Toji wanted to bang his head against a wall. What part of vacation did his fathers not understand? Why was he forced to deal with all this paperwork almost immediately after arriving at Helman Hall? Even having to meet with Alerik, Glen Andrews, and Brandt Davis was hard enough. They were his fathers’ top three intel specialists, the ones who could be trusted to bring in the most reliable information regarding the exiles. Still, despite what they were telling him, the reports weren’t very reassuring.

He handed a few to Ynda and a couple to Havik, who had insisted on being a part of the meeting. The three sat in the main entrance, the staff bringing them fresh coffee, soda for Havik, and freshly baked cookies, courtesy of their patisserie, Francois. Lukas stood in the back along with Noah and Chloe, doing their due diligence as the Helman’s Guard.

“Three settlements in North Carolina were attacked last month,” Ynda mumbled.

“Two in Canada,” Havik said. “Qeb..Quibic…” He looked to Toji who smiled patiently.

“Quebec.”

“Yes, Quebec,” Havik nodded. He cast his glance to Brandt. “Where are the governors who protect these places?”

Brandt sighed with regret. “They’re getting overwhelmed by the influx of new residents,” he said. “With the new programs and more leaders being voted in and out, the governors are being stretched thin in accommodating the arrivals. Thanks to your fathers, the settlements that were created have helped lessen some of the burden, with their own mayors or settlement leaders taking on a great deal of responsibility. However, it doesn’t seem to be quite enough at this time.”

“Why the influx, though?” Toji asked, staring pointedly at Glen Andrews. He had never liked the angel, thinking him nothing more than a smarmy bastard who was just after his dad’s dick. He wasn’t entirely off the mark, either. Glen had been Hero’s professor and the first man he had ever been with, caught up in Glen’s manipulation. Gross as he found the creature to be, Glen had turned out to be quite the capable leader and helped to create many of the resource centers and programs in his state that were utilized throughout the rest of the US and most of the outside world.

“If only a few settlements have been attacked, why are there so many exiles relocating?” Ynda added.

Glen folded his hands in his lap, his bright eyes shining in his handsome features. “It isn’t just the attacks, Your Highness,” he said, his voice smooth and buttery, making Ynda shudder and the boys gag. They really did not like him. “There’s also the new exiles to be considered as well.”

Havik looked up at Toji again. “He has a point,” he said. “More Divine seem to be getting exiled rather than directly punished by their Realm’s Kings or leaders. Especially after uprisings.”

Toji sat back on the couch, his coffee cup halfway to his lips as he studied the report in his hands. His eyes slid to Alerik who nodded.

“I can confirm His Highness’ claim,” he said. “According to what information I have been able to gather, many of the Divine seem to think that since you are in charge of their care, they don’t need to worry about dealing with the issues themselves and leave it up to you to deal with.”

All three of them groaned. Ynda tossed her reports on the table and folded her arms under her breasts, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Nice of them to pass the buck to us, the lazy bastards.” She looked at Toji. “Thoughts?”

“I’ll have to relay a message back to Pater, see if he can convene a meeting with the other gods to address the matter,” he said. “There’s not a whole lot we can do about that here.”

“Not to mention we really don’t have much sway with them, anyway,” Havik pointed out. 

“What of the souls?” Brandt asked.

“What about them?” Toji asked, his brows knitting together. “They come into either the Fifth Realm of Hell or the Eighth Realm of Heaven and get sorted from there, just like always.”

The three advisors shared a look, the Helmans watching them closely. “Something you’d like to share with the class?” Toji said.

“It’s just that,” Glen began, shifting in his seat. “There’s rumors of the Divine Realms possibly being sealed off from here. If that happens, the souls will have nowhere to go when the humans who possess them die.”

Ynda’s eyebrow ticked and she tilted her head, her long wavy blonde hair spilling over her shoulder. “That’s not true,” she said. “How do you figure that?”

“If there is no access to the Divine Realms,” the former professor said, “it isn’t just the Divine here that can’t get back, it’s anything and everything to do with the supernatural. It would be like a huge gate is shut, refusing entry to all who try and enter.”

“A wall,” Havik said. “A great big wall would be constructed separating all of us, is that what you mean?”

Alerik nodded. “That’s exactly it, yes,” he said. “Souls would be trapped, along with all Divine left behind.”

“Why are these rumors even being told in the first place?” Ynda said, exasperated. “There is zero reason for us all to be separated.”

