Anton sighs as he looks at Slash. “Please tell him how strategic we can be if we’re searching with a much larger group of people with varied gifts. I think emotions are clouding his common sense.”
Ouch. Annienevergets that sharp with Jasper, even when I sense he wants to.
The big guy crosses his arms over his chest as he looks around. Once he’s satisfied, he nods. “I believe Anton is correct. Our ability to cover more ground with extra powers may reveal secrets we could not on our own. More importantly, I would like the little demon to have time to process her feelings with friends.”
“Bitchin’. Then we need to text your friends?—”
“Already on it,” Rogue says as she winks at me. Her fingers are flying over the screen like lightning, and Kat looks relieved.
I bet she was worried they wouldn’t come on her invitation; our girl is still struggling with believing people want her around.
Kat looks at me curiously. “Why are you so happy about this?”
I shrug, giving her a crooked grin. “Everything the big guy said. We can outfit all those dudes in some of our spare sweats so they look like they belong here. You can chat with your friends and get some perspective. Plus, welivehere, KK. It’s easy for us to miss things because we’re used to seeing them. Fresh eyes, and all.”
She nods as Dottie comes over to flop on her lap without going back to tiny-size. “That’s true. I just didn’t think you guys would… I mean…”
Oriel looks up at her, leaning his head against her knee. “We’re not dumb, Shadow. You need friends who aren’t in the caliphate, especially ones who get what your life is like. We can talk to each other… probably… but you can’t just spend all your time in that hut or the doc’s office.”
“But… Dank is… and Arces is…” she sputters as she gives him a dirty look. “Oh, fine. You’re right. They’re not equipped to talk about everything, I suppose.”
“I’d say not,” Salem calls from the kitchen. “Though I’d pay good money to see that crusty old bird try to explain?—”
“That’senough, Salem,” Slash growls as KK turns red as the crunkleberries she loves. “Don’t be crude.”
Rogue snorts, turning back to Kat. “Oh, dear.NowI get why they’re behind this. Oh, we’re going to havesomuch fun!”
“Come on, Barbie…” Angelo mutters with a chuckle. “Rogue, promise not to corrupt this poor kid too much. You and that gargoyle are… let’s say, expert level in some areas. I think these fuckers will be mad if they return to find their newest member in shock.”
Ah, you don’t give us enough credit, Gemini; that’sexactlywhat we want.
“Maybe don’t make her catatonic, but a little corruption is fine,” Oriel jokes. Kat gives him another dirty look, and I laugh. Those two are doing really well, and I’m a tiny bit jealous.
“Stop it, Oriel,” Kat grumbles under her breath. “Otherwise, I’m going to tell everyone about your hoards.”
I blink, looking at my brothers in surprise. “Have youbeento one of them? Like, inside?”
“Duh. He took me on a picnic there. It was pretty fucking cool.”
“Oh, you bastard,” Salem fumes as he turns to look at the crow. “All those giftsandthe hoard? I’m going to beat your ass.”
Kat frowns and puts Dottie down before she gets up. Putting her hands on her hips, she stares at the panda. “You will not. Be nice, or I’ll be very upset. I don’t like in-fighting, Salem. It’s… It bothers me.”
That gets Jasper’s attention, and the prince scoffs, “Yet here you are, causing it every time you open your mouth.”
We need to get the other guests here so we can leave… stat.
It takesanother hour to get a hold of the group on the surface and organize the somewhat risky portal jumping. Angelo (that’s the older one, I figured out) goes first, then Zavida, and finally, Damon follows suit. We had to negotiate who was going to State U and in what order, which was as silly as it was time-consuming. While they dealt with that, Oriel and I helped Salem in the kitchen while Rogue and her hockey player entertained the crowd.
What I learned was that the laid-back lion helps take the edge off the hard elder twin, Rogue, and her missing stepbrother, while the younger demon and the phoenix are good at balancing the group. I’m not one hundred percent certain about the bird since he’s in baby form, but the way they talk about him gave me clues. Their family has found their groove—or was headed towards it—before the enormous battle with some unknown, super-powerful being from one of the less traveled realms.
None of us were thrilled to hear about the visitors at the Apalachin that we missed, especially Jasper.
“If they have that many heavy-hitters, this Games resurrection is about more than taking out the current monarchy,” the prince says with a sigh of frustration. “Darkstar is definitely in with their father, but knowing that association brings him into a more powerful group of rebels is troubling.”
Rogue snorts as she looks at Jasper. “Ya think? Those assholes wereallridiculously excited for whatever plan they’re working on and actively recruiting. The fall of your daddy’s court is a stepping stone; it’s not the end game. I mean, it might be for your small-time villain dude, but for the rest? It’s like part of phase one.”
“What’s the rest of it?” Kat asks with a frown. “I get taking over Hell, and I get taking over your city. But… what are all these people hoping to gain?”
