The café was called The Grinding Stone, a Climber-themed establishment near TCA headquarters, walls decorated with old Tower maps and signed portraits of notable Climbers. Nathan had chosen it for neutrality. No guild scouts. No academy observers. Just a quiet corner table and four cups of coffee slowly going cold.
Garrett arrived first, Dillon followed minutes later, Elise came last, precisely on time, all with their summons within their summon marks.
But Nathan had both of his bunnies present in small forms, curled on the table near his elbow.
"So," Dillon said, leaning back. "What's the big secret meeting about? Are we forming a guild? Please tell me we're forming a guild. I've already designed the logo. A bunny with a katana."
"We're not forming a guild."
"Yet. We're not forming a guild yet. The logo's ready when we are."
