“Yes,” Mama said, and her look was just as fiery. “Obviously, both of you are so used to being in charge that neither of you can put your egos aside for a moment, even for the sake of our daughters. If we’re going to solve anything, we need to work together.”
“But—” Daddy stammered.
“Liam,sit down,” Mama barked.
The queen turned her blazing gaze on King Ethan, and I swear, he shrank an inch. Both my father and Kallie’s dragged their feet back to their seats, acting like sad puppies who’d just been yelled at.
“By the gods, at least your wives have some sense,” Hemlock grumbled as she fixed her hair. “May wepleaseget back to the task at hand?”
“Emotions are high right now,” Takahashi said, taking the counselor’s role. “It’s understandable, given the situation is upsetting, but there is a solution.”
“Rishi,” I heard Marcus hiss. He was floundering, trying to hold on to his cat. Rishi was clawing out of his arms, squirming to get away.
“Marcus, I swear to the gods—” Kallie growled.
Rishi bit Marcus’ hand, and he gasped. “Ouch!” Marcus yelped, and he did it— he fucking dropped him.
That wasn’t the worst part— Marcus lost his balance and went tumbling off the beam, screaming as he went. The illusion magic concealing us instantly broke as he and Rishi fell toward the table below. All the adults looked up, mouths dropping open as they watched Marcus careen downward.
I closed my eyes and looked away, but I didn’t hear any impact. I dared to look down. Both Marcus and Rishi were hovering an inch above the broken table. Charlie had caught them at the last second. Charlie let them drop, and Marcus face-planted against the table.
Rishi ran to Nadine and Lucas. He rubbed his head against their legs, purring. Everyone stared at Marcus for a second, then looked upward at us.
Oh, ancestors, Hemlock looked madder than a twisted dick. “I suggest the rest of you get down here.Now.”
None of our parents looked happy. Great. Now we were in trouble.
“They’ll never know we’re here,” Charlie mocked as he floated us down. “Great job, guys.”
“Ididn’t blow our cover,” Kallie snarled back. She whirled on Charlie, but I got between them.
“You know what? It doesn’t matter that we got caught, because we overheard everything we needed to know,” I said, turning toward Takahashi. “Why weren’t we informed?”
“Because you weren’t ready,” Takahashi said in a tired voice. “But I suppose there’s nothing that can be done now.”
“You said you have a plan,” I said, and Marcus scrambled off the table to join us. “What is it?”
Takahashi opened his mouth, but Daddy stepped in front of me. “No. No, I don’t care what it takes, you’re going home, and you’re getting away from these people.”
“Excuse me?” I shouted. “I get you’re overprotective and all, butthese peopleare myfriends, and I’m not leaving them for any reason. Yeah, they’re kinda fucked up inside, but so am I. I’d do anything for them, and they’d do the same for me. So if you want to separate us, then good luck trying, because we aren’t going anywhere.”
Daddy frowned, but Mama came to the rescue. “We’d never split the four of you up. We of all people know how important friendship can be.”
Mama shot a sharp look to Daddy, and he looked away guiltily. None of the other parents spoke up; they must’ve had similar opinions.
“Anyway.” I sighed harshly. “So, the Elves are trapped, heaven’s in danger and hell’s about to take over. What do we do about it?”
“We train you to be ready. I have some understanding of demigod magic,” Takahashi suggested. “I could teach you to use and control your powers in an effective way, to avoid another unfortunate situation such as Marcus’ in the future, and to be ready to fight the Warden when it’s time.”
I was already in. We’d been floundering around all semester trying to learn our demigod powers. Takahashi’s instruction could be valuable.
“Perfect. Let’s get to work straight away,” I said.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Takahashi replied regretfully. “When I applied for my sabbatical, I agreed not to return to my position until the following year. If I return to the Institute now, it’ll alert the Warden that I’m up to something. We must keep up the ruse that I’m still traveling. If he knows I’m here, there will be dire consequences.”
Kallie’s mouth dropped open. “You mean we have to put up withherfor another semester?”
“Professor Vengier’s position as counselor is temporary. She’ll be gone by the end of December, and I’ll return to campus in January,” Takahashi said calmly. “We have to wait until then.”
