Page 71 of Forging Bonds: Part One

“Eleven?” Raiden asks. “We thought it was thirteen.”

She smiles, “It’s usually around two weeks since the Choosing is called that it actually happens, but that’s just a rough guess. We always know the exact time frame so that we can prepare adequately.”

“Except for this time,” one of the others says, her eyebrows drawn down into a confused frown.

“I’m so sorry,” I mutter. Feeling like I should apologize to them because we’ve obviously just thrown their schedule off.

They all smile, and the woman who has done most of the talking shakes her head.

“It’s not your fault. We learned long ago that the Choosing does what it wants and often switches up the rules,” she says kindly. “Let’s get you all settled. I imagine that the other team will be here fairly soon if they aren’t already.”

“Thank you, we really appreciate it,” Reed says.

“Of course,” she replies. “I’m Mabele, and I’m in charge here. This is Rita and Jeremy. I’m sure you’ll meet many of us while you are here, and we’re here to help. If you have any questions, please ask. We will answer them if we are able to, but obviously, there are some questions that we can’t answer.”

“Understood,” Doc replies.

Her eyes scan us, “I am aware of the situation. We all are. So we know that Neith is on your team and that the Choosing was called somewhat maliciously.”

“You know that?” Ransom asks, sounding surprised.

“We know everything that is important to the Choosing, and that includes the circumstance that it’s been called. Yours is not a unique situation, and often those that go through the Choosing have similar circumstances,” she explains.

“That doesn’t surprise me, actually,” Van replies with a thoughtful expression.

She nods with a smile as she continues to explain the situation to us, “You are free to explore the castle, and you will not be being broadcast while you are within the walls. This time, we have been made aware that it includes the courtyard garden. Any further afield, and you will be broadcast. We suggest that you remain vigilant if there are things that you don’t wish the majority of the supernatural world to know. Remember, it doesn’t just get broadcast to the supernaturals on Earth, but in all of the realms.”

“Holy shit, why hadn’t that occurred to me?” River asks, sounding as shocked as I feel.

“I don’t know, but it hadn’t occurred to me either,” Griff adds with a frown.

“Don’t worry, for many people, it doesn’t occur to them that it’s not just shown in their realm,” Mabel replies with understanding. “Neith, when it is time for your own tasks, your attendants will give you a warning unless specifically directed not to. You all have your own rooms. To prevent fighting, the teams are housed on opposite sides of the castle, and Neith is housed in the middle. You are able to be in each other’s rooms but not sleep. The teams have their own living spaces as well as small, well-equipped kitchens, and Neith, you will have the same. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the common area that you all have access to. If it turns out that you can’t get on, then everything will be held separately. We have healers should you need them, but if you would like to use your own healer, that is fine. We ask that you respect us all. Everyone is very excited to have you here. We haven’t had a Choosing for a long time.”

“Of course,” Evander replies, although he has a frown on his face. “Will both of the teams know where Neith’s room is?”

Mabel frowns slightly, “Usually, yes, but since you don’t know where it is, we can switch things up slightly and ensure that no one knows where it is. If you would prefer?”

I nod, “Yeah, I think that’s probably the best idea.”

“Okay, that’s fine. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, but let’s get you all settled in your rooms, and then you can meet in the common area, which is the second door on your right down here for dinner,” she suggests, pointing to the door that she’s talking about. “I imagine that the other team will be arriving shortly. Neith, you can come with me, and Jeremy will take the others.”

“I’m not sure I like the idea of you being separated from us,” Ransom says with a frown.

I smile and wrap my arms around him, “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself, and we’re safe here. I’ll just drop my stuff off in the room, and then I’ll meet you down here. I’m hungry, so I’m not likely to get distracted.”

He nods, and I can see in his eyes that he wants to kiss me, but he doesn’t, and while all of the other guys give me hugs, none of them kiss me like I have already become used to them doing, and I’m guessing that it’s because we’ve got an audience. It’s best not to push things right now, at least not until we know more about this place and the people in it. Having said that, they seem nice enough, the voices aren’t warning me, and my instincts are somewhat quiet.

I’m excited.

For the challenge that the Choosing presents and also because being here means that I can get Coen away from the Draconian Team, or at the very least figure out how they are controlling him.

“We’ll meet you in the common area,” Evander says.

“Yep, I’ll text you when I’m on the way in case I get lost,” I reply with a smile.

“Unfortunately, your phones won’t work here,” Mabel says.

“Oh shit,” I reply. “Okay, in that case, if I take any longer than an hour, something is wrong.”

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