Page 162 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“But it’s not, is it?” Andvari asked.

“Nope.”

Eduard took the tablet and read the page as well. He gave a startled gasp and turned wide-eyed to Sawyer.

“Surprise!”

“What’s going on?” Henry asked.

Sawyer turned to him and sighed. “I’m the Chosen One,” he explained.

“You are not!”

“Am, too.”

Henry was the only one who seemed excited. He shoved Draco’s head out of his lap and leapt off the end of the bed. He plastered himself to Sawyer’s front and let out a whoop of laughter. “That is so cool!”

“Yeah.” He couldn’t help but smile at Henry’s excitement. He pulled him in for another hug, then decided he’d better share the rest of the story. The guys looked like they wanted to believe him, but were still not entirely convinced. “There’s more, if you want to hear it.”

“Please,” Eduard said. He looked like he was about to fall over.

“So, um, I woke up earlier and I was outside in the front yard. Pearl was with me, and there was an old woman walking up the hill.”

Draco sat up, his attention fully caught.

“She confirmed for me that I’m the Chosen One.”

Eduard looked skeptical, especially considering that Sawyer had come inside and sent the others out due to danger.

“It was the Goddess. She told me to call her Mother. Isn’t that weird? But… it was her. And I’m him.”

“Holy shit,” Andvari said.

“I need a drink,” Eduard added.

“The Mother visited you?” Draco asked.

“Yep. Said it hadn’t taken me very long to figure it out and she was impressed. She told me some other stuff, too, but that’s… I don’t know. It’s for me, you know?”

“You actually met the Goddess,” Henry said with his voice full of awe. “Cool.”

“At least one of you thinks so,” Sawyer said. He’d hoped for a better reaction, maybe even a touch of excitement. He’d wanted them to be happy he wouldn’t be forced to leave after the Chosen One arrived and that what they’d been building wouldn’t be torn apart. He wasn’t expecting Draco to turn pale, for Eduard to pour himself a glass of scotch, or for Andvari to slow his breathing so completely he might as well not be moving.

Not surprisingly, it was Draco who recovered first. He climbed off the bed and came to stand in front of Sawyer. “This doesn’t change the way I feel about you,” Draco said.

“I’m glad,” Sawyer replied.

Draco knelt and placed his fist over his heart. “I am Draco of the Volsunga clan, proud guardian to you, the Chosen One. I pledge my life to keep you safe.”

Sawyer ran his hand over Draco’s hair, his breath hitching in his chest. Henry knelt next, meeting Sawyer’s eyes with a bright smile before he lowered his head as well. “I am Henry of the Jerrick pack. I am guardian to you, Sawyer, the Chosen One. I pledge my life and my magic to keep you safe.”

He touched Henry’s head, giving it a gentle caress even as Andvari knelt beside Henry. “I am Andvari, vampire of the Passarowitz clan. I am guardian to Sawyer, the Chosen One. I pledge my life and my blood to keep you safe.”

Besides Sawyer, only one man remained standing in the room. Eduard had his head lowered, staring into the swirling amber liquid in his glass. He tossed it back, swallowing the drink in one go, then turned to face Sawyer. “This isn’t what I wanted for you. This life, the danger. But as scared as I am for you, I am more scared to do this without you.” He moved to Draco’s side and knelt. “I am Eduard of Arimaspia clan, guardian to the Chosen One. I swear I will give my life to keep you safe, Sawyer.”