive. You did good, son.”

Son? The man staring down at him was probably a few years younger than Grayson.

“Sorry, but there ain’t no healing from this, son. Give me a sign and I’ll put you out of your misery, least I can do. But make the decision quick. There’s more monsters coming.”

Looked like he wouldn’t have to worry about getting fat in his retirement.

“Do it,” he croaked.

As he lay on the ice, choking on his own blood, looking death in its blazing blue eyes, he heard a voice in his head.

Would you serve humanity and protect the world for a second chance at life?

What life? His sucked. Maybe this was the better option.

What if you could become a defender, someone with purpose?

Are you offering me a job? He almost laughed at the irony of his subconscious trying to ease his most recent worry.

A hint of frustration hued the next query. Do you want to be a hero or not?

Sure, but only if I don’t have to wear tights.

In that case, welcome to the Zodiac Warriors.

Say what? Before he could even start to process the inanity of his final thoughts, a bright flash of light enveloped him and dragged him into a cold, dark place.