Sunday. Meetings with the other members of the Representative Council. But this was going to be a little bit different. We were back in the council room. But we had guests.

Vivian Hearth was maneuvering papers in the air. It made me think of detective shows and conspiracy filled cork boards and yarn. The two of us had been first, but Dellik and Set were also in the room.

Vivian had wanted to be here early for this.

Dellik was busy with a stack of papers, but I wasn't sure what he was doing.

I was sitting by myself while we waited for the others and their Tower heads to appear. I hated this. Having to sit still like this. I didn't want to fidget in front of Dellik and Set.

"I'm proud of you for remaining so calm no matter the situation," Set suddenly spoke up in the quiet. Maybe the Pixie in him didn't like the quiet either.

Or perhaps it was the Pixie in me?

"Calm is relative, I think. But I appreciate the sentiment, I think." It was the best I could offer him but I felt better at seeing a twitch of a smile on Vivian. I was pretty sure that it was approval.

I let out a breath to steady myself as the door opened to reveal Professor Gorgon and Anubis. I wished that it was someone else first. Some kind of buffer between them and me.

"Professor Hearth, Professor Dellik," Anubis greeted.

"Representative Anubis," Vivian greeted without looking at her.

I looked down at my hands and deliberately avoided making any kind of eye contact with either of them. I didn't want any hint of trouble, hopefully the others would arrive soon.

Set cleared his throat once and cut through the quiet. "Anubis, nice to see you. How has your week been?"

I felt a little bad for him, for all one could say about Pixies he was trying.

Anubis didn't sneer at him, which was miles better than how she usually looked at me. Though I wouldn't call her expression friendly. "Set, pleasant as ever. I have been busy, how are you?"

"Fantastic."

Good for them, having a civil conversation.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

No one said anything else until the others arrived. Horus arrived with Aetos, like with the Krakens I made a very conscious effort to just not make eye contact. After a minute Thoth and Telvis arrived, followed by Osiris, Maat, Bastet and Ra with professors I didn't recognize.

"Thank you all for arriving in a timely manner," Vivian spoke while continuing to stand. She snapped her fingers and the papers around her vanished in puff of purple smoke.

Me and my fellow representatives got papers in front of us. The stacks varied wildly between us. Mine was downright pitiful compared to Bastet's.

As I looked at them it wasn't hard to guess why. It was paperwork involving the guests in less than two weeks. Our parents.

"We need to select the locations around the school each of you will be using when meeting with the parents of your Towermates. Also for those of you with large numbers of people arriving if you feel like you need the presence of extra staff to keep organized we need to prepare and plan ahead of time," Vivian explained.

Oh good. So I could zone out of most of this meeting.

Dragon Tower, being as tiny as we were, only had six incoming parents I was going to meet with.

It wasn't hard to guess who was whose parent. Ruby Flare for Jarec. Larae Owlcourt and her husband Harmor Fel'Graces for Celica. Shakir Kingsley for Russel. And Caninin Nightcall for Fethris. And of course, my mother.

Ruby was the only name I had heard before. My aunt that I hadn't met. But I knew nothing about the others besides my Towermates mentioning the Exterreri. I didn't know if it was the entire group, Mom had never mentioned names or numbers, but there was a sense of dread knowing that being in a room with most of her old school friends was bound to affect Mom's behavior.

Even with her mother in the room too.

"Serafina," Vivian called my name to pull me from my thoughts. "Your turn, have you thought about a location for Dragon Tower to use?"

I hadn't. But I had an idea. "What about your office?"

The knowledge of eyes in the room on me made me want to curl up somewhere and hide. I kept my eyes on Vivian in an attempt to distract myself.

Vivian was quiet for a beat and then nodded, "Appropriate size and out of the way. Should suffice."

Perfect, now I can go back to trying to pretend I don't exist for this meeting.

I went back to flipping through the very small stack of papers in front of me. There weren't any notes or anything that told me a hint of their personality or what to expect. Nothing noted in special accommodations for me to worry about.

Everything would be fine. Just as long as Mom behaved.

This was going to be a disaster.

(*********)

Later, after the meeting was finally adjourned, I was walking out when I was approached by Set.

"I think you're doing a great job. I know Vivian Hearth can be intimidating."

I blinked for a second. "She's not so bad. Or she's just very patient with me."

"What a waste of her time," a voice from behind me made me cringe.

Find an escape route. Leave me be!

Set sighed.

"I don't understand why she bothers with your or the other Dragons," Anubis continued like she had any idea what she was talking about.

Words bubbled in the back of my throat. Don't. Don't do it. Walk away. I warred with myself over what to say when I saved by someone I hadn't expected.

Gorgon tapped Anubis on the shoulder and even though he didn't say anything out loud, I got the feeling that perhaps he was using telepathy. Whatever it was Anubis followed after him as he left.

I sighed in relief. "I appreciate your support Set. But I have stuff to do and need to head off now. Goodbye."

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