Page 54 of Exordium

Did he refer to me as “the Nexus”? He probably already forgot my name. “What’s the Arena?” I asked, stepping around Zane.

“I know this one.” Chloe raised her hand enthusiastically, “It’s behind the gym, close to the edge of the woods. Passives fight there to settle disputes. If they’re lucky, they can prove themselves valuable enough to have a Nexus consider them for their Faction. Last year, two Passives died, so it’s no joke.”

“My parents never told me about that.” I frowned, what the hell was wrong with these people. We were already losing Passives to initiation. Now we were killing each other.

“Probably because it only started three years ago,” Storm smiled.

Damn, that smile was devastating. I looked away before he could see the admiration on my face. Why couldn’t I shake these feelings for the tremendous asshole?

Strangely enough, Storm had been decent the previous week. He was still hard on me but no more than he was to every other student. It was starting to freak me out just a little. No way could he possibly believe I would consider him for my Faction. My Nexus senses had to be wrong about this one, and even if they weren’t, no way the other guys would accept him.

Storm left as quickly as he appeared, and Zane went to get food. I was finishing my salad when I felt something cold spill down my back. Turning, I saw Sophie standing behind me, holding a cup. Paige jumped to her feet and shoved Sophie back.

“What the hell, Sophie? You did that shit on purpose!”

“I did no such thing.” She smirked, not putting much effort into denying it. “Her chair was in the middle of the aisle as if she owned the whole cafeteria. Just because she’s Nexus doesn’t mean she has more rights than the rest of us.” Sophia hissed at Paige, pointing in my direction.

“You’re just jealous that she’s Nexus.” Paige frowned at her.

“Please, I’m not jealous in the least of her fat ass. I’m not sure she’s Nexus anyway. Her mother probably helped her get that Fellat.” She taunted.

I had been wiping the sticky liquid off my neck listening to their interaction this whole time. Standing, I grabbed the back of Sophie’s neck and slammed her face into Paige’s mashed potatoes. When Sophie raised her head, mashed potatoes covered her face, and gravy dripped from her nose. She started franticly wiping at her eyes and nose, crying like the little bitch she was.

“You better watch yourself! Kristine is going to get your ass whipped. One more transgression against me or my friends, and we’ll settle this in the Arena.” Now I felt like a hypocrite from my earlier thoughts, but these bitches were on my last nerve.

Zane walked up, “What the fuck is going on here?” He asked, then saw the food dripping down Sophie’s face. He didn’t try to hide his amusement.

“Nexus, are you responsible for this?”

Hearing Zane call me Nexus was the last straw for Sophia. She let out an enraged scream and ran out of the cafeteria. Looking less than pleased, Kristine followed behind her with the rest of their posse.

Chloe raised her glass to me, “‘Maybe someday we could become friends—friends who ride majestic, translucent steeds, shooting flaming arrows across the bridge of Herndale.’”

I replied, “‘I would follow you into the mists of Avalon.’” We both started laughing hysterically.

Zeke walked up, “What the hell are they laughing at?”

Zane looked at him and said, “Chloe finally found someone who loves Stepbrothers as much as she does.”

They both groaned in unison. Chloe grinned at me, and I burst out laughing.

Chapter 21

Reverie

After I changed clothes, Zane walked me to conditioning, holding my hand the whole way, mean mugging the fuck out of any guy that even looked in my direction. I was thankful, with worry for Nathan weighing me down; I appreciated his running interference. I think that Kyle approaching me in the cafeteria broke the seal.

Before we entered the gym, I pulled Zane to the side, “You know I have no interest in Kyle, right?”

Leaning down, he kissed me, “Yes and I thank all our Ancestors that that’s the case. I can’t see him putting anyone above himself, even his Nexus.”

“I’m not actively looking for Passives. I was raised to trust in my ability, understanding it would let me know when I’ve found the people that belong in my Faction. When I met you and your brother, I felt an instant connection. I don’t understand how anyone would settle for anything less.” I leaned in and squeezed him tight.

“That’s why I love you, and I thank all the powers that be, every day that the ritual with Kristine didn’t work,” he squeezed me back.

I jerked back and looked at him, “Did you just tell me you love me outside a stinky gym on a Monday?”

“Looks like it.” He grinned that cocky smile that I loved. I smiled so big I’m sure he could see my molars.

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