“I’m not sure she remembers anything. It might take a while to have her back.” The voice I heard I did not recognize. I felt like I was drugged because everything seemed vague.

I tried to open my eyes but the light burned them. My limbs felt like they had been torn apart. I stared into the blackness behind my lids and fell back to sleep.

When I awoke I couldn’t hear a sound. I wanted to open my eyes but I was afraid it would be painful. I just kept them shut until…

“Ever! You’re awake! Thank goodness!” I recognized Jagger’s voice immediately.

I sighed and opened my eyes slowly. “Jagger?” I finally saw Jagger standing beside me beaming. I tried to smile back but it might have come out like a smirk.

“How are you feeling?” He asked anxiously.

I scrunched my face. “Great” I answered honestly. When I noticed I was in the healer’s Quarters I sat up straight. Jagger grabbed me trying to stop me.

“You shouldn’t move so much Ever.”

I tried to remember what happened but nothing came to me. “What happened? Why am I here?” Right then I remembered the Ordeal. I lost. I had to have lost. Bugger.

Jagger shook his head. “You didn’t lose Ever.” He looked behind him and then back at me. “But there is something you should know.”

Something moved behind Jagger. “Ever? She woke up? Blooming hell. I hate when I confuse visions with dreams.” I felt comforted knowing Van was there.

Jagger glared at me and I shuddered. “I just thought you might want to be the one to tell her what occurred at the Ordeal” he said and moved from where he stood.

Van stood up from a seat and ran his fingers through his hair. His hair was messy like he had been asleep but he immediately put it back in its place cupping his long attractive face. “Thank you” he said to Jagger and took his place. “Ever, you are the only innovatus potens to ever completely dominate the imperium skill.” His eyes were unreadable.

“Imperium skill?”

“A skill is like a flair except any potens can obtain it. Imperium is somewhat like telekinesis except imperium is controlled with your hands and your mind. You direct the power with your hands.”

I closed my eyes. “So what now? I’m a freak or something?”

“No.”

I opened my eyes. Van had an angry expression across his beautiful face. “What does it mean then?”

“It means you’re extremely powerful.” Van looked down at the ground for a moment then found my eyes again. “We also know what your affiliation is.”

“My what?”

Van sighed. I could tell he was fuming. “Affiliation is the element that grants you your flair. Affiliations are extremely difficult to identify especially in new potens but I clearly saw yours while you were battling in the Ordeal. You are affiliated to fire.”

I looked into his mossy green eyes. “What’s your affiliation?”

“Earth.”

I smiled to myself.

“What?”

“Nothing” I said as if closing the conversation. Van seemed sleepless but still his usual youthful, sexy self.

When I remembered Jagger was around my eyes widened and I searched for him around the room.

“Your secrets are safe with me” I heard him say behind Van.

Van stared at Jagger with a confused expression plastered across his face. “You know it’s not polite to say secrets in public.”

Jagger half smiled. “It’s not civil to make out with someone’s girlfriend either.”

I watched as Van’s jaw locked in place. “Touché.” He looked back at me with cold eyes.

“Wait… I didn’t lose the Ordeal?” I asked nervously.

They both nodded. “You won, Ever” Jagger said from behind Van.

I buried my face in my hands. “No, no, no.” My hands were trembling and my face was hot.

I felt a pair of warm hands take mine. Jagger was looking at me concerned. “It’s okay Ever. You had to do it.”

I shook my head. “No. How could I? Izzy? What about her family?” Tears didn’t come. I was sad but I hardly ever cried.

Van stood to my other side. “What about her family? They have been notified that she died in battle.” Van’s eyes were unfathomable. I couldn’t understand him.

“In battle? No. You should’ve told them that a bloody murderer slaughtered their child!” My shame and guilt was overwhelming.

Van looked away and ground his teeth. Before I could even understand him he left. I was angry with him and me. He told me to kill her.

“He did the right thing Ever. I would have told you to do the same.” Jagger still had his hands wound with mine.

I sighed. “I just can’t accept the fact that I killed an innocent potens.”

Jagger sat at the end of my bed looking in the distance. “Van stayed here.”

I looked up at him. “What?”

He didn’t meet my gaze. “Van brought you here and didn’t leave until you awoke.”

“How long have I been here?”

Jagger finally met my gaze. “Three days.”

My jaw flew open. “What? Three days and Van never left?”

“Yes.” Jagger looked at the door expectantly at exactly the same time I heard footsteps.

Sir Jaxxon entered through the door with a beam. AS always he looked extremely gorgeous. His small piercing blue eyes were happy. “How is my favorite new honoratus potens?” His voice was friendly.

A smile crept up my lips. I couldn’t help but smile when he was around; it was easy. “I’m fine. I want to get out of here already.”

