14. Rob

14

ROB

A s Rob joined Jasmine, singing loudly and slightly off-key, it felt cathartic. Nearly everyone in the gym was singing with him, and the energy infusion was incredible.

These people cared about him for some reason. They had his back.

When she was done, the room erupted in cheers and applause, and Jasmine took a bow before turning to him. "Good luck, Rob." She patted his arm before stepping out of the ring.

Kian raised his hand again to shush the crowd. "Who thinks that Jasmine's wonderful song is a great addition to our induction ceremonies?"

As another round of cheers and applause ensued, Kian clapped along, and his butler rushed in with a tray of tiny paper cups filled with wine, distributing it amongst the guests .

Had he brought enough?

Surely, no one had anticipated such a turnout, especially not Rob. Margo and Gertrude stood on the other side of the rope like two lionesses guarding their cub, and when the butler reached them, they each grabbed a cup, and Gertrude took one more for him.

When everyone was served, Kian raised his cup, and the gym fell silent.

"We are gathered here tonight," Kian's voice carried clearly through the space, "to present this man to his elders. Rob is ready to attempt his transition. Vouching for him are Toven, Mia, and many others. Who volunteers to take on the burden of initiating Rob into his immortality?"

Arwel stepped forward. "I do."

Rob's heart hammered against his ribs. Despite knowing this was coming, everything suddenly felt terrifyingly real.

"Rob," Kian continued, "do you accept Guardian Arwel as your initiator? As your mentor and protector, to honor him with your friendship, your respect, and your loyalty from now on?"

"I do," he said.

"Does anyone have any objections to Rob becoming Arwel's protégé?"

When no one came forward, Kian raised his wine glass. "As everyone here agrees that it's a good match, let's seal it with a toast. To Rob and Arwel. "

The assembled crowd echoed the toast, and Rob took a sip of the sweet wine, grateful for something to do with his hands.

Arwel approached him with a warm smile. "Ready, brother?"

The term of endearment, though part of the ceremony, still touched something in Rob's chest. "As I'll ever be."

They embraced briefly—the traditional gesture symbolizing their new bond—before taking positions on the mat. Rob was acutely aware of the crowd surrounding them, but he forced himself to focus on Arwel.

"You're ready," Arwel said with a smile. "Show me what you've got."

Someone blew a whistle, and suddenly, they were moving. Rob blocked Arwel's first strike more by instinct than skill, falling into the patterns they'd practiced countless times. But this was different from training—there was real power behind Arwel's attacks now, but Rob still suspected that the Guardian was holding back just enough for him to last longer than two seconds.

Rob managed to dodge a kick, but Arwel's follow-up punch caught him in the ribs. He heard Gertrude gasp, but he couldn't spare the attention to look at her.

Using his slightly heavier build to his advantage, Rob attempted to grapple Arwel to the mat. For a moment, he thought he'd succeeded, but then the world spun, and he found himself face down, arm twisted behind his back.

"That was very good," Arwel said, his words sounding slurred, coming from between his elongated fangs, but Rob could still hear the amusement in his voice.

He wondered how Arwel could be amused while getting aggressive enough to produce venom. The fight had been a joke, but he'd managed to last longer than two seconds, and maybe that had been good enough.

Despite knowing it was futile, Rob struggled against Arwel's hold, his pride demanding he at least put in an effort. Then Arwel pressed his knee between Rob's shoulder blades, holding him firmly in place, and a moment later came the sharp pain of fangs piercing his neck.

The world exploded into sensation. Fire raced through his veins, but it wasn't painful—it was euphoric, transcendent. Colors seemed intensified, sounds sharpened, and everything had taken on a crystalline clarity.

Then darkness swept in, and Rob fell into it willingly.

He came to with his head pillowed in Gertrude's lap, her fingers gently stroking his hair. "Welcome back," she murmured.

Rob blinked, trying to orient himself. His body felt heavy but not unpleasantly so, and the residual effects of the venom left him feeling oddly peaceful and content.

"How long was I out?"

"Just a few minutes, thank the merciful Fates." She leaned over him and kissed his forehead. "I would have freaked out if it took longer." She helped him sit up. "How do you feel?"

"Like I got hit by an ice cream truck," he admitted, "flattened but happy and satisfied."

Arwel appeared beside them, offering him a hand up. "That's normal. Come on, brother. Let's get you cleaned up."

Rob accepted the help, swaying slightly as he got to his feet. The crowd had thinned somewhat, though many still lingered, offering congratulations and good wishes.

"You did well," Arwel said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now we just wait to see if it takes."

"How will I know?"

"Oh, you'll know." Arwel grinned. "Trust me."

Margo waited for Arwel to let go before slipping under Rob's arm to support him. "You're an impressive fighter, Rob. I didn't expect you to last that long."

"And there was no slam poetry required." Gertrude slipped under Rob's other arm. "Let's get you home."

Rob laughed, then winced as his ribs protested. "Maybe I should save that for next time if this doesn't take. "

"It'll take," she said with certainty. "I can feel it."

"Me too." Margo cast him a confident smile. "Tomorrow morning, you'll start transitioning, which will be a bummer because you will miss Marina and Peter's wedding."

He chuckled. "I can live with that."