Almost no one stopped eating.

  That didn’t settle my nerves much even though I knew that there was a field over the building that would stop him from using his skills just like the one in the malls. Though considering he was a Healer, there wasn’t a lot to worry about him doing.

  I also knew that it would only stop Adventurers up to a certain level and that cap was usually level 59. Considering Gesai was above that, we weren’t going to have to worry if someone tried something since she was free to use whatever skills and spells she knew.

  “Sir, if you would please—”

  “Don’t tell me to stop.” Gileon rolled up his sleeves over his golden arms. “This thief just STOLE my birthright and now she dares to bring her band of broken toys into my favorite restaurant?” He looked around the room for support. “Is nothing sacred anymore?”

  “Gileon, sit down before I let Savyn try that collar thing she was talking about on you.” Celia Taray leaned back in her chair and kicked the chair across from her out. She motioned at us. “There’s room over here.”

  Gesai hesitated while a furious Gileon turned back to his teacher. “You wanted my family’s backing for your little band of soldiers and you want me to sit down while I’m defending the very thing you want?”

  “From where I’m sitting…” Savyn Triscan twirled her long, black hair around the tip of her green finger. Her gaze lingered over me for a few moments before it moved to Gesai. “She’s the one with the connections.”

  There were men in the room who would have had trouble looking away from her bright blue eyes, but I remembered what she’d done to Aelin and even though we’d sort of made up, it was obvious that Gileon wasn’t ready to make peace.

  “You…” Gileon glared at the seated woman. “You’re just some small-time wench from a godless town! How dare you—!”

  Celia flicked a bean off her plate. The flying piece of food hit Gileon in between the eyes, knocking him on his back.

  Gesai hurried over to the unconscious man’s side, green light wrapping around him as she knelt down beside Gileon and examined the impact.

  “I toned it down enough that it won’t kill him.” Celia chuckled. “But it’ll shut him up long enough for us to eat.” Her gaze fixed on Gesai. “Unless you heal him too much.”

  The silver woman straightened and looked over at the other teacher. While Gesai might have been a whole Tier higher than Celia, the pale woman had seniority and a lot of combat experience.

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  “Um…” Our waitress swallowed. “I apologize for the scene, but we have to report hacked CBs…” She took a step back as Gesai turned to her.

  “I’m Tier Six.” Gesai held up her arm to show the woman her CB but didn’t display any of her information. “Your security system is too weak to contain me.”

  “You’re…” Rezal blinked. “I didn’t hear about a new Tier Six!”

  “She helped with the cleanup in Mive. Besides, you’d have to report her to the Dispatchers, and you can consider that done.” Celia flashed a badge, then motioned at the empty space across from her. “Pull up some empty tables and get them something to eat.”

  I helped Ether and Fray push two more tables over, and then once the seats were arranged, we all sat down. Aelin refused to sit on the same side as Savyn, which put Gesai next to her, with me next, then Ether. Aelin, Justia, and Fray sat across from us while we left Gileon on the floor where he fell.

  Celia waited for us to place our orders, and then once Rezal left, she leaned forward and steepled her fingers. “First, I want to say congratulations on your marriage and engagement.” A smile crossed her face. “You move fast for someone so young.”

  “I…” My ears popped as a privacy bubble snapped into place around us.

  “Thank you.” Gesai stopped my mumbling and nodded at the other teacher. “That’s not a real badge.”

  “Real enough.” Celia chuckled as she patted her chest. “Anyone who looks into it is going to find themselves on a direct line to Warder and he’ll back me up.” She glanced down at her sleeping student. “Especially on this.” The brunette teacher looked back at Gesai. “You know you’ve got to register, though.”

  “Trent was going to handle that once we get back to the Cathedral.” Gesai kept her face neutral. “We’ve been busy.”

  “Register? What for?” I looked between the two teachers.

  “Oh Atlas, you’re just adorable.” Savyn giggled.

  I raised an eyebrow at her, then looked at Ether. “Is she flirting with me?”

  “Ugh, it’s no fun if you talk about it like that.” The green woman sighed. ‘Whatever. It’s not like you’re going to leave behind your harem for mine.” The bubbly tone in her voice vanished, replaced by the more refined accent that I was used to hearing from the Nobility. “Because of the lack of Tier Sixes, anyone who reaches that Tier has to register with the Dispatchers and any incidents concerning them are immediately directed to the personal guard of the city.” She looked at her teacher, a hunger for praise written on her face.

  “And?” Celia prompted.

  “Oh.” Savyn snapped. “And they have to declare an allegiance. Either to a house, group, city, or the Temple. Whoever they swear allegiance to assumes responsibility for any trouble they might cause. This is to keep those that the Dispatchers are unable to patrol from roaming around and causing problems.” She grinned as her teacher nodded, then looked at me. “Some of us actually go to class instead of running all over the Ward.”

  “And some of us are little know-it-alls.” Ether muttered under her breath.

  “I’m guessing you were planning on declaring the Temple as your organization?” Celia looked at Gesai.

  “That’s what Trent and I discussed.” Gesai raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

  “Because I want to convince you not to.” Celia smiled as she leaned back in her chair. “I want you to come work for me.”

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