The Sorcerer's Gate

twenty-eight

Aster awoke to two bodies standing over her with their arms crossed and pleased looks on their faces.

She realized in horror that Elouise and Jean were beholding the sight of Alyx and her, cuddled up onto the couch.

"Well, well, well," Jean said, amused. "What did you do last night?"

Aster jumped from the couch, falling down onto the ground in panic and embarrassment. Alyx moved slightly, groaning and reaching his hands out from where she had just been. He turned his attention upwards, peeking one eye open.

"I think the question is, Who did you do last night?" Elouise joined in with a look of fascination all over her face.

Aster could feel her cheeks redden by the second and she forced herself to stand up. Alyx adjusted in his sleep and the blanket fell forward, exposing his naked body to the room.

"Woah!" Elouise and Jean said at the same time, shielding their eyes and turning away. 

"It's not what you think," Aster said, forcing the blanket to cover Alyx as he watched her scramble with pleased eyes. 

"Right, we'll let you have a moment," Jean said inching his way out the door. They were both shielding their eyes and Elouise slightly peeked through her fingers. "Cmon," Jean said to Elouise, holding onto her and making their way out of the Library.

Zahra was up already and flying about the room, happy as can be.

"I should probably get dressed," Alyx said sitting up from his position on the couch.

Aster stood up. "Yes, you should." 

They shared a second of a longing stare before he snapped out of it and stood up making his way out of the Library.

At breakfast, the Dining Room was quiet and Elouise and Jean could not disguise their content and mocking faces. 

"Nothing happened, you guys. Stop looking at me like that," Aster said forking the fruit on her plate.

"Whatever you say," Elouise said as she sipped at her coffee.

When Alyx joined the table, he acted like nothing had happened and the rest of the people at the table carried on with their usual breakfast routine.

"Last night-" Alyx began to say.

Elouise and Jean and Aster all looked at him with wide eyes leaning forward in their seats for his declaration. 

"There was another attack," Alyx admitted.

Jean and Elouise looked at him for information as they halted their eating.

"I was at the Ministry's Town Hall Sorcerer Council meeting. Someone knew our meeting was tonight. The entire building... It went up in flames."

Aster looked at him with wide eyes. He hadn't told her any of this last night when she asked. 

"What?" Elouise asked, searching his body with her eyes for any wound marks. "Are you alright?"

"I made it out, but I got burnt. I shifted and I was able to escape."

"And the rest of the members? Did they make it out?" Jean asked.

"Lyra and Urie were at the far end of the hall from me. I was..." He hesitated. "I was at the bar," he admitted feeling ashamed. Aster, Elouise and Jean listened as he spoke. "When I made it out, I caught site of Yono in his wolf form on the streets escaping. He got out. I don't know about Lyra and Urie for sure. I've got to make some calls," Alyx said as he stood from the table and exited the room.