She was our enemy’s daughter.

  I opened my mouth, then shut it. Just because she was Votic’s daughter didn’t mean that she had anything to do with the Primus. Rix was Kire’s daughter and I knew she didn’t have anything to do with the God who had killed Trent’s wife.

  “What makes you think that we aren’t going to use you as leverage against your father and the Primus?” Miel eyed the demihuman.

  “Please.” Nakten snorted. “The Primus is composed of a congress of twelve Gods, with one from each of the Wards. The leadership is volatile, and if you tried to blackmail my father, he’d lose his seat, probably his city, and there’d be no one to protect you.”

  I swallowed. That was more information about how the Primus operated than I believed Trent knew about the organization of God killers.

  “So what? We stay in line and keep your dad’s secret and he keeps ours?” I laughed. “Doesn’t that make you a prisoner?”

  “I mean, if you’re into cuffs, I don’t mind roleplay.” She smirked.

  “That…” I choked. “What?”

  “You’re telling me that with all these women, you’ve never…” She shook her head. “You need to use your imagination more.”

  Aelin giggled. “That’s what I’ve been telling him!”

  “Aelin, stop.” I pointed at the blonde, then turned back to the Anubis. “You act like this is all just a game.”

  “Because it IS!” Nakten sighed. “We’re insignificant and toil around while those in power make their moves and trade favors and information while they try to gather more power until someone comes along and collapses their house of cards.” She looked at Miel. “You’re being given an opportunity to slip through the cracks for a while. You can at least see how valuable that is?”

  “The word of some demihuman isn’t worth much.” Miel shook her head. “We need to talk to Votic.”

  “Not going to happen.” Nakten shook her head. “Dad isn’t going to meet with any of you, because that will look like he’s creating his own little army.” She tilted her head. “Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to bring so many Godlings together? That’s like asking the Primus to go on a major culling spree.”

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  “Doesn’t matter.” I spoke up before one of the others could say something. I knew their seals were supposed to prevent them from saying anything, but I didn’t feel like chancing it. “And I still don’t see how you think we’re just going to let you on our team so you can spy on us.”

  “SPY?” Nakten laughed. “Please. Most of the Primus agents could wipe us out with a single spell.” She shook her head. “If that’s what you think, then you don’t understand just how insignificant you really are.”

  “We might be weak now, but what about when we become a threat down the road?” I countered.

  “Please. The only reason why you’re still standing is because Slece hasn’t figured out you’re Gar’s son. The moment she does, you’ll need someone from the Primus to hold her back.” Nakten motioned at the door behind me. “Fine, you want proof that what I’m saying is true? Then walk back out there and talk to Lord Nevah.”

  We all looked at Miel. The older woman tapped her foot for a moment. “No.” She shook her head. “We need to do what we came here for before we start interacting with the Primus.”

  “Oh, Nevah isn’t with the Primus.” Nakten laughed. “And neither am I, not really.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better…” Miel looked at her CB and sighed. “Fine, Trent says you can stay...”

  Aelin clapped her hands.

  “... for now.” Miel glared at the demihuman. “But if you try something…”

  “I’m level one.” A sweet smile split the Anubis’s face. “What could I possibly do?”

  “A whole lot, if you know what you’re doing…” The Ivory woman looked at me. “For the record, I don’t like this.”

  Neither did I. When I’d started out, I’d hoped that my identity would stay hidden at least until I graduated. Now we were being told that the exact people that I had been hiding from knew who and where I was. Maybe not the exact people, because it sounded like the Goddess who killed my mother was still in the dark as far as my parentage went. I was going to have to talk to Trent about what we were going to do about that.

  Archbishop Mavery had told me that the barrier around the Cathedral would be strong enough to at least severely weaken any Gods that tried to break in, but I wasn’t sure if the contract was even still in effect. My being outed shouldn’t have changed his contract to protect me, but I wondered what would happen if he had multiple contracts that conflicted with each other.

  It was a question for later, though. I watched Miel type in the second floor destination, then the portal inside the ring shimmered.

  “Let’s go.” Miel’s red eyes locked on to Nakten. “And if you try something…”

  “We both know that’s an empty threat.” The demihuman patted my mother-in-law’s arm as she walked by. “But it’s nice to see you care.”

  The Anubis walked into the Dungeon first. As soon as she was gone, Miel looked at all of us. “I shouldn’t have to say this, but I’m going to anyway. Assume that anything you tell her is going to get back to the Primus.” Her glare settled on Aelin. “So. Watch. Your. Mouth.”

  “What?” Aelin feigned being insulted. “I can keep a secret.”

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