And then, he felt the pressure of the monstrous energy he was unconsciously siphoning from her begin to ease. The ground slowly settled. Moving to the side as the wind continued to blast through the stadium and Aurora let out another terrifying panther call, he positioned himself where he could see Amber’s eyes. The bright light in them was slowly ebbing. He noticed the pressure he had been feeling seemed to ease in synchronicity with her calming eye color. And then she was blinking as if to bring her vision back into focus. She saw that she was still gripping Olivia’s and Skye’ hands. When she looked at her sisters and then glanced around, she seemed to realize that things had taken a bad turn.
Then she closed her eyes in concentration. Her grip on her sisters’ hands grew tighter as she did what she could to help them find the strength to take possession of their powers.
Aurora slowly backed away and sat quietly on her haunches. The wind slowed, then died out. The color of Olivia’s eyes softened to spring green and Skye’s to light blue. Not a single sound or movement could be detected throughout the stadium. Jabari stepped forward.
“Congratulations, Amber, Olivia and Skye. You have Become.”
Flashes of color appeared around the seats. Within seconds, the sisters were surrounded by Jabari, Gabriel and six other Estilorians, all with different colored wings. Jabari’s glimmering black wings appeared. He then turned pointedly to Gabriel. With a thought, Gabriel’s wings emerged. There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone absorbed the changes in his wings. First, of course, they had changed from the midnight blue of the Gloresti to the same blue-gray as his eyes. Now, the blue-gray contained intricate gold markings.
Beautiful.
He caught Amber’s gaze as her thought entered his mind. Her amazing golden eyes were transfixed on his wings. When he saw the other Estilorian elders step forward, he did the same. His left wing touched Jabari’s right, and his right wing touched Knorbis’ left wing. Once they were all connected, another wave of energy flooded the atmosphere around the girls, who continued to hold hands in a circle around the table.
“Daughters of Saraqael, we are proud and honored to have you now among us. I am Jabari, eldest of the Elphresti. We will guide you with a focus on wisdom and learning.”
Next to Jabari stood Ini-herit, his fluid silver wings rippling calmly. “I am Ini-herit, eldest of the Corgloresti. We will guide you with a focus on spirituality and faith.”
“I am Malukali, eldest of the Orculesti,” said the brunette woman next to Ini-herit. Even with dark green eyes, she looked like a native island dancer who would have been at home in a grass skirt. Her serene voice continued, “We will guide you with a focus on meditation and internal centeredness.”
The tall, black-haired giant beside her spoke next. “I am Uriel, eldest of the Waresti.” His burnt orange eyes moved from one girl to the next, his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest. “We will guide you with a focus on strength and confidence.”
When it was her turn to speak, the mocha-skinned female beside Uriel nodded. Her warm brown eyes and beautiful brown wings seemed quite natural in combination with her complexion. Her blue gown was all the more stunning against such a monochromatic backdrop. “I am Zayna, eldest of the Scultresti. We will guide you with a focus on creativity and attention to detail.”
Beside her, the much shorter and paler male with lavender eyes and wings seemed luminescent. He had a surprisingly deep voice when he spoke. “I am Sebastian, eldest of the Lekwuesti. We will guide you with a focus on hospitality and custom.”
Then it was Knorbis’ turn. “I am Knorbis, eldest of the Wymzesti. We will guide you with a focus on intuition and instinct.”
Gabriel watched as all of the sisters looked at him. He smiled. “I am Gabriel, eldest of the Gloresti. We will guide you with a focus on loyalty and defense.”
There was a moment of silence as the energy circled the girls. Then Amber spoke. “As we will learn, so will we teach. My sisters and I will guide you with a focus on love…”
“…hope…” Olivia intoned.
“…and joy,” Skye finished.
And then the energy centered itself over the stone table between the sisters. It began to take on physical shape, glowing…a bright, white light that became too intense to watch. When Gabriel again opened his eyes, he saw several objects on the table.
“These have been created specifically for each of you,” Jabari intoned. “As your training commences, these will be among the items you keep closest to you.”
