Circle Of Twelve

Chapter 12: "New Beginnigs and Old Ties"

Henry stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his neatly pressed shirt. The title "Guardian of Virgo" had been his identity for as long as he could remember, a mantle he wore with both pride and exhaustion. Today, however, he would step into a different role: Mr. Henry Lawson, English Teacher. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that he’d chosen this path. Being a Guardian was still part of him, but he refused to let it consume every part of his life. Today, he’d teach, inspire, and carve a new place for himself in the world.

The bell rang as Henry entered his first-period classroom, a mix of eager faces, bored expressions, and the occasional eye-roll. He smiled, feeling the strange thrill of first-day nerves. His voice was steady as he introduced himself, spoke about his passion for literature, and explained how storytelling connects everyone.

"Good stories," he began, leaning against his desk, "they don’t just exist on the page. They live in you, change you. Every time you tell them, they grow stronger, and so do you." The students were hooked, his passion filling the room as they dove into the first reading assignment of the year. Henry moved around, answering questions, guiding discussions, and noticing the spark of excitement in a few students who had previously looked indifferent.

Meanwhile, across town, Elias stood by the window in his newly furnished mansion, enjoying the peace he'd found after years of struggle. It had been a long road, but with his hard work and a bit of fortune, he’d finally made it. He sipped his coffee, appreciating the stillness—until the doorbell echoed through the hall.

To his surprise, it was Jonah, his ex-boyfriend, standing at the door with a sheepish grin and an air of discomfort. Elias’s brow furrowed.

"Elias! Look at you! Living in a mansion… I couldn’t believe it when I heard," Jonah started, his eyes flickering with a faint spark of greed.

Elias crossed his arms, cold but calm. "Why are you here, Jonah?"

Jonah shifted, his charm suddenly faltering. "I, uh, thought… maybe we could start over, you know? Things were… rocky before, but now…"

Elias felt a pang of bitterness mixed with clarity. "You broke up with me because I was poor, Jonah. The minute I’m in a good place, you come knocking, thinking you can ruin that."

Jonah stammered, the sparkle in his eyes now replaced with frustration. "It’s not like that, Eli, come on."

But Elias shook his head firmly. "Goodbye, Jonah." With that, he closed the door, breathing out a sigh. This was his life now, and he was determined to protect it from anyone who didn’t deserve to be part of it.

Back at the school, as Henry wrapped up his final class of the day, he felt a sense of fulfillment he hadn't anticipated. But the satisfaction was short-lived. In the hallway, he caught a glimpse of Astria, her intense gaze fixed on him. Henry’s heart sank; he knew that look. Astria was here because something was wrong.

She approached him briskly, pulling him aside. "What do you think you're doing, Henry?"

Henry tried to stay composed. "I'm teaching. I'm choosing a life beyond just… being a Guardian."

Astria's eyes narrowed. "Do you realize what you've done? Every day you come here, every word you speak—it brings attention to who you really are. You’re putting us, the entire order, at risk."

Henry took a deep breath. "I'm aware of the risks. But I can’t live my life in hiding, Astria. Being a Guardian doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice everything else. I can balance both."

Astria's expression softened slightly, though her voice remained stern. "I hope you know what you're doing. Darian is out there, and he's dangerous. Any exposure—"