A N X I O U S
Aiden was startled when he woke up in an unfamiliar environment with the smell of a delicious and promising breakfast wafting in the air. He rubbed his eyes and stood up, popping his back.
The boy shuffled downstairs where he knew the kitchen was. The principal had given her a brief description of what the house looked like after the guardian excused himself, last night.
Aiden remembered everything with poignant clarity, he recalled how Vincent's eyes shined brightly and his left eye twitched with excitement as he went on and on. But there were times when he was on the verge of crying and Aiden have to rub his back to calm him.
"Do you miss your world", Aiden had asked out of curiosity.
"We had not been there for almost four years", Linda replied with teary eyes.
It was certainly a strange experience watching a grown man and woman cry.
"It's your world as much as ours", Vincent reminded him while rubbing a soothing hand on his lap.
It was hard for the young boy to accept his fate. He was told he was destined for great things, by both Linda and Vincent.
But right now his sole purpose was to find the kitchen in the ginormous hall.
The awe was evident on Aiden's face when he saw the notorious Principal Linda in a cartoon printed apron, flipping pancakes.
Linda gestured for Aiden to grab a plate when she saw him standing there, wide-eyed with shock.
"A woman gotta cook", the principal defended herself.
"You are so cool", the boy surprised himself as well and tried to change the subject, "where is Vincent".
"Trust me you do not need to worry about him, now eat up!"
"So when are we meeting the council, the one you mentioned", Aiden asked in between a mouthful of scrambled eggs.
"Tonight, we will travel and hopefully by tomorrow", the principal assured.
She knew the impatient boy was eager to finally meet people like him but he was oblivious to the fact he was just a pawn in the council member's ruthless political games.
The principal glanced pityingly at the ignorant boy, his natural icy blue and amber eye color hidden under the contact lens due to difficult circumstances, his cheeks puffy from stuffing too much food, and his feet clad in frayed slippers.
"Is something that matters, principal".
"Linda; call me Linda".
"So I was thinking what species does Vincent belongs to".
"He is the only guardian alive, between our worlds and I'm proud to say that he is on our side",
"You mean there is an eighth breed".
"My type guards the entrances to every universe", Vincent informed while entering the kitchen.
Aiden was amazed at the older man's porcelain skin, his unearthly eyes the deepest shade of gold. It was the first time he had caught proper sight of the man.
"We do not belong to any main species of your world", Vincent shrugged while the younger nodded, still stuffing his mouth with the heavenly food.
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Lord Solar was finally able to make an appointment with Lord Callan.
The wolf shifter might have anger issues but he was not dumb. He knew the risks all too well. He was trained as a council member but the knowledge he had of ancient spells and prophecies surpassed that of a regular member of the council.
"M'lord, please cooperate with us we are desperate, or else I would not have proposed such a thing".
"I know to the full extent what a balancing prophecy can do to its creator", the angry Lord growled, a permanent scowl etched on his face.
They were strolling the beautiful borders of the state. Perhaps it was rightly said that the prettiest of things are the deadliest.
Beyond the gorgeousness, massive wolves guarded the territory making it impossible for any intruder to leave with limbs intact or at all.
"We have been friends forever it would be stupid to disagree on such a thing", the elf stated, getting impatient, "if you have a better suggestion then please do tell us".
"We can not decide our future on how deep the roots of our friendships are, Lord Solar".
"Then perhaps we can, on something more promising", it took a moment for the words to sink in and as they did, the brown-haired lord's shoulder sagged in defeat as he glanced at the older man.
"Come on let's go back to the palace", Lord Solar proposed.
Lord Callan was still hesitant but he gripped the outstretched hand of the wisest person in their world. He was just looking out for his friend, but the man did not understand, despite being intelligent that he was diving headfirst in the danger.
Lord Solar took the young Lord's hands in his calloused ones as they ventured together to the palace where all the others awaited them anxiously.