Summary

Apollo and Grove find Gleeson in the gun aisle, and Apollo assumes Gleeson is much older than Grover, as Satyrs live longer but mature slower than humans. Gleeson says he wants landmines and guns to protect them, but Apollo tells the reader that modern weaponry is unreliable against ancient magic. When they go to leave, the supervisor and two armed employees stop him, and Apollo realizes he is Marco; the assassin from his vision. He says he was exiled to Palm Springs, but hopes that killing the satyrs and capturing Apollo will earn him a spot back with the emperor. He mentions Big Ears, and is angry that the emperor chose them over his automatons. Apollo does not know what they are, but is horrified when Marco confirms that the emperor is a man named Gaius.

After Apollo stops Gleeson from attacking Marco, the...