Gabriel took a closer look at the table as the sisters released each others’ hands and leaned over their gifts. He realized there was nothing in front of Skye, but he quickly understood why when she cupped her hands together over the table and a ball of soft blue light appeared. She laughed in delight and promptly started making the light appear and disappear. Olivia reached down and picked up the bow and quiver that lay before her. She looked rather disheartened. He guessed she had never imagined using a weapon of any kind, never mind something as archaic as a bow and arrow. Somehow, though, he figured with her intense ability to concentrate that she would have quite the skill with it.
His gaze shifted to Amber as she reached down and took the hilt of the sword that had appeared in front of her. She lifted it with confidence and appreciation for its weight and form. The metal was unlike anything on the human plane. It shone white with its luminosity, making the markings inscribed on the blade gleam. The hilt had been wrapped in light brown leather and thin black strips of leather for gripping. The pommel at the base of the hilt was an orb of clear, honey brown amber. With an obvious nod to her competitive karate training, the blade was gently curved and shaped similarly to a katana. It wasn’t quite standard, though, and he guessed it had been adjusted to better suit her.
Taking a step back, she engaged in a few dips and swings to test the sword’s feel. A smile lit her face. Then she switched her hold on the grip and suddenly broke into a flurry of movement that left Gabriel breathless with awe. Her blade caught the light, winking as she moved. Finally, she came to rest, one leg extended slightly behind her while the other was bent a bit at the knee in front of her. She held her sword above her head with her right hand, the blade pointing forward. Her left hand was extended as if she held an opponent at bay.
She stood up. “Thanks,” she said easily as she studied the sword, obviously unaware of the fact that all eyes in the stadium were transfixed on her. “This is great. Do I get to keep it?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Okay, you two,” Amber said a short time after the ceremony as she stood with Olivia and Skye in one of the coliseum’s tunnels. “Why are you both staring at me like I have two heads?”
Gabriel had taken James and Caleb aside so that he could discuss the protection of the girls with them. Then he was going to have to enter into a meeting with the other elders to discuss what needed to be done now that the Becoming ceremony had concluded and nearly everyone had departed. Because he wanted to speak to the Gloresti privately, the sisters were stuck in the lit tunnel until the males returned. Aurora sat at the end of the tunnel to ensure no one entered who sought to harm them.
“Um…” Skye glanced at Olivia, who wore her bow and quiver across her body as she had been instructed. The middle sister looked highly uncomfortable and kept adjusting the leather strap and bow string crossing her chest. “Well, we were just wondering where you learned to use a sword like that.”
“Oh.” Amber blinked and instinctively brought a hand to the hilt of her sword where it now rested in its sheath against her left hip. “I practiced karate back in Georgia.”
Skye’s eyebrows lifted. “So you, like, fought with swords and stuff? Like a ninja?”
Snorting, Amber shook her head. “Not like a ninja. We didn’t use real ones. The only swords I ever used were wooden or plastic. I’ve tried my hand with a bo, tonfa, nunchucks, some sai. But usually we just used our hands and feet.” She looked consideringly down at her sword.
“In truth, I can’t explain how I knew exactly what to do with the sword. It just kind of happened. It felt right, I guess.”
Olivia smiled. “Well, you sure looked like you could kick everyone’s ass.”
They all shared a laugh.
After a brief flash of her green eyes, Olivia said, “The Orculesti who traveled with you is approaching, Amber.” Aurora must have sent the information.
“Kanika? That’s weird. I figured she’d be gone by now,” Amber mused, glancing up the tunnel toward the entrance where Aurora sat.
Sure enough, the exotic Orculesti soon appeared. She gave them all a cordial nod. “Hello, Olivia and Skye. I do not know whether Amber mentioned me. I am Kanika, the Orculesti who prepared her for the Becoming ceremony. It is a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Thanks,” Olivia and Skye answered at the same time.
Kanika turned to Amber. “Amber, archigos Gabriel asked me to come back when I mentioned to him that we must prepare you.”
“Prepare me?” Amber echoed in confusion.
