It took them all afternoon to check out the levels of the others.

  “That was exhausting.” Circe collapsed on a pile of furs in the command room. There was a second circular room across the hall against the outer wall of 11B. The men, except for Oakley, had been moved over there, with Eldri and Circe claiming rooms in the command room.

  “Kent isn’t happy that he’s got to sleep in the commons, but Robert and Caleb are a lot more trustworthy, in my opinion.” Marlow leaned against the door.

  Patrick was still sorting monster parts, but command had boiled down to Frederica, Oakley, Penelope, and Marlow as the ones in charge, with Eldri, Circe, Robert, and Caleb as their lieutenants. Patrick had a group that worked on processing monsters, but it was his system, and he was keeping the others out of it.

  “We didn’t even get to check those six who ran into the Dungeon.” Circe brushed a brown bang behind her ear. She shuddered. “I can’t believe they’d rather die to the monsters than get arrested.”

  “They might get rescued.” Edlri sat on the floor. “That other group cleared their zone in less than an hour.”

  “No one has seen them come back out, so they’re going to have to clear 12G, and we haven’t seen the barrier to 12F go down and it’s…” Circe looked over at Penelope.

  Penelope looked at her menu but scrunched her brow before she responded. “You have the time on your menu.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t remember what time it was when the toxic guy went in there.” Circe batted her eyelids. “And I know you remember.”

  “Five hours.” Penelope didn’t add the minutes, though there was only one.

  “Yeah, they’re super dead.” Circe chuckled. “If I was working for another group, I’d much rather be detained by you guys than fight the monsters by myself!” She slapped her leg as she laughed, then sobered up when she realized no one else was laughing with her. “I’m not working for anyone else but you!” She turned to Penelope. “I love you guys!”

  “Not the best joke to make right now.” Frederica’s voice was heavy. It carried too much pain and loss. The older woman sat down in Oakley’s lap and leaned back against his chest. “We lost the exiles too.”

  Penelope bit back her response. Even though the exiles had been the first ones they’d checked, now that the group knew there was another way to level other than fighting monsters, those who weren’t allowed in the “base” had only one other group who might level them.

  “The enemy of my enemy.” Jeru grumbled as he sat next to Penelope. “None of the experience is going to come their way, so the only way to get stronger is to help out the other side and hope they get essences as a reward.”

  Penelope silenced her thoughts on the matter. What was done had been done, and the only way to undo it would be to reset.

  “You’re not going to stop the spies, but you could weaken Derek’s faction if you gathered the essences before you came down here.” Jeru nudged her. “You want to reset?”

  What do you mean, I can’t stop the spies? I know who they are; we can detain them the moment they come through!

  “And how are you going to explain that they’re spies?” Jeru’s black eyes seemed ready to swallow her whole. “If you confiscate the essences, they won’t be leveled. And if you don’t, then Derek will get the extra levels.”

  Penelope let out a sigh, startling Circe.

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  “You don’t agree?” Worry covered the brunette’s face.

  “What? Sorry, what did you say?” Penelope blinked as she focused on the conversation around her.

  “We need to go back out there.” Frederica pointed at the other side of the room, towards the twelfth column. “Your pet thinks that we should wait until tomorrow.”

  “Everyone is exhausted, mentally and physically.” Circe looked over at Penelope. “You’ve been in a daze all afternoon.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Penelope swallowed, then took a deep breath. “Frederica is right. The faster we clear these squares, the better.” She looked up at the ceiling. “And now we’re in a race.”

  “What do you mean?" Circe folded her arms in front of her.

  “Dawson’s group is going to be collecting gear, potions, monster parts, and Shadow Essences in every square they clear. That gives them something that they can use to bring more people over to their side.” She looked over at Frederica. “If we want to stay in charge, then we have to be the ones with the biggest arsenal.”

  “Patrick isn’t going to leave, and I’m not sure Bradley is 100% yet.” Marlow cut in. “How are we supposed to go out there without a Tank?”

  “We’ll have to use a backup.” Penelope turned her voice inward. Jeru, if we can get two groups in from one side, can we get another two groups in from another side?

  “You can have as many groups as there are Demon groups, so yes.” Jeru grumbled. “You’re not seriously thinking about sending even more people in there?” He pointed across the room. “Marlow just pointed out that you’re underpowered as is!”

  “I want to try something.” Penelope stood up. “12C is the next square we need clear, but I want to see if we can bring four groups in if we add them from both sides.”

  “That’s crazy!” Eldri pointed at the Healer. “Marlow just pointed out that you don’t have a Tank and you want to send two more groups in there with low-level people?”

  “The groups with lower-level people would stay at the entrance.” Penelope stood up and walked to the middle of the room. She couldn’t draw on the stone floor, so she took four potion vials out of her pocket to make a square.

  “If we keep the lower-level people here.” Penelope pointed at the corner by 11C and 12B. “Each group will stay in by the barrier, and the Tanks will block the tunnels until we get there.” Penelope looked around the room. “Everyone in our groups is at least level ten, so it’s time to start bringing in more people, and this is how we can do it.”

  “IF your idea works.” Eldri shook her head. “That’s a big ask, because you’re going to need some of us to volunteer to babysit the newbies.”

  “We can split the newbies up and have them work on processing the monsters while we hunt down the remaining groups.” Penelope looked over at Frederica. “If we’re doing that, then Patrick would want to come with us to run that, which gives us a Tank that can protect them.”

  Everyone waited in silence as Frederica thought about the proposal. The blonde patted Oakley’s chest, then got up. “Alright, let’s test this out. If it works, then I’ll talk to Patrick and get him to bring people from his crew in.” She looked at Penelope. “How are you splitting the groups?”

  “Eldri has to go with you two.” Penelope motioned at the three of them. “Circe and I should be enough to keep our group alive if Marlow is willing to watch a group.”

  “You should keep it with threes.” The graying man sighed. “I can watch one of the groups and give the other one to Patrick.” He thought for a moment. “Better stick Caleb with him.”

  “Robert works better with you. Which means we need to put Kent with Patrick.” Penelope looked over at Circe. “That leaves the other two. Any preference?”

  “Riva.” Circe didn’t have to think about it. “Rockwell gives me the creeps.”

  “And that’s our split.” Penelope turned to Frederica. “While you’re talking to Patrick, Marlow, Eldri, Circe, and I will go make sure we can send four teams into a square.”

  Frederica nodded. “He’ll want Bradley on sentry duty, but that’s something we’re going to have to get used to.” She picked up her gear, tightening her belt and rubbing her palms on the butts of her blades. “I hope that slime stuff gives a lot of experience, because we’re going to need Tier One people guarding our bases.”

  Jeru? How much does it give?

  “Knowing that before you know that will make Frderica attack you right now.” Jeru shook his head before he vanished. “It won’t matter until you feed it to people, but a word of advice: give it to the level ones you’re leaving at base.”

  Thanks. Penelope shivered as fur over the door blew into the room, announcing the Dungeon effect.

  “We need to hurry so we’ll be in place for the next one!” Penelope looked at the group. “Circe, take the far one in 12B. Eldri, take the near one.” She looked over at Marlow. “Take the closer one in 11C, and I’ll take the far one.” She ran to the door. “Everyone knows the drill. Stick your hand in when the Dungeon blows, then meet back here!”

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