Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,63
sandwiched between Phoenix and Bryce. Morpheus is right behind me with Toby and Renata.
“I know it goes without saying, but it’s best if you don’t flaunt your polyamorous relationship to the world,” Xavier says.
“We won’t,” I reply meekly.
Xavier seems cool about me dating four guys, but I still want to crawl into a dark space. I’m not embarrassed that I love them, but the idea that my uncle knows what we were up to the night before makes me uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry about Rosie,” Toby tells Renata. “She’s been through a lot at the hands of Idols.”
“I can’t begin to imagine. But it’s okay. I deserve her harsh treatment. You, on the other hand… What was your sin?”
Oh boy. Dangerous territory. I wonder if Toby will answer that question. I’d like to believe Rosie was able to see past his new Idol status, but maybe deep down she can’t. What does that say about my relationship with her? When I think we’re making progress, she does a one-eighty on me.
“For starters, I forgave you.” Toby laughs without humor.
“Rosie is young. You can’t expect her to get over things as quickly as the rest of you,” Xavier pipes up.
Maybe he’s right. She was so young when we lost our parents, and I was a poor replacement. My eyes burn, but I fight the tears and the morose feeling festering in my chest.
Down the hill, a small conglomeration of people is slowly forming as the workers trickle down from the mines. There’s a little stage made out of wooden crates that wasn’t there last night, and Harry and Artex are standing next to it.
When the brothers catch our approach, their faces split into joyful smiles. Soon, the rest of the crowd turns in our direction, and the infectious feeling of euphoria spreads through them. My face is ablaze with so many eyes on me, all appraising and expectant. Fuck. What if I end up saying the wrong thing and disappointing everyone?
The crowd parts to let us through, but their murmurs of awe quickly become a smothering blanket. My throat begins to close up, and getting air into my lungs is harder now.
“You’re just in time. Most of the workers have come down,” Harry says.
I glance at the gathering, counting way more people than I did last night. “Did more people arrive?”
“Oh yeah. Ophelia rented two busses to bring every single member of her chapter here. Everyone is excited to meet you.”
“Oh? And how many are here now?” I ask.
“About sixty, but we’re expecting a hundred more to arrive by nightfall.”
“One hundred?” Phoenix asks, surprised. “That’s more than what you said were in the Saturn’s Bay area.”
“Yes, yes.” Harry bobs his head up and down. “But we have members who are scattered in other states.”
My panic is growing, but I can’t let anyone see how distressed I am by the news. “Is everyone here?” I ask. “I’d like to address them now.”
Artex and Harry stretches their necks to take in the crowd. “Hmm, I think so,” Artex replies.
“Okay then.” I step on the stage, and it’s clear to me that the brothers wanted to say a few words beforehand by the way their foreheads crinkle. But if I’m to lead these people, I can’t let others speak for me.
“Hi, everyone. My name is Daisy Rodale. I’m so glad to finally meet you all. I just learned recently about my heritage, and until a day ago, I had no idea Magia, my ancestor, had so many dedicated followers.”
“We love you, Daisy!” someone shouts in the crowd, and immediately Bryce’s, Phoenix’s, and Morpheus’s demeanors change. I don’t need to glance in their direction to know they aren’t happy about the outburst.
“I hope to deserve your dedication,” I add quickly.
“We are here to serve you,” a woman near the stage says. “Show us how.”
I open my mouth to reply, but Harry quickly jumps onto the stage and speaks over me. “The best way to serve Magia is to continue your work in the mines and make as many weapons as possible.”
“What about the prophecy?” someone asks.
I switch my attention to Xavier with a question in my eyes. What prophecy?
“Yes, yes. We’re getting to that soon. But now—”
My spine becomes rigid when I pick up a different Idol signature approaching. I glance at the path, and my jaw drops when I spot Jodie Fallon striding down to us, accompanied by another member of the church, if I were to guess by his attire.