Chapter 22: The Mine
If the rest of the demons in attendance were upset I disrupted dinner, they made no show of it. In fact, their eagerness
-that of my own court mixed with the small and slightly nervous one Ipshinatithis kept around him-told me they were
looking forward to seeing what it was he wished to hide from me.
The elevator took the first large group of us, Mabel at my right side, Sequoia on my left with Sassafras in my arms again
despite his continuing snit, down to street level and three further stories below before switching directions and heading
for the mine located at the far edge of the city.
"The mine is a dirty and dangerous place," Ipshinatithis said, face twisted in hopeful fearfulness. "Surely my Ruler
would prefer to observe from the surface where I can provide holographic surveillance."
"Your Ruler," I said, "isn't afraid of a little dirt." I met his eyes. "Or danger. I'm perfectly capable of protecting
myself."