“Thanks!” Sophia grinned and the two raced one another up the stairs. Midnight pretended to trip at the top, so that little girl could win. Gabriella turned to Delagio. “I suppose you probably have things you want to do too.” He patted the pouch at his side. “Well I was kind of hoping to get a couple of hours in at the target range.” Gabriella rolled her eyes. “Go on then. We’ll see you later.” Delagio tipped his hat. “Thanks boss. See you later Alex, try not to kill anything while I’m gone.” I smiled and watched as he called an elevator and was swallowed into the depths of the nexus.
“So what now?” I asked stepping to the side, so a man in a white apron could roll a glass keg of what looked like blood between us. “I get the impression we’re in the way down here.”
“We can go and check out your apartment if you like. It’ll probably be ready by now.”
“Lead the way,” I said.
I followed Gabriella up the stairs and along the balcony. We slipped through one of the silver drapes, which felt as light and soft to the touch as gossamer. As we passed the door that lead to Gabriella’s apartment, I noticed the little plaque with her name on. Even her name is beautiful.
We headed a few doors down and then she stopped. There was a backing plate with my name on it.
“Put your thumb on the scanner there.”
I did as she said. A wave of light ran down the small pad and then there was a low click as the latch opened. Gabriella swung it open and gestured inside.
The layout was similar to Gabriella’s apartment, but the style was completely different. The walls were ocean blue — my favourite colour. The hallway was home to a bookshelf packed with novels. I glanced at a few of the titles. Alice in Wonderland, The Enchanted Woods, The Dark Tower, Lord of the Rings, American Gods. Copies of every book I had treasured growing up were present and accounted for. What surprised me even more was that the shelves included books I’d wanted to read but hadn’t managed to get around to.
In the lounge, a hulking plasma screen hung on the fireplace wall. Below, a cabinet was filled with a selection of video game consoles and games. A leather U-shaped sofa filled the sunken area. On the wall to the left of the opening, was a giant canvass of artwork done by Ryan Lloyd of Soulfire and signed by the artist himself. My mouth fell open in disbelief. On the other side was a perfect recreation of the peaceful beach from my mind journey with Faru.
The kitchen was stocked with all of my favourite foods. The bathroom was a giant wet room, containing numerous water spouts and a Jacuzzi bath.
The bedroom was stunning. A king-sized bed sat on top of a thick chocolate carpet and in the middle of an array of dark wood furniture. A further plasma television hung from a contrasting white wall. A selection of my favourite films stood on a unit below. Hanging from a wardrobe handle was an expensive looking suit bag.
I turned around to Gabriella. “I don’t know what to say. It’s…perfect. How did-“
“Faru,” she said tapping a finger against her temple. “Okay, I’m going to head back to my apartment. Why don’t you get yourself ready and then come find me when you’re done. The ceremony doesn’t begin for another three hours, so no rush.” She pointed a finger towards the suit bag hanging from the wardrobe.
“Everything you need is in there.”
My heart hammered in my chest as I unzipped the suit bag. Even though I was pretty sure I knew what was inside, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of anticipation. The rich scent of leather filled my nose as I pulled the sides of the bag away. Inside was my very own HASEA uniform.
The sense of acceptance I’d felt before came flooding back times ten. This is me. I belong here.
I pulled on the black t-shirt, followed by the leather trousers. I smiled to myself as I put them on. If these were by themselves, I’d look like some sort of nerdy rock star. I removed the slim leather jacket and shrugged it on. It felt comfortably heavy. There was an indented area over the heart, where the HASEA badge would normally be. I traced the outlines of it with a finger. Next came the odd metal belt I’d seen the rest of the team wearing. As I lifted it out, I could hear a dull hum — as if it were conducting electricity. I noticed strange symbols etched on the inside. Shrugging, I wrapped it around my waist. The buckle was made of solid brushed metal and clicked into the other end like an airplane seatbelt. The last items at the bottom of the bag were a pair of boots which laced up to the shins, a pair of fingerless gloves and a duel sword scabbard which slipped over both shoulders and connected at the back. Everything fitted perfectly.
I zipped up the jacket and walked over to the full length mirror by the bed. I drew in a sharp breath. I looked like I’d been ripped from the pages of comic book. Like an actual superhero.
