The ArchBishop was furious.

  “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” The balding gray-haired green man was wearing his white robe with gold trim. He was the highest authority for the All-Temple in the Cathedral Ward and the first person to learn that I was a Godling.

  Gesai didn’t even flinch. “They were possessed by a demon.”

  “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW BAD THIS IS?” Mavery slammed his fist into his desk. “THE GOD’S HELD A QUORUM! THEY’RE SENDING KLIX AND HARROR!”

  I swallowed. “At least it’s not Slece?” Of all the Gods in the Ward, she was the most violent. Actually of all the Gods in the world, she was in the top ten of having the most Desolations under her belt. When a God was killed, it was like detonating a bomb big enough that it would wipe out the entire city. If that God was in charge of a city, then all the Dungeons in the city would collapse into one. It was very destructive, but considering that you got half of the experience that a God had accumulated, it was also an easy way to get stronger.

  The look on Mavery’s face told me that my comment was not appreciated.

  “There was a coup. The Six deposed Mive and contained him. They kidnapped my class and were going to possess them. This was the only way to ensure that Mive didn’t come to any harm.” Gesai gestured behind her where both Mive and Trent were lying unconscious. “Was I supposed to just leave them to the mercy of the demons and those who supported them?”

  “You may have just killed everyone!” Mavery’s voice had calmed a little. His eyes were riveted on Trent. “Has there been any change?”

  “I talked to Mive.” I gestured at the unconscious God, “Not only did he ask us to take him away from there, but he ordered us to execute the traitors.” I shook my head. “I know that there is no way to verify it for the people, but…”

  “The Heirs have already taken over and put bounties out for all of you! If the Authority finds you, then they will use lethal force!” Mavery let out a ragged breath. “I’ve talked with Tres, If you can get to Cere, then he will redirect Klix there.”

  “Is Klix an ally?” I looked over at Gesai. After my interaction with Tres, Arlo, and now Mive, I wasn’t nearly as apprehensive about meeting some of the other Gods. Mavery had fed me a story about how the city Gods would kill off Godlings to remove future competition, but I’d helped and been helped by all the Gods I’d run across so far.

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  “She’s…” Mavery closed his eyes. “Not aggressive right now, but I do NOT want you or that Hunter girl around her!” He opened his eyes and glared at my companion. “Gesai! Do not let them anywhere near her!”

  “What do you want us to do?” I motioned at the two unconscious passengers behind me. Three, if you counted Astrid, even though I couldn't see her. “Split our teams and send someone to Cere, provided we can even get out of the city? Who goes? You don’t want me or Rix to go and you want Gesai to stay here as well to watch us, so we’re going to send who? Whisper with just the two of them?” I motioned at the unconscious passengers.

  “Don’t get smart with me…” Mavery let the threat remain unspoken.

  I spread my hands. “Just trying to figure out what you want.”

  “I want you to quit causing problems everywhere you go! This was supposed to be a simple PR mission to calm the Nobles! Now you have them beseeching their Gods to intervene! Why can’t you just be simple?” Mavery rubbed his temples.

  “If we sneak Mive and Trent to Cere, then we have a problem of Klix being in Cere and Harror being here. Which would mean no safe place for him.” Gesai motioned at me. “So the smart play would be for me to sneak Atlas, and Rix out of the city and go to Cere, while Whisper stays here and waits for the Goddesses to revive Mive and Trent.”

  “And Ether!”

  Mavery rolled his eyes at me. “We’re not risking…”

  “She’s Gibboram.” I cut off his rant. “So she’s going.”

  Mavery looked at Gesai, “Did you know about this?”

  “No sir, or I would have included her.” Gesai gave me a quizzical look.

  “Are there any other Godkin on your team?” Mavery seemed irritated to learn that we had another potential weapon.

  “No sir. I’m sure.” I could see the next question on his lips, so I headed it off. “The way that the demons were possessing people was by pulling the target into the Bequeathal Chamber, then using the seal to enter their body since Mundane and those without a Godkin Mantle remain unconscious when inside a Bequeathal Chamber. My entire team was dragged inside, so I am quite sure that no one else is Godkin.”

  “Interesting…” Mavery was having an idea that I knew I was going to regret later. “Fine, you four get out of the city…”

  “Whisper will only behave if Rix is here and Gesai is wanted for the murder of the Six.” I pointed out the flaw in his plan. “So we either have to take everyone or Rix will have to stay behind.”

  “Thanks a lot…” Mavery threw up his hands. “Fine, I’ll see if we can bring in another operative before the Goddesses get there.” He reached forward. “Don’t get into trouble before I contact you again.”

  The communication ended leaving just the two of us alone in the RV.

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