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I couldn’t imagine anything better.

And I just wanted it to continue on in this veinsobadly.

As I looked down at the texts I’d received from each of them just as I’d teleported out to the Guardian Compound, a whole lot of warmth infused me.

Kai:Show them your true capabilities and trust in your knowledge base. Afterward, we’ll all celebrate in a way you’ll most definitely enjoy, my dirty devil.

Halo:Gramps is lucky to have you. Your first day is going to be great.

Vorzyr:Draw on your instincts, babe. You’ve got this.

I smiled, and stowed my phone away.

Then I took a moment to absorb the sight ahead of me.

I couldn’t actually believe I was here.

The Guardian Compound was incredible.

Truly stunning.

And, so far, I was just talking about the exterior.

It was a massive fortress of supernatural authority and stability with towering silver gates at the threshold that stood between the outside world and the elite force within that safeguarded the balance and the supernatural community. White stone walls were reinforced by the silver magic of Cornelius Martel, along with the vibrant-green of Ryker Morgan. Marble pathways led up to the entrance. Flanking that gateway were two stone statues of faceless Guardians denoting strength combined with history and power.

Figures in black hooded cloaks patrolled the grounds, moving in a graceful and disciplined way, their magic at the ready constantly while they were on shift, before the next changing of the guard.

I squared my shoulders, pushed down my nerves, and focused on the encouragement from Kai, Vorzyr, and Ariana, then headed over to them.

Because I was expected, it didn’t take more than a few words and a brief wave of a gold wand to grant me approval for passage.

And then I was making my way inside the actual Guardian Compound.

It was quiet within, but not in an eerie way, much more of a calming and reverent sort of atmosphere.

The walls of the corridors were smooth ivory stone, a natural sheen coming off them from how incredibly polished they were. Their surfaces were lined with silver lattice that formed depictions of legendary battles and achievements of old. The complementing marble floors gleamed from the soft glow of the floating orbs of light overhead. Black-cloaked figures like outside walked the corridors in the distance, all moving along with an urgency that hinted at the vital business that was conducted within this place.

As I headed further into the building toward the specific area within that was to be the site of the first gathering ofCrossborn,I was pulled up short all of a sudden.

A rush of overwhelming emotions slammed into me, catching me off guard.

Worry. Fear. Grief. Indignation.

I couldn’t help myself, I followed the sensation around the corner.

A few doors down from one titledHead of Guardian Movement—Ryker Morgan,voices reached me from inside an unmarked room.

“Ariana shouldn’t have to deal with this. If there’s a way out, Jaxon and my father will find it.”

At the topic of conversation, I couldn’t just walk away and move back to minding my own business and making my way to the Great Hall where allCrossbornteam members were supposed to convene for our first meeting.

I instinctively slipped intoshadow travel,obscuring myself both from sight and anybody’s senses locking onto me, and then I peered inside the room.

I choked when I saw three powerhouses standing in a circle embroiled in an urgent discussion.

Mia Snow was there, Ariana’s mom, along with two of her fathers, Ryker Morgan and Lucian Black.

Lucian was in one of his sharp, tailored suits, this one a black checkered masterpiece. He was subtly shaking his head. “It doesn’t bode well that Cornelius couldn’t make progress alone, beauty.”