Pride x Familiar (43 page)

I concentrated my will, and triggered the
sequence that would return my Valkyrie Armor to Pocket Space. The
wispy black mist surrounded me, and the chill it accompanied made
my breathing stutter. A few heartbeats later I was standing clad
only my customized skinsuit, and a good ten inches shorter.

Alucard spoke in a commanding voice. “Well done.
Rather interesting, but hardly disappointing considering you’ve
been training as a team for less than a week. Young man, come over
here.”

She waved the Paladin over, and he took a
position a respectful distance to her left.

I noticed him standing at ease rather than at
attention.

Selena Alucard Raynar.

Head of Special Interventions and the Artemis
supreme commander.

She swept her gaze over us then briefly locked
eyes with me. “I will answer your question later, Trainee Steiner.”
Then she addressed us as a group. “Allow me to introduce Jaxon
Deneve afil Raynar.”

The cold glance she gave me made my innards
tighten in fearful anticipation.

“I would like you to welcome…the fifth member of
your team.”

I clenched my jaw in denial.

No, this couldn’t be. This wasn’t right. This
wasn’t how it was meant to be.

My fellow Familiars inhaled sharply, and I was
certain Constance swore under her breath.

I thought I heard the tendons in my fingers pop
as I clenched them into fists.

Jaxon gave us an embarrassed smile. “A pleasure
to meet you all.” He grinned sheepishly. “No hard
feelings…right?”

I felt like slicing that grin clean off his
face.

I asked Caprice about her Valkyrie Armor.

I did this a few weeks after I began training at
the gym under the nightclub owned by Arisa Imreh.

At first Caprice was reluctant to talk about
it.

I didn’t get a reply to my question until a few
weeks later. I’d chosen not to ask her again. My policy is to ask
someone once, do it clearly, and if they don’t reply then drop the
matter.

If they want to tell you, they’ll tell you. No
need to press the question.

So a few weeks after asking, Caprice told me a
short story.

Her mother was a Familiar affiliated with the
Lanfear Pride, and she had been a member of an Artemis squad – an
elite squad with a lot of blood on their hands.

Her mother had explained this to her when
Caprice was old enough to understand what her mother really did for
a living. But when her mother died on a mission, a letter was
delivered to Caprice and a package as well.

It seemed her mother had arranged to have her
Valkyrie Armor delivered to Arisa for safe keeping until her
daughter Awakened as a Familiar. Included with the Fragment, was a
letter to Arisa with further instructions, and a letter to
Caprice.

Caprice told me the letter was actually an
instruction manual on how to make use of the Valkyrie Armor, a
Fragment handed down the generations of her bloodline. Her mother
wanted to ensure that Caprice inherited the Fragment, and no one
else.

When I asked Caprice if she knew the
circumstances of her mother’s death, she told me it was all
confidential and couldn’t be disclosed even to her daughter.

The letter gave her no answers either, being
just a manual.

But Caprice accepted her inheritance, and began
training with it.

I realized that by using the armor, Caprice
maintained a strong connection to her mother.

But I also realized that like her mother,
Caprice might one day choose to join Artemis, and follow in her
mother’s footsteps.

I wondered morbidly if Caprice would one day
pass the armor along to a daughter of her own.

In order for that to happen, Caprice would have
to find a guy and do the deed.

I didn’t think she was the kind of girl who’d go
for the alternative.

But that started me thinking – what kind of guy
would Caprice fall for?

I found it hard to see myself beside her.

Don’t get me wrong, I really wanted to.

But I doubted she would ever consider me as a
worthy partner.

Months later, I still didn’t know what she
really thought of me.

(Haruka)

School Week Three. Monday.

Before morning homeroom.

I arrived early but already a third of my
classmates were inside. They were in the usual groups, talking the
usual talk, and laughing about the usual stuff.

I sat down, set up my smart desk for the next
class, then looked up to see Alistair saunter casually into the
classroom.

That’s right, she sauntered in.

Her school blazer was off and draped over her
carry-bag. Her blouse necktie was a little loose. Her hair fell in
silky, auburn waves over her shoulders and back, shining as though
it had been brushed a thousand times.

