I continue to pet the cow, all the while returning his glare with a mutinous one of my own. I've already established a connection with her—one that heartless Ze would have no idea about.

He continues to look at me for moments on end before he releases a deep sigh.

"You like it that much?"

I nod decisively.

"I shall make arrangements for her accommodation," he eventually relents, though it takes everything in him to accept this defeat.

"Balthazar," he calls out again, and his man scurries over to get the cow.

"I don't trust you," I hiss at Ze, holding on tightly to the leash.

"I give you my vow the cow will come to no harm, human." He rolls his eyes.

"Your vows are of no consequence to me. You are a liar and I don't trust you."

He narrows his eyes at me, his body tense.

"My vow is binding," he adds through gritted teeth. "You can ask anyone in this room and they will tell you that."

I sneak a glance at Thea's parents, and Maros gives me a brisk nod. Still, I'm somewhat apprehensive to part with her now that she's mine.

Looking down, I pet her a while longer.

"I shall call you Belinda." I smile. "Now be a good girl and follow the man out. He will not hurt you."

She gives me another moo as if understanding my words, and I reluctantly relinquish my hold on the leash.

Balthazar takes Belinda out, and I wait for Ze to follow, too, but he's still rooted to the spot. And to my everlasting surprise, instead of leaving, he takes a seat at the table next to me.

"You may sit now." He inclines his head at his hosts.

The insufferable oaf!

"It is a surprise to see you here, Commander," Rhea notes as everyone finally sits down.

"I have pending business in Arche. We are in Code Red."

Both Rhea and Maros appear stricken by the news.

"And Cerenios?" Maros asks.

"He is on a mission. I cannot divulge much else about it, but I have a meeting with His Majesty tomorrow and I will advise you what I shall advise him as well. You need to have your army on standby, with a division that is proficient in handling demon attacks."

"Demon attacks? In Aperion? You must be mistaken..." Rhea murmurs.

"There has been a new development." Ze's lips flatten in displeasure. "Demons have been sighted in the intermediary realms and I have reason to believe they have found a way to travel between worlds in their physical form."

Gasps erupt around the table.

"Impossible," Maros mutters at the same time as Rhea takes a sip of her wine, her eyes filled with worry.

"Do you think there is a chance of them entering Aperion?"