Blood Oath (A Gabby Girls Adventure Novel, Book Two) (15 page)

Brooklyn smiled proudly as she pretended to dust a speck of dirt off her sleeve "I’m actually getting a little better at this shifting thing." She patted herself on the back grandly.

Jessica looked at her happily. "Shifting? That’s what it’s called? I’m nowhere close to mastering it like you have. The furthest I’ve gotten is shaking like a leaf, then going transparent. And that’s just my hands or legs."

Brooklyn scratched her head in thought. "The only problem is that I can’t hold my shifting spell for very long, though. A couple of minutes, tops. But I’m working with my mentor to perfect it. Right now she’s teaching me some of the basics, like shifting through objects." She giggled softly. "But I have a feeling that she wouldn’t approve of me using my gift for breaking and entering."

I rolled my eyes. "You think?"

Jessica jumped up and down excitedly. "I can’t believe it. We get a mentor?"

Brooklyn smiled lopsidedly. "Of course we do." She looked around quickly. "But I think we better talk about all this stuff later. Like, way later, being that we’re on a Gabby Girls Adventure and all," she whispered.

I rolled my eyes again with exasperation. "About time, I thought you two were going to break out into some weird
Circle
bonding dance or something."

Zora looked at me and laughed. "I had the same thought. So scary."

Brooklyn looked at us with irritation. "Well get in, will you?"

They hustled behind Brooklyn, closing the door with a soft thud. They followed behind Brooklyn as she expertly navigated through the unlit hallway. "Okay, this is it. My secret spot. The mezzanine. It’s real dark in here, so we’ll be able to see and hear everything without being seen. Follow me, and watch out for the seats."

I looked at her suspiciously. "Please don’t tell me that this is Brooklyn and Dylan’s"—I did the dreaded air quotes—"secret spot?"

She pursed her lips with annoyance. "Uh, seriously? Heck no, I’m not that kind of girl…" she giggled, "yet."

Just like she said, the mezzanine was dark with rows and rows of burgundy velvet-covered seats. And they had the best seats in the house. They could clearly see the entire circular room below, where the
Eternals
were milling around anxiously.

Pointing over to the second row of seats, I looked at them impatiently. "Okay, let’s sit here. It’s close enough to see all the drama unfolding."

They filed quietly into the row, waiting for the meeting to start. Brooklyn dug into the pocket of her hoodie and pulled out a huge chocolate bar. She quickly broke a piece and handed it over to Jessica. "Take a piece and pass it down. We’re going to need a snack to make it through this meeting," she whispered. "So okay, listen up. You see all those seats in the front positioned in a semicircle on the raised platform? Well, they’re for the members of the
Eternal
Council."

The ornate cherry wood high-backed chairs were lined impressively and regally, facing the front of the circular room.

"So, who’s on the council?" Zora whispered in between bites of chocolate.

"The highest-ranking members from the
Circles
and
Ares
." She pointed to the seats on the floor. "All those other seats are where the general members sit."

I quickly scanned the room, chomping on chocolate. Suddenly there was a large commotion at the back of the room, causing the members to sharply look in that direction. I couldn’t tell exactly what was happening until I saw Chaos and a group of tall, muscular guys striding through the room, surrounding a tall, blond, bearded man. Members gawked, pointed, and whispered.
Circles
started smiling, practically batting their eyes prettily.

My attention was immediately drawn to the blond bearded man, who abruptly stepped from the center strongly, causing the excited
Circles
and
Ares
to immediately rush forward to greet him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him because he was really handsome for an older guy. His weathered, sun-kissed skin glistened. His blond hair was cropped close against his head. He wore a crisp white shirt that hugged his muscular arms. His dark blue jeans molded to his body casually. He was very tall, practically towering over everyone.

I would definitely feel sorry for anyone caught in a dark alley with him. Pulverize city.

He strode through the crowd impatiently as people clamored to talk to him. His blue eyes scanned the crowd quickly like he was taking inventory of livestock. A
Circle
tapped him from behind, causing him to turn around with freak lightning speed. Now I could see a long, weathered, jagged scar that ran from the top of his right ear, spiraling down his neck, and disappearing under his shirt, marring his otherwise handsome face.

I watched as Chaos deftly sidestepped to the fringes of the crowd, scanning the room in the same way that the blond man had— more livestock inventory. A bored look crossed his face as he ran his fingers through his hair impatiently. The room was packed, but he scanned it quickly, taking everything in, including a determined-looking Thallo, who was heading straight for him. She was in her element as she greeted
Eternals
along the way, smiling like she had won some sort of beauty contest.

My body tensed for some reason as I watched Thallo reach up and whisper something in his ear. Right then, she instantly went from being my favorite
Circle
to my least favorite. Just like that.

Chaos’s jaw tightened briefly before he stepped back and extended his right hand to firmly grip her left forearm. Thallo, in turn, gripped his. Chaos quickly released his grip, but she released hers ever so slowly, allowing her delicate fingers to caress him. He smiled distantly, but I could tell that he wasn’t even remotely interested in her by the way he looked around distractedly as she babbled excitedly. Then he did the oddest thing. He quickly looked up toward the mezzanine and just stared. It was as if he was looking straight at me. His body tensed, then relaxed, his lips curling into a small, knowing smile.

I held my breath nervously.
Oh no. I’m so busted.

Thallo, who was babbling, touched his shoulder to get his attention, causing him to look away and smile at her good-naturedly.

