Chapter 6
John
We arrived at the Maze, as we affectionately called it, a vast field containing tall hedgerows going in every direction. They shifted regularly and formed courses we had to run.
There were various apparatuses scattered throughout the area, along with predators just waiting for you to slip up. Emberhold wanted us to be prepared for every situation that we might encounter during initiation.
We found a spot off to the side and began stretching. Some of the guys we’d been hanging out with paused to glance at us with curiosity when they saw us around Adelaide.
Neither of us was known to hang out with women long-term.
Most Passives slept around, hoping to get lucky and find Faction members. (It wasn’t always as easy as a touch on the hand.) When it became clear that it wasn’t going to happen, we tended to move on—no harm, no foul.
Now and then, we encountered a stage five clinger who didn’t want to follow our rules. I didn’t sugarcoat it when that happened, mainly because I made it clear from the start that, unless there was a connection, it was just a release.
My twin, on the other hand, tried to joke his way out of it to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. When that didn’t work, he was willing to get a little more aggressive.
I personally didn’t want to form an attachment to someone I’d have to give up when I found my Nexus. Others had tried, but in the end, those relationships never worked out. I couldn’t imagine the jealousy and the heartache involved. In my opinion, it was better to wait.
A person might give up their abilities for love, but it was hard to fight destiny. We were hard-wired to want our Potentials, and that was that.
Jesse was eager to find our Faction and begin building a family, so he’d played around a lot more than I had. I liked my privacy and understood it could sometimes take years to locate a Nexus, if it happened at all.
I stared over at Adalaide in adoration.
Fortunately, we were among the lucky ones who didn’t have to wait.
Jesse narrowed his eyes, “Move along. This Nexus is taken.” When some of the Passives still lingered in shock, he bellowed again. “I know she’s gorgeous, but she’s ours… get your own.”
My idiot brother managed to attract the attention of everyone within fifty yards and made Adelaide's face turn the color of a ripe tomato.
Adalaide paused in her stretching to give him a look, “Really, asshole? There might have been some people over on the back forty that didn’t hear you.”
“What? I said you were gorgeous.” Jesse said, completely clueless.
“He’s a moron, but I promise he’ll grow on you eventually.” I rolled my eyes at my brother. Subtle, he was not.
“He’s not a moron. I did my research after I determined you would be potential candidates for Adelaide's Faction.” Frosty spoke but never paused his warm-up.
“How did you have enough time to do research? You only found out a couple of hours ago.” Jesse stared at him in challenge.
“When you’re as brilliant as I am, it doesn’t take much time,” Frosty said without any arrogance, simply stating it as a fact.
It was becoming apparent that he wasn’t trying to be a dick. This was just who he was, take it or leave it. I could respect that since I also preferred the no bullshit approach.
Instructor Allen blew his whistle, and we all headed in his direction.
I didn’t let Adelaide out of my sight. I knew she’d made it this far without my help, but from this day forward, she’d have it whether she needed it or not.
We hadn’t even performed the ritual, and already my protective instincts were kicking in.
These last two weeks, I’ve taken it easy on you, as has Emberhold.
” The sudden gust of wind that blew in the wake of his words felt like confirmation from the academy.
“Now it’s time to step things up. You’re going to be summoned for initiation soon, and I want to make sure more of you succeed than fail.
Today we’re going to run a new course. When I arrived early this morning, it was already set up and ready to go.
I don’t know what surprises Emberhold has prepared, but I’m sure each one is meant to help you get ready for what’s coming. ”
There were sounds of distress coming from several different directions throughout the crowd. I looked toward Adelaide, but her face was impassive, not a flicker of nerves showing. I felt my chest swell in pride.
“Quiet! If this scares you, then chances are you’re not going to make it through initiation. I wish I could say that upsets me, but the weak need to be picked off so our Factions won’t be filled with pussys. Now line up!”
We stood and followed Adelaide as she made her way to the front of the line. I was going to offer to go first when, out of nowhere, Adelaide was pushed roughly from the side by a tall blonde.
“Let someone who actually has a chance of succeeding in this challenge go first. Our fellow Passives don’t need to be discouraged by witnessing failure right out of the gate.”
Another blonde, almost identical to the first, stepped up, “Selene’s being kind, trying to save you from embarrassment.” She sneered, “I’m not that nice, fuck off and let your betters go first.”
I started toward the two bitches, but Frosty grabbed my arm to hold me back. “You have to let her fight her own battles, or she’ll never be respected. Trust in Adelaide.”
Jesse nodded in agreement, and I recognized the wisdom in his statement even though I didn’t like it. I somehow managed to restrain myself from stepping in front of Adelaide and telling the two cunts just what I thought of them.
Adelaide smirked, not the least bit intimidated, “Well, if you’re so sure I’ll fail, why don’t we make this interesting?”
