Gesai was missing.

  That was the first thing that I noticed when we walked into the dining area. The second was that so was Klix.

  Harror and Whisper were both looking out at the tree in the middle of the road in front of the building.

  “What’s going on?” I looked around the room. “Where’s Gesai?”

  “The Thief took her.” Harror glared at me. “Like she does everything.”

  Oz was on Whisper’s left, with Harror being on his right as they looked out the window. Fray seemed to have found a reason to be in the kitchen. Shelly was in the front right corner, which placed Whisper in between him and the Goddess. Zel was near the door to the kitchen and moved behind me as soon as I walked into the dining area.

  Oz turned, “Klix said Gesai was too weak and left with her Scarlets.” She eyed me. “What’s going on with you?”

  “Just logistical stuff.” I quickly eyed Shelly to try to send her a message that there were things we couldn’t talk about in front of the others. “I need to talk to Harror.”

  “You do NOT demand to speak to a Goddess!” Harror glared at me. “Have you no manners?!?”

  “No.” It was honest. I hadn’t been trained in how to interact with the Deities and I had no idea what the protocol was.

  I felt an incredible urge to bow in front of Her as Her aura washed over me, but I resisted. I might be a Tier Zero and She might be a Tier Eight or Nine, but I still wanted Her to see me as a peer.

  “You asked me to talk to Justia and we’re ready to give you her answer.” I straightened as the pressure lessened. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t do that in front of my team.”

  “You don’t dictate…”

  “I can ask you to be civil around my people.” I saw the two Roots on my right shift when I interrupted Harror. I felt Kara tense behind me and wondered how far Ether’s sister would go to protect me. “You need me to help you free Mive, which means right now we’re allies.” I wanted to throw that in for a little insurance. “I may not be your equal and I have no idea how to speak to a Goddess. In the Dungeon, we were direct when someone needed information, that’s all I know, so that’s what I’m using. Maybe in the future I’ll learn the protocol, but for now, this is all I have.” I gestured to the private dining room where Mive was lying. “Would You like to talk about how to save the city, or are You going to give a lecture on how to carry a conversation in the middle of a Dungeon Break?”

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  Her glare felt like it was starting to burn my face and it looked like I might actually get that lecture first.

  “How about this?” I choked as I swallowed. It took me a moment to clear my throat. “Sorry, wrong pipe.” I straightened back up. “You want to one up Klix?” The way the two of them interacted was obvious that they were rivals. “I know that my father rejected Klix the night he was with my mother.” I hoped this worked. “What if I was able to talk my father into having a private dinner with You in public?” Her aggression vanished almost immediately. “Would that earn me the right to speak to You casually in front of my team?”

  “IF your father agrees, then I can forgive this slight.” The Goddess straightened. “But if he does not, then you will be punished.”

  There was a look on Whisper’s face that told me not to make the deal, but I knew that Trent would make good on it. If it earned us the cooperation of one of the Goddesses, then he’d probably be willing to do more than that. I knew Whisper had said that my teacher hadn’t been with anyone since Dee died, but I knew that he’d gone out with a few different people over the years. So a dinner date that would make Klix jealous didn’t seem like too big of an ask.

  “We have business in Klix after this, but on our way back to the Cathedral once we’ve finished gathering my party, I’m sure he’ll be able to find the time.” I could tell that I’d diffused whatever it seemed like Klix had riled up in the green Goddess. I just hoped that I hadn’t upset Whisper too much with the deal.

  “If you’ve made a decision, then we can discuss it in here.” Harror briskly moved into the private dining area, with her Roots following behind her.

  Whisper glared at me as he followed her in. I had a feeling that he was going to have plenty to say to me once we were in private. I moved over to Oz.

  “What’s going on with them?”

  The brown woman shook her head. “Klix said something about Harror staying here while She went out to be useful.” Oz shook her head. “She's been in a bad mood ever since.”

  “Gotcha.” I looked her over. “Are you okay?”

  She eyed me. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

  “It’s my job to check on everyone and this meeting could take a while.” I looked at Shelly, then Zel. “Are you good?”

  Shelly nodded.

  Zel grabbed my arm. “As long as you’re here.”

  I gave her a hug, then pulled away. “Sorry, but I don’t think Harror will let you attend this meeting.” I smiled. “But I’ll be back out in a little bit.” She looked sad, so I nodded towards the kitchen. “Why don’t you try to eat something and maybe I’ll be done by then.”

  I nodded at Oz, then turned to the private dining room. It was time to free Mive.

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