Page 43 of Twisted Truths

“Hadley Jacobs,” Guardian Solomon intones. “May you be blessed with the Awakening. As the veil of purity falls, a new dawn shall arise. You are the vessel through which the Light will pass, the whisper of the divine in flesh. You, who carry the essence of the Circle, shall guide them in ways unseen, nurturing the growth of those who are yet to come. May your journey lead them to their purpose.”

“As the fire rekindles, you shall Awaken and carry the essence of the Circle,” the congregation chants.

Guardian Solomon leads Seraphina out of the chapel, and I look up at Gabriel. He gives me a reassuring smile as he offers me his arm. Exhaling a shaky breath, I hook my elbow through his. Not a word is said as we follow his parents through the commune until we reach the guardian cabins. Seraphina will not want to make a scene.

Gabriel moves towards his front door, releasing my elbow and guiding me with a hand at the small of my back, but he stops when his mother speaks.

“You will bring your Chosen to our abode,” Seraphina says, her voice cool and absolute. It’s not a request; it’s a command carved in stone.

Gabriel’s spine straightens, and for a moment, I think he might obey. But then he lets out a short laugh, humourless and sharp.

“I appreciate the enthusiasm to get to know my Chosen, Mother,” he says, turning just enough to meet her gaze over his shoulder. “But I’d hate to waste my first night alone with her.”

My stomach churns as Seraphina’s eyes narrow, offering a glimpse at the first crack in her polished exterior. But Gabriel’s already pushing me forward, his hand gentle but firm as he guides me through the door.

“We’ll see you in the morning.” The warning is clear in her tone as the door closes behind us.

He lets out a breath, his shoulders sagging, and I feel the shift in the air, like we’ve stepped out of a storm that hasn’t broken yet. Seraphina is pissed, and that doesn’t bode well for me.

Gabriel’s jaw is tight, but when he glances down at me, the tension eases somewhat, replaced by something wearier.

“Welcome home,” he murmurs.

I swallow around the lump in my throat, wondering if what he said to his mother was true. This arrangement was only supposed to be for my safety, but surely he’s not expecting us to?—

“You can take the bedroom,” he offers, interrupting my thoughts. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I murmur, my cheeks heating as my gaze drops to the floor.

He arches a brow. “Are you telling me you want to consummate this arrangement?”

My eyes widen. So he does expect?—

“Relax, junior-firecracker.” Gabriel smirks. “I have no interest in you like that.” He moves to a cupboard and pullsout a spare blanket and pillow. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an emotional day.”

“What?” I ask, removing the veil covering my face and pinching the bridge of my nose. A headache is forming. My brain is struggling to keep up with all the events of the day, and I have no idea why he’s predicting tomorrow will be emotional.

“We’re going to Zara’s funeral.”

I stare at him, my mouth gaping. When did he find out about the funeral, and why does he think it’s a good idea for us to attend? I mean, I want to. I never got to say goodbye to my sister, so I’m grateful for the chance to say goodbye to my friend. But I can’t imagine Gabriel and I would be on Nash’s invite list.

Nash.

The memory of our kiss surfaces again, uninvited. The heat, the confusion, the desperate honesty in his touch.

Zara’s brother.

The outsider.

The one who’s convinced someone from the Circle murdered his family in cold blood.

“It will be fine,” Gabriel says, unaware of the cacophony of thoughts running through my head. He grips me by the shoulders and gives me a gentle push towards his bedroom. “Trust me.”

Somehow, I doubt that, but I can’t deny the stir of excitement in the pit of my stomach as I climb into Gabriel’s bed.

Tomorrow, I’ll see Nash again.

But then it morphs into something bitter.