“Hell, yes!” A beautiful, regal-looking woman standing behind us yelled, “Show those two bitches whose boss.”
“That’s Adelaide’s best friend Jasmine,” Frosty informed us.
Why was I not the least bit surprised he knew this? The guy had clearly been stalking Adelaide for some time.
“What did you have in mind, Hawthorne?” Instructor Allen asked.
“I was thinking we could do the course under time. That should make it a little more challenging. These two ladies shouldn’t have a problem with that since they are so obviously superior to the rest of us.” Adelaide smiled evilly, backing the two assholes into a corner.
Damn, this girl was perfect. I was so glad I hadn’t interfered. My tiny Nexus was clearly a badass.
“I like it.” Instructor Allen grinned, “Okay, girls, this is how it’s going to go.
Selene, you’ll go first, followed by Beatrice, and then Adelaide will go last. I’ll start your time as soon as you enter the course.
Is there anyone else who’d like to participate?
” He paused for a few seconds, “Looks like it’s just you three. ”
Suddenly, there was a rustling noise, and the course started rearranging itself. I could hear big booms and sounds of scraping, and even a few mighty roars, but the hedges had grown so tall that none of us could see what awaited the girls.
The instructor let out a loud laugh, “Looks like Emberhold is on board for this contest. By the sound of things, this course just grew exponentially harder.” He rubbed his hands together, “Let’s get this party started!”
I wholeheartedly believed in Adelaide, but that didn’t stop a cold sweat from breaking out on my forehead. These courses weren’t to be taken lightly… Aurathions died every year due to the difficulty they encountered when running them.
“Fuck this!” Jesse scowled, “No way am I going to allow this to happen!”
Frosty grabbed his arm, “You’re not just going to allow it, you’re going to put a smile on your face to show Adelaide how much you believe in her.”
He frowned down at the hand holding him back. “I suggest you let go before you lose that hand.”
I stepped in before things got out of hand, so to speak, “He’s right.”
Jesse turned to look at me, “Are you insane? He’s not right! She could die in there!”
“She won’t.” Frosty let go of his arm. “I’ve seen what she can do. Do you really think that three strong Passives would be Potentials to a weakling? All three of us are strong enough to be Nexus on our own. Why would the Ancestors choose to give us to her?”
I raised a brow at Jesse.
“Okay, he has a point. But I want it on record that if one hair on her head gets damaged, I’m gutting both of you.” He threatened in a low voice.
I nodded in agreement. If that happened, I’d gladly let him. I understood and agreed with everything Frosty had said; it didn’t ease my nerves in the slightest about what she would be facing in the Maze. We’d be helpless here, unable to assist her at all.
I noticed Sly Iverson edging closer to Adelaide.
He was hard to miss, being as large as he was.
The guy was the star player on the Academy’s combat squad team.
The coach had tried to recruit Jesse and me, but we decided to wait until next year.
Now that we’d found a tiny blonde Nexus who seemed to attract trouble, just like I’m sure Selene attracted venereal disease, I wasn’t interested in joining at all.
He whispered something in her ear and walked quickly away. I think he was trying to go unnoticed, but I saw Beatrice nudge Selene then nod in Sly’s direction. The look on her face at seeing the big man whispering to Adelaide chilled my blood.
That situation deserved some attention.
Selene started to move in his direction, but Instructor Allen blew his whistle. “Okay, Passive, let’s get this horror show on the road. Get ready to go in five … four… three … two … one!”
Selene scowled once more in Sly’s direction, then took off like a shot, and soon she was behind the hedges and out of sight.
“It might be bad karma, but I hope the bitch gets eaten by whatever was making those awful sounds.” Jesse scowled. “She’s going to be trouble for Adelaide, and if something in there doesn’t take her out, I’ll be forced to do it.”
“I second that. She deserves to have a bite taken out of her ass. Did anyone else notice Sly Iverson whisper something to our Nexus?” I asked distractedly as I watched Adelaide bend over and grab the back of her calves in a stretch that showcased her perfect ass.
“Yes, but it’s not surprising since he watches her all the time. He’s been sending her breakfast every morning from Java and Jam.” Frosty’s eyes followed the luscious curves of Adelaide’s ass like mine did.
Seems like our Frosty wasn’t always cold. It only took the sight of Adelaide’s fine ass in worn leather pants to thaw him out.
“You didn’t think that was important to mention?” Jesse asked, eyes also locked on Adelaide.
Three for three, all focused on one tiny woman’s ass.
“I knew you’d find out soon enough. He’s biding his time before he approaches her.” He smiled slightly, “I give it to the end of the day.”
I smirked, “Then there were four.”
This Faction was going to be powerful. I had a feeling that after we performed the ritual, the abilities that each one of us gained were going to be unparalleled.