Chapter 21

As I continued to stare at the door to the bathroom that Cloe had just gone through, I could still hear my sister laughing at me. Then I heard her sharp intake of breath; oh crap, she’d obviously gotten to my deep thoughts of Cloe, [You actually treated her like that!? I should knock you around just for that!]

[Hey! Get out of there! Those are personal! Besides, you don’t know the whole story or everything I’ve been through since Cedric killed everyone!] I told my sister a little more forceful than I meant to. [I’m sorry, there are a lot of very painful memories there.] I told her as I hung my head. Some were almost too much to take, even after all these centuries.

[I’m sorry too, brother. I know it hasn’t been easy for you since then, all the people you have lost, plus your entire family. Cloe was right. How you didn’t end up like her is amazing. I am proud of you, brother, in so many ways. Hopefully, you can end our brother’s murderous rampage before it starts.] Eluria told me. I could feel the swelling of pride that she had.

[I’m going to do all I can. I am the only hope we have, so no pressure ‘bout a normal day for me.] I told her as the bathroom door opened, and Cloe came out still looking a little miffed but better after her declaration.

“Alright I have to go to class today, I haven’t been able to check on Celina, any chance you could Cloe? Even though she came through the attack better than she did I am still worried about her.” I asked Cloe.

A sincere smile crossed Cloe’s face as she nodded yes, then I flashed out I really needed to start getting up earlier; I’d never have these kids ready in time at this rate. As I suspected there were a few already there when I flashed in. Opening the door I watched as they started to move in when a stray thought hit me.

[Thank you for not mentioning anything to Grandma or to the class, ] the voice stated.

[Stop, ] I told the voice, [I am not alone at the moment, so do not discuss any further.] A small giggle sounded, followed by another from Gena.

[A female? Sir, what...?] Gena started.

[It is the spirit of my little sister, ] I told her.

[Ah!] Then they launched into a conversation that, for some strange reason, I wasn’t privy to and seemed to include a fair amount of giggling.

Growling, I had work to do, [Enough! I have a class to do: Eluria release all control. I need everything if I am going to keep these young mages alive.] I heard both gasps as they could feel that I was deadly serious.

Both got quiet then I felt Eluria let go, stepping in front of the class I brought up a screen in the front. “Alright today I want to show you what quick and slow thinking can do. I have been trying to instill in each of you the need for immediate action. Now as you all know I was an enforcer for the council for over two centuries, the following are two examples that I want you to pay close attention to.”

I started the memories that I had pulled to show them, the first was the recent case at the club, many were shocked at the almost immediate response I had, plus the fact that it had saved my life. Then I showed them my last official case when I took my wife. Many were laughing when the creeping arbor started to over take me then gasp as I reversed it as fast as I did.

“Alright, as I said before, quick thinking can save your life. If you let your emotions take over, then you are as good as dead as I nearly was in the second example. This is a tireless, almost thankless job, and the scum out there doesn’t give a shit about who you are, who your family is, or what powers you have. Their only concern is getting away and killing you in the process. The underworld considers these idiots special; killing one of the enforcers for the council is a huge status move. Have no doubt they will not hesitate to kill you or a partner if you are lucky enough to have one. You just have to remember to always think. There is almost always a way out,” I said. At the head of the class, several gasped when one of the elders (though not as old-looking) appeared next to me.

“I want to introduce you to council elder Pena. He was affected by a new aging spell that was similar to most but different enough that it took me over 100 years to counter. As you can see, even though I never stop learning, it is one of the things that has kept me alive as long as it has. I was finally able to reverse it; I made a promise that I would. A promise from an enforcer is an almost sacred thing. We do not give it lightly, and we are always deadly serious when we give it. As stated before, this is a serious job, an important job, one that has to be done.” I nodded my head at my friend as he smiled and moved back to watch.

“Alright, today we are pairing off again. I have become far too powerful to spar with any of you, and so I will be watching you. Pair off. I want to see what you have learned in these three weeks.” Looking at Pena, I asked, “Can you take your son? He is a mage level two barely and moved into it yesterday, while the rest are still at sublevel ten but coming along, and they should all be at mage level next week if I survive that long.” My friend looked at me with concern.