"From the great palace of Exodia! His and Her Majesty Invite Darius Vale to the annual squad leaders conference. Your presence is expected and demanded. Time, six o'clock sharp."
A squire stood at the doors of the Nest and announced.
I stared at him, brows raised and a sigh at my lips. Judging from what Sylvi told me last night, I had an idea why I was invited. However, I hated the thought of being with pretentious nobles and the other captains. I usually never attended this as a vice captain despite Asriel trying to carry me along.
Just then, he said something that made the situation worse.
"You are to bring a plus one."
As soon as he said this, I felt the glares of the girls behind me. I swallowed saliva hard, nodded and shut the door.
I took a deep breath and spun around.
"I'm not.."
"Take me." Kora interrupted. "I want to see the palace again!"
"No way, you have to be safe so take me!" Mira chimed in.
Lina stood up lazily from the couch, locked eyes with me and walked away and up the stairs. I didn't need an oracle to tell me a signal when I see one.
I glanced over to Kora and Mira with a soft smile.
"I'll think about it."
Then quickly I followed Lina, climbing up to the hallway where she stood. Her gaze locked on a portrait of a blue jay.
"Are you ok?" I asked softly.
She was barely awake most times and usually unserious but here she was, observing something.
"Take Sylvi." She said.
"What?"
She let off a soft sigh and turned to me.
"Take Sylvi. She hasn't left the Nest since she was assigned here. I think she deserves it."
I paused for a moment. I had thought she wanted to go.
"I thought you'd love to join me?"
She smiled softly.
"I would. But I don't really need it. Plus I've seen enough of my brother this year."
Brother? Who?
"Your brother?" I asked.
Her eyes widened and she smacked her forehead softly.
"That's right you don't know. Asriel is my older brother."
Asriel is her brother? That kind of makes sense given she is with Eros. But he never told me he had a sister.
"I see. So that's why you have Eros."
Her brows raised and she let off a chuckle. I raised a brow in confusion.
"That's not Eros."
She muttered as she walked past me.
"Wait." I called out, wanting a better explanation but she shifted the conversation.
"Remember, take Sylvi with you."
I stood along the hallway, watching her back as she walked down and into her room.
"There's too much I don't know." I muttered to myself.
I let out a soft sigh.
Take Sylvi huh. It's one thing to take her, it's another to actually find her.
"Sylvi!" I yelled out. My voice echoed in the empty hallway.
No answer. It was worth a shot.
I walked down the stairs to the main hall. Kora and Mira stood as they saw me. Their eyes widened like puppies begging for a treat.
Breaking this news to them wasn't fun.
"Uhmm ok." I began, scratching the back of my head. "So after consideration, I've decided to take..Sylvi."
Both girls glanced at each other then back at me. I was expecting some kind of reaction but they both just nodded in unison.
"I think that's a great idea actually." Mira said softly.
"Yeah. Sylvi needs to leave the Nest." Kora chimed in.
Both ladies seemed to be in agreement. I watched with wide eyes as two of the most intense individuals I've met agreed calmly.
That was definitely a shock.
"Really? I guess that's great." I said. My head bowed in relief.
I raised my head up.
"Do any of you know where Sylvi is by chance? Or do you at least know how to get her here?"
They both threw mischievous glances at each other.
"Oh we do." They said in unison.
Without warning, Kora let out a loud scream. I threw my fingers over my ear. I swear they were bleeding.
Then, silence followed.
"Shit!"
I cursed under my breath.
"What was that.."
Both raised their index fingers.
"Wait for it."
Hurried footsteps echoed from the floor above. Light but panicked. Suddenly, Sylvi appeared at the top.
"Kora!" She called out.
She leaped down, missing every step on the staircase.
"Are you ok?" She asked as she rushed to Kora.
"I'm fine."
Kora smiled.
"Just wanted to get you down."
Sylvi blinked. She glanced around, catching Mira's smile.
"What's going on?"
She glanced over at me. For a moment I was dumbfounded.
"Captain?"
"Oh right." I spoke. "Would you like to go to the Palace with me? I've been invited and I am required to bring a second person. I thought you'd be the best."
Her eyes narrowed. I held my breath.
"Me? I'd be the best?"
I nodded. Obviously I didn't think she was the best. But the others seemed to want her out.
She glanced over to the girls and then back at me. A sigh escaped her lips and she nodded.
"Ok. What time?"
She agreed?
"Six. Today."
She smacked her forehead and then slid her palm down her face.
"Ok."
Her responses came lazily.
Without saying another word, she walked past me. I caught a faint smile on her face.
"This'll be the last time." She whispered as she walked past.
I finally let out my breath.