a thousand instincts (#1)

A Familiar Face (34)

Aeress

     There was a knock. One of the guards walked up to the door and opened it for Aeress before she could get up from her seat. Some guards were now positioned directly in her room since the seats of the arena were officially open to the public. 

     Her eyes may have fallen out of her head from shock. "Nina!? Are you seriously here?" 

     Aeress was stopped by the facial expression from Nina right before she could pounce on her. Her eyes travelled from head to toe, widening with shock. "Aeress Lupyn," she breathed in her soft German accent, bowing her head. 

     "I must be a sight." Aeress gestured to her own body. Practically built for battle. Beautiful only to distract from the fact that she had become one of the world's deadliest predators. 

     Nina shook her head. "You are magnificent."

      Aeress smiled and assessed the woman who was there at the very beginning of this journey. She was as regal as ever, sporting a royal blue pantsuit and a tight french braid. Her light brown eyes warmed Aeress with familiarity. "I missed you, Nina." She couldn't help herself and hugged her. "Come in." 

     "I shouldn't stay for too long," Nina commented as they sat by the couches. She always gave off that businesswoman vibe that Aeress loved. 

     "Of course, I'm sure you didn't come here for vacation!" Aeress agreed. She watched as Nina crossed her legs and folded her hands on her lap. "How are you here? I thought you were back in Alaska!" 

     She smiled warmly. "Ah, yes. I was for a while. My position is usually alongside Premier, but clearly as we both know he is... occupied. I was eventually ordered to join you instead at the temple. I have just learned recently about the trials. I am very honored-"

     "You are formal enough, knowing who my mate is. I'm the same person as before." Aeress watched as Nina's expression tightened before relaxing again. "Say what's on your mind," she encouraged her. 

     She bowed her head. "It's not my place-" 

     "Go on, Nina." 

     "It's just that..." her posture straightened. "You're not the same are you? You have a godly power within you." 

     Aeress laughed. "You got me there. The question is whether I have a godly figure too. Am I really the mother of werewolves, right?" 

     Nina nodded. "I heard Beta Klein-"

     "I'm sorry, what? Klein is Premier's Beta?" In other words, his personal right hand man, a position held by only one worthy werewolf. They were never seen in one room yet were always corresponding. Almost like the mediator between Premier and the Viceroy. 

     Her brows dipped at the question. "Of course. Who else is better fit to train our potential Godhead?" 

     Aeress masked her own perplexity. Neither Warrick or Klein indicated his stature and maybe they did so purposely. She should have known by his level of skill and capability to completely whoop ass but as always, she missed a detail. "Right. A pain in the ass, but he's taught me just as much as Godhead has. He's a good man." It was true. She owed him. 

     Nina gave a curt nod. Her eyes lit with a secret. 

      Aeress narrowed her eyes on the fidgeting woman. She knew she was picking up more than a normal person would. "Do you know Klein personally?"