A/N: Y'all, I'm so sorry! I realized that I hadn't updated this book in a while. I have been busy with homework and dance and clubs, as well as my own books on my profile. Here's a long chapter to make up for it - word count 609 (not counting this author's note) Thank you for reading!!! -SabineWren26

Aru's POV

Aru woke Sophie up the next morning, fed her breakfast, (unfortunately her guest did not think that Swedish Fish was a suitable breakfast option) and gathered the Potatoes to discuss what they were going to do about Sophie's situation. It was decided that the Potatoes would split up into groups of two to comb Atlanta.

Naturally, Nikita went into overdrive mode. She took charge of pairing the Potatoes - herself and Sheela, Mini and Rudy, Brynne and Hira, and Aru and Aiden.

"I see what you're trying to do here..." Aru said stroking an imaginary mustache.

"But you like it right?" Aiden asked, sounding adorably anxious. Aru laughed and slipped her hand into his.

"Who will I go with?" Sophie asked sweetly. The Potatoes looked at each other.

"Uh, how about you go with Aru and Aiden," Mini suggested, oblivious to what Nikita had been trying to do. Aru sighed inwardly. But Sophie looked so happy, so she couldn't exactly say no.

Sophie, Aru, and Aiden took a bus to random spots in the city. (IDK anything about Atlanta so I'm just going to say they went to an ice cream shop. 😅) Aru, of course, decided that they needed a break from traveling around and offered to pay. Then, her pockets became 'mysteriously empty' and Aiden rolled his eyes, getting out his wallet.

"You're lucky I love you, Shah," he groaned, but it was teasing, and Aru felt the familiar butterflies. She stuck her nose up and grinned.

"Of course. I am humanity's greatest gift."

Sophie's POV

Sophie was starting to become increasingly worried. Her parents were nowhere in sight. She wanted to slip away and hail Oralie on her Imparter, but she didn't really want to talk to the blonde-haired betrayer, and also, Aru and Aiden were so cute together that she didn't want to miss a second of it!

(Haha, sound familiar? *All hands point to themselves* Yeah, that's what I thought.)

Finally, in the middle of eating their ice cream, Sophie got a hail on the Imparter. She stepped away for a second and saw Grady on her screen.

"Hi, Dad!"

"Sophie, listen to me," Grady said. His voice was urgent and rushed. Sophie snapped to attention. "We have a new lead on your parents - they were definitely kidnapped by the Neverseen." Sophie gasped.

"Not again, no, this is impossible!" she cried, drawing stares from other customers. Sophie looked around furtively and held her Imparter close to her ear, like it was a cell phone. "Tell me more."

"We think they are being held somewhere in Mysterium, Sophie. That's all we know. How about you just come home, and we can sort this out-"

"No," Sophie said forcefully. "I'm going to find my parents, and you can't stop me." Grady sighed. His eyes showed the faintest bit of worry.

"Okay, but..."

"Dad, there's something I have to tell you. I met this group of people - they're not human, though."

"Sophie! Are you in danger?"

"No! They've been incredibly nice to me. They're demigods, Pandavas, Potatoes..."

"The human spuds?"

"Ach, just move past that. The point is, I'm going to take them to the Lost Cities. They could aid with my search. They have magic stuff - one has a mirror that can see through illusions, there's a wind mace, lightning bolt, and...uh...hi-def camera..."

"There's NO WAY the Council will let you bring them."

"That's why I'm not going to tell them." Grady ran a hand through his hair, tousling it violently.

"I don't approve."

"I'm not asking for your approval." Sophie hung up, feeling pangs of guilt in her stomach, but she bravely walked up to Aru and Aiden, who were busy smearing ice cream into each other's faces. "Guys...there's somewhere I think you should visit."