Pancakes, eggs, and fried meat was the perfect breakfast.

  Less than three months ago my diet had been the cardboard tasting ration bars. Once I was sent to the Cathedral, my meals started consisting of actual food. We still had to eat ration bars, usually for lunch, but I had real food and was enjoying it.

  After breakfast, the seven of us walked out of the front doors of the palace. What looked like a brand-new eight passenger van was parked at the crest of the circle drive.

  “I’m driving!” Aelin held out her hand towards Miel.

  The Scarlet eyed her. “I think I should drive since I know my way around town.”

  “But you can tell me where to turn!” Aelin began bouncing. “PLLEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEEE???”

  “If you don’t let her drive, she’s going to pester you all day.” I shook my head. “It’ll be saner for everyone to let her drive and you navigate.”

  Aelin had a HUGE smile on her face as she began wiggling her fingers.

  “Fine.” Miel put the fob in the blonde’s hand. She turned to me. “It’s not good to encourage that type of behavior.”

  “Trust me, I don’t encourage it. I try to survive it.”

  “I HEARD THAT!” Aelin turned around and looked at me from the open door on the driver’s side. “You know you love me.” She winked.

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  “But Aelin, I thought you were taken?” I shook my head as I realized that she’d sucked me in. But it didn’t stop the grin on my face.

  “Alas!” Aelin put the back of her hand to her forehead. “It’s a love that can never be!” She looked at everyone else. “Now quit gawking and get in!”

  The confusion on Miel’s face made the whole thing even funnier. Even Rix smirked.

  I put my hand on the Scarlet’s shoulder. “You get used to it.”

  The drive was actually quite pleasant. Justia and Fray sat in the first row of seats, Ether and I were in the middle and naturally, Rix was in the back.

  The mall was our first stop. It was actually going to be the only stop we needed before we went to the Dungeon. I wasn’t sure which one she was going to take us into, but I knew Trent wanted us to clear floors, so anything we did would be helpful.

  “Everyone stay together.” Miel waved for us to gather up.

  “Um…” I coughed. “We usually divide up into groups to get what we need.”

  The mom face that I received destroyed any argument I had. I felt like I was seven looking at one of the nuns.

  “We’re staying together.” Miel looked at Rix. “Even you.” She tapped the CB on her wrist. “I can track you with this, so don’t try running off.” Her glare softened into a grin. “Nice work hiding from mom for a couple weeks. She brags about being able to smell a hunter when they’re in town.”

  I had a feeling what the unspoken end to that sentence was. Klix had a lot of blood on those talons of hers.

  “Now, what do you need first?”

  Aelin picked at her shirt. “New clothes. I’ve been wearing these for the last few days. Everything I have is dirty.”

  Miel nodded. “Sounds like a plan…” She tapped her cheek. “I think I know where we can go freshen up.”

  That probably sounded more ominous than she made it out to be. I put my arm around Ether. “Let’s go.”

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