Sir Jaxxon smiled politely. “Now now, let’s not be hasty. If the healer thinks you can leave then I will not stand in your way.”

I rolled my eyes anxiously. “Where is that healer?”

Sir Jaxxon and Jagger both burst into laughter at my desperation. “Calm down Ever” Jagger said.

Sir Jaxxon faced Jagger. “Would you mind leaving me alone with Ever for a second?” he asked politely as always.

Jagger nodded and exited.

“What do you have to tell me in private?”

Sir Jaxxon looked me in the eyes. “Well, I’m supposed to ask you what career you wish to pursue.” He brushed a strand of hair off of my face make me feel ill at ease at our proximity.

“I-I want to be a Guardian,” I said confidently. Sir Jaxxon seemed both surprised and bothered.

He looked away. “Have you thought about this? Guardians are always at high risk.” Sir Jaxxon tensed. “It’s a very difficult job. I don’t think it suits you.”

I immediately felt offended. “Excuse me? Suits me? I think it suits me perfectly actually.” My tone was harsh and cold which made Sir Jaxxon feel obviously uncomfortable.

Sir Jaxxon found my gaze once again. “Have you gone over this with your honoratus trainer Van?”

“Yes” I lied.

He didn’t seem convinced at all. “Really?”

“Well, no but it’s none of his business anyhow.” I folded my arms.

Sir Jaxxon raised an eyebrow at me. “Actually it is his business because he will be the one training you for said career.” He made it seem like Van had a lot to say in my career choosing.

I shook my head. “It’s my choice. Wait-“ I shook my head again and then hit myself on the forehead several times before Sir Jaxxon grabbed my hand and stopped me.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m an honoratus potens? Who else made it?” My breathing had become unstable and my heartbeat was extremely quick.

Sir Jaxxon smiled. “The twins, Peece, and Duke.” The last name made my heart stop. Duke? What about Pit? He died? The twins lived!

“Pit died?” I asked more to myself than to him.

He just nodded.

Once again I heard footsteps and then Van was in the room. He seemed extremely surprised to see Sir Jaxxon there. It wasn’t a good surprised it was an angry surprised. Van had changed clothes and he was looking extremely seductive. Seeing Sir Jaxxon and Van together was unearthly.

“What are you doing here?” Van asked in a harsh tone.

Sir Jaxxon smiled. “Visiting my new honoratus potens. You did a great job while training her.” Van just glared at him. “She tells me you haven’t spoken of her career choice and it seemed incomprehensible to me since that’s the first thing an honoratus trainer should do after the Ordeal.”

Van’s glare seemed like it was supposed to literally inflict physical pain. “She just awoke,” he said slowly through grinded teeth.

“Well then I hope you two consult quickly.”

Van looked away from him and met my eyes. “The healer has admitted your dismissal. I’ll be waiting for you outside.” He gave Sir Jaxxon one last long glare and then exited.

I jumped off the bed and looked up at Sir Jaxxon. “I’ll be sure to speak with Van about my career but I am pretty obstinate so there will be no luck in changing my choice.”

Sir Jaxxon chuckled and nodded.

When I met Van outside he was already relaxed but he seemed far. It seemed like Van wasn’t there only his body was. I couldn’t help but wonder why he and Sir Jaxxon couldn’t get along. Sir Jaxxon was nice… very nice. The only odd thing was his dislike towards my career choice. Being a guardian was an honor and many people pursued said career choice. I couldn’t help but wonder what career the others decided to choose. The others. I couldn’t help but feel bad for killing Izzy. She was nice. It was self-defense at the moment but… it still felt wrong. Pit was also killed. The boy who seemed to like me was killed. It seemed unreal. It hurt me so much to know that these people died and others didn’t really seem to think much of it. Peece seemed more than happy to kill.

Suddenly Van stopped walking. He placed a hand against the wall and rested a moment. He looked like he was contemplating something. I stared at him with no need to hide it.

“What’s wrong?” I asked nervously. He might have had a vision while I had my internal discussion.

Van shook his head and found my gaze. He looked like he was deciding on something. “Just follow me,” he finally said. He turned and continued on down the halls.

I sighed and decided it was better than doing nothing. We walked on for a good five minutes in silence until I got exasperated of the silence. “Where are we going?”

Van looked down at me and shook his head. When he looked away I closed my eyes. Where are we going?

There were two long golden door standing before us. The doors contained a design of squiggles and circles that made no particular sense. The one thing that immediately seemed evident was how obvious the doors were. They seemed to be meant to call for attention. When the doors opened slowly without being touched…

His sweet engrossing scent caught my attention bringing me back from my vision. When I realized what I was staring at I noticed it was Van’s face. Van’s face was very near mine letting me notice how terribly perfect it was up close. His skin was clear, no signs of age or pimples. It looked silky and soft. He smiled wide sporting a perfect pearly white smile and a pair of dimples I had never noticed before. “I knew my breath would get your attention.”

