"No one has reason to." He shrugs. "A lot of the species you see here are parasitic in one way or another. They're all looking out for their best interests."

"What about you guys? You fight demons. Can't you fight them, too?"

Ze snorts from the back. I turn and notice he's walking right behind me. "It is not our duty," he intervenes in his scholarly tone. "Although some species may cause human death, they don't cause the total annihilation of the soul. We're merely charged with protecting the cycle of the soul. Human life means little to us."

"I wasn't talking to you," I tell him before turning my attention back to Cer. He's still not off the hook after his behavior.

"Your world has a trophic chain. In the grand scheme of things, these species also occupy a position in the universe's trophic chain," Cer notes.

"You mean to tell me humans are not at the pinnacle of evolution? What a controversial statement." I laugh.

"Cerenios," Ze calls his name, a warning echoing in his voice.

Cer gives him an odd look and, shaking his head, he steps to the side to allow Ze to get in line with us.

God, he's like a petulant child upset he's not the center of attention.

"Your reality is merely one of many," Ze continues as he resumes his spot by my side. Hands behind his back, he walks as if he owns the entire place. "There are many worlds out there, and even more realms. But most of them are in agreement on one thing—humans are at the bottom."

I roll my eyes at him. What did I even expect him to say?

"Might I remind you that you have a human on your team?"

"I am aware," he states blankly. "You should thank the fates for bringing me into your life."

Thea can barely contain her smile, while Cer isn't far behind. Only Ze isn't laughing—because he's actually serious. He believes what he's saying.

"Oh, I am so very lucky," I add sarcastically. "What would have become of me if it weren't for your magnanimity?"

"Good of you to recognize your good fortune." He nods, pleased. "I knew you were wise for a human," he continues.

My hands curl into fists by my side as I barely resist the urge to tell him just how lucky I feel.

"It's not worth it," Thea whispers in my ear.

I blow out an annoyed breath. Yes, it's not the time to get mad at him. The man can't even recognize sarcasm. If anything, I should pity him and his narrow worldview.

As we reach the courtyard, I note just how many people there are. There must be a few hundred—if not more. Since we came a little late, we're in the back.

We make our way a little farther into the crowd before Ze suddenly puts a stop to it, placing his arm in front of me.