Page 51 of Reine's Salvation

Chapter Twenty-Two

Reine stood from the old couch and went to the large windows. He pulled back one of the heavy curtains. Sunlight flooded into the room. Outside, on the walkway which led to the entrance to the Academy, Mystique and Max chatted. Occasionally, he would point to something and she would nod. Reine placed the palm of his hand over his chest. He was still not used to the warmth, exhilaration, and love he felt every time he regarded Mystique.

His gaze traveled over the school grounds. Soon, the trees would lose their leaves and another school year would begin. He would not be returning as a teacher. He just hoped Aslan and the council were on board with his idea.

Reine returned to the couch. It was interesting how a little light could make things appear different. He had been here little more than a month ago and everything had been the same, yet different. Before, he had failed to notice the vivid colors of the Persian rug, or the shades of green and yellows in the landscape paintings hanging on the wall.

A bouquet of chrysanthemums had replaced the tulips from his previous visit. Once more, the lively plant with its vivid palette of orange and yellow petals brought the room to life. He really had to ask Scarlett where she bought them. Mystique would love them.

“Reinhard, he’s ready for you.”

Reine stood up. The secretary smiled warmly at him.

“You’re looking well.” She glanced at his bandaged knuckles. “How’s your hand healing?”

“Looking well?” Reine chuckled. “Have you considered getting a new pair of glasses, Scarlett? I look like a mess.” His bruises were turning green and his cuts were scarring. “But thank you for asking, my hand is doing better.”

She laughed.

“I did not mean appearance wise and you know it.” She gave him one of her know-it-all looks. “Your vibes are different from when I last saw you.”

They began to walk down the hallway.

“Your sorrow and anger is a thing of the past. And I’ve heard you’re considering a prosthetic arm.”

Reine nodded. “What can I tell you that you don’t already know?”

Scarlett laughed again.

“That’s exactly what my husband says. Here we are again. Go right in, he’s waiting for you.”

Reine stared at the large oak doors for a moment, remembering his fear the last time he had been here. He shook his head. Not anymore. Firmly, he knocked on the door and turned the handle.

After the poorly lit hallway, he had to blink a few times until his vision became accustomed to the brightness of Aslan’s office. His boss sat behind his desk, furiously scribbling something.

“Reine, have a seat.”

Reine gazed out the window as he waited for Aslan to finish his work. He wondered how Mystique was doing. This was her first visit to the Academy. He had been showing her around until Aslan had called him into his office.

“Excuse me, Reine.” Aslan put down his pen and smiled at him. His blue eyes shone with a welcoming warmth Reine had not received on his last visit. “How are you doing?”

“Not bad,” Reine said. “Surprised you called me in here.”

“Well, we have not spoken since you were at the hospital. There are still things we must smooth out.”

Reine nodded.

“How is Mystique? Is she enjoying her visit?”

Reine smiled at the mention of Mystique. “Yes, I believe she is. Max is showing her around a bit while I’m here.”

“But you’re eager to go to her,” Aslan said, grinning. “Quite understandably. Our mates hold great power over us.” He became quiet, as if remembering something. “Is she going to go into perceptionist training?” he asked.

“Yes, she has accepted. She’ll be starting school with the rest of the students.” Reine chewed on the inside of his cheek, deciding whether or not he should ask a question that had been bothering him for some time. “Did you know she was a perceptionist? I mean, Max knew her long before I did, and many Guardians have stopped by Lance before and met her. Yet, none bothered to recruit her, why?”

Aslan gave him an enigmatic smile. “We had our suspicions about her nature, but as happened with Wrath’s plot to overtake the city, we became slack.” Aslan paused and picked up his pen, tapping it on his paper, as if carefully considering his next words. “I believe she needed someone to bring out her full potential. The other Guardians might have met her before, but no one noticed her potential like you did.”

“Indeed. Though you didn’t send me to Lance to weed her out.”

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