Fear, love... and betrayal; that's what I feel about my new life.
It's a life I never asked for, at least not like that.
I certainly dreamed of adventure, of escaping from my ordinary life, but nothing prepared me for what would happen when my norma...
Once arrived at the end of the corridor, we enter a large, round, cement room. Around the room are long, rough wooden bleachers that extend from the cement wall as if they were floating. To break up what would otherwise be a creepy ambiance, there is a large crystal chandelier hanging majestically in the center of the room and it reflects the light coming in from the windows that resemble arrow slits from medieval castles.
"If this room could talk...I've been here to witness a few selections, but also a few failures. My brother tried to get in, but failed."
"Is it that hard to get in? What if I fail? What do we do then?"
"Lou, you won't fail, you're Ether, you've a right to your own team without even having to pass your exams!"
"So, it's Ether, is it? Wonderful!" says a distinguished voice from the entrance of the room."
"Bethany," says Charles, walking with a firm step towards the woman.
Simply put, she is drop-dead gorgeous. Bethany is one of those women who make you feel invisible in the presence of men. She is one of those women who by their presence alone, changes the center of gravity as her charisma absorbs everything around it, like a black hole."
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She's leaning on the doorframe and wearing a shimmering black dress, a little like mine, but much more distinguished. Her dress goes up on her shoulders and drops to the floor, dragging behind her for a foot or two. Her hair is amber colored like the ashes of a hot fire, her full lips are bright red and her deep green eyes are rimmed with long black lashes. An incredible necklace holding a green and purple stone sits in the middle of a long and elegant neck.
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"So, you're Charles protégée? What an absolute pleasure to meet you." Her words surround me, like a slowly approaching snake about to swallow its prey, while weighing its every move. She tilts her head and stares at me for a moment. Gracefully extending her hand, she reaches out to touch my necklace and smiles in a way that could only be called creepy.
She places her gloved hand under my chin and lifts it so she can force me to look her directly in the eyes.
"Ether is the strongest of the signs, I feel that you and I will become good friends, Lou. But tell me, what is your gift?"