I rolled my eyes. “Muppet.”

Van chuckled and continued to walk giving me time to regain my stance, balance, and cool. Being so near him was terribly frightening given the fact that he was threateningly gorgeous.

As we walked for another good two minutes we made complete silence. I watched my feet walk one in front of the other. It was beginning to get tiring but Van seemed determined to not let me know where we were going so I trusted him. I was about to trip when Van caught me swiftly in his arms. He slowly smiled. “We’re here.”

I saw the beautifully decorated door just like I had seen in my vision. The only difference was the fact that the door caught my attention much more when up close. The gold of the door was shiny and perfect. Van opened it using his imperium skill.

Once he opened the door an immense group of scents reached me making me tremble. The room was filled with visible candles that were placed on bleachers. Those bleachers were not meant for sitting though. In front of every candle there was a picture. To my right I caught sight of a picture of Pit. He was happy. Actually in the photo he was laughing. My heart skipped a beat.

“Woah” escaped my mouth. I wandered closer towards the photo. “It’s Pit.”

I felt Van come near me. “Yes and there are many more.”

When I tore my eyes away from the photo I noticed how huge the room was and just how many photos of potens’ were there. It was amazing.

“Who did this?” I whispered.

Van sighed. “I did.”

I twirled around to stare at him to see if he contained any type of humor in his expression because his voice seemed very serious. “Why?”

Van seemed annoyed at this question. “Why?” He asked with a dark chuckle that contained no humor at all. I winced at the cruelty in his voice. “Because I choose to honor the brave. I choose to not ignore daring potens’ deaths. I choose to care.”

The mystery of Van seemed to have increased with what he said. Nothing about him made sense. The only word I could think of that made sense of his behavior was schizophrenia. “I too care.” I looked away into the distance. “How many years have you seen?”

Van straightened up. “I have seen twenty-six years.”

My eyes widened. “You’re twenty-six? You don’t look a day over eighteen.” I knew potens’ took very long to age. Actually potens’ aged a year every six years but that was every six years. “How long have you been in the honoratus potens?”

Van’s eyes were once again cold and unfathomable. “I have been in the honoratus potens for eight years. Powerful honoratus potens take longer to age.”

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms. “What makes you think you’re so powerful?” I asked defensively.

Van gave me a sexy crooked smile. “The fact that I haven’t aged a year could prove my point.” He chuckled a bit at the end.

I turned away from him and my eyes immediately caught sight of a specific picture. The picture stood out to me in an incredible indescribable way. “Oh my gosh.”

My mother’s picture right next to my father’s picture was at the far left of the room. They actually were the first pictures. My mother’s eyes looked cute and crinkled from the large smile across her face. She was as beautiful in the photo as I remembered her. My father was not facing the camera but he was still smiling. His beautiful caramel eyes were still visible.

Van grabbed my arm and pulled me. “We should get going. It’s getting late.” Something in my mind clicked.

I pulled away from him. “You knew my parents!” I snapped at him.

Van took a deep breath and grinded his teeth together. “Ever, do not form a drama here. Let’s go now!”

I pulled away from him. “How dare you keep something like that away from me?” I was trembling from the fury I felt cursing through my veins. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Van tried to grab my arm again but I pulled away. “Ever” he warned.

“Why? Just answer me. Why?” I was desperate for an answer. How could he?

I saw the fury that rushed suddenly to his expression. “Because they never spoke of you! That’s why.” After the words escaped his mouth he seemed to regret having spoken them.

All of the anger vanished all of the sudden leaving me exhausted. “Oh” I muttered. Van tried to come closer but I took a step back. “Leave me.”

I turned and was about to walk away but I stole one more glance at Van. “I have chosen to be a guardian and there is nothing you can bloody do to stop me.” The words rushed through my mouth without my consent.

Van’s solemn expression stood in place. “I know.”

I turned around to face him. “You knew?” I almost spat.

He nodded. “Of course I knew. From the moment I met you I knew you couldn’t live without a challenge. You are out to prove something and being a trainer wouldn’t do.” Van buried his hands in his pockets.

The defiance I felt was overcome by his perceptiveness. I never took Van for the type who would take time to analyze a person. He seemed like a person who would bring me down. I thought him someone who would tell me how much it was going to take to make me a mediocre guardian not to mention a good one. I thought he was going to tell me that I wasn’t good enough.

I nodded while clenching my fists. “Well, good.”

A/N

I really hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Please note I have changed Ever’s appearance because I imagine her to look a lot like Emily Browning. It suits her. She now has big blue eyes, dark hair, round face, and high cheekbones.