At some point, Jake and Ernesto must have gone out of range of the rest of them, because Alex could no longer hear anything they were saying. He told himself it was fine—Ernesto knew what he was doing, and it wasn't like Jake couldn't handle himself in a fight—but the ball of worry in his gut didn't stop churning. It was an uncomfortable feeling, and one he wasn't used to. Usually he only had himself to worry about on a case, or perhaps Kai and Ernesto, though more often than not they acted as his backup. Having someone else to consider, someone who was as reckless and stubborn as he was...

He felt a small twinge of sympathy for Kai.

"He'll be fine," Eliot said, as if guessing his feelings—or maybe sharing them.

"Yeah," Alex said. "Yeah, I know."

"We just have to—"

"Incoming," Kai said over their earbuds. "One of the Floreses is coming toward you."

Alex glanced at his brother. They'd just stepped out of the elevator onto Flores's floor—why would he meet them in the hall? "I don't like this," he muttered.

"Stick to the plan," Eliot said.

A moment later Flores rounded the corner, spreading his arms wide in welcome. "Ah, Mr. and Mr. Spencer."

"Flores," Eliot said. "Thought I was meeting you in your room."

"Ah yes. One of me," Flores said. "And one of you will be otherwise engaged."

"Another errand?" Alex asked.

"Precisely."

"Like I told the other you," Eliot said. "I haven't agreed to work with you yet."

"Yes, well." Flores smiled disarmingly, but something in his eyes made the anxiety in Alex's stomach swirl. "I suppose you could refuse, but since the other versions of ourselves are not currently here I assume that they have already gone on my first errand. By now they're surrounded by quite a few items that would allow someone like me to easily overpower someone like you, regardless of your reputation."

"Ernesto?" Kai said in his ear. "Can you hear me? Are you still with Jake?"

"Do you know what happens to you if one of your copies dies?" Flores went on. "I don't, but I'm ever so curious to find out. Of course, I'm sure that won't be necessary."

"What do you want, Flores?" Eliot growled.

"Why don't you come with me," Flores smiled. "And find out."

He walked between them, and Alex indulged in an imaginary scenario in his head: He reached out as Flores passed, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall. "Call your double," Alex hissed. "Tell him that if he puts one hand on my brother, I'll let you try scuba diving with a punctured lung."

But he didn't do that—he just watched Flores go by, giving him a quick appraisal as he passed.

"No ring," he grated out once Flores was out of earshot.

"I'll go with this one," Eliot said.

Alex shook his head. "Flores will expect the real you if he's going to talk about a deal. I'll go."

"Alex, you can't leave the building." Kai said. "You won't have any backup, and if you go out of range—"

"I know," Alex said. "I'll stall him."

Flores paused at the end of the hall. "Are you coming? I'd hate to have to make a phone call."

"Reach for your phone and I'll break your fingers," Alex scowled.

Flores chuckled. "Oh, I am going to enjoy working with you, Mr. Spencer. Come along."

"I'll come along." Alex muttered. "I'll come along and throw you down the elevator shaft. I'll come along and—"

Eliot grabbed his arm as he passed and leaned close. "I just need a few minutes. Once I get the ring, he should disappear, right?"

"I dunno. That's Jake's department."

"That's helpful, thanks," Eliot grumbled.

Alex shrugged out of his grasp and left him in the middle of the hall, making his way unhurriedly to where Flores waited at the elevator. "Where are we going?"

"All in due time, Mr. Spencer." Flores gestured for him to enter, and Alex chanced one last look at his brother before the doors closed. Eliot hadn't moved except to fold his arms, and he held Alex's gaze until the last possible moment.

Everything will be fine, Alex thought, as if Eliot could hear him. It's almost done.

"Alex," Kai said in his ear. "Keep him in the building. You have to stall until Eliot can get the ring."

"Have you eaten yet?" Alex asked. "I missed my breakfast this morning. What do you say we get something here at the hotel before we run your errand?"

He expected Flores to refuse, but after a moment the man just flashed that irritating smile and chuckled. "Well, why not? We have some time, after all. And it will give us the chance to get to know one another better."

"Good work, Alex," Kai said, relief plain in her voice. "Eliot, how are you doing?"

"Just reached his room," Eliot answered.

"Good. As soon as—"

"I understand you've been doing this for some time," Flores said, talking over the rest of Kai's words.

"Uh-huh," Alex said.

"You must have some riveting stories."

"Uh-huh."

"I see you are as discreet as ever," Flores said. "A commendable characteristic. And of course one that is greatly appreciated in our line of work." He led the way to the hotel's restaurant, seating them at a small table tucked into the corner. Alex took the seat closest to the wall, which gave him a view of the rest of the room while keeping the camera mounted in the opposite corner in sight. They ordered breakfast, and Alex resolved to eat as slowly as possible.