I cleared my suddenly dry throat, scooting further down in the seat. "Who’s that huge blond guy that everyone is surrounding like a groupie?"

"That’s gorgeous Helios, the leader of the
Ares
Warriors. Nothing happens around here unless they get his okay first." Brooklyn smiled hugely. "Hey Gabi, did you happen to see Chaos down there?" She gave me an exaggerated wink. "He’s looking awfully hottie-licious in those designer jeans."

I rolled my eyes. "Pass—not interested."

Brooklyn laughed softly, biting into another piece of chocolate. "Yeah, sure you’re not interested. Got it."

Jessica pointed excitedly to the crowd. "Look, there’s Grandma Priscilla and Celeste."

"Celeste?" Brooklyn asked.

"My grandmother," I responded.

Leaning forward, I watched as Grandma Celeste and Priscilla walked through the crowd. I was so happy to see them. They must have just arrived. I watched as Grandma Celeste smiled and greeted some of the people in the crowd as she weaved her way through.

Instantly I knew that something wasn’t right with her. She looked tired, flushed, and was leaning heavily on her silver staff for support.
What’s wrong with you, Grandma?
Priscilla touched her shoulder, whispering something in her ear, causing her to grimace. They quickly walked to the front of the room through some heavy curtains with Helios heavy on their heels.

The piercing sound of a bell sliced through the air, causing members to excitedly scramble to their seats. The whole attitude in the room seemed to change in an instant, leaving a cold, hushed silence. I could feel a rush of emotions sweeping through like the tides of the sea—from excitement, to anger, to uncertainty.

Exactly what is this meeting about?

A bell rang again, and the heavy curtains parted. A tall
Circle
briskly stepped out, followed by Grandma Celeste, Priscilla, and six members of what I assumed was the
Eternal
Council. They swiftly walked to their seats and stood rigidly in front of them. The bell rang again. This time Helios strode out followed by two attractive women who practically glided across the floor.

Brooklyn tugged my sleeve excitedly. "Whoa, the twin queens."

I gave her a questioning look. "Queens of what?"

She gave me an "are you crazy?" look. "Duh, they’re the appointed queens of the
Circles
—the twin queens."

Now I was puzzled. They looked nothing alike.
Twins?
They both were tall and leanly curvy with beautiful, delicate features. But they had nothing else in common. One was very pale with heavy waves of fiery red hair. The other had glowing cappuccino-colored skin with thick, silky raven black hair. They both wore tight black jeans, black stiletto heels, and a pretty, blousy deep V-necked black top that revealed their sparkling scarlet pendants.

"Yep, twins! Queen Nemesis is the one with red hair, and Queen Harmonia has the awesome black hair."

When Helios, Nemesis, and Harmonia reached their seats, the members of the
Eternal
Council sat down in unison.

Brooklyn playfully looked at me. "Your grandmother is a high priestess? That’s pretty cool."

I smiled proudly. I had to admit that it was very cool.

Helios gave the crowd a very grave look. "The council would like to thank you all for coming out tonight on such short notice. This meeting was quite unexpected. In fact, in the history of the
Eternals
, we have never had such an urgent need to meet as we do right now. Unfortunately, we have very serious business that must be addressed— the path of the
Eternals
." He paused as his gaze captured and held the attention of the entire audience. "As you know, attacks on the
Eternals
are rising; the most recent was the unprecedented strike on Vineswell Academy. And as to be expected, the
Elementi
are looking for answers, and since we have none, they are now questioning our willingness and ability to control the
Daemons
and
Banished
."

The crowd gasped with shock and anger.

Helios’s eyes narrowed. "Yes, Warriors, our whole reason for existence is being called into question." He quickly stood, scanning the audience like a caged lion. "Tonight, I speak not only as a member of the
Eternal
Council, but as the leader of the
Ares
Warriors when I say that these are indeed very troubling times. And as I look around this room at my Warriors-in-arms, many of whom I have fought with side by side on the battlefield against the darkness, I can unequivocally say that I am indeed torn by the strife that now surrounds us."

Nemesis smiled at Helios with affection. "May I?"

He nodded briskly, then sat down.

Nemesis quickly stood and looked at the crowd shrewdly. "With all due respect to you, my fellow Warriors, I am not confused or troubled by our present state because you have appointed us, the members of the
Eternal
Council, to lead. And that’s exactly what we’ve done dutifully for years. But as you know, our leadership power only extends so far." She looked over at Harmonia, smiling coldly. "Simply, the question at hand is should we take our war with the
Banished
and
Daemons
to the next level and initiate a full-scale war? Or do we stand by, letting them pick us off,
Eternal
by
Eternal
,
Neophyte
by
Neophyte
?"

She gracefully walked down the stairs at the end of the platform and stood proudly in front of the audience. "My stance has always been that we should go full force with this war, wiping them completely off this planet, ending this tiring bloodshed once and for all. Now is the time that we let you,
Circles
and
Ares
, make your own decision about our path, because we at the
Eternal
Council"—she looked back at the members angrily—"are divided." She sauntered back up the platform stairs and back to her seat, nodding to her sister curtly before sitting down.

Harmonia looked at her grimly, then rose from her seat. Her violet eyes stared at the crowd glumly. "You know that I have always spoken from my heart and have always done what is in the best interest of the
Eternals
and the
Elementi
. But what my sister has failed to fully explain…" She walked down the platform stairs and strode through the middle of the audience.