12. Rob

12

ROB

" W ow." Rob took in the transformed gym. "Look at what they have done."

Gertrude threaded her arm through his. "It's something, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Something."

Jin, Mey, and Margo had converted the space into what looked suspiciously like a teenager's birthday party. Colorful balloons bobbed against the ceiling, paper chandeliers twirled in the air-conditioning breeze, and ribbons festooned every available surface, including all the exercise machines that had been pushed aside to clear a large space in the middle of the cavernous room.

"It’s very festive,” he said diplomatically. “But it seems more appropriate for someone much younger.”

"Well," Gertrude said, "technically, boys usually have their induction ceremonies at thirteen, so I suppose the decorations are appropriate. I just have to wonder how Jin knew that. We haven't had any boys transition since Parker."

Jin, who was packing up leftover decorations, turned at Gertrude's words. "These are the stored decorations Amanda told me to use. The boxes contained balloons, ribbons, chandeliers, and banners, but we skipped the banners. Those were really inappropriate for an adult."

"I have to admit that it does look very festive," Rob said.

In truth, he didn't mind the decorations. They were far from the most anxiety-inducing aspect of the evening ahead.

His eyes drifted to the buffet table being set up along one wall, laden with snacks for the guests. Thankfully, there were no tables and chairs for sitting. His upcoming humiliation wouldn't be a prolonged affair.

People were already starting to arrive, filtering into the transformed space with excited chatter and expectant faces. Rob shifted uncomfortably, unsure what to do with himself until the actual ceremony began.

"Just smile and say 'thank you' when people wish you luck," Gertrude murmured, squeezing his arm.

"I can do that." He plastered a fake confident smile on his face and assumed a strong pose with his legs slightly spread, one arm around Gertrude's shoulders and the hand of the other in the pocket of his sweatpants.

Bridget had promised to attend in case he needed medical attention, which had given him a fright until she'd explained that she hadn't meant him getting beaten up by Arwel but his reaction to the venom. Not that it was much better, but at least it didn't involve pain, and he wasn't really worried about his body reacting badly to the venom.

His test results had been fantastic, and Bridget had been impressed that a dude who until recently had engaged in very little physical activity was in such good shape.

William arrived with Roni, Kaia, and another female who was probably Roni's mate Sylvia. Rob hadn't met her yet, but he'd heard rumors about her extraordinary talent for disabling electronics.

"Excited?" Roni asked after introducing his mate.

"More like terrified," Rob admitted quietly.

Roni chuckled. "Been in your shoes, so I know how it feels."

"Yeah, but you were a kid, right?"

"Yes, but not the way you think. I was eighteen, scrawny as hell, and I was recovering from pneumonia. It took three attempts before I finally transitioned."

Rob blinked. "Three?"

"Yeah. Not only that, I also had to resort to reciting vile slam poetry to get Kian riled up enough to bite me." Roni's grin widened. "I was too scrawny and weak to actually challenge an immortal to a fight. I had to make him angry enough to attack me."

"Wait—Kian himself induced you?" Rob couldn't imagine the clan leader agreeing to do that.

He was the master of ceremonies, not the biter.

Gertrude nodded. "As a demigod, Kian's venom is more potent than that of most immortals. He was the last resort after Roni failed to transition the first two times."

"Isn't Toven's venom even stronger?" Rob asked. "Being a full god and all?"

"Of course," Gertrude said. "But Toven wasn't part of the clan back then. He's a relatively recent addition."

Mia had told Rob about how she and Toven had been matched through a Perfect Match adventure, leading to the clan discovering the god's existence. He just hadn't realized Roni's induction had predated that.

Gertrude leaned against his arm, her eyes twinkling. "So, do you know any vile slam poetry? Just in case?"

"I'm offended," Rob said, drawing himself up. "I can provoke Arwel's aggression through actual fighting. I'm not a scrawny kid," he said, quietly enough for Roni not to hear him all the way from the snack table.

"Of course not." She laughed, the sound warming him despite his nervousness. "Still, maybe prepare a few verses. You know, as backup."

Looking at her bright eyes and teasing smile, Rob had a feeling she was just trying to ease his tension. It was working, too. The knot in his stomach had loosened a little.

"You'd be surprised." He wrapped his arm around her waist. "I did some slam poetry during my college years. I could compose something about Arwel's fighting stance," Rob mused, playing along. "Or maybe critique his footwork in rhyming couplets."

"Now, that I'd pay to see." Gertrude's eyes danced. "Though maybe save the critique until after you've transitioned. When you're immortal, and he can't actually kill you."

Rob's amusement faded. "Arwel is too kind to kill someone in anger, and I respect him too much to insult him even as a joke."

She arched a brow. "Haven't you ever watched roasting? I've forgotten the name of that show, but people roast their best friends. I've even seen a former president taking insults like a champ."

"The name of the show is Between Two Ferns , and I could never watch it because it just makes me anxious. I don't like it when people are forced to take punches, whether real or verbal. I don't watch boxing or wrestling either."

That wasn't a very manly admission, and Rob would never have said that to Lynda for fear of ridicule, but Gertrude accepted him the way he was, and he didn't have to pretend to be anyone he wasn't.

"That's so sweet." She cupped his cheek and kissed him on the other side. 'You are a good man, Rob. A really good man."

"And you are an angel." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

More guests were arriving now—Guardians he recognized from training sessions, clan members he'd met through his sister, faces both familiar and new. Each arrival brought a fresh wave of nervous energy.

"I didn't expect so many people to come," he whispered to Gertrude.

"The clan loves celebrating new additions. Every transition represents hope, continuity, and growth. Besides, everyone likes you."

He chuckled. "I haven't spoken more than a word to most of these people. I'm a computer nerd who was never popular."

She smiled at him. "In our community, nerds are cool."