Half of my fellow trainees graduating tonight gawped like they’d never seen a girl in a dress. And sure, they’d never seenmein one, but that was because I didn’t really socialize with them.
I loved a good excuse to dress up. Sadly, I’d had few of them over the last year.
“You look like a princess,” Irwin announced, sounding far too surprised for my liking.
“At least I don’t punch like one,” I retorted, irritated by his presence.
I couldn’t understand how he’d made it through the trainee program. He pissed himself during half of his missions and hid for the other half. If his father weren’t a protector, I doubt he would have even been accepted at the Guard.
To be fair, Irwin’s defensive magic could come in handy occasionally—when he managed to stay conscious and present long enough to use it.
“Marvil Bones,” Hilda Valesco, captain of the Guard, called loud and clear from the center of the sanded arena where a temporary dais was raised.
Usually this ceremony happened in the Hall of Truce’s forum, but given the events of last week, and the fact that the domed ceiling was still broken, they’d called us to the Guard’s amphitheater instead.
I didn’t mind. It felt more appropriate to officially become part of the Guard here rather than the stuffy politicians’ turf, though the location made me forgo high heels in favor for ballerinas.
Marvil crossed the distance to join the authorities on the dais: Kleos’s aunt, her father, and to her other side, Damian Regis. All were dressed up, which in Hilda’s case meant she’d thrown a tweed double-breasted coat over the black reinforced suit she usually wore in the Guard.
Leander Valesco wore his high magister cloak, red brushed velvet with a dark lining, and heavy gold chains over it. As for Lucian’s elder brother, his blue fitted suit might have looked impressive, but I knew enough of the Regis clan by now to realize that he’d just thrown on whatever this morning without trying. If he’d meant to impress, he would have worn regalia, or at the very least, a few diamonds. Still, he was here, representing the elders to acknowledge our new duties.
Marvil wore a suit too, his ill fitted. I wasn’t surprised to see Damian sneer as he bent a knee before the dais.
“Rise, Guardian Bones, and join the ranks of runners of Highvale.” Hilda extended her hand, offering him his shiny new badge.
He got to his feet, took the badge with a grateful nod, and walked to the left, where the largest group assembled here clapped.
Next, Hilda called Irwin Clover, going in alphabetic order.
There were only fifteen trainees ascending. Three of our original group were held back, five kicked out, and two dropped out, including Kleos, who watched from the stands.
Withhim.
I couldn’t help looking at my friends, seated next to Cas. In just a few hours, they’d completely accepted the newcomer, despite his dubious assertion of convenient amnesia.
I frowned as I watched them all whisper to each other, visibly concerned with something. From the distance, I couldn’t quite make up the words, but they were all preoccupied.
I’d know soon enough.
I was called right after Isla March.
“Edith Silver,” Hilda said, making far too many people chuckle at the reminder that my first name sucked.
I swept the crowd with a glare that only served to amuse them more.
Kleos’s father smiled kindly, but he was still on my shit list for letting his wife manipulate, control, and emotionally abuse Kleos for the better part of her life, so I ignored him. In fact, Captain Hilda was also on my shit list, given that her desire to play peacemaker for the family had allowed the evil entity that was Zenya Pendros—may she roast in hell—to attempt an abduction of my best friend.
So I smiled at Damian by default. He seemed nice enough.
Scratch that, he seemed bored and clearly certain that he was wasting his precious time here, but I didn’t have a personal reason to be angry with him right this second.
The beautiful blond man smiled back.
“Rise, Guardian Silver, and join the ranks of your fellow protectors.”
I made my way to Gideon, who bumped my shoulder. “You made it.”
I grinned up at my friend.
