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We all sitaround the large dining room table, hungrily working at our plates of food. I mean, after the day I’ve had, who could blame a girl for stuffing her face first and asking questions later—and believe me, there are still a lot of answers I need.
The guys had arranged for a large meal already, so the food was already prepared and waiting for us by the time we got back to the manor. The staff took off before we got back at the guys’ behest. I eye them curiously, wondering what exactly they had in mind for this meal to have sent everyone home early.
Thankfully, we arrive only moments after Mateo and Domenic, barely giving them time to step away from each other.
“So, now that I’m not about to pass out, can someone please explain what guardians are?” I glance around the table before I land on Kyros beside me, knowing he’ll be the one to most likely explain best.
Just as I thought, Kyros doesn’t miss a beat, his eyes lighting up at being able to teach me something.
“The guardians are a force governed by Osias, the leader of the light majors.”
I roll my eyes, gesturing for him to continue, and not needing him to use my own father’s official title.
“Well, in addition to him possessing all of the light powers, he also has another. A gift bestowed on him by his role is to grant a second chance at life for those that have died in the act of bravery or selflessness.”
My brows crease, and he pauses, allowing me to soak in that information. My father can bring people back to life?
“That’s why he’s away quite often—he’s in charge of creating the ethereal forces and giving a second chance at life for those deemed worthy.” Kyros clasps my hand in my lap. Understanding clicks, and I piece together moments from my childhood, where my father would vanish suddenly, rushing out the door in some emergency or another—this was what he was doing.
My stomach twists in guilt, and I push down the thoughts bubbling up with this new realization. I’ll go over my memories with these new facts when I have the time. I’ve got to focus on the rest of the information now.
“The guardians are tasked with helping wayward souls and helping to guard the ethereal realm.” Kyros continues, nodding as the thoughts clouding my mind lift, clearly seeing my focus returning.
“So the guardians were once mortal?” I ask.
“Some are, others are from different realms … but that might be best saved for later,” he explains, looking around the table at all the bewildered looks my friends are giving him. I mean, it’s not every day you learn there’s another type of being.
“So what exactly happened at the trial to warrant all these guardians?” Kali asks hesitantly, sitting back as though she already knows the story won’t be a good one.
I quickly fill her in on the trial, what I faced and what happened after. Kali shudders when I tell them about what happened in the auditorium. She glances nervously at Stacia before meeting my gaze once more.
“There was an announcement earlier. The council moved up the third trial. It will be in two weeks.” Kali chews her lip, warily glancing at my four guys.
“Of course they did.” Adrian sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face in frustration. Helene had said they'd already made plans, but none of us had been in the classrooms that morning to hear the announcement of when exactly they would be. “We should go back to the school and sort through and try to figure out what other tricks they have up their sleeves.”
The others nod, standing up from their chairs and collecting the plates from the table.
Adrian places a chaste kiss on my cheek but lingers a moment longer, sparking heat in my belly as memories of earlier that day flood my mind. My cheeks heat as he backs away, winking at me mischievously.
“You’re all more than welcome to stick around. We’ll be back in a few hours to take you all back to the campus,” Kyros says with a broad smile, bending to place a kiss on my other cheek. I can’t help but smile at the brief peck, feeling the curve of his mouth against my skin.
“I’m staying here,” Maximus grumbles, giving me a hard look, refusing to budge on his position. He stands from his chair, collecting his plate as well. “But I’ll give you some time with your friends.” He clasps my shoulder, eyeing my friends warily before placing a quick kiss on my cheek as well. He doesn’t pause a moment longer, his strides strong and sure as he makes his exit.
I glance over at Mateo, about to tell him that’s what a compromise should be when I catch a pained look cross his face, as though he wants to say something, but he’s holding himself back. My lips part, about to ask him what it is when he turns on his heel, striding out of the room without another sound.
“Well, there is one good thing that’s happening,” Kali says hesitantly, pulling my attention back to my friends. She clasps Stacia’s hand above the table, and I can’t help but smile at the action, glad that my best friend has found someone that makes her happy. And after today, I’m convinced Stacia truly cares for her.
I quirk an eyebrow at her statement, unsure what exactly could be considered a good thing. I mean, sure, my father found a way to overthrow the council but, it almost seems as though they had planned for that, or at least put a contingency plan in place in case today didn’t go in their favor.
“There’s going to be another dance next week to celebrate the end of the trials.” Kali’s voice hitches in excitement, raising her hand in a happy dance, but she still has her fingers twined with Stacia’s and lifts hers too, shocking the poor girl. “Well, they said ball, so it might be a bit fancier than last time,” she admits, lowering their hands back down to the table. Kali lets loose a small giggle, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she looks at Stacia apologetically. To her credit, Stacia barks a laugh, finally getting over the surprise, and tenderly pushes a stray lock of hair behind Kali’s ear.
I can’t help but smile, too, seeing the love they hold for one another in their warm gazes. I jerk my attention away, focusing on the others and giving them a moment of privacy.
“What happened with your IOUs Lucas?” I ask with a chuckle, needing the levity of whatever humiliating tasks he made the others complete.
“Well … ” he trails off nervously, glancing around the table at the others, his gaze lingering on Zina for a moment before he continues. “Domenic was my butler for a week.”
I glance at Domenic, my brow raised in a questioning look.
