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“That’s what I thought. ” She sounded resigned.
He kissed her again and Vela leaned away, trying to give them some privacy but the chairs were smack dab together.
She focused on the film crews in three stations around the theater. When Endelle made mewling sounds, Vela concentrated on the beautiful mural of the Superstition Mountain monolith, with a starry night sky, that extended across the back of the stage. Apparently, Endelle had insisted that if she had to defer to those stick-up-their-butts that still called themselves European royalty in this modern age, then she wanted a mural of what she loved best about living in the desert.
When at last he pulled back, he apologized to Vela for being so rude.
To Endelle, he said, “I’ll come back to you as soon as I can. ” He started to lift his arm, and as though just remembering, he narrowed his gaze at Endelle. “And you tell that asshole, Merl Tuttle, to stay away from you or by all Six dimensions, I’ll cut off his jewels and feed them down his throat. ” Then he lifted his arm and vanished.
Vela put a hand over her mouth. The imagery alone had left her shaken.
She glanced at Endelle who blinked a couple of times then met Vela’s gaze.
“Well, that was a surprise. ” But a soft smile curved her lips.
The conductor lifted his arms, baton in hand, and a full orchestra started playing Holtz’s ‘Mars’, a dynamic piece that reflected the extraordinary Warriors of the Blood.
All the What-Bees were present under one roof. Vela might have been worried about security, but Colonel Seriffe and his staff had the event well-in- hand and with Sharav dead and the Illinois Seers palace destroyed, Vela had confidence in the safety around her.
In addition, the women of obsidian flame, Fiona, Grace, and a very pregnant Marguerite, were on hand, ready to form their unusual triad of power. If any of the generals chose this night to attack, they’d be in for it.
At all five Phoenix Metro Borderlands, Gideon had everything under control, having assigned twelve squads at each site. Though he battled at Warrior of the Blood level, both Luken and Seriffe wanted him to serve as Second-in- Command of the Militia Warriors, especially since, for the past year the Thunder God Warriors had served at the Borderlands in increasing numbers. And Gideon had always indicated his preference to remain at Apache Junction HQ.
As the music swelled and one by one, the warriors took the stage, the audience began to applaud until once more everyone had gained their feet. Vela didn’t know which was louder: the applause or the music. Either way, chills ran up and down her arms and her heart filled with all the appreciation she felt for the sacrifices these men had made for centuries.
Kerrick led the way, with Alison on his arm.
Marcus followed with Havily
.
Antony Medichi with Parisa.
Fiona, her pregnancy just announced, held tightly to Jean-Pierre’s arm.
Thorne formed the apex at the top of the stage of the original nine, his arm around Marguerite’s waist.
Leto came forward from the opposite side of the stage, Grace on his arm.
Luken after him, with Warrior Zacharius and finally, Santiago.
Wearing ceremonial black tunics, brass breastplates and capes with the right side flipped over the shoulder, the men looked like soldiers from ancient Rome.
They wore a sleeker version of battle sandals, with silver moldings and tight shin-guards.
Vela put a hand to her stomach and forced herself to breathe. The level of sheer preternatural power on the stage rolled over her, sending electric shocks through her system. She worked hard to keep tears tumbling down her cheeks, but they fell anyway.
What critical roles each played in the ongoing fate of Second Earth, now even more so, given the existence of an operational darkening grid that crossed the boundaries from Third to Second.
Braulio’s comment had only confirmed what Vela already knew.
Vela, can you hear me?
Samuel’s voice sounded sharp and crystal clear within her mind. Yes, what’s going on?
Vela smiled as she continued to applaud and occasionally stamp her feet as many of the appreciative guests were doing, despite the formality of the occasion.
I want you with me, on stage. Simple as that and you can’t say no. The other warriors have their brehs with them.
