Training For War: The Bond Once Severed Book 2 (Updating)

Earth

The exhausted calm in Paulo's sitting room shifted suddenly to a nervous silence.

Natalia wondered at the change in mood and scanned the space to find the source of the new tension. Mara and Persephone stood by their usual perch at the window. Their murmured conversation with Leena halted mid-sentence, and the Water witch slid towards her brother Jordan who held his wife's hand. Natalia could not remember if she had ever seen them hold hands before; when Leena arrived, her hand drifted onto her brother's shoulder, all of them had eyes widened in surprise. Her gaze moved next to Jiyun. She sat alone on the couch and did not appear as paralyzed with shock as the others. Diddero had excused himself some time ago when the conversation had lulled, but no one else was ready to return to their rooms. So much had happened that night, and each found the company of the other players was reassuring. But something had disturbed them all now.

Paulo had left to check on Theodore, his room adjoined the one they sat in, yet no one called for him to return. His presence would have eased Natalia's growing anxiety. Finally, all the eyes in the room focused on one area behind Natalia. Someone had entered the room from the hallway. That had to be it, but Natalia could not feel any new minds. Natalia placed her hand on Raja's thigh with fear, and he nodded. Summoning courage, Natalia shifted her body so she could look behind her. She felt Raja gather his power; he was not as drained as her by this day's work.

As if of one mind, the couple turned towards the disturbance, and Natalia was momentarily surprised that it was Diddero's return that had sparked the change. Of course, it had to have been him. He was one of the few minds Natalia could not feel. Natalia began to relax until she noticed the figure accompanying him. Somehow, Natalia's eye had slipped past the black-clad woman initially. The garb she wore was familiar to Natalia. Revulsion and fear rolled through her body. Her palms began to sweat, and her stomach threatened to empty the light contents Raja had insisted she take in. Raja stiffened beside her, and his focus narrowed onto the woman. Diddero had brought one of the Queen's elite assassins into the Vale. Natalia trusted his reasoning implicitly. However, it had been a long day, and Natalia's instinct to flee warred with her faith in her Master.

Dietrich, the Kingdom Mage who had accompanied Theodore through the portal and was the son of her Masters, recovered his voice first. "Rian!" He exclaimed as he rushed for the woman. His parents, Masters Jordan and Agnes, followed their son and embraced the assassin. The woman awkwardly accepted the embraces, and only when the four joined did her relationship with the family become clear. This was their child, Dietrich's sister, but Natalia had been told she was dead. It had been her death that had ultimately caused the rift between The Master and his brother.

Raja tapped Natalia's shoulder gently and nodded towards the other side of the room. They both focused on Paulo, who stood in shock by his door. Raja's quick action allowed Natalia to see the look of surprise, joy, and anger on Paulo's face, his furrowed brows warring with his upturned lips. Then, instantly, he regained his composure and regained his customary placid neutrality. The Master wore this mask almost constantly, and these rare glimpses into his genuine emotions gave him the humanity and flaws Natalia needed to know existed.

Movement on the other side of the room drew her gaze as Destan rose and rushed to Paulo's side. Leena had already joined the rest of her family in embracing their lost member.

"Journeyer Rian," Destan spoke quietly, but the room was so quiet, his voice reverberated in Natalia's ears. The usual comfort she took in any words he said did not come. His words were ice. "Assassin Grey," Destan continued, the ice melting as an indulgent smile tickled the edges of his lips. "It is good you have survived the journey." Rian turned to Destan, and a look of joy and relief crossed her face before it resumed its apathy. Natalia felt a pang of jealousy she had no right to feel.