Page 151 of The Order

“Who needs morals?”It questions, urging me to breach my brother's trust.

“Blackburns?” Xavier’s familiar voice echoes loudly down the street, both me and Kai stopping dead in our tracks.

We could play this off causally, explaining we were going for a walk, but we happen to be dressed like we’re about to break into someone's home. We both wear jackets with the hood pulled up over our heads. The masks covering our faces and necks to keep out the cold don’t help our case, either.

Turning on our heels, we face Xavier. His hand is resting at his side. He wears an Official winter uniform, the thick jacket and pants hugging his muscular frame. He cocks his head at the sight of us, looking back to our house, before snapping his eyes back to us.

“I was just going to return some things you left in my car,” Xavier says, holding out a few of Kai’s textbooks.

“What the hell are you guys doing out here?” Xavier asks. I can feel the awkwardness from our last interaction together hanging in the air between us. I hadn’t spoken to him since that night, unwilling and unsure of what to say to him to ease the tension I’d created between us.

Tucking the books away in his bag, he moves toward us. Both Kai and I take a step back.

“For fuck’s sake, is there a reason you’re both so jumpy?”

I moved my body in front of Kai when I noticed his hands started to shake.

Xavier observes us for a moment, noticing our outfits and the direction we’re headed. Concentrating on my abilities, I attempt to peer into his mind. I find my way in, but the only thing I see are glimpses of images that I don’t understand. Wherever his thoughts are, I can’t follow them completely. Slowly, he reaches up, touching my cheek in a sweet gesture.

“You should know by now you never have to fear me,” he whispers.

“One of us knows that,”It hisses. My body relaxes as I let go of the connection tethering me to Xavier’s mind.

Gradually, I move closer to him, letting his thumb roll over my cheek again. His touch is always gentle, and he looks at me with such care and concern. But I don’t fall into the depths of his kind eyes the same way I do with Fallan’s.

“You’re going to their sector… aren't you?” Xavier questions. He looks at Kai now.

Kai keeps his head lowered, unable to look at the man he’s been conditioned his whole life to respect and obey. The Order should be feared. And as an Official, we should fear Xavier.

“There's more to the Unfortunates than meets the eye,” I whisper, watching my words register with him.

He takes a deep breath, looking around the quiet neighborhood.

“I parked my car a good deal away from your house, so I had the time to deliberate whether or not to bug you,” he says, his kind nature so sweet that it hurts. “So it shouldn't be an issue.”

“What shouldn't?” Kai questions, finally raising his head.

Xavier reaches into his pocket, pulling out an Official mask. Drawing up the hood of his long coat, he looks down at me, squeezing my hand.

“Me joining the two of you, of course.”

We walk casually through the sector, finding it much easier to get through this time with Xavier’s presence. When we entered through the tear in the fence, Kai and I were fully prepared to think of a diversion that ultimately ended with us breaching security at the entrance. To our surprise, no one batted an eye when Xavier flashed his ID and forced the "Two Unfortunates apprehended for questioning,” through the front entrance. He held the back of my neck for what felt like forever, shouting angrily at Kai and me to move forward before finally breaking his façade as we rounded a corner and made our way down one of the many sidewalks. Gently, he rubs my neck, soothing the tension from his stern grip, apologizing several times.

“Pretty convincing at playing the whole authoritative asshole bit,” Kai says, applauding Xavier for his acting skills.

“I could say the same about you,” Xavier says, giving Kai a warm smile that I know was meant to piss him off.

Kai rolls his eyes, nudging the man with his shoulder.

Hunter’s bakery is filled with life. There are people of varying shapes and sizes in the shop, some conversing around the pastry counter with cups filled with warm piping liquid. Everyone around the space is smiling. A bonfire blazes. Long logs are set out for people to use as a seating area. The sky is filled with bright colors, pinks and purples, all painted by the setting sun. People welcome us with warm smiles as we pass. It's become almost second nature to clasp people's hands. Kai is still getting the hang of the gesture, unsure how long to linger before it’s weird. Xavier greets people with a broad smile, his charm oozing out of him.

“If I didn't know any better, I’d say you were an Unfortunate,” I say playfully, smiling up at him.

“Maybe then you'd like me more,” he whispers sarcastically, embarrassment sweeping across my cheeks.

I stop walking and place my hand gently on his arm.

“I’m not here for Fallan,” I whisper, his head slightly lowering to get a better look at me.

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