(Amaia)

The next day, Alnilam gathers us in the library before the actual session so he can have a word.

Kacir and I walk inside together and Rahria joins. Alnitak and Mintaka are already present along with their older brother, and to my surprise, Saiph is there too.

The combined scents of my mates welcome me, and I wish to rush to them; sometimes it’s too overwhelming.

Alnitak and Alnilam appear fresh.

Alnitak gives me a little wave with his hand, which I return. But Mintaka’s eyes are red and tired as if he hasn’t slept a wink the whole night. And Saiph overshadows them.

"Take your seats," Alnilam instructs, standing near the twins. I slip into the chair next to Mintaka.

His arms are stretched in front and he appears almost slumped in the chair.

"How are you feeling?" I quietly ask.

"Better," he mutters, not keeping eye contact with me.

Alnilam clears his throat, demanding our attention. We focus on him as he stands alongside Saiph. Both of them are in their uniforms with their hair tied back. Saiph appears to be at least an inch taller than Alnilam.

"So I understand that all of you had a traumatic experience yesterday. Facing a Chittering and living to tell the tale is rare, but I am glad all of you are alright." His head tilts to Saiph.

"Thankfully you people had Saiph with you." We nod and my gaze meets Saiph’s. He is watching me with the same intensity he had yesterday.

"My parents have invited all of us to a formal dinner with them so all of you can relax and have a conversation with them." Alnilam’s magnetic violet eyes lift and find me. "They will get to know a little about Amaia, since she is the only new recruit in Guild Leo."

My throat clogs at his words. Meeting with the parents of my mates...the king and the queen of Orion.

Sweat gathers in my palms. ’Fucking calm down, don’t make a mess of yourself.’ I remind myself.

"So remember this Saturday, 7 pm. Be ready."

"Now that will be such a pleasure," Mintaka says rather dryly and Alnilam pins him with a glare, telling him to shut up without even saying a word.

I wonder what this is about. The king and the queen were so friendly and happy at our Sorting Ceremony. They cheered for their sons, so why does Mintaka not like the idea of having dinner with his parents?

I guess I will find out soon.

Others begin to arrive and the conversation ends. Soon all the chairs filled up with our badge mates.

Rigel is missing. Where is he?

Alnilam explains to others how we had faced a Chittering.

Murmurs amidst fear begin and I can sense all gazes on us.

Alnilam gathers our attention again.

"I want to brief all of you on Chittering and how to counter and fight one. But I will be away for the rest of the week, after today’s lesson."

He is going somewhere. Where? My heart skips a beat and pain erupts in my chest.

"In my absence, Professor Ziak here will take over. Since he has actually fought one now, he will be a better combat instructor," Alnilam says and politely points towards Saiph. All of us nod again, some murmurs erupt at the announcement. Saiph remains unmoved, standing like a statue of a warrior.

"We will begin with theory and then Professor Ziak will take over the training." I see how Alnilam has added the title professor with Saiph’s last name so others will show respect to him.

"But is he even qualified to teach and guide us? From what I know, he is only a sentinel," Ramian disrespectfully says. I turn and find his loathing eyes focused on Saiph.

Anger rises in my chest and I want to get up and punch his teeth out. Alnilam opens his mouth to speak but Saiph places his hand on his shoulder and squeezes. Alnilam closes his mouth and lets Saiph answer instead.

He pins Ramian with an icy glare. A whole glacier seems to have been captured in his eyes.

"I am qualified enough to know that question was more about your lack of discipline and respect than my skills and knowledge."

Guffaws of laughter echo in the library at Saiph’s answer. Ramian’s whole face turns tomato red and he is lost for words.

Alnitak bangs the table hard at this answer, bending down from cackles escaping him. Even Mintaka is roaring with laughter.

My gaze lifts. I find Alnilam bunching his lips together. There is a film of amusement in his eyes. That’s the closest I have seen Alnilam to a smile.

"I think today we will start our little training session with you. How about that? You can then tell me if I am qualified or not?" Saiph grills Ramian further, embarrassing him. Ramian stutters and just lowers his head.

Saiph’s gaze travels back at me and stays. A hint of amusement he carries.

"Anyone else who wants to challenge me or ignore my command?" I know this specific question is directed towards me since I refused to follow his instructions last night.

Silence follows, most of us just shake our heads.

"I am glad we cleared the air regarding my qualification. Back to Professor Alnilam." Saiph takes a step back, folding his massive arms over his chest. His triceps almost burst out of the tight uniform he is donning.

"Saiph is going to steamroll everyone. You think Alnilam is bad. Saiph is the worst and a sadist with the people he dislikes. Never ever get on his wrong side. He has a deadly power as you will find out in today’s training session," Mintaka slowly murmurs to me, making my throat as dry as sandpaper.

Slightly frightened, my eyes waver back to him and his gaze is still focused on me.

Sharp, hungry, almost violent. It terrifies me, even more than Alnilam.

The man who can singlehandedly defeat a Chittering can’t be ordinary, this much I can see.

"Open page 277," Alnilam’s instructions come and I peel my eyes off Saiph and focus on the book.

"So the first question we are going to ask is. How is a Chittering even born? Anyone?"

Reluctantly, I raise my hand and Alnilam calmly says, "Yes, Amaia."