Rejection Trials

Let's Start the Ritual

Era moved her curly hair off her left shoulder, revealing a second brand. It appeared to be some sort of code. I couldn’t recognize the letters. Before I could ask, she continued explaining.

“The guild, like most, yearn for more power. They want more of an edge against their enemies. Hunters face off against a wider variety of foes than any other being,” Era said.

“That is your own choice.” I cut her off.

“The freedom of choice is not given to everyone.” She snapped before letting her hair back down covering the brand on her shoulder. “My mother was a hunter. My father was a witch and a prisoner. They impregnated my mother without my father even being in the room. They altered genetics prior to insertion. When I was born, my father and mother were sacrificed as a sort of exchange. I gained the abilities of both of my parents. I am not the only hybrid they’ve made either. We were raised in a clinical environment. Mastering our abilities as well as being immersed in pro-hunter propaganda.”

“Syrus?” I cut her off again. Era shook her head.

“That was my first thought when I met them. There are guild facilities everywhere, so it’s possible they could be from another facility. However, I’ve investigated their entire body, and they have no guild marks.” An involuntary snarl left my mouth. “Does that bother you? That I’ve seen such…intimate parts of your mate?” She pushed.

“Belvedere help me carry this stack of wood up to the pyre. It will need to be ready to go by the end of the ritual!” Syrus’ voice rang through the trees.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” I growled out lowly.

“You need to understand your mate is not just a werewolf. Things you think are impossible may be possible.” She shrugged.

“I am not his mate,” Syrus huffed.

SYRUS POV

I tried to ignore their conversation. I really did. But my hearing is annoyingly strong, and I am a bit nosy at times. I am shocked that Era is freely sharing so much with Belvedere. I worked as fast as I could, worried they might get into my personal history. Once I heard Belvedere mention me, I decided to wrap it up, hurrying back over to the clearing.

Now Belvedere and I were awkwardly pushing the stack of wood in the wheelbarrow up to where the pyre sits up on a hill. I am glad we brought the wheelbarrow, but I was struggling to push it up the hill. The tiredness of the day started to crash on me. Belvedere let out what sounded like a sigh, then he took over, pushing the wheelbarrow up the hill. His arm and back muscles rippled under his shirt. I could see the definition of his muscles under the fabric. Then there was his ass. No. No, not that. I had to stop staring at him. I ran up the hill the rest of the way. I could not stay behind him if I wanted to keep my wits about me.

“What kind of person maintains a pyre near their house?” Bel asked when we reached the top.

“Someone who needs to dispose of bodies. And Era’s house moves around.” I explained as I started placing the wood around the pyre.

“You sure know how to pick friends,” Belvedere said while shaking his head. At least he started to help me arrange the wood.

“Don’t say that too loudly. Era doesn’t like it when I call her that. I don’t really have any friends except Steve,” I commented. I really miss Steve right now. He always loved Era, but Bel asked me to have him direct Helena and company back to Death Falls to avoid the traps. “Steve is going to be mad that you didn’t let him come see Era.”

“Steve knows Era?” he asked.

“Steve led me to her. Era said he never approached her until I came along though.” He nodded. “We need to get back to Era.”

“What was it you did earlier? With the blood? The marks or tattoos on your arms?” He asked while we started back down the hill.

“Oh? Yeah, I guess I should explain that.” Saying this seemed to surprise Belvedere. It appears he didn’t expect me to provide an explanation. I needed to be selective with what I told him. “I took part of their essence. Blood holds a lot of information. I can’t read it as well as Era, but it helps me…determine things.” I stopped. I was worrying I would share too much. Honestly, I am worried about what he would do if he knew I was collecting evil energy from them. From the frustrated look on Belvedere’s face, I can tell he didn’t like my answer.

“What?” Bel said, rubbing his temples.

“The tattoos are a way I can keep the information from their blood available to me,” I clarified slightly.

“That’s all?” he asked skeptically.

“More or less.” I shrugged as we reunited with Era, who was lighting a torch.

“Syrus, if you want me to help you, then you will lend me your energy.” Era instructed me. I jogged over to the spot next to her. She took both my hands into hers. Everything about Era was stunning. Even her hands looked elegant. She coated both of my palms in some sort of blood mixture, then placed my palms together in a prayer position. “Focus on thoughts of me. I will do the rest.” She smiled, then ruffled my hair. That is an easy task.

I took a deep breath. Breath in. Mate. Breath out. Mate. Damnit, maybe it wouldn’t be super easy. As if she could hear my thoughts, Era turned to Belvedere.

“You’re a distraction,” she said as she grabbed Belvedere’s hand. A rumble came from me this time. I am NOT jealous. “Calm down Syrus. Put your arms around Syrus and place your hands over theirs like that.” She moved Belvedere behind me.

When I felt Belvedere’s arms encircle me, my breath caught. My whole body was enveloped in a comforting warmth. Like cuddling up around a crackling fire. All my pain was gone. All my fear was gone. All my anger was gone. Home. This voice has become more present lately. Maybe it is my wolf. Samira. My eyes closed tightly.

Here I was feeling some sick level of nirvana and Belvedere felt rigid behind me. His body was so stiff. He was frozen like a statue. Like he didn’t want to have his arms around me.

“Focus on me. Both of you.” Era’s voice interrupted me.

I felt Belvedere nod in agreement. Then, as if a cold bucket of ice water was thrown on me, my thoughts snapped out of the mate bond. My eyes opened, and my eyes found Era. I locked in on her movements. Thinking only of her. I ignored the humming that my body was conducting. This was my energy, my magic, my essence flowing from me to her. Era.