And now I’m convinced there’s so much more to my new member than meets the eye.
The moment the Taiga estate comes into view my body unconsciously relaxes.
The last half of the journey back was pretty quiet in comparison, mostly because Xavier was too deep in his thoughts to be his usual annoying self, so there were only the sounds of the late-night creatures and the light from the stars in the black sky to keep us company.
From the stories I’d heard from Dahlia over the past few years, Christian himself could supposedly talk circles around Xavier, but from what I’ve seen of him so far, that couldn’t be further from the truth… I suppose losing your team can make you find fewer things to say.
The thought weighs down on me in tandem with the cold night air as Wesley nods his head to the guards at the outer gate. The tall, wide black metal is the ‘official’ way in and out of the Taiga household, but it’s only used when you want to be seen coming in and out. It’s a formality to avoid raising suspicion, but even the cops know they’re more likely to walk on the moon than get this far into our territory… because we own the entire neighbourhood.
One hundred and fifty acres filled only with our people.
One hundred and fifty acres of eyes and ears that we control.
The Taiga estate is set quite a ways away from the other residences, separated by a polished, black metal gate that towers over our vehicle by at least ten feet. Textured brick walls extend from the gate to the left and right, which encircle the entire property on the map, and the moment the guards recognise us and our vehicle, the wide gate swings open to reveal a single path with spruce trees on either side for half a mile.
Abuelitathought having a forest as a border was romantic, soAbuelitowas more than happy to appease her; he bought the property before she could blink twice. I can only imagine the things it has seen over three generations, but though it has a way of spooking most of our men, I’ve always found it reassuring.
These trees are ten times older than I am. And when I die, they’ll surely be around ten times longer.
Our path is blocked by a smaller version of the outer gate, but instead of brick walls on either side, there is only slatted wooden fencing around the property. We send our men to patrol the inner and outer walls every morning and evening to look for any signs of break-ins, but in truth, nothing gets past the cameras that are spaced out evenly along the wall’s face. Not to mention the traps placed all throughout the forest that can be activated with the single touch of a button.
Needless to say, you needed to make a few friends in Aster’s security if you wanted some fun time in the forest at night.
The guards at the second booth nod when they recognize me, and the inner gate opens without delay to reveal the Taiga estate, seven thousand square feet of traditional beauty, wood and wall structures of all sizes, complete with a backyard lake and various warehouses.
The pinnacle of society.
There are several lights on inside, but I can only guess who’s home tonight. The windows are all designed so that others can’t pry in, even with a forest separating us from the rest of the neighbourhood.
I’m already imagining the warm shower that’ll rinse the stiffness from my bones and chase away the flaky sensation of dried blood. When Wesley drivesaround the large island of plants and flowers to stop in front of the porch entrance, I’m hopping out of the vehicle before it can stop completely and moving around to Gabriel’s side to help move him.
“I can do the rest,” Gabriel stops me with a soft voice. He’d woken up sometime during the drive, and thanks to Xavier’s skills, his wound had finally stopped bleeding beneath the new bandages. I know his pride is wounded since he’s the only one who was injured, but I don’t see any bitterness or frustration in his energy. Just a brave expression that makes me feel slightly proud.
“You’ve gotta talk to Aster and Baal,” he reminds me.
Right. Because the wicked never get a chance to sleep.
I size him up just in case to make sure he’s sure, before nodding, “Okay.” I tap my knuckles on his chest lightly, “Fix yourself up good. I’ll take care of Aster and Baal.” I glance at Christian, “Tobias and Xavier will show you to a room.”
“… Yes, sir.”
I’d ignored him the entire ride after the shootout, but in the few moments I’d taken my eyes off him, doubt and sadness filtered into his usually pretty energy. Even his inexpressive mask has cracked to expose flickers of uncertainty in his eyes and it drives my next words past my lips before I can stop them.
“I heard you’ve lived in Portland all your life. You’ve never left?”
When he meets my eyes, his inexpressive mask has slipped right back on again, but the hesitation is there in his energy, “No, sir.”
I think I dislike his expressionless face the most. That and this sudden ‘sir’. Even the sadness I’d glimpsed was ten times better than the stone wall staring back at me… but at least the sad blues in his energy can’t be hidden.
It’s the only real glimpse I have of the man Dahlia calls Christian Adler.
“Then I’ll show you around the place. Though I wouldn’t recommend unpacking just yet. Aster has to approve you first.”
The only change on Christian’s face is the barely narrowing of his eyes, but his energy flares with new ire and I can’t help the upward curve of my lips at the sight of it.
You didn’t think it’d be that easy to join my team, did you,estrellito?
I tap my palm on the vehicle door in goodbye before turning away to ascend the porch steps. Two guards are there to open the double doors without my having to slow down.