As I stared at my undeniably badass self in the mirror, I noticed a button on the side of the belt. Taking an instinctive look around, I pressed it.
My reflection disappeared.
“What the hell?” I cried out, stumbling backwards and knocking a shelf load of DVDs to the floor. I looked down and with a huge sigh of relief realised I was still there. I faced the mirror and pressed the button again. A silvery wave rolled from my feet upwards and my reflection re-appeared.
Like an excited child, I clicked the button a few more times and watched in amazement as I vanished and materialised in the space of a few seconds. Okay, I’m definitely asking Gabriella about this one, I thought as I headed out of the bedroom.
Not wanting to seem too keen, I wasted a bit of time playing on a PlayStation in the lounge. I couldn’t concentrate properly and the character I was playing as kept dying. I gave up and switched the system off.
The door of my apartment clicked shut behind me. I headed over towards Gabriella’s room and pressed the bell. I hoped from foot to foot as I waited for her to answer.
The door swung open and Gabriella was framed in the light, wearing what appeared to be a ceremonial version of the uniform. The black leather jacket was trimmed in gold. Ornate pads made from what looked like real gold sat on both shoulders. Her hair had been fixed into place using numerous hairpins and ran down her back. She looked me up and down and made an impressed face.
“Well don’t you look dashing in uniform Mr Eden?” she said with a cheeky smile.
I felt my face grow hot. “Yours is nice too.” I said in an awkward voice.
“You mean this old thing?” she mock simpered. “It’s something the squad leaders have to wear whenever a new recruit joins the team. Come in.” Gabriella opened the door further and ushered me inside. Music was playing softly from the lounge speakers. I recognised ‘Destiny’ by Zero 7. There was of bottle of champagne standing in a bucket of ice on the coffee table, along with two glasses. I sat down on the coach by the roaring fire. Gabriella picked up the bottle. The label looked worn.
“I figured you could use a drink after everything that’s happened. I thought it could be a sort of celebration.”
“Sounds fantastic,” I said. Pointing at the bottle I added, “that looks pretty old.”
“It’s a 1907 shipwrecked Heidsieck,” she explained, popping the cork. “It was meant to be shipped to the Russian imperial family in nineteen sixteen, but the boat sank off the coast of Finland. Divers found a case of two hundred in ninety seven. They were being sold for two hundred and seventy five thousand dollars a bottle in Moscow. Faru got a couple sent over for tonight.” She gave a devilish grin. “So let’s enjoy them.”
My jaw unhinged. Gabriella laughed and poured two glasses, which frothed up to the rims. She handed me one. “A toast, to Alexander Eden — self-healer and soon to be Guardian of the Alliance.”
We clinked our glasses together. I took a sip of the cool, crisp liquid and nodded with satisfaction. Gabriella sat down next to me and I felt the mild buzz under my skin. “So how are you feeling about tonight?”
“Apprehensive,” I admitted. “But excited at the same time.” I remembered about the belt. “Oh right, so I pressed this and had a pret
ty big shock.”
Gabriella threw back her head and laughed. “Were you looking in the mirror by any chance?”
I chuckled. “Maybe.”
“It’s a Kapre belt. They’re extinct Umbra that used demonic magic to forge belts that made them invisible to humans. When the Alliance first caught them, they copied the design. They’re standard issue now, for times when a Guardian needs to get around without being spotted by a human. They can only see us if we talk to them directly. But for some reason if you activate it, you also lose your reflection.”
I squeezed the belt buckle between my fingers. “Pretty useful. For a minute I thought I’d turned into a Vampire or something.”
Gabriella smiled. Then something changed. She fell silent. There was a long pause, while we looked at one another. I could feel the sensations under my skin start to vibrate. After a minute, she took a deep breath. Her face looked solemn. “Alex, can I tell you something?”
I made an intrigued face and set my glass down on the table. “Of course. Anything.”
For a long while Gabriella didn’t say anything. Finally she sighed and squeezed my arm. “Do you remember what I said to you the day I arrived at Chapter Hill, when you asked about me?”
I cast my mind back to the first day, when we’d walked together through the corridors, whilst others watched in confused jealousy. “Yeah, you said it wasn’t a question for then.” Gabriella set her glass down next to mine. “Well I think it’s time I told you something important about me.” I sat up straighter. “okay.”
