The ride back was quiet.

  I could tell that Ether wanted to talk about my conversation with Yorn, but Gesai was brooding in the backseat. I couldn’t tell if she was angry or worried and that had me conflicted about how to proceed. I also wanted to talk to Fray, but the RV wasn’t parked behind the clinic when we got there. I had a feeling that Aelin had decided retail therapy was the cure for how Fray was feeling and had taken advantage of having the freedom to go wherever she wanted.

  Miel wasn’t back with the others either, which meant we were relatively alone.

  Except for the three fourteen-year-olds waiting for us under the tree outside the clinic’s backdoor.

  Joy Mite bounded over to the car before it was parked. Of the three of them, she had the most energy, which differed from her older sister. Though if it weren’t for the energetic personality and four-year age difference, the two could have been twins. Joy’s black hair was longer, falling down past her shoulders, but she had those same bright green eyes, chocolate-toned skin, and fearless demeanor.

  The other girl glared at me while she hugged the tree. I didn’t blame her for not being happy about my arrival. The last time I’d seen Sylph Derst, she’d been crying over her mother’s body. Sipher had linked his life to the women he put in charge of the various bunkers around the world to ensure that each of those women would do everything in their power to keep him alive. When Gesai had killed the deranged outlaw, it had ended her mother’s life as well.

  Gilma had been reserved, with a skin tone that was more of a tan compared to Joy’s deeper brown. Those same qualities emanate from her daughter and I saw a softness in the blue eyes staring at me. I knew she still blamed me for having a part in her mother’s death, but at least there was some hope that she understood that I wasn’t ultimately responsible. Sylph pawed at her raven ponytail as she used the tree as a shield. I gave her a smile as I turned to the latest addition to the group.

  The black-furred Minotaur was out of place, not just in this city, but in the whole Ward. While there was a group of Minotaur that would come through and map out Dungeon floors, and there was apparently a construction crew of them that I’d never heard of, the demihuman presence in the Cathedral Ward was minimal, with most either being one of the Grim in the Authority or the Anubis from the Dispatchers.

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  Trok regarded me with a smirk as he put his arm around Sylph’s shoulders. His dark brown eyes bored into me as if he was challenging me for territory, which made me a little uncomfortable considering that they were still kids. The four years between us might not seem like much to someone Trent’s age, who was well over a hundred, but it was hard for me to see them and not think of them as children.

  “Dad said you got married!” Joy grinned as she looked between Ether and me.

  Ether grabbed my arm and nodded, while Gesai wove around them to go inside without a word.

  “Someone’s in a bad mood…” Joy glanced over her shoulder as Gesai retreated, then looked over at Hye. “Is she a bad guy again?”

  “She was never a bad guy.” Hye sighed. “Just taking orders from a bad person.” He looked over at me. “Is everything okay?”

  “She just got some heavy news on top of her dad becoming the head of Alard Hospitals.” I slid my hand behind Ether and rubbed her back while I talked. “She just needs some time to process it.”

  “Anything I need to know about?” Hye glanced at the younger teens, then back at me.

  I thought about letting him know about Yorn’s schemes, but it seemed rather private and I had a feeling Joy didn’t have a problem sharing sensitive information that didn’t concern her.

  “She just needs some time.” I looked over as the back door opened.

  Suna Publian leaned out the door. I knew that Trent had offered her a teaching position under Bethil Reder, but Justia’s mother had turned it down in favor of taking in Sylph. The motherly aura that Suna projected seemed to put the entire backyard at ease.

  “Kids! Come in and wash up!” Suna’s gaze swept over the three younger teens, then landed on me. “Atlas! Have you and Ether eaten?”

  “We had a late lunch.” I looked over at Ether. “You hungry?”

  Ether shook her head.

  “We’re good. Thanks.” I heard the door to the roof above us slam shut, letting me know that someone had just walked onto the flat roof.

  “I need to go talk to Gesai.” I led Ether out of Hye’s path as the older man shooed the younger kids inside.

  “You want company?”

  I thought about turning her down, but considering how much I’d been forced to leave her out of recently because of Klix’s protectiveness, it was an easy choice to make.

  “Come on.” I squeezed her in a hug, then kissed her forehead. “Let’s go make sure she’s okay.”

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