Chapter Three
Reine slung his backpack over his shoulder while he waited for the group of Human-Guardians to form rank. They were going home for the summer and, as always, when it came to students, it was preferable to cross through the portals in groups. This particular crowd was quite small, made up of barely fifteen students, plus four Guardians, and himself.
Although, his reasons for traveling to Earth were not the same. He wasn’t reuniting with family, or even going on some exotic holidays. They were forcing him down into the human plane for some mysterious reason that Aslan refused to explain. Supposedly, he’d get his mission papers when he arrived to his destination.
Reine took a deep breath through his nose and exhaled slowly through his mouth. He would not get angry again. He’d spent most of his last week at home on a rollercoaster ride of emotions ranging from furious to sad. If he hadn’t been bitter and angry before seeing Aslan, he sure was now.
To make things worse, his missing arm had given him more problems than usual. Things which he’d finally managed to do normally, suddenly started to become impossible again. And the damn thing hurt almost as much as it had at the beginning.
The sound of a bell rang across the chamber. It was time. Reine positioned himself at the rear of the line of students as they started to move toward the portal that would transport them to Earth. Two guards stood at either side of the archway that had begun to shimmer with a crisscross of violet lights. Two by two, they stepped through the mystique shroud. When Reine’s turn finally came, he stopped. Going through the portal was as simple as crossing the threshold of a door. He never knew what was on the other side. He swallowed. He knew his destination, but he didn’t know what would happen once he arrived.
“Guardian?” one of the guards said.
“I’m going.”
Reine stepped into the colorful mist. His insides stretched and contracted as if someone pulled at his limbs in all directions. The sensation passed as quickly as it began, and suddenly his feet were planted on solid ground.
“Move along.” A guard standing to the side of the portal he’d just come from, motioned for him to get out of the way.
Reine moved off to the side. His head swam lightly, but his military training kicked in and he forced himself to take in his surroundings. He stood in a large room resembling a castle’s grand hall. Thick stone columns held a vaulted roof. Giant lanterns hung from the ceiling and provided illumination, their glow gentle on the decorative tapestries lining the walls. Beneath them, they had placed wooden benches. However, no one was sitting down. Humans and Guardians stood in small groups, chatting to one another. Some of the Guardians watched the students as they joked around, their laughter and voices loud. Reine shook his head. These were novices, still too new to understand that silence or discretion could save a life.
“Reine.”
He turned around as he recognized the voice of the man who had called his name.
“Max.” He shook the other man’s hand. “It’s been a while.”
“Yes. How are you? I called you a few times, but you never got back to me.” Max looked at him kindly. Reine frowned as Max’s gaze fell on his arm.
“I lost it.”
“I heard,” Max said. “I’m sorry. I was on a mission when you were in the hospital and wasn’t able to see you.”
Reine shrugged. He felt tempted to turn his back on Max. He never knew what to say to apologies. Sure, people felt sorry, but how was that supposed to help him?
“So what are you doing here?” Max asked.
Reine sighed. He had nowhere to go, at least not until he got his fucking mission documents.
“I’ve been sent down here for a while,” Reine finally said.
“A mission?” Max asked, the incredulity in his tone clear.
“I call it exile.”
Max opened his mouth and shut it just as quickly. Whatever he was going to say, he’d clearly changed his mind.
“Anyway, somebody is supposed to give me my papers,” Reine continued.
“Well, I don’t have them,” Max said, “but you know, Earth is not that bad. The girls—”
Reine cut him off. “Don’t.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “How can you even suggest such a thing? You knew Leslie.”
Max lifted his hands in a placating gesture.
“That’s not what I meant, Reine.” Max scratched his neck. “It’s just.” He paused. “It’s been three years since Leslie. She would have wanted you to move on.”
Reine clenched his teeth in an attempt to keep his mouth shut. One. Two. Three. Four. He counted silently. Five. Six.
