Page 27 of Exordium

Looking down at my plate, I saw a piece of pizza, a small steak, a baked potato loaded, some asparagus, an eggroll, and a small salad with ranch. I looked at Zeke and smiled, “Thank you. I like almost everything. You might have to help me finish all of this, though.”

He looked back at me and smiled shyly, “I’ll help you with whatever you need.” Did he mean that like it sounded? I blushed once again. Damn my fair skin!

“Too late,” Chloe smirked, wagging her eyebrows. I was going to kill this girl. I hope she found her Faction soon so I could get a little payback.

Giving Chloe a puzzled look, he turned back to me, “I also got you a glass of sweet tea. I thought since you were from Texas, you’d like it.”

“You thought right,” I winked at him, shooting Chloe the bird.

“Damn, Bro, you’re killing it!” Chloe high fived him, still laughing at me.

Nathan looked at Zeke and sulked, “I’m the one that has to approve you. You should’ve brought me a plate.” Standing up, he headed to the buffet. We watched him leave and then busted out laughing. He was something else, and I wouldn’t change a thing about him. Except maybe for his ability to be discreet, thank goodness Jet hadn’t returned to our table yet.

Jet and Nathan returned to the table with plates heaped full. Everyone dug in and ate like their life depended on it.

Chloe sat back patting her flat stomach, “I’m dreading these next classes, they’re going to be intense. Instructor Storm is a real bastard and doesn’t care if you pass or fail. I guess the whole family is full of assholes.” She turned to her brothers, “Why did you two quit hanging out with him?”

Instead of answering Chloe, Zane gave Zeke a look and nodded his head toward me. Zeke just kept staring at him. Zane gestured with his head again and raised his eyebrows. What the hell was wrong with these two? Zeke rolled his eyes and gave a long-suffering sigh.

“Reverie, can I talk to you after lunch? We can walk to the gym together,” he asked quietly.

“Sure, is everything OK?” I was puzzled by their actions.

“I hope so.” He mumbled.

Nathan put his arm around her, “I’m coming with her.” I don’t think anyone was surprised at his statement.

“You probably need to hear it too,” Zane took a big bite of his burger. Seeming happy now that his brother asked to talk to me.

“I’m coming too,” Chloe pouted.

“It looks like we’re all coming,” Zeke said, exasperated with the whole thing.

Jet started laughing so loudly that everyone in the cafeteria looked over at them. I stared at him in shock. I didn’t think he had it in him to be this jubilant. When he could catch his breath, he grinned at me, “You’re not leaving me out this time, I want tocometoo.”

I rolled my eyes and stood up. Everyone was a damn comedian. Walking outside, I noticed Professor Lee standing at the side of the building, watching me. I hoped it didn’t have anything to do with what Nathan and I had been up to in class. If he told my parents, I would never be able to go home again. We left the building, and walked down the path, headed to the gym. Zeke walked beside me and grabbed my hand, stopping me before we entered.

“The instructor’s name is Oren Storm. He was a pretty good friend to us in the past, but after he graduated from Emberhold and still hadn’t found his Faction, he started acting weird. He disappeared for a while, and when he returned, he was different.He was angry and more psycho than usual. We tried to talk to him but he wasn’t having it.”

“I hate y’all lost a good friend, but what does that have to do with me?” I asked, confused.

“I bet I can answer that question,” Chloe winced. “I don’t think anyone has mentioned it before, but Kristine’s last name is Storm. Oren is her stepbrother, and you rearranged his baby sister’s nose.” Well, shit. This ought to be good.

Heading into class, I saw Chloe waving at me from the middle row. As I made my way over, I glanced to the front of the class and noticed a tall Asian man staring at me.

Jet leaned down and whispered in my ear, “That’s Professor Lee. He was a Major in the war because of his ability.”

Trying to hide my shiver in response to his warm breath in my ear, I asked, “What’s his power?”

“He’s a precog specializing in strategy,” Jet told me. “I think the war would have ended differently if he had joined sooner.”

“Why didn’t he?” I moved over slightly. If he whispered that close to my ear again, I might embarrass myself.

“He didn’t find his Faction until several years after it started. By the time he mastered his power, the war was almost over. It’s said that he is the one who told the General they needed to leave our world and travel to this dimension.” Jet told me.

The events of the day had apparently frazzled my mind. “Mom did mention him. He was friends with my dad Sly back in the day.” I tilted my head in thought, “She told me he’d written a note and gave it to them, to put in a safe place.” I stopped talking. Why did I just tell him that? I’d only met him recently and he sure as hell didn’t need to know things about my family. Also, why did he know so much about their history being a found Passive?

“That’s interesting,” Jet smiled slightly and flashed that damn dimple again. “When I discovered I was Aurathion, I studiedeverything I could get my hands on so I wouldn’t show up to Emberhold completely ignorant. But, if I need any help, I’m coming to you, it sounds like your parents are exceptionally knowledgeable.”

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