And she was wearing makeup. Alistair never wore
makeup.

I had to admit she looked good.

Better than good.

I’d recognized a long time ago she was
attractive, but until now I’d never witnessed her making an effort
to capitalize on the good looks that ran in her family.

As she walked up to her desk she caught the eye
of every guy in the room, and the girls were surprised enough to
start whispering amongst themselves.

I was surprised too since I didn’t expect her
back in class. She was supposed to be suspended for a week.

I waited for Alistair to sit down, then waited a
few seconds more before I stood up and walked over to her.

“Ally, can we talk?”

She looked up at me and smiled…dreamily? “Oh, hi
Haruka.”

“Uh…hello.” I shook my head inwardly. “Alistair,
can we talk?”

“Sure,” she replied.

“Outside?”

Alistair shrugged indifferently, and in moments
we found ourselves a quiet spot in the hallway outside our
classroom.

I studied her appearance, but chose not to
mention it in my opening exchange. “I thought you were
suspended?”

She shrugged. “I was but my brother spoke to the
principal. Whatever he said convinced the principal to lift my
suspension. However, I’m still on detention for the next three
days.”

I accepted her explanation, then studied her
appearance once more. “You changed your look.”

Alistair blushed faintly and ran her fingers
through her hair. “You think so.”

“And you’re wearing makeup. You never wear
makeup.”

“Are you saying I’m not allowed?”

I shook my head quickly. “Not at all. You look
really good. I mean, you were always pretty but this is you on a
whole new level.”

Alistair was quiet for a moment. She glanced
away and I saw her cheeks were rosy. “I wonder what he’ll say this
time….”

“Ally?”

“It’s nothing. I mean, it’s something. Actually
I have no idea. Maybe I’m just fooling myself.”

I frowned at her. “Ally…are you doing this to
impress someone?”

Her eyes widened in shock, and then her somewhat
blissful expression fell. “Maybe….”

I blinked at her a few times, and then said
honest words. “Wow, that’s great.”

“Huh? You do?”

“Absolutely. So who is he?”

“No, I’m not telling.” She shook her head
fervently. “Not yet. I want to be sure. I don’t want to jinx it by
saying too much.”

She took a couple of deep breaths, and smoothly
folded her arms under her small chest.

“So, you want to tell me what happened on
Friday?”

I winced inwardly. “Yes. I guess I owe you an
explanation.”

“You made your choice, huh.”

I rocked my head from side to side, wondering
how to answer her. I chose to be honest, and couldn’t hide my
misgivings. “It’s more like I didn’t have a choice.”

“What does that mean?”

I took a long, slow breath. “Duncan…made the
choice for me. He practically pleaded that I choose him over
Caelum. And when he chased me outside and held me tight, I just
didn’t have the heart to say no. But, I didn’t say yes either.” I
rubbed my face with my palms. “I didn’t plan it this way. I’m so
weak….”

I lowered my hands in time to see Alistair
narrow her eyes.

Her voice was low and confidential. “Haruka, if
it’s not what you wanted—”

“I know,” I said quickly. “I know, Ally. But the
truth is, I don’t know which is the right choice to make. Having
Duncan take the choice out of my hands is both a relief and a
regret.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“For now, I’ll stick with him. It’s not like I
hate him. I like him. I really, really do.” I lowered my gaze and
shook my head slowly. “Truthfully, I think I may love him….”

“This could hurt you in the long run. This could
hurt
him
in the long run.”

I raised my hands in agreement, then lowered
them slowly in defeat. But I realized that I didn’t know if
Alistair was referring to Caelum or Duncan.

Alistair pressed her lips together for a moment.
“Haruka, you said you may love him. Do you see Duncan as your
boyfriend?”

I found myself returning her stare and after a
moment I nodded faintly. “Yes, I do. I’m sure of that much, at
least.”

Alistair closed her eyes for a short while as
she exhaled long and quietly.

She didn’t speak until she opened her eyes
again.

“I have to admit, I was at a loss for words. If
Caelum hadn’t acted and broken through the moment it might have
grown really uncomfortable.”

“I’m sorry, Alistair.”

