Page 103 of World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon

“Josiah has other demon minions whose teleportation abilities he could tap too, as necessary. I’m not overly concerned about that possibility, though.” Discreetly, she nudged Hugh’s foot with her own, hoping he could feel her support and commiseration. “With the guards incapacitated by our extremely hot demon rescuer”—she nudged his foot again, and he shook his head ruefully at her—“Josiah shouldn’t learn about our escape for hours. The Realm Below is enormous, with countless rooms where we could be hiding, and for all he knows, we might havebeen transported aboveground already. Unless he has a vampire to track our scents, we could be almost anywhere.”

“Also…” Harry, their eldest captive, sounded very tired but still alert. “He’ll have to be careful pursuing us, since Death and the Fates will exact vengeance for his unauthorized intrusion if they catch him.”

“Exactly.” Gwen patted away an involuntary yawn. “I’m also guessing that he didn’t expect captives in such a remote prison to receive outside help and never planned what to do if we left as a group. Oracles are famous for competition and isolation, not cooperation.”

“Until now.” Matilda lifted her Diet Coke in a salute. “Thanks to you, Gwennie.”

The others raised their drinks too, echoing her thanks. Ears burning with mingled pride and embarrassment, Gwen waved them off.

“Anyway.” She cleared her throat. “We can’t keep running without some rest. I think we should take the opportunity to nap here.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Matilda said through a mouthful of pretzels, and the others all echoed her conclusion. Including Hugh.

And then…that’s what they did.

—

Fifteen minutes later,all the oracles had filled their bellies, created a barricade in front of the door, washed up in the bathroom, and chosen unused capsules for their naps. With one exception.

“While everyone else rests, I’ll stand guard here.” Matilda plunked down into the lone chair that hadn’t been used in the makeshift safety barrier. Leaning back, she stretched out her legs with a relieved sigh. “Or rather,sitguard.”

Given the bruise-black circles under her glassy brown eyes, it was a very generous offer. For that generosity and so many other reasons, Gwen genuinely liked Matilda. The other oracles too. And when she considered everything she’d learned about their post-Delphi lives this past week, she suddenly couldn’t stand the thought of them returning to their previous existences after they’d all been rescued.

Sure, they had money and status. But what good were fame and luxury to people who spent endless decades alienated and hidden away from everyone who might care about them for any reason other than their prophetic ability? And sure, some oracles managed to find romantic partners and friends on their security teams or even among their employers, but that was the exception rather than the rule.

With every traumatic, body-breaking vision and lonely day spent alone, seers sacrificed their personal comfort for the well-being of others—and thoseotherswere usually billionaires and corporations and shadowy government entities. Some of the worst beings on the planet, whose plans and purposes almost never deserved the monumental advantage of a high-level oracle’s guidance.

Given more pre-graduation guidance and multiple safe options, many oracles would choose other employers—other futures—instead. Gwen believed that with all her heart.

“We need a union,” she announced. “Just like the Realm employees. No more Cubicle Farms of Contrition for us! Wedeserve to hang in there, baby, as the original version of the poster said!”

“You needsleep,” Matilda countered, eyeing her former schoolmate dubiously. “Go to bed, Gwennie.”

Gwen didn’t budge. “Are you sure you don’t want me to sit guard instead?”

After all, she’d been given first crack at the now-depleted healing spell. Gwen didn’t feelgood, but she could keep her eyes open.

Probably. Maybe?

“Your friend is right. You need your rest, honey.” Hugh skimmed a caressing thumb over her inner arm, even as he cast a swift, longing look toward his sister’s capsule. “I can do it.”

“Nah. I’m good.” Matilda cracked open a Mountain Dew, which hissed with fresh carbonation. “I’ll stay awake and alert. I promise.”

“Thank you, Matilda.” Gwen smiled at her gratefully. “Need anything before we go?”

“Your forgiveness for being a dick to you at Delphi.” Matilda might be smiling back, but her eyes were grave. “Even if I don’t deserve it.”

Honestly, unlike others in their school, Matildahadn’tbeen a dick. Just distant and cool as the moon. “You’re forgiven—and thank you for that cheese Danish you tossed me once.”

“I’ll get you a million more once we escape.” The other woman’s head tipped toward the capsules. “Now go rest.”

Hand in hand, Gwen and Hugh left for the long center aisle. His stride didn’t falter as they neared his sister’s capsule, because he was prioritizing Gwen’s fatigue over his own needs. Until he had the chance to visit his twin, though, Gwen knew she wouldn’t rest comfortably.

She drew them both to a halt in front of his sister’s name. “Do you want to look? Or would you rather pay your respects from out here?”

“I’d like to go inside, but…” His pained stare lingered on the black-painted door. “She might not want me to see her like this. Do you think it would be a violation of her privacy?”

“From what I observed during my limited time with her…” Gwen spoke carefully. “She’d support anything that brought her beloved brother comfort. She also didn’t seem overly fussy about her dignity.”