“It’s just a party, but that’s why the dress code is a little more formal. All the big names will be there.”
“Okay.” I want to groan, complain that I really don’t want to be within the same vicinity as Ares, Poseidon and Zeus, let alone a heap of other Gods and Goddesses, but that would mean telling him about what those three asshole Gods want from me and I’m fairly certain I’d have my head removed if I did that, so I hold my tongue.
“Can you leave again? I’d like to put my normal clothes back on.”
“Are you sure you’ll have enough clothes? You only got five outfits and while I appreciate the fact that you aren’t costing me an arm and a leg, I thought girls liked to have more than the bare minimum when it comes to clothing.”
I laugh and lean close as though I’m going to tell him a secret, “I’m not normal.” I hiss into his ear. “Are we done now?”
“Actually, I need you to try one more thing on.” He smirks at me, “Just for fun this time.” He reaches around the dressing room door and grabs a hanger that I didn’t notice clipped to the top of the door. As he pulls it forward, I gasp. It’s a beautiful gown in a harlequin style, starting with a deep green, then bleeding into blue, followed by purple, then red, then black lace along the bottom. I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this before.
“Just for fun.” I practically squeal, grabbing the dress.
“Come out once you’ve got it on, I want to see it.”
The dress is a perfect fit, hugging my body in all the right places, except with no sleeves, I’m going to have to lose the bra or the straps will be showing. I slip it off and pull the dress into place, pulling the hidden cord on the zipper at the back. It’s floor length without shoes and I can imagine what it would look like with a pair of black killer pumps, but considering this is just for fun, I open the door with a huge smile and step out.
I’m blinded by the flash of light, and it takes me a few minutes to blink the after effects away.
“You didn’t?” I growl, fully prepared to tackle the asshole to the ground…. “Once I get this dress off, you’re dead.” I laugh, going back into the dressing room. I quickly pull my own clothes on and emerge with just the penguin suit and the dress back on its hanger.
Tanner takes the gorgeous dress from my hands and hangs it on a rack that has a range of random items. I’m assuming it’s for returns so I don’t say anything.
He cocks his head to the side, looking over my shoulder before sighing, “Sorry little Ryx, we don’t have time for you to murder me, we’ve got to get a move on, my class starts in ten minutes.”
“What do we do with all this?” I ask, gesturing to the bags.
“Bring them here.” I do as he says and with a wave of his hand they all vanish.
“Um, what just happened?”
“I sent them all to my room. God with powers, remember. They’ll be safe there for now. Come on, we’re going to be late and it wouldn’t look good for the teacher and his assistant to be late on the first day of classes.”
“Assistant?” I gasp as we practically run out of the mall.
“Yup, that’s what shadowing is, you’re my new assistant. If you like the gig, we can make it permanent. I don’t have a human liaison because I chose a teaching job, but I am entitled to one.” He says as we pick up the pace, crossing the arena avoiding the forest that he put there.
I’m out of breath as we run through the courtyard and into the main building of the castle. I’m so puffed, I can’t even talk as we finally come to a stop in front of classroom eight on the main floor.
Tanner pauses outside the classroom and says, “Remind me to sort out a training schedule for you, you seriously need it.”
“Thanks.” I growl, slapping him on the arm as I straighten back up.
“Classes for this week are all remedial stuff, going over everything everyone already knows and giving them a sense of normalcy but next week after the humans are assigned to their temporary Gods, most of the humans will accompany them to their normal classes and learn the same things. You can take extra classes during free time, but each term the classes change to ensure everyone learns as much as they can, so don’t worry about pushing yourself too hard, okay?”
“Got it. Crash course in God school comprehended.” I giggle, then just to be cheeky I add, “Follow your lead and pretend I know what I’m doing.”
“Now you’re getting it.” Tanner laughs as we enter the classroom. Thankfully no one is there yet, so I’m able to relax for a few more minutes.
SIXTEEN
TY
I walk into Junior’s first class of the year, excited to see what he has lined up for the term, but my gaze doesn’t land on Junior. I’m struck practically dumb by the vision I do find. Ryxa is perched on the edge of a desk, leaning on her arms with her head tilted back as she soaks in the rays of the sun shining through the window. She looks so relaxed right now that I don’t want to disturb her, but I want to see if she’s feeling okay after what went down at the beginning of our Math class.
I was worried about her after Mr Wolfe sent her out of the class. I wasn’t the only one that stayed behind to question Mr Wolfe either. Both of my brothers and that asshole human tried prying the information about her whereabouts but Mr Wolfe remained closed mouthed.
I go to take a step towards her but Junior steps into my path, his hand pressed to my chest to stop me from moving any closer. “Leave her. She’s only just started to relax again; I don’t want to see her upset.” He whispers so quiet I strain to hear.