I lean over and glower at Gage a moment as he sits next to Skyla like he belongs there.
“You know anything about this?” I hitch my head in Rory’s direction.
Gage shakes his head. “Nope. But I bet there will be fireworks. You’ve always liked fireworks, isn’t that right, Logan?”
“Shut up, Gage.” Skyla doesn’t miss a beat and sounds decidedly like Chloe in the process.
Rory pounds the gavel in front of her over a slice of marble and the room quickly quiets down.
“Welcome, leaders and Faction members. We risk much with this meeting. I understand the price we could pay if we meet too often, for too long. I’ll make this brief. First and foremost, you shall no longer address me in a familiar manner. When I approach, you are to refer to me as Your Grace. I am not your friend. I am your savior.”
A dull murmur breaks out in the crowd.
“Good Lord.” Skyla closes her eyes a moment. A reaction I’m pretty sure mimics the exact one Chloe would have had.
Rory clears her throat. “Secondly, I want to welcome a special guest tonight. I realize some of you have seen him walk into the room. Gage Oliver, your highness, why don’t you stand.”
Gage growls under his breath. I’m sure he’s regretting his decision to show up tonight right about now. I know I’d be cursing myself into tomorrow.
Laken and Coop walk through the side door, and Laken gives Skyla and me a quick wave as they take a seat near the exit. A wise move on their part. I’m wishing I could join them.
“Come, Gage,” Rory barks it out. “Don’t be shy. Rise to your feet. A king doesn’t hesitate, now does he?”
A small titter of laughter circles the room. Gage has been humiliated on every front. He’s down, defeated, devoid of people, missing an army. His only allies are the devils he shares his celestial DNA with.
Gage stands and gives a quick nod as he looks around. He twitches a short-lived smile when he gets to Barron. And I’m a little surprised that Emma isn’t here. Tonight is open house. Meet the new teacher night at Nick Haver’s house.
Gage sinks down in his seat once again, and a smile spreads over Rory’s face.
“Now”—Rory purrs like a lioness in wait for her prey—“let’s get down to business. The reason the enemy is invited to observe this private party is to ensure him any further strikes against my people would be futile.” She stands to her feet and steps around the table as she faces the anxious crowd. “Tonight, I invite each of you, my brothers and sisters, to enter into a deeper commitment with your bond to this new Faction, which shall from here on out be encapsulated under the umbrella of Celestra. I ask you this night to consider a union between yourself and Celestra, a true commitment—a covenant.”
A slight murmur enlivens the crowd.
My stomach squeezes tight as I glance to Skyla.
But Skyla doesn’t stop at a glance. “What the hell is she up to, Logan?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
Rory lifts her chin. “What does this covenant mean, you ask? It is a binding agreement between your very soul and Celestra. Should you choose to saunter off and side with the enemy, you will be excommunicated, divorced. You will never have the opportunity to side with Celestra again. As you all know, my mother, our God Himself take binding covenants very seriously. Think hard and then do what you must do—enter into a holy covenant with Celestra. Be a part of this holy Faction forever.”
I glance to Gage, and his lips curl at the tips with delight.
Holy crap. I squeeze my eyes shut tight a moment. On the surface this is a very good thing for Celestra. That extra something that will ensure our people won’t bleed out ever again. But Gage—that damn wild card he’s become, something about this entire thing unsettles me.
Brody leans over. “Just texted Dudley. He says this is on the up and up. Acovenant, Logan. What the hell?”
I shake my head.
Skyla leans our way. “Why does it sound like solid gold, and yet smell like rotten fish?”
If our people ever leave, they won’t be able to come back. Brody knows it. Skyla knows it, and I know it, too.
Rory has everyone rise to their feet and repeat a set of rather unholy sounding vows, and just like that, we’ve solidified our souls to Celestra. It wasn’t hard for me to do. Hell, it wasn’t hard for the others to do either. But something tells me some of us will soon be regretting it.
Rory goes on to explain the recordings of our hearts, as well as directives for those not present regarding how they, too, can join in on this fun binding agreement.
Soon, we’re dismissed and bodies begin to mingle as they head for the door.