“Of course. For the…” she trailed off in apparent thought. “Well, I believe humans call it the ‘wedding night.’”
All of the color drained from Amber’s face, only to then return in a hot flush. “Uh…”
“Oh my gosh,” Skye breathed, and then she clapped her hands together, her eyes bright with excitement. “Amber, you’re married!”
“Actually,” Kanika qualified as she took Amber by the arm and began leading her further into the tunnel, “Amber and Gabriel are avowed. That is a much stronger bond than any sort of pairing found on the human plane. Once an avowed pairing is made, it is never undone. Or so I understand, as we have not experienced such a pairing in more centuries than many of us have been in existence.”
“Can we come with you?” Olivia asked, seemingly as excited as Skye. They were already following, so the question was almost rhetorical.
“Of course,” Kanika responded to Olivia’s question, not breaking stride. They turned a corner, the floating lights above them spotlighting their progress. “You are Amber’s sisters, after all. I am sure she would enjoy having you both involved in this very ceremonious occasion.”
Amber’s knees felt like they were made of Silly Putty, her mind frozen in shock as she absorbed this new understanding of her connection with Gabriel. She didn’t know what to say. For some reason, she hadn’t even considered the fact that their vow exchange had been the Estilorian equivalent to a wedding. It sure hadn’t resembled any wedding she had ever pictured. But she had to acknowledge that the ceremony had been blatantly powerful—and, of course, heartfelt.
So, what did this mean? That Gabriel was her husband?
She struggled to contain her whirling thoughts, not wanting him to be indirectly hurt by picking up on her stunned disbelief as she settled her thoughts into alignment with this unexpected information. Okay…so what? Sure, she had only turned eighteen human years old. But she was apparently as physically grown on this plane as she was ever going to get. And she knew she loved Gabriel more than anything in the entire world. They would have eventually gotten married on the human plane, anyway. Was it really so crazy that she was now his wife?
Wife. Oh, boy.
They rounded another corner, and the haze around her brain began to clear. She was completely unsure how long they had been walking. A tingle at the back of her neck suddenly put her on alert. She slowly removed her arm from Kanika’s grip, trying not to draw attention to the action.
“I appreciate you doing this, Kanika,” she said, glancing surreptitiously at Olivia and Skye. “But Gabriel told us to wait for him in the tunnels until he came to get us.”
“Oh, you know how males can be,” Kanika returned with a dismissive wave. “He gave no thought to the need for female preparation for the joining to come.”
Amber winced at the term “joining” and felt her face flush again. They had reached some kind of inner chamber at the end of the tunnel. The strange lights that had followed them throughout the twisting tunnels didn’t progress ahead, however. They remained outside the door leading to the black chamber.
“I think Amber’s right,” Skye said uncertainly as she gazed into the darkness.
Belatedly, Amber remembered she had an easy way to check out Kanika’s story. Before she could send out a thought to Gabriel, however, Kanika gave her a strong shove from behind, propelling her into the room.
Skye watched the Orculesti shove Amber into the pitch-black chamber. She stood immobile with bewilderment that rapidly changed to shock and alarm. From within the darkness of the chamber, she heard the sound of a sword being drawn, and numbly guessed it was Amber’s. Even as she registered that sound, she watched Kanika’s green eyes flash into a violent red.
What the—?
The unmistakable sound of swords clashing together came from inside the chamber, followed by a stunned gasp of pain. It sounded like Amber. Kanika laughed, an unhinged sound. All of this took place in only a couple of seconds.
“Skye,” Amber shouted urgently, and Skye’s head whipped around, her eyes wide. “I need light!”
There were several more clinks of metal and another intake of breath indicating pain. With less than a second’s hesitation to gather her thoughts and courage, Skye took a deep breath and then ran into the chamber.
And sent her energy flying.
Aurora!
Olivia sent out the frantic thought the second she saw Kanika’s eyes turn red. The call seemed to echo oddly in her head. She knew, of course, the moment that Amber had been so forcefully shoved into the dark room that something wasn’t right. But her trusting, human mind had tried to somehow rationalize it. Maybe this was some strange part of the Estilorian preparation process, she thought in confusion. But when the sounds of Amber’s distress bounced to them, prompting the unnatural laugh from the Orculesti, she knew her initial instinct had been right.
