Page 29 of Cerulean Truth
I was thoroughly enjoying the lingering taste of his dessert and beamed at him.
"Incredible, right? Don't worry, nobody else can send you any sensation or communication without your Nexus. You'll receive yours when you come in; it will connect you to all the other magi on Earth."
I tried to stifle a yawn but failed miserably and James’s stare hardened. “Let’s get you to bed,” he ordered. “I think that’s enough for now. Your head must be spinning.”
I yawned again, that was putting it mildly.
As we made our way back to my apartment, James assured me he would confront the Council at the earliest opportunity. “Ideally,” he added, “I’d do it together with Stephen, who can then explain why we haven’t brought you in yet. But don’t worry, you go about your life as usual and I’ll come back for you,” he vowed.
I responded with a dazed nod as we walked in silence. Before I could even fully digest half of the information I had received, we were already standing in front of my building.
He took my hand in his and I was instantly wide awake. The early morning sun cast a gentle glow behind him, and highlighted his military-cut hair. He was undeniably breath-taking, so gorgeous it was borderline ridiculous, like something straight out of a magazine.
“Emma,” he murmured softly, changing his tone completely, and I leaned in not to miss a word, his amazing scent filling up my nose.
“Please be careful. You hurt someone else tonight but you could’ve as easily hurt yourself or even killed yourself.” His eyes never left mine. It felt as though he was conveying everything through that single, intense gaze. It was as if his penetrating look held all the answers I sought.
Returning his stare, I tried not to blink, as not to miss a second of his presence, but my eyes grew weary. I blinked only once, during which he’d vanished without uttering another word, leaving me standing there, alone. His absence left me feeling colder than ever before.
EIGHT
JAMES
I was exhausted. I’d managed only two hours of sleep and by the time I stepped through the portal again−my bed finally in sight−it was half past five in the morning, marking the start of another grueling day. I cursed the limitations of translation, longing for the ability to refill my own stamina.
Not even bothering with a change of clothes, I collapsed on my bed, completely dressed. My head hadn’t fully touched the pillow yet, when my Nexus activated again, generating a massive sense of worry, combined with Maurice’s very concerned face. I groaned; what now?
His usual calm and composed demeanor was replaced by clear panic.
Maurice was one half of the inseparable elders in our Collective, husband of our Leader Maria. Dubbed the Maumars by the younger generation, they were renowned for their wisdom, level-headedness, and practicality.
Having already crossed their third cycles, inching close to 240 years on Earth, they opted against rejuvenation, claiming it lent them the authority their position required. Their resolve on the matter influenced my own choice to stick with a more mature appearance as well.
Maria, shouldering the responsibility of leading one of the largest Collectives in the world, dealt with continual stress and pressure. She also voiced a lot of opinions. Often. And loudly. I spent a great deal of time with her, being expected to follow in her footsteps once I completed my education under her guidance.
In a sharp contrast, Maurice was her polar opposite in terms of temperament; the very embodiment of calm, serenity, a sense of proportion, and subtlety. So, stumbling upon a panicked Maurice was nothing short of alarming.
I raised my eyes, ignoring the sleepiness tugging at the edges of my mind. “How can I help you?” I nearly growled, irritated at being pulled from one drama into another.
“I can’t discuss it through the Nexus. Can you please come to the Basilica as soon as possible? I’ll be waiting for you there.” He hurried his words, overflowing me with all shades of anxiety.
I was exhausted, having been on my feet all night while grumbling about the lack of magical podiatry. But Maurice’s panic pumped so much adrenaline into me that I quickly powered through it.
After getting some caffeine in my system, I portaled into the Basilica, which took me no more than a second. Though being in one of the most beautiful and secluded buildings we had, the exhaustion paired with the residual and oncoming adrenaline made it impossible to enjoy its clear oriental influences, nor its shining resemblance to the Washington capitol.
Usually, when the sun or the moonlight beamed through the dome, decked out with murals and mosaics, it drenched the interior in a golden or silvery glow. The drawings and paintings were a nod to those found in the Basilica di San Pietro in Vatican City, and an indescribable warmth bathed the whole Basilica, making it impossible not to feel at home within its walls.
But, on that specific night, I really couldn’t give a shit.
“James!”
An ordinary person might've jumped ten feet high at the sudden voice reverberating through the dim corridors. But I was a seasoned Offensive, conditioned not to yield to surprise, trained to foresee all external variables, and molded to be the best of the best of the best. Which I was.
Which is why I jumped only two feet off the ground and spent the next few seconds pretending like that didn’t happen.
“Maurice.” I frowned while he approached me, his expression haunted, “What happened?”
“She left for Coastal last night.” Maurice’s voice quivered with unease. “George called us so she portaled out immediately. She should’ve returned by now but she hasn’t and no one has heard from her. And I can’t reach her nor George…”
