Page 163 of Rebirth Of Order
“You were sloppy and could’ve been killed had she paid more attention. Our House holds a reputation for not failing. You almost cost us this. Get better.” Ethan’s arms fold, and I’m one second from cursing him the hell out. “Besides that, good of you not to die. Though if anything, a small inconvenience. You’ll rank fourth in our House. Behind Alise.”
“Ethan, what did I say about being rude?” Angie voices. “Kyra, you did amazing. Exclamation mark.” I snort.She needs to stay off that damn app, and it’s, ‘period,’ but I get it. Plus, wait until Alise hears about this.
“Agreed,” Caspian announces, holding me within those sky blue and lavender eyes. “Not a doubt in my mind of the outcome.”Sweet buns with sweet words. You better stop being cute, sir.Between him and Russ, they’re killing me with their perfection.
Overall, I’m glad Tish didn’t become another name on my list ofdeaths. Relieved is an understatement. Whatever switch flicked, I need to dial it back before doing something I’ll regret.
“Talk about pulling punches. I’m aching for another match between us, Kitten,” Russ adds, and those dimples set in deeper. Cheeks aching and flourishing with blood, I turn away, avoiding another glare from everyone surrounding me. And what do I find? Niro, offering me a chip.
“Thank you.” But what I want to say is,“Hell yes, give me the whole damn bag.”I reach in, taking one–two, placing both in my mouth.Oh my God, it’s soooooo good!Nacho cheese flavor. I pop the sucker back in, not caring if the two flavors don’t mix. The shimmying dance I’m doing says otherwise.
Marcel faces Rebecca. “As stated, I’m sure of the choice. We’ll move forward in a few week’s time. I’m assuming this matter shall remain private. Agreed upon by the three of us,” he says, with a side-eye my way.
What’s he going on about now? What choi…
My thoughts are silenced by a sudden and unavoidable pressure. Energy stronger than anything I’ve witnessed, invades my body, holding me still, and my vision darkens to completely black.
Heat filters through my core, and my fingertips tingle. I swallow, recognizing the eternal bond magic, when light invites itself in, and I see myself staring back across the huddle.
Tall Elders stand behind my body, their faces a range of expressions, and those left and right are shrouded by a blurring shadow. But Holland is whom I’m most concerned about. His leer staring at the back of my head, while mumbling, is a high cause for concern.
“Hello! Can you hear me?”
An echo returns. Whomever eyes I’m peering through refuses to glance elsewhere. It’s strange, this perspective. But understanding the reason why everyone continues calling me ‘little’ has now become clear. This individual has a clean view of the top of my head and tattered clothes with rips throughout. My badges of honor. “Hello!” I call a second time.
Nothing.
However, there is a substantial difference from last night. I can sense a strong emotion. Lust. Focusing, I begin to understand its meaning when everything goes dark, and I’m back inside my body. My aura, rocking like a boat in a treacherous sea, spins from recognizing someone else’s essence.
Caspian’s hand twitches as he mouths, “Are you okay?” I nod while gathering what little information was presented. Looking over the masses, I can see no one besides him has their eyes on me.Was it you?
“Concluding this arrangement, I’m sure Kyra would like some rest before embarking upon your mission at dusk’s first light; we’ve fortified the temple and–” Rebecca starts.
“Hold on. What mission?”
“Oh, did Alex not inform you?” Panning between him and I, she clarifies, “I’m sure he was making his way to it. Being House Leader comes with much responsibility. Let’s depart; there’s a lot for you all to consider. And, Kyra, again, great show of magic. We’ll talk later about your sigils and lack of hand movements.” She walks off without saying anything more, and now I’m frowning.
Fuck. She knows it was me.
Holland’s snarky remark, “What do mortals say? A small fish in a big pond. She’ll either perish here or out there. I’ll see to it,” follows Rebecca out with the others, and my skin shutters. But hearing about this mission takes precedence over a bitter old fool.
“We’ll go over the details. For now, we have other matters–your book,” Alex states, summoning a sigil whilst reaching out a hand. I say my goodbyes, and we vanish.
It’s been twenty,or so, minutes, and Angie departed not long after bringing me my phone. What happened before leavingstill resides in my mind. Another eternal bonding moment. Again, I was circled by men, yet still unable to pinpoint who exactly it was.
Caspian?I’m not saying I’m mad, nor thrilled, he is a possible contender when I’m not looking for anything or anyone in my current state. But he has been kind, so it counts for something if it is him.
“Are you okay?” Alex asks, noticing my mindless fidgeting and lip biting.
“Yeah. Considering the rest you offered, is all.”
This place is worlds larger than any library I’ve seen. Despite having nothing to compare it to, I know it must be true. Mountains of shelves lay bare to books, tomes, and prestige artifacts wrinkled from time. Rooms, larger than the home I grew up in, house an entire century of their history. Maybe more.
Standing beyond its entrance, Alex and I await my first introduction to this Kraven guy. An Elder known for his knowledge of tomes and more.
We are here on behalf of Yasmine. Her note promises a relief of my fears, or at the bare minimum, a way to get over them.
“Alex, my flourishing seed. What, pray tell, is the reason you’re here?” this fay waltzes over and shouts.Eww, why is his robe open, and he’s not wearing a shirt? Furthermore, why’s his chest shiny, like he’s bathed in baby oil?Another bald guy with orange eyes and chin hair, cut into a pointed tip.