“Skye, I need light!”
Amber’s command had Olivia feeling inadequate and unprepared. But she was so very proud of her youngest sister when she turned toward the pitch black chamber and ran in, her entire body somehow radiating light.
As Skye ran, Olivia shouted, “Aurora!” And prayed the cat heard her.
Kanika issued a scream when the bright light touched her. Olivia realized that whatever Skye was doing was physically injuring the other female.
Then Aurora’s hair-raising cry cut through the tunnel, making Kanika scream for another reason altogether. Olivia stood, all but forgotten, as the Orculesti tossed a terrified glance over her shoulder toward where she knew the white panther approached and then turned to run into the chamber.
Olivia ran after her.
Amber finally got to see her opponent when Skye made her magnificent appearance. Of course, by then she was unarmed and as vulnerable as a newborn babe.
When Kanika shoved her into the chamber, she instinctively turned the forward momentum into a somersault that returned her to her feet. And, because she sensed at least one other presence in the room, she unsheathed her sword even as she found her balance.
Of course, she had trained in lit rooms, facing opponents on equal footing. She was entirely out of her element. Still, when she felt the slash of a blade coming toward her, she allowed instinct to guide her and deflected it. She deflected two more slashes before she missed and a blaze of pain blossomed along her right hip and waistline.
Knowing she was in trouble, she frantically tried to send out a thought to Gabriel and felt it circle back to her mind. What was going on? Was she too far away from him or something?
As she called out to Skye for help, she sensed the blade coming at her again. She managed to parry that slash and get in a slash of her own, then felt the opposing blade slice her again, this time along the inside of her right forearm. Her nerve endings damaged by the deep cut, she dropped her weapon.
About that time, the room flooded with light. She saw her opponent in full relief: Black tank, pa
nts and boots, bald head, red eyes, savagely scarred features and muscles enough to do any bodybuilder proud. His sword was as black as onyx and wickedly curved. Just like Kanika, he was physically affected when Skye’s light touched him. He was forced to shield his eyes and he gave a quick grunt of pain. She could only assume because his eyes were red and none of the eight classes that they had met thus far had been represented by that color that she was facing a Mercesti.
As another of Aurora’s fierce panther cries echoed into the chamber, Amber tried again, unsuccessfully, to send out a thought to Gabriel. She kicked her opponent’s sword hand using the heel of her foot, knowing her unprotected toes would be damaged otherwise. The kick wasn’t strong enough to dislodge the weapon. She used the time he took to recover his loosened grip to dip down in an attempt to retrieve her dropped weapon using her less dominant left hand.
Then Kanika ran into the chamber, followed closely by Olivia. The Orculesti threw herself at Amber, forcing Amber to catch her weight and pushing them to both to the ground. Vaguely, Amber heard Olivia cry out in surprise and, oddly, pain.
“He’s mine,” Kanika shrieked, clawing at Amber’s left arm, which she was using to shield herself. Her long nails drew blood. “Gabriel was always meant to be mine! I waited eighteen years for him to come back here and learn to love me. You stole him from me, you whoring human half-breed!” Using brute strength fueled by anger and hatred, she managed to wrench Amber’s arm away from her body. “This ring is mine.”
And then she made the mistake of trying to pry the ring off Amber’s finger.
Gabriel hadn’t wanted the sisters to be involved in his conversation with the Gloresti who protected them because he had a few delicate issues to discuss. For one, he wanted to give James and Caleb a run-down of what he had identified as each of the girls’ strengths and weaknesses. The two males needed to be particularly focused on defending the sisters in the areas where they most needed it. Jabari had provided an overview of each of the girls’ abilities and areas in need of improvement, but he couldn’t include the human mindset behind that like Gabriel could. He saw no reason to put the sisters through a possibly humiliating highlight reel of the things Estilorians considered weaknesses.