The look on her face told me what she was going to say was important. She took in several deep breaths as if trying to summon the courage to speak. When she did, the words burst out of her mouth. “I’m a hybrid.” I blinked. “Sorry, what?” “I’m half Umbra.” I stared at her. “You’re joking right?” Gabriella shook her head and then looked at me, biting her lower lip. “But you’re a Chosen. What… I mean, is that even possible?” “It’s a complicated story, but simply put my father was Chosen and my Mother was Umbra.” “I didn’t know Awakenings were hereditary.” “They’re not…it’s extremely rare.”
I ran the palm of my hand down my face, curling the fingers around my lips. “What type of Umbra was she, your mother?” My voice came out muffled from behind my hand.
“A Succubus.” Gabriella leaned over and put a hand on my leg. “But she was a good person Alex. She loved me and my Father.”
I puffed air out of my lips. “Wow. I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting that.”
Gabriella stared down at the floor and shuffled her feet, rocking one of her heels on the thick rug — contemplating something. Then with a lightning speed, she unzipped her jacket and turned away from me, lifting her top up, revealing her bare back. Just below each shoulder blade were two thick patches of reddish skin, slightly mottled like scales and about the size of an outstretched hand.
“What-”
“Umbra skin,” she answered over her shoulder. “It’s where my wings would be if I could grow them.”
I stared at the strange patches of skin. Instinctually I stretched out a hand. I caught myself just in time and froze, hand hovering a few inches from her back. “Can I…” Gabriella turned slightly. Her gaze caught mine. I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
I moved my shaking hand forward and touched my fingertips onto the scales. I was surprised at how soft they felt. They were warm and pulsed as if they had their very own heartbeats. I wasn’t creeped out at all. They were part of Gabriella and that meant I loved them.
As our skin touched, the sensations became a fierce wave of electricity which rolled up my arm and collected at my fingertips. The scales seemed to react to each vibration, changing the speed of their pulsing as if it had become their new heartbeat. Gabriella shivered slightly and let out a soft sigh. I brushed my fingers around, tracing around the area where they met her human skin. For what could have been years, we stayed that way. Finally, Gabriella slowly slipped her t-shirt down and put her jacket back on. She edged around to face me again, her features strained. “So, do you hate me?” The question knocked me for six. “Hate you? Why on earth would I hate you?” She gazed down at her feet again. “Because I’m an abomination.”
I’d never seen Gabriella so vulnerable. Ever since I’d met her, she’d been the one with the confidence. The one who knew where the pieces fit. It was humbling to see her like this — a real person with real insecurities.
“Hey.” I lifted her chin up to face me. “Ella listen to me. You are not an abomination. What you are is the most incredible person I’ve ever met. Don’t let a demented parasite like Rahuman ever let believe otherwise.”
Her face broke into a smile so full of emotion it took my breath away. “You have no idea how relieved I am. I thought you were going to be repulsed.”
I shook my head. “No, I think they are kind of…beautiful.”
Gabriella curled her fingers around my hand and squeezed it. A fresh wave of sparks shot up my arm and made me shudder. I quickly dropped my hand and fumbled my glass from the table.
“So do you look like them if you don’t…you know, feed?” I asked taking a sip.
“No, no. This is how I’ve always looked. I don’t need to drain. I’m basically Chosen, apart from having those patches and Umbra blood. That’s why I don’t use boosters. It also means I’m a bit faster and stronger than a lot of Chosen — and enhances my gift, but that’s it.” She fell silent.
I cleared my throat and pointed to the picture on the mantelpiece. “I’d love to hear more about your parents.”
Gabriella shifted uncomfortably on her seat and sadness seemed to grow behind her eyes. “I want to, but I don’t think I can yet. I- it’s not something I’ve talked about for a really long time.”
It was my turn to squeeze her hand. “That’s fine; you don’t have to tell me a single thing you don’t want to.”
We sat in silence for a while. I watched the flames flicker in the hearth and felt the warmth on my skin. We were so close on the couch that every breath I took was filled with her intoxicating scent. It mixed dizzyingly with the smell freshly washed hair.
“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?”
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