Ex hoc momento pendet aeternitas.
Ten minutes later we were in the old man´s car, with Gideon and myself in the back and his wife next to him in the front.
“So, tell me, how did you meet our Gwaine, Gideon? He clearly isn´t the most social person around.”
“I met him at my ex-girlfriend’s birthday party.” At the word ex, I started to cheer inwardly. Those were some good news. “Ex? When did you break up?”, I was too curious for my own good.
“Yesterday.” I nodded.
I won´t brag, but muhaha, meeting me and then breaking up with his girlfriend the day after was definitely an achievement. The car ride went well, listening to the radio with only a small bit of conversation. Later Gideon cheered me on at the competition and I trashed my opponents, throwing in some extra flashy moves for him. I found the situation damn hilarious. My competitors knew they couldn’t beat me, so they were only competing to see how long they lasted against me. I spent most of the time with Gideon, talking, joking, getting to know him better.
“Wow, you are amazing.”
“Well, thank you. Fighting is just something I was born to do, I would guess. It doesn’t really matter the style.”
“You are proficient in more than karate?”
POV Gideon
I couldn’t believe my eyes, Gwaine was a god on the mat. He knocked his opponents out like they were flies. My heart was beating so fast, the grin on my face was impossible bright. While my eyes held awe and respect for the man next to me. I hoped that I didn´t sound like a love struck fan, but when he told me, he wasn´t only good in karate… “
"Yeah, I have dabbled in quite a few fighting styles, with or without weapons. I am looking forward to a fencing match against you.” His eyes were twinkling, sucking me right into those green depths.
Fuck, fuck fuck…I was rapidly falling in love with Gwaine. And I haven´t even known him more than a few days. But somehow his presence alone made me feel safe. It was as if I was a moth and he the flame. Later that night I was leaning on him while we drove home. His shoulder was really comfortable, and I couldn’t help notice how I fit right next to him while Gwaine played with my fingers his lap. I wanted to stay awake, wanted to enjoy this, but the soothing monotone humming of the car lulled me to sleep. When Gwaine roused me we had arrived at my flat.
The following morning I woke up with a smile on my face. I had dreamt of Gwaine. He was cuddling close to me, caressing my body, playing with my hair. Just as his hands wandered to more private areas my alarm buzzed. Thinking back to the dream, I blushed and tried to concentrate on today’s chores. I never had a sex dream about a specific person before… And I wouldn´t even have enough time to cool down, because later was Gwaine´s “assessment test” and of course the introduction to the lodge. Though after yesterday I believed we would end up amazed.
I was almost hopping from foot to foot, no longer able to stay still. Gwaine would be here any minute now. Mr George was watching me with a knowing look but I chose to ignored him. There, the air left my lungs, Gwaine was wearing tight fitting black jeans, a loose top and a leather jacket. His hair was windswept, and a silver earring was dangling from his right ear. I hadn´t noticed he wore one last time. He looked born to sin. Gwaine greeted Mr George and me, with a lazy smirk. I tried, and failed, to calm my silly heart.
POV Gwaine
“First, we will get the introduction over with, after that the assessment test and last but not least the fitting for your wardrobe.”
“The clothes for those missions, I presume?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Please follow me.” Shrugging I did just that, whistling.
We entered an intimidating room, lit with candles and torches. The tables had been positioned in a U-Form. Men in strange, full-bodied robes, were sitting behind the desks. Their heads covered by a hood, faces illuminated by the golden fabric on the inside of their pompous robe. I turned towards the end of the hall. The Falk guy sat there primly, looking as though he was the most important person present. He wore a thick golden necklace which showed his status.
As soon as I was facing the U, he began to speak. “The ruby, in the sign of the raven, will close the circle of the twelve. Ex hoc momento pendet aeternitas.”
Eternity is hinged upon this moment. Great, more ominous messages, and not at all like they were a crazy sect. No, of course not. One of the men stood and placed one of those robes over my shoulders, though mine was red. Fitting for my gem. Next, he gave me a long staff: “You will find your magic.” I already found it thank you.
But I am quite sure he was not talking about me being an immortal god. That left the question, what kind of magic my gene had bestowed upon me? Hopefully something new, something entertaining. Searching mentally for any kind of power I hadn´t wielded yet… Reading thoughts nope, flying nope, bending water nope, walking on walls nope, shit that was difficult.
“Gwaine Simon Elias Shepherd, the last of the blood circle, you will worship and follow Count Saint-Germain. You will keep our secrets and defend them with your life.” My eyebrows rose with each sentence more and more.
Hell, no. The only person I will honour is my soulmate. Even then I am my own person, I have the be. The master of death follows no one!
“No”, one word, it didn´t take more to make my point clear. “I will follow no one.”
A startled silence engulfed the room. Even Gideon was eying me with his jaw dropped. Finally, Falk broke out of his stupor. “You are the ruby”, he stood up, walking around to get to me. “We are here to serve you. You are unique, precious and special. You will need to learn to accept your gift.” Oh, so ignoring the issue will help?
He handed me a golden ring with a ruby decorating it. No way in hell would I wear such an overdone ring. I made plans to put it on a chain around my neck. The robe guys started rapping their rings on their chairs, chanting: “Ita sit in aeternitatem!” Oh, wow. After a while they thankfully stopped with that nonsense and Gideon lent me out of the room.
“I will take you to our seamstress.”
“You swore to protect that Count?”, I inquired. Luckily oaths didn´t have the weight and consequences they had back in the wizarding world. Gideon started walking slower, coming up next to me.
“I was raised here. This is all I know”, there was a bite in his tone, that I didn´t like. No child should grow up surrounded by these freaks. Though grandpa Lucas was one of them as well, so they couldn´t be all bad. And Mr George had made a good impression as well…