“We agree with you, Your Highness,” Brandt said. “However there are a few who are concerned that the attacks on the exiled settlements are just the beginning. They worry that whoever is after them, may go after the ones who sent them here.”

“You mean the Kings,” Toji said, unblinking.

“Precisely.”

“They blame the Kings for not taking more decisive action,” Glen said. “To them, all exiles should be killed.”

“Or obliterated,” Brandt said, grimacing.

Toji sighed, one leg bouncing on his knee. “The only one who could authorize such an extreme measure is the High Divine himself and I doubt he’d ever do that. He loves the attention too much.”

Alerik coughed lightly behind his hand, an attempt to cover up a snort. He couldn’t disagree with Toji but there was no way he would let that slip to his cohorts.

“Honestly, it’s not something that should be seriously considered, anyway,” Ynda said, leaning forward, her arms folded on her knees as she smiled at the trio before them. “There is no way in any Realm that would ever happen. Our primary concern is the care and protection of the exiles here in the Mortal Realm. Glen, see if you can’t arrange some sort of parliament or whatever with the rest of the governors and come up with a plan to prevent any more attacks. Also, see how you all can better accommodate any refugees and new arrivals.”

“I’ll talk to Father about the souls,” Havik said, rising to his feet. The rest did the same. “I agree with my sister, the High Divine won’t separate us from the Mortal Realm, however a cont-in-gen-cy plan should still be put in place.” He smiled at himself, proud he managed to use the new word he had learned in the proper context.

Good job, Vik, Toji applauded.

Glen, Brandt, and Alerik all bowed. Alerik stayed behind while the other two left, one of the staff members seeing them out. Lukas, Noah, and Chloe joined the other three, Lukas looking far too serious for Toji’s liking.

“What?” he asked.

Lukas shook his head, scratching the side of his neck. “All these attacks,” he said. “It’s not normal.”

“He’s right,” Chloe said. “Sure there’s been skirmishes and riots every now and then, but something this devastating? It just feels off.”

“You think they might be planned?” Noah asked.

“Could be,” Lukas said. He looked to Alerik. “With your permission, I’d like to request some of your soldiers keep watch over some of the more vulnerable or strategically significant settlements. I’ll ask Finn to send a request to Nox and a few other of the Devil Kings for the same.”

Alerik nodded. “I think that’s wise.” He glanced at Toji. “What do you think?”

Toji shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”

Ynda lifted her arms in the air and stretched with a loud sigh, her shirt riding up, exposing her pierced belly button. “Alright, enough of all this responsibility crap, we came here to have some fun, dammit!” 

Chloe laughed and the two walked away, arm in arm, chatting loudly as they went. 

Toji and Lukas shared the same grin. “She has a very valid point,” Toji said. 

“Her negotiation skills are unparalleled,” Lukas agreed.

Alerik chuckled. “You guys enjoy the rest of your vacation. Your fathers felt this was too important to overlook, hence why we discussed it so early on.” He smiled at his son, giving him a quick hug. “Give your sisters my love and stay out of trouble, son.”

“I will, Dad,” Noah said with a smile. 

“Uncle?” Havik said. Alerik looked at his nephew. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to get in touch with Father and Pater about what we discussed right away. I’d rather not put it off, if possible.”

Alerik nodded. “I agree.”

Toji sighed. “All work and no play makes Viky a dull boy.” He bopped his little brother on the top of his head, earning a glare that just didn’t seem at all fierce enough to bother him. “Hurry it up and come join us when you get done.”

“Where will you be?”

Toji pulled out his phone. “Probably the old property,” he said. “Natsu and Finn are going to meet us there. Apparently Natsu is bringing a friend.” 

Ynda raised an eyebrow. “A friend, huh?”

Toji nodded, stamping down the slight twinge of jealousy he knew was unwarranted. “One of the new landscapers. A dude named Peter or something.” He gave her a sly grin. “Maybe he found you a boyfriend finally.”

Ynda rolled her eyes. “Oh, what the fuck ever, Neko.” She grinned down at their brother. “Give Daddy and Papa my love, yeah?”

“I will,” Havik smiled. 

Toji waved as they walked away. “See ya, kid!” With that, the group went their separate ways. As they reached the elevator that would take them to the third floor that was meant for the family, Ynda gave him a sideways glance.

“What?”

“You know what.”

“No, I do not know what.” Toji frowned, pushing the button to call the elevator. 

She stared at him. “You weren’t in your room last night.”