While they waited, he turned his attention to the conversation in his ear. The final Flores had welcomed Eliot into the room and was busy complimenting his punctuality, which Eliot accepted in silence.

"Does he have the ring?" Kai asked.

Eliot made a low hum of affirmation, and Alex let out a breath. It was almost over.

"If you'll permit me," said Eliot's Flores. "I'd like to make sure you're the original."

Eliot hesitated. "You want to see my ring?"

"That won't be necessary." There was a pause, during which Alex tried not to look like he was listening to something other than his Flores's chatter about the many adulations of breakfast.

"Are those... glasses?" Eliot asked.

"The Veritas Lenses," his Flores answered. "They allow me to ascertain the true identity of any object I view through them."

"That's how you knew who I was," Eliot said. "It wasn't that you recognized me—you used magic."

"Quite so. It is also how I discovered that Ms. Navarro was in fact Detective Mendoza. But our other selves are taking care of that problem, so we needn't worry."

"What does that mean?" Kai asked.

A sinking feeling pulled at Alex's stomach. "Flores," he said, fixing his most intimidating look on his face. "What exactly is the errand we'll be running?"

"All in due—"

"Now," Alex said. "Or I walk and take my chances with the other you."

Flores frowned. "Very well. As you are aware, Ms. Navarro is actually Detective Kai Mendoza. I'm sure you were only helping her yesterday because you hadn't yet been given my offer." He gave Alex a pointed look. "That alliance ends now. I need to be able to trust that you are loyal to me, and I must be sure that she will not interfere with my business again. Thankfully, this task of ours will solve both problems."

"You want me to kill Detective Mendoza?" Alex said.

"Yes."

Alex blinked, carefully avoiding the camera in the corner. Flores was bolder than he thought if he was willing to have a detective killed. Was it just because he thought he had Eliot to do his dirty work? Or did his confidence come from his magical items?

For the second time that morning, Eliot spoke as if reading Alex's mind. "That's two artifacts you've openly used. How many more you got?"

"Oh, several more. I intend to sell most of them with your help, but there are a few that I will keep for myself."

"Where'd you come across that many artifacts?"

"Hmm... well, I prefer to think of it as a forced inheritance."

So... theft? Murder? Alex's impression of Flores was quickly shifting from a man in over his head to a ruthless strategist. If he was willing to kill to achieve his goals, then it was even more important to put a stop to him.

Now—before he could do any more damage.

"Ah, here comes our food," said the Flores on the other side of the table, flashing a charming smile at the woman holding their plates.

Alex pushed back in his chair. "You go ahead. I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Flores asked.

"Little hitman's room."

He left the table before Flores could say anything to hold him back, and was relieved to find that he wasn't being followed. He turned the corner and jogged to the stairwell, taking the steps two at a time.

Ernesto's voice crackled through the earbud. "Jake and the other Flores are on their way back to the hotel," he said. "We're just a few minutes away. You're not gonna believe this, but Flores has an entire storage container filled with—"

"More magic stuff?" Alex interrupted. "Yeah, Eliot's Flores already let that slip. I'm on my way up to the room. Eliot, what's taking so long?"

"Alright, Flores," Eliot said. "I'm in. With that many magic items at your disposal, I'd rather stay on your good side."

"Marvelous!" Flores said.

"Let's shake on it."

Alex leaped across the first landing, hurrying up the next flight of stairs. He pictured Eliot reaching out, taking Flores's hand and then jerking him off balance before pulling the ring off his finger. Any minute now Kai would announced that the Flores downstairs had disappeared, and then Jake would confirm the same thing about his clone. Any minute now. Any minute...

But instead of a victorious announcement, the only thing he heard was a hiss followed by a deafening whoosh. He paused in the middle of the stairway, straining to hear past his own panting. "Eliot? What's going on?"

Eliot swore. "Fire. He had some kind of—I dunno, cane thing—it shot fire at me. He's in the hall."

"I see him," Kai said. "Alex, he's headed for the stairs."

"Don't confront him," Eliot said, stifling a cough. "I'm on my way."

There wasn't any way Alex was going to let Flores get past him, but he didn't say so. He just ran faster, meaning to reach the next landing before Flores did.

"Alex, your Flores is getting suspicious," Kai said. "I think he's asking about you. Now he's getting up from the table... he checked his phone. Alex, he's headed for the stairs. I don't have eyes there."

"I'm in the stairwell," Eliot said.

Alex cleared the last few steps to the next landing and paused to catch his breath. "How far out is Jake?" he asked.

"Almost there," Ernesto said. The rest of his reply was drowned out by a roar that echoed through the stairwell, loud enough to make Alex wince. A flash of light drew his eyes upward, his ears still ringing, while Kai demanded what was happening.

Alex had just enough time to register Flores on the stairs above before a blast of fire shot toward him.