“Non-terrestrial interactions,” I said. “Let me guess. What you really mean is demon fights, rogue gods, and magic spells exploding in people’s faces. Pure chaos. California is going to turn into a big hot mess of spiritual shenanigans that nobody in their right mind would want on their plate.”
The Jade Emperor smiled and then bent his head.
Quentin and I shared a confused glance at the gesture. Surely he couldn’t—
No. No way.
The ruler of Heaven was bowing. To me.
I thought maybe he’d fallen asleep on his feet, or suddenly lost the tendons in his neck.
But Guanyin had dipped even further, fixing me with a pointed stare. And all the other attendants kneeling on the floor had pivoted toward me, kowtowing.
No way no way no way . . .
“Well stated, Madame Divine Guardian,” the Jade Emperor said. “Your very own big hot mess indeed.”