Page 19 of Exordium

“Friends do this,” Zeke whispered.

Nathan put his lips to my other ear, “The closer the friends, the deeper in.”

Zane started cackling, glancing at Nathan, and said, “We’re going to get along just fine.”

Well then. I guessed that was that. I was sure the blood ritual was in my future sooner rather than later. These three were clearly unhinged and here to fuck shit up.

“I guess I’ll just sit way over here, away from my bestie. Unless Nathan will let me sit on Reverie’s lap.” Chloe gave Nathan doe eyes.

“No,” Nathan said and scowled. “Stop saying you’re her best friend. You’re a friend not the best friend.” He gave her the evil eye.

I elbowed him for looking at my new friend like that. But as much as I wanted to disagree with him and be all “sisters before misters,” The truth is that I knew in the deepest recesses of my heart nothing would pry Nathan from my side or from having my back. I’d just met Chloe and hoped for a lifetime friendship, but my parents had taught me that friendships took time, and actions spoke louder than words. Zeke and Zane being part ofmy Faction, and what I knew of Chloe so far, gave me hope, but only time would tell.

Feeling eyes burning a hole in my head, I turned and saw Kristine and three other girls walking into the assembly hall. Kristine narrowed her eyes at me and whispered something to the tall blond beside her. The blond sneered at me and the guys and whispered back into Kristine’s ear.

The girls took seats across the aisle from us, continuing to whisper amongst themselves and glancing back at our group occasionally. I knew they would be a problem, precisely what I didn’t want to deal with right before initiation.

A large door opened, and the Aurathion Council filed in, with Council President Randell Hunter stopping to sit on the throne-like chair in the middle. Everyone got quiet and trained their attention to the hall floor. The dean of Emberhold Academy walked up to the podium.

“Hello Aurathions! I’m so glad to see a full assembly hall on this first day of learning. I’m Dean Mathews. My staff and I have worked tirelessly to make this new year a productive one. Our numbers have been down in the last few years. We hoped that, with the number of Passives that registered, more Aurathions will find their Faction. Thus, helping us to defend this new world we have integrated into.” He took a sip of water and then continued.

“Most of you come from families that remember the war and fought for our world. But it excites me to tell you that in the last few years, the Council has conducted extensive searches for Passive families that came to this world years before the war. Some had no memory or idea that their ancestors hailed from another world. It is my pleasure and great privilege to welcome our Council and ask our Council President, Randall Hunter, to step up to the podium.” Dean Mathews gave him a welcoming smile.

The Council President was a tall, distinguished man. He had dark hair cut short, a neatly trimmed beard, and wore a suit with a tie. I’d always thought he was a handsome man. I had met him many times over the years. Mr. Hunter had been a friend to my parents. He had fought closely with them in the war. Unfortunately, their friendship had taken a beating after he started pressuring my mom to seek out other Passives for her Faction.

I know the divide between my family and Mr. Hunter’s family had upset Mom. Mr. Hunter had three Faction, Marylynn, Helen, and Joan. All three of the women had been super close to Mom. Their support after losing Sly and Rue had been invaluable to her. Mom had felt betrayed, especially because Randall had been close to my father, Sly. They were distant cousins and had grown up together. I’d heard Grumpy talking to Mom several times about Mr. Hunter and how he thought he wanted the best for his people. But, after losing the war and fleeing their world, he became obsessed with transforming more Passives into Faction.

They understood what he was trying to do. More powerful Factions were needed to defend our new home. But, trying to force Passives into Faction just hit a little too close to what the leader of the Dark Faction had done. The blood ritual rarely worked unless the Passive and the Nexus had that beautiful mystical connection, and when it did, some gained weak abilities and even worse, no abilities at all.

“Hello Aurathions! I’m honored to welcome you to the most critical years in our people’s journey to defend and thrive in our new home. The threat from the Dark Nexus and his perverted Faction caused us to have to flee our precious home and seek sanctuary in this new world.” He spoke in an impassioned voice. “The program we have implemented to find Passive families has been wildly successful. Over seventy-five new hopefuls will bestarting at Emberhold this year. We are sure that expanding the number of Passives will lead to more Factions being formed. I send many good wishes in the hope that every one of you passes the initiation Emberhold Academy has in store. Thank you for your service and may the Ancestors of the past be with you on your journey toward the future.”

The Council stood and applauded, along with the student body. President Hunter bowed his head and then returned to his seat. Dean Mathews returned to the podium.

“Students, please head to your first block. After today, if you want to change your schedules or think you have met fellow Passives who might be Faction members, please report it to me or my staff. The latter only applies to incoming students after initiation. Good luck.”

As we all got up and filed out, Nathan stepped to the side, pulling me into an alcove off the hallway. The twins followed. “This looks like a Faction thing, so I’ll see you in class. This time, I control the seating order.” Chloe said, sticking out her tongue in Nathan’s direction before she walked off.

I laughed, “OK, I’ll be there shortly.”

Nathan watched Chloe walk away with zero expression and turned back to me. “I’m not sure I’m enjoying you having friends. It seems like sharing you with other Faction should be enough,” he pouted.

“I need some female friends to complain to about y’all. It’ll make our relationship healthier.” I grinned.

“I’ll set up a complaint box in my bedroom, and you can drop all the complaints there.” He gave me an innocent look.

“That’s an excuse to get our Nexus into your room,” Zeke smirked.

“First of all, she’s not your Nexus. She’s just mine. And-” Zane interrupted Nathan.

“Yet. She’s not our Nexus yet. But, she will be.”

“Maybe, maybe not. It depends on whether I approve of you or not. And, if you keep interrupting me, your chances are getting slimmer.” Nathan narrowed his eyes.

“That’s not the way it works, asshole,” Zane narrowed his eyes.

Nathan stepped up to Zane, getting in his face. Zeke stepped up to his brother’s side. Then the stare-down commenced.

“OK, I’ve seen enough! Was there a point to this meeting or are you three just going to throw down and get it over with?” These men were about to get a beat down, I was getting tired of their shit.

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