“For what? I’m the one that told you to give
Duncan a chance. Good for you.”

“You’re not angry?”

“Nope, not at all. I do feel sorry for Caelum,
but in this situation there could be only one winner.” She
hesitated before adding, “But I don’t think the matter is
resolved.”

At her words, I felt my chest tighten. “Yeah,
you may be right….”

Again, Alistair pressed her lips together into a
thin line, and I could sense her misgivings.

I chose to shift off the subject. “You seem
friendly with Caelum.”

The girl tipped her head to a side. “Yeah,
serving detention together has brought us a little closer.”

“Are you wearing makeup for Caelum?”

“No, I’m wearing it for Klaus. Oomph!” She
covered her mouth in a hurry.

“Klaus? Who’s Klaus?”

“I’ve said too much.” She waved a hand warning
me not to press the issue. “Besides, aren’t you supposed to ask me
something more important?”

“Important?”

Alistair nodded. “Yeah, about Caelum.”

I inhaled deeply. “How did Caelum react? What
did he say?”

“He put up a brave face, and didn’t talk about
it. He and Melanie were rather stoic about the whole situation but
I could tell they were gutted.”

I felt
gutted
upon hearing her words, and
pressed down upon my stomach. “Oh gods…what have I done?”

“You’re worrying about that now?” She sighed
heavily. “I think it’s a little too late. But you should try and
talk to him. Tell him why you dumped him and chose Duncan.”

“I didn’t dump him,” I protested, but Alistair’s
eyes hardened and I couldn’t meet her gaze. “I tried calling him,
but it looks like he’s blocked my calls. And my messages bounce
back.”

“Hmm, well, I might have done the same in his
situation. Anyway, his detention ends on Wednesday. You’ve got a
little time to prepare yourself.” She shrugged. “But maybe you’re
too little too late.”

I gave her a confused yet pained look.
“Why?”

Alistair looked a little troubled, but then she
firmed up her expression and said, “Well, I don’t think Caelum will
go wanting on attention.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think there are more than enough girls around
to keep him busy.”

“You mean the Countess and Caprice?”

“You can add Melanie to that list too. He’s made
an impression on her, and she’s having trouble admitting it. During
detention, she definitely paid attention to him when he wasn’t
looking.”

I arched an eyebrow at Alistair. “Melanie
Cardwell is interested in Caelum? You’re kidding.”

She shook her head just once as she gave me a
sly smile. “No, I’m not. I think with his antics in the cafeteria
he carved himself a niche in her heart. She’s definitely
interested. And that girl is hot.”

I sensed someone step up to us, then heard
Siobhan ask, “What’s going on?”

Thinking quickly, I shrugged slightly and said,
“Alistair’s in love.”

Alistair gasped. “Why you—”

She grabbed me in a headlock.

Siobhan looked stunned. “Really? Wow. That’s
cool. So who’s the unlucky guy?”

Alistair kicked at Siobhan but the latter danced
back with a laugh.

I gasped and smacked Alistair’s arm around my
neck. “Ally, I can’t breathe.”

She let me go in a hurry.

All three of us stared at each, then broke in
relieved smiles, until Alistair crossed her arms and said, “By the
way, the battle lines are still drawn.”

Siobhan and I both froze then grimaced a
little.

Alistair said, “But…I’d still like your support
of my campaign for Student Council President.”

I blinked a few times and leaned forward. “Are
you sure? You mean that?”

She nodded firmly. “Yeah. I need my friends,
regardless what cup size they are.”

Siobhan and I shared a look, then I gave
Alistair a nod. “Okay. This isn’t going to win us any friends in
either camp, but I’ll do what I can.”

“It’s a pity, though,” Siobhan muttered. “The
Election is quite a few months away.”

Alistair shrugged, but I could tell she was a
little anxious.

The bell for homeroom sounded throughout the
school, and the three of us filed back into the classroom.

As I walked in, I noticed Caprice walking down
the hallway.

I’d heard the rumor that she and a number of
other female Familiars had formed a lunch group. More than that, I
heard they made quite a stir when all four of them walked into the
school in the mornings. A number of the guys in my class were
beginning to pay special attention to her.