Summary

In Chapter 3, the story jumps back to Nick’s reality, as his best friend Caleb reveals to Nick's girlfriend, Kody, that Nick is no longer Nick – he looks the same but doesn’t know Caleb, Kody, or Zavid, the Aamon demon/Hel Hound whom Nick saved the previous night and who is now bound to Nick as his master. Kody blames Zavid, but whatever swapped Nicks also drained Zavid of his power while he slept. Kody is confused, because Nick’s house is protected by the Egyptian goddess Ma’at and should be immune to attack. This Nick’s fear and whining make him less of an asset than his alter-ego, and Zavid, whose powers are returning, knocks him out.

Suddenly the sun is blanked out in an unexpected eclipse, and blood rains from the sky. Kody knows these portents foreshadow the appearance of...