Page 66 of Exordium

When I remained quiet, he continued, “Since it looks like Miss Hawthorne doesn’t have a response to that, I’ll continue my lecture.” I heard some tittering from his fan club in the front row. They were all just being shitty because they didn’t get to sit by Jet. I really hoped every single one of them developed hemorrhoids as big as their head.

“All of this could have been prevented if we still had access to scrolls before Dionysus’s time. Most of them were destroyed in a fire that some believe was done purposely. Stories have been passed down that imply our Aurathion Ancestors didn’t need a ritual. That we, in fact, just needed a simple blood exchange with a Nexus to bond into our Faction.” I couldn’t contain the gasp that escaped me at hearing this.

Storm stared directly at me and continued, “My family was lucky enough to obtain a few scrolls that were still partially intact. We were able to interpret a few of them and they allude to the loss of these abilities for reasons we’re just not sure of. They also refer to a hundred years with no new Factions until Dionysus formed his. The stunning part is that Dionysus formed his Faction years before he conjured his potion. In fact, some scholars believe that the potion Dionysus conjured was successful because it contained his blood.”

The class was completely silent, it felt like everyone was holding their breath, “It’s true that the serum was invented to help Aurathions have access to their abilities without needing a Nexus to stabilize them. What isn’t known is that we’re running out of the wine of Dionysus and when we do, unless a Nexus if found with blood as powerful as his, able to create a Faction without the ritual, our race will die out.”

Chapter 26

Reverie

Ifelt like I was going to pass out. My breathing became erratic and sweat broke out on my forehead. Just when I felt my vision narrowing, Jet leaned down and whispered in my ear, rubbing his massive hand up and down my back, “Breathe with me, big breath in, and exhale. That’s it. Take another deep breath and now exhale.”

The soothing timber of his voice combined with the heat from his hand on my back, and I found myself calming and able tobreathe. When I finally tuned back into my surroundings, no one else had noticed my reaction because the class had exploded into chaos. Panicked questions were being slung at Storm, and some students were even crying.

“Are you back with me, precious girl?” Jet asked, still rubbing my back in a soothing manner.

“Yes, thank you. I’ve never heard that information before, and it shocked me.” I gave him a small smile. Did he realize he had called me precious? Terms of endearment spoken in that growly voice should be outlawed.

“What the actual fuck is he talking about?” Chloe leaned forward, eyes widened in panic, “I’ve never heard about a shortage of D’s wine, and I grew up in a town of Aurathions. If it’s true, this will cause a full-blown panic.”

“My parents have never said anything about this. But I bet the Council is aware of it. If Storm’s family is the only ones with access to the scrolls, then I bet there’s a lot of things they’re keeping to themselves.” I leaned my head closer to Chloe. “We’ll talk to my parents about it tonight.”

“You’re going to your parents’ house tonight?” Jet questioned.

Damn it. I was so focused on Chloe that I didn’t pay attention to what I was saying. “Yes, but please don’t say anything. We aren’t exactly getting permission.”

“I won’t say a thing,” Jet assured me. Before I could sigh in relief, Jet continued. “As long as you bring me with you.”

“What?” I looked at him in disbelief.

“I said that I won’t say a word to anybody as long as you take me with you.” He repeated, not apologetic in the least.

Chloe appeared just as shocked as I was by his request.

“Why do you want to go?”

“I’m new to this world, and I want to be there when Reverie questions them about what Storm has revealed.” He looked atStorm, still fielding questions, with a death glare. What was that about?

“I can just get with you tomorrow and tell you what was said.” I tried to reason with him. There were many other things I needed to discuss with my parents that couldn’t be said in front of Jet.

“No, I want to hear it for myself.” Jet transferred his gaze to me. He could be extremely intimidating when he wanted to. Too bad for him Grumpy raised me.

“I thought you were my friend. I can’t believe you’re blackmailing me to get what you want.” This guy had some balls.

“Believe it. You wouldn’t take me otherwise, and I want to go.” Jet didn’t seem to be the least bit intimidated by me either.

“Fine. Meet us in our dorm at six o’clock. Don’t be late, or I’ll leave your ass.” I huffed out.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be late.” The bell rang, and Jet headed straight for the door without saying another word.

“What the fuck? He’s always been cold, but I didn’t think blackmail was in his wheelhouse—good looks and possibly a little villain sprinkled in. Girl, you better tie that up, literally. He seems like a freak.” Chloe fanned her face.

I threw my head back and laughed despite still being pissed at Jet. I got a lot of heated looks from students who were still in panic mode. Even Storm looked at me in confusion. I guess it did look bad when I was already Nexus and didn’t seem to care about what Storm had said.

“Chloe, you’re going to get me drawn and quartered for laughing at a time like this.”

“Nah, they’ll all be too busy kissing your ass trying to get into your Faction. Knowing you’re Nexus, if the shortage is real, then there won’t be a problem letting you perform the ritual with other Passives. It won’t feel like a possible waste of D’s wine. I wonder if that’s why we have to wait until after initiation to form Factions. No use wasting it if we may die.”

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