“I’m really glad we found you,” Gabriella said suddenly. She brushed a hand against my cheek and the charges lingered after her touch. My heart pounded against my ribcage. Her fingers slipped around the back of my neck and she stroked the hairs, making them tingle.
“I–I uh… I’m glad too,” I stammered. Great, I can talk to any girl now, except the one who matters! I moaned internally.
“You know I think you really are the kindest, sweetest person I’ve ever met,” she whispered, letting her gaze lock with mine. Her pupils seemed to expand. She slid closer to me on the couch.
My heart stalled as she closed the already tiny gap between us. A cage of butterflies opened in my stomach. Is this actually going to happen? Oh my god.
“I do too. Uh — I mean I think you are,” I replied awkwardly. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.
She giggled, her face lighting up. We were so close; I could see the reflection of the fire flickering in her eyes.
Then it felt like there was the smallest amount of pressure on the back of my neck from her hand — a tiny nudge forward. I was a mess inside. KISS HER!! one part of my mind screamed, but the other part yelled right back. No, she doesn’t want you. You’re going to make an idiot of yourself!
For once, I ignored my degrading internal voice and decided to go for it. I inched my head towards hers, which she raised a little, so they were level. My lips moved closer to hers — those luscious red lips that I’d spent nights thinking about. We were so close I could smell her sweet breath on my skin. She parted her mouth slightly. My heart was thumping so loud I was sure everyone in the Warren could hear it. Our lips were millimetres apart.
The doorbell rang.
Gabriella span away from me. Her raven hair swished over my face. “One second,” she called and stood up.
No! I screamed in my head. No, no no!
But the moment was gone.
I snatched the glass from the table, draining it in one gulp. The rest of Orion poured into the lounge. They were all wearing uniforms like mine. Delagio was minus his hat — his thick black hair had been neatly combed. A few stands dangled over his eyes in that way only cool people can manage. I had never been so unhappy to see other people in all my life. “Looking good dude,” complimented Delagio. Midnight gave a noncommittal grunt. Sophia wrapped her arms around my waist. “I’m looking forward to having you in the team Alex.”
Instantly I felt a little better. I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m looking forward to it too.” She unravelled herself and sat cross-legged on the carpet.
Rachel settled herself onto the edge of the couch. She gave a little nod towards the champagne bottle. “Only two glasses? Looks like we weren’t on the guest list.”
Gabriella cleared her throat. “Rachel.”
“Sorry. Anyway listen, I thought I’d wait until we were all together to tell you what I found out.”
Gabriella plucked her glass from the table. “So what did you find out?” she said, taking a sip. “Only that every leader from every single HASEA base is attending tonight’s little celebration.” A chorus of confused replies rang around the room. “But that’s over fifty Sages!” exclaimed Delagio. “Question is why?” said Midnight. “It can’t be because of new kid here.” He shrugged when I cast him a dirty look. “Apparently there’s going to be a meeting of some kind after the ceremony,” said Rachel. “About what?” replied Gabriella, glancing towards me. “That I don’t know.”
Midnight slapped the wall, which made the whole apartment shudder. “I don’t like being kept in the dark!” he growled. “I say we go to Faru and demand to know what the hell is going on.”
“Calm down Midnight. No one is doing anything of the sort,” berated Gabriella. “You know that everything Faru does is for the good of the Alliance. If he doesn’t want us to know yet, then there’s a very good reason for it. If he wants to tell us — and I mean if — he’ll do it when he’s ready, with no pressure from us. Have I made myself clear?”
Everyone mumbled an agreement like scolded children — which technically one of them was.
“Glad you agree. Right, well tonight is supposed to be a celebration so…” she disappeared into the kitchen and re-appeared armed with the second bottle of Heidsieck and four more glasses, “…let’s celebrate.”
I followed the team downstairs carrying a warm, light-headed feeling courtesy of two and a half glasses of champagne.
The change was immediately noticeable. Whereas earlier, the base had been swarming with people, now it was pretty much deserted. Only Agent Green and another female agent I’d never seen before stood either side of the Feasting Hall doors. They nodded at us and swung them open.
I drew in a sharp breath. It was worthy of a King’s Court. Walls decorated with numerous elegant shields and swords arched up into a domed ceiling, where dozens of crystal chandeliers dangled. On a raised stage at the far end, a group of musicians played a soft piece of classical music. Running almost the full length of the hall was the largest table I’d ever seen. There were easily over a hundred places. All of them — save the six closest to the entrance — were occupied. Some of the guests looked human, others far from it. Using the tell-tale signs from the guide, I identified Vampires, Succubi, Incubi, Skinshifters, Oni and all manner of Fae. Many wore uniforms just like mine. Others were dressed in ceremonial armour and capes. I spied Tyler and Dakin seated halfway down the table, but couldn’t see Scarlett anywhere. Even more people stood around the edges of the room, including agents in their pressed black suits and doctors in their crinkled white coats. I even saw Iralia in the mix.
As we entered, everyone stood up and began to clap. I could feel my face glowing with embarrassment. I stood on the spot, not knowing what to do — no doubt sporting the mortified expression of an emo at a surprise birthday party.
“Stay here,” whispered Gabriella, giving my side a reassuring squeeze as she and the rest of Orion took their positions at the table, clapping as did.
The applause ebbed away, but everyone remained standing. I watched Faru dodder his way over to me, using his cane to prod his way forward. When he reached me, he settled his cane against the table and crossed his arms over his chest and extended his arms towards me. I copied the salute.
“Alexander Eden, you have more than proven your worthiness to become a Guardian of the HASEA. You have behaved with courage, bravery and selflessness, even though what you have already faced would be too much for many. I can only ask now that you take your final step and pledge allegiance to the HASEA. Will you do so?”
I looked around at the sea of faces watching me. At Gabriella.
“I will.”
Faru nodded and gestured behind him. Two agents hurried over to where we stood. One carried a silver dish full of what could only be blood. The other balanced an emblem and dagger on top of a plush cushion.
“Please kneel,” commanded Faru.
Once again his voice took on the acoustics it had in the Temple. It boomed around the room, coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. I lowered myself onto one knee.
“Extend your left arm.”
Faru took the dagger, which had a hilt resembling a Dragon’s mouth swallowing the blade. He dipped the tip into the liquid.
“I mark you now with the fortified blood of Leviathan, the last Dragon to walk the Earth and slain by Saint George. Whilst you wear this, no matter where you are in the world, you will always walk with the full support of the HASEA.”
He brought the blade down on my wrist and I had to bite my tongue as the coated steel seared my skin. Black steam curled up from the wound as he drew a cross on my wrist, followed by two semi circles either side. As soon as he had finished, the wound flashed red and then disappeared completely.
“It shall only appear when you need it,” he answered before I could ask. He placed the dagger back on the pillow and picked up the emblem. It reminded me of a police badge. Just like with the blade, he dipped the back part into the dragon’s blood. He grabbed his cane and used it to stable himself as he stooped down to my level.