07-20-2018, 06:18 PM
The sentiment was easy to ascribe when Evelyn never found herself cradled in the arms of death.
Her heart was pure, he reminded himself, in that she wanted all to be the utopia of dreams. Someday their Utopian vision for the world would come to be. When the atharim were extinct and the planet ensconced by the umbrella of the Custody, her utopia would be real. Until then, threats remained. Jensen James was too precious a commodity to risk losing, but if he flew on the promise to return to Moscow promptly, the risk was low. The Regus of the Atharim was dead, a new man positioned in his place. One who would call a truce between themselves. The Vatican would provide some pressure, Nikolai was sure of it. Many long years had passed since he met with a sitting Pope. Their tiny city was the only patch of land that remained independent in Europe. Maybe it would be forever, their monarchy was unique.
Regardless, when she mentioned the treaty, Nik smiled. “Sure. That seems reasonable to add.”
The treaty wouldn’t last anyway. He had his own plans for organization of channeler skills in the Custody. Marcus was tasked with finding those skills and building the foundation upon which they were built.
Evelyn was lovely alongside him. Now they were free to speak alone, he glanced at her from aside, sharing a smile. “You look beautiful.”
Alric touched him on the shoulder, then. He wouldn’t interrupt unless there was something wrong.
When he looked up, he locked eyes on Ryker.
He hadn’t seen the man in ages. The years were unkind to him. The scars deeper than the skin. A great soldier, and a man Nikolai once called a friend. As much as he ever called anyone friend. At the very least, Ryker was trustworthy. Loyal and ruthless, he was a knife in the dark that felled many and advanced Nik’s needs.
He had Alric step back. When the Barrier Preator agent did, the two others in his shadow relaxed as well. As much as they ever did.
“Ryker,”
Nik called him forth and offered to shake the man’s hand.
“Evelyn, allow me to introduce to you a living hero of our time.”
Her heart was pure, he reminded himself, in that she wanted all to be the utopia of dreams. Someday their Utopian vision for the world would come to be. When the atharim were extinct and the planet ensconced by the umbrella of the Custody, her utopia would be real. Until then, threats remained. Jensen James was too precious a commodity to risk losing, but if he flew on the promise to return to Moscow promptly, the risk was low. The Regus of the Atharim was dead, a new man positioned in his place. One who would call a truce between themselves. The Vatican would provide some pressure, Nikolai was sure of it. Many long years had passed since he met with a sitting Pope. Their tiny city was the only patch of land that remained independent in Europe. Maybe it would be forever, their monarchy was unique.
Regardless, when she mentioned the treaty, Nik smiled. “Sure. That seems reasonable to add.”
The treaty wouldn’t last anyway. He had his own plans for organization of channeler skills in the Custody. Marcus was tasked with finding those skills and building the foundation upon which they were built.
Evelyn was lovely alongside him. Now they were free to speak alone, he glanced at her from aside, sharing a smile. “You look beautiful.”
Alric touched him on the shoulder, then. He wouldn’t interrupt unless there was something wrong.
When he looked up, he locked eyes on Ryker.
He hadn’t seen the man in ages. The years were unkind to him. The scars deeper than the skin. A great soldier, and a man Nikolai once called a friend. As much as he ever called anyone friend. At the very least, Ryker was trustworthy. Loyal and ruthless, he was a knife in the dark that felled many and advanced Nik’s needs.
He had Alric step back. When the Barrier Preator agent did, the two others in his shadow relaxed as well. As much as they ever did.
“Ryker,”
Nik called him forth and offered to shake the man’s hand.
“Evelyn, allow me to introduce to you a living hero of our time.”