“This castle is yours?” Riordan said in amazement.

“Inherited it,” the boy said, “But that doesn’t change the fact that you should get out.”

“Why should we, anonymous kid?” Johnathan said.

Another gold beam shot from the kid’s hand and zapped Johnathan’s foot. Johnathan hopped backward, dismantling the zodiac.

The kid’s hands charged up with golden energy. He said, “My name’s Dennis.”

Dennis blasted them with an energy wave that knocked them all down.

“And I’m not a kid.”

Kyran stood up and shouted, “Astra Dolmuve!”

Dennis was now surrounded by a red forcefield.

“Oh, want to play the spell game?” his muffled voice hollered. “Astresa Evamelod!” he yelled.

The forcefield dropped. “You guys are pathetic chosen ones,” Dennis said.

Kyran blasted a blue beam at Dennis, sending him to the ground.

“Guys,” Kyran yelled, “use your powers!”

“We’ve barely used them!” Daniel exclaimed.

“Just try!”

A shockwave of air blasted from Erik's hands, sending him into the air like a rocket.

“Let’s do this,” he said with grim determination.

He flung a shock of cold air at Dennis, knocking him off his feet for the second time.

Dennis reached behind him and revealed a lasso, crackling with golden bolts of electricity coming off of it. He lashed it out at Erik, ensnaring him. “You think that’s gonna stop me?” He flung Erik into the back wall, hard.

“Erik!” Maize cried as he fell to the ground.

Kirna flung ice shards at Dennis pinning him to the wall.

Dennis just removed his cloak, showing denim jeans and an olive-green shirt.

“That didn’t do a thing,” he crowed.

“Look to your left,” Riordan said.

Dennis looked and saw that a single ice shard pinned him to the wall.

Kirna grinned with satisfaction.

“Incoming!” Daniel yelled as he charged shot a fiery blast at Dennis.

Dennis was engulfed by scorching flames of heat. Dennis let out a scream of terror.

“ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL HIM?” Kyran shouted. “STOP!”

Daniel did as he was told. The flames parted to show nothing but Dennis’ smoldering cloak.

Jacquie was horrified. Did Daniel just—

“Looking for me?” Dennis’ voice said from across the room.

Jacquie whirled around to see Dennis completely unharmed.

“Did I mention that I can't be harmed by fire?” he said. He glanced at the several jaws that were on the ground now. "Runs in the genes, fire immunity."

Several people glared at Daniel until he mumbled a “sorry”.

“Yakira Pemezo!” Kyran shouted at Dennis.

A spear materialized out of the air, making a beeline for Dennis.

“Kavuki,” Dennis said. The spear dropped in midair, inches from Dennis’ feet.

“Time to finish you once and for all,” he said. “Double trouble, thrice is nice; I’m not a clover, four times over!”

“Why is he speaking in rhyme?” Robin asked.

“It’s a spell,” Kyran said. “He’s making duplicates of himself.”

Dennises appeared everywhere, circling the room.

“What now?” Riordan said.

“We take them out,” Johnathan said. A flash of blue light and he was gone.

Johnathan reappeared behind a Dennis. He punched him in the back. The Dennis disappeared in a puff of smoke.

“I like the way you think, Johnny,” Kyran said.

He shot a blue beam at a Dennis, making it disappear in smoke.

“Don’t call me Johnny,” Johnathan said, teleporting again.

Kyran and Johnathan continued to take out Dennises this way. As Jacquie watched them circle the room, she noticed Maize wasn’t around.

Where is she?

Only two Dennises were left. One said, “Gratia Fera!” and the Dennis run toward Kyran and tackled him to the ground.

“Get him off of me!” Kyran shouted.

Robin disappeared in a red light and was replaced by an elephant.

Jacquie then noticed a flash of movement in the corner of her eye. The real Dennis was making his way to the exit while everyone was preoccupied.

She opened her mouth to warn the others.

Dennis caught her eyes and he whispered something.

Suddenly, Jacquie was frozen still. She tried to say something, but nothing could come out. Dennis was going to escape.