Initiation

Chapter 19: Assurances

     The air's temperature changes drastically. Sam was no longer sitting in the bleachers. I didn't need to glance over my shoulder to know Sam was ready to take me down. If the need rose, he wouldn't hesitate. This makes me feel like a caged animal. I hate feeling like a caged animal.

"Sam. Stand down, that is an order." Xavier's authoritative voice commands.

When the air's temperature stays the same I wearily glance at Sam.

     His face is hard and composed. Not only that, but he looks ready to strike at a moment's notice. The flames surrounding my hands flare as my anxiety peaks. Sam's hands were glowing a dark blue, yet water still hadn't formed.

"She is just frightened Sam. She won't attack."

Sam's eyes narrow at Xavier's suggestion. His wary sky blue eyes meet mine. I keep my face composed, but on the inside, I'm a mess. Sam's gaze turns analytical.

      The next minute drags on. I shift my feet, so that I am standing in a position that allows me to see both Sam and Xavier in my peripheral vision. Xavier was not the threat in this scenario. His arm is still outstretched toward me. My eyes briefly meet his regret and guilt filled violet orbs. I transfer my hesitant stare back to Sam. He was the real threat. I knew for certain Xavier was not going to attack, but Sam on the other hand... he was quite capable. And willing.

"Sam..." Xavier says hesitantly, attempting to deescalate the situation.

      "You won't attack. Will you Chloe?" Xavier directs to me.

I grit my teeth together and bring myself to nod once. Sam's gaze lingers over my shoulder briefly. Within the next second, his posture relaxes and his hands are back to normal.

"No one is going to hurt you- we won't hurt you." Xavier assures with a gentle voice.

My jaw clenches, unsure of his promise. I eye the both of them before extinguishing my flames.

      "Sam, you are dismissed. I need to speak with Chloe. Alone."

"But Xavier-" Sam interjects

"We'll be fine. Isn't that right Chloe?" Xavier directs to me.

My eyebrows furrow, "yeah whatever," I mutter. Not too thrilled to be spending more time with my supposed uncle.

Sam opens his mouth as if he wanted to protest, but decides against it. He shoots me a glare before brushing past Xavier and I. The door clicks shut behind him, leaving the two of us alone.

******

Sam

      Normally, I'd obey Xavier's commands without hesitation. This case was different. Chloe was a ticking time bomb waiting to happen. Seeing her in action against Xavier today, opened my eyes. For her age, Chloe handled her powers extremely well. Her unstable bitterness coupled with smothered anger, made her a real threat. Xavier was blinded by this fact because of their blood relation. Not to mention the guilt he must carry on his shoulders.

     I knew he could easily handle himself, but her affiliation with Argon was a concern. Not just to Xavier, but to the entire League. We were all going to be effected by her discovery. I also had a horrible feeling, that has been bugging me since I found her, that Xavier was going to want me guard her. When starting the undercover mission the leaders assigned me, I never would have thought I'd be end up finding Xavier's long lost niece. Changes were going to occur while she was in our custody and I'd just have to be ready for the outcome.

******

Chloe

     After Sam leaves, Xavier approaches me cautiously.

"You saw Argon when I raised my hand to disperse my aura... didn't you?"

I look away from him and grimace. He was about to have another one of those deep conversations with me about how we were family. How he wants to understand me, and convince me.

A sigh escapes his lips, "Now Chloe, if you don't talk to me, I won't be able to understand where you are coming from." Who called it? This girl, that's who.

A warm, tingly sensation floods into my body from the shoulder he places on my shoulder, soothing me against my will. I flinch away from his touch, taking a few steps back.

"Can you stop trying to brainwash me into believing we are family?" I express through a clenched jaw.

      Xavier's hand drops down to his side instantly.

"Well that's a start," he mumbles to himself, "Maybe I should get you mad, so you'll start talking to me."

I scoff, "please, mad or not, I still don't want to talk with you. I'm not betraying Argon by civilly talking to our enemy. You will not- get any information out of me about his operations."

"You talk to Sam quite often," Xavier points out, "then again, Sam always has luck getting woman to talk." Xavier muses with a quick smile and a chuckle. "Could you please explain to me why you talk to Sam fine, but not me? He is your enemy as well and is equally capable of retrieving information from you."

     I roll my eyes at his accusation. Sam might be somewhat good-looking, other people most likely thought he was handsome. Gag me, but not me.

"I don't talk to him because I find him attractive. He's nine years older than me and pointless things like that are stupid. I simply talk to him because it's fun to play with his mind." A shrug lifts my shoulders, "it's really easy to get him all worked up," I finish with a wry smile.

      Xavier's eyes narrow, while the expression he's giving me looks like he's about to scold me in a parenting tone. Oddly that passes and a deflated, tired expression forms instead.

"Your heart is more hardened than I originally thought..." he mutters lowly, before speaking directly to me, "As hardened as your heart may be. You are still my niece, nothing with change that." I glare at him and he quickly adds, "It is the truth, and you can't hide, or run away from this fact." He finishes sternly, his focused gaze penetrating into mine.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I roll my eyes. Grumbling under my breath, "yeah, whatever."

      A much-needed, healthy dose of silence consumes the space between us. Xavier's eyebrows are furrowed as he glances over his shoulder. Clearly thinking thoroughly about something.

"If I show you a video. Would you watch it?" He asks, breaking the silence. I groan inwardly.

"Possibly, but I swear to you. If it's a League recruiting video, so help me. I will burn the room to the ground." I threaten with narrowing eyes.

     He simply laughs, shaking his head slowly at what I said as if it was supposed to be a joke. When it was just the opposite. I was dead serious about that claim.

Xavier's face becomes serious before he reassures, "Of course it won't be a recruiting video. Becoming an agent here will be most difficult for you- if even possible."

After weighing in my options, I respond, "sure, let's get this over with."

A genuine smile lights his face, "follow me then."

Hey guys! I'm back!! First off, I need to apologize for not updating any chapters in Initiation. I completely lost inspiration to write. I kept having this nagging feeling back in my mind that my writing wasn't good enough or worth anything. The winter blues also got ahold of me too, so that did not help much. I am more inspired to write, especially with the encouragement of other wattpad writers. Reading what they update inspires me to keep on writing (and now I have 'just keep swimming' playing over and over in my mind lol).


I want to give a shout out to a specific wattpad author, BEAUT1FULdreamer for being such an awesome and positive person. Her continuous, and fantastically written updates in her now completed book 'Labeled' encouraged me as well as a positive comment. So thank you for that bode of confidence!! Check her works if you have time. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.


P.S. I don't know when my next update will be. I'm working two jobs six days a week, so I'm pretty busy. I'll hopefully have a chapter up in the next two weeks. Thank you all for your time! :)