Going back to the scene of the crime was something only an idiot would do. Evan Lex was a lot of things – handsome, witty, humble to a fault – but stupid was not one them. Therefore, he had reasoned, going back the crime scene would be exactly the last thing people would expect. It was a master stroke. It would catch the Twelfth Legion completely off guard.

So when Evan had turned up and found a bunch of legionaries waiting for him, armed to the teeth and rearing to take him in, he'd been more offended than anything else. Hurt. He'd hoped Reyna had thought better of him.

The fact that he'd failed to pull off the heist the first time wasn't his fault. Not really. The weapons depot had been laid out exactly like in his schematics. The guards were in the same place and everything. He could almost see the dollar signs as he laid his eyes on the rows of gleaming Imperial Gold weaponry. It had all been going excellently, until his phone had gone off. Loudly. Yes, demigod heroes weren't meant to use cell phones. There were no official guidelines on using Taylor Swift songs as ringtones, but it was probably frowned upon. But while Evan was a demigod, he was no hero.

Evan ran across the rooftop, a heavy rucksack banging at his side. He glanced up to see two giant eagles swooping overheard, Roman legionaries clutched in their talons. Evan summoned the air and catapulted himself over to the next apartment building, hit the ground hard and kept running.

Two demi-gods came up behind him, their gladius' drawn. One was a stocky guy with red stained lips that Evan recognised as Dakota from the Fifth cohort. The other was a girl he didn't know. Her blonde hair stuck out from beneath her helmet in spiky tufts and she eyed Evan nervously, looking to Dakota for reassurance. Evan winked at her. His reputation proceeded him. Excellent.

Evan flashed Dakota a wide grin.

"What are the chances" he asked in mock incredulity, "that we both decided to do our Christmas shopping on the same day? I hope you weren't thinking of getting the shield with the lightning bolt trim Dakota; I really had my eye on it."

Dakota frowned.

"It's July."

"I like to do my Christmas shopping early. Avoid the queues."

"Not sure if it counts as shopping if you don't pay for anything."

Evan sighed.

"We're really getting hung up on the specifics today, aren't we?"

"Evan Lex" said the girl in a voice that quivered with nerves. "We are arresting you in the name of the Twelfth Legion. You are wanted for multiple counts of theft, grand larceny and fraud."

Evan waited for more, but none was forthcoming.

"Is that it?" he asked, visibly disappointed. "I swear I've done more. What about the time I hacked into Frank Zhang's Facebook and posted 'I SUCK?'"

Dakota made an irritated gesture with his sword.

"We've got back up on the way. You're surrounded. Surrender yourself into my custody, and I'll put a good word in for you at your trial. Maybe they'll give you a bunk in your cell rather than make you sleep on the floor for the next fifty years."

Evan nodded.

"Tempting. But I think I'll have to give it a miss."

Dakota smiled.

"I was kind of hoping you'd say that."

Dakota and the girl split into a flanking formation, coming at Evan from both sides. Evan dropped his rucksack, and drew a twin set of long knives from his boots. He twirled them nonchalantly in his hands.

Dakota came at him high, cutting at his neck. Evan ducked and rammed his shoulder into Dakota's chest, winding him. He turned just in time to deflect the girl's incoming swing with his knife, which she followed up with a stab at this lower body that forced Evan to skip back quickly. She was good. Not good enough to challenge him, mind, but she wasn't bad.

Evan feinted to the left and, when she followed him, he moved in fast, getting past her guard and backhanding her sharply across the face. She fell back with a cry and Evan kicked the sword out of her hand.

Dakota tried to rush him, but he side-stepped and stuck out his foot, tripping the bulky centurion and sending him sprawling.

"Sorry about this" Evan called, as he picked up his rucksack and swung it over his shoulder. "It's nothing personal. I hope Reyna doesn't put you on latrine duty."

Dakota swore at him loudly, struggling to get up.

Evan tutted.

"Now, now Dakota. There's no need to be rude."

Evan could hear the cries of more eagles descending and the shouts of legionaries. It was time to go. He waved cheerily in goodbye and walked to the edge of the rooftop. Evan took one final glance around him, then slowly tipped off the edge and allowed himself to fall.