The Last Dainv-Chapter 116

The Last Dainv-Chapter 116

Cross legged on the floor in front of the bed of the blue room, Gale cycled his essence, moving it through the Seren configured pathways. The dim light of the essence ran along his veins like a circuit, seeping into his muscles and melting away the soreness.
[Aurumn's Warmth]
[Type: Buff]
[Effects: Increased regeneration rate.]
[Current status: Shoulder wound 86% repaired]
Aside from the soreness, two days of rest and then some made him feel better than all the days he slept on the crappy bed in the Path provided apartment.
Knock. Knock.
Gale scrambled to his feet and sat by the bed. "Come in."
Rachel opened the door, looking at him for a second. She wore a white dress with exposed shoulders, skirt going all the way down to her ankles. Long flowing yellow ribbons hugged her waist. Her dark red hair flowed to one side of her shoulder, revealing golden rhombus hoop earrings with a small ruby attached at the bottom and a necklace with a red stone the same as Esther's, although the design was simpler as the silver chains were thinner, barely visible.
"You don't have to do anything, you know that, right?" she asked. "I told grandma you're still recovering."
"Right," Gale said. "I know."
"She'll understand if you skip tonight."
"Will she?"
Rachel paused, not answering.
"I want to go," he said, rolling his shoulders. The soreness went down a lot after cycling. "I owe you. You saved my life."
"Well, you saved my life in the Eclipsed too," Rachel said. "We're even."
"This and that are different." Gale turned his head down at the side of the bed. Beside him sat dark blue slacks, a white button-up shirt, and a charcoal blazer. "Did you pick these out?"
Her cheeks reddened slightly. "I thought they'd fit for the occasion."
Gale touched the blazer, running his hands against the fabric. Expensive feeling, like soft, cold, and smooth that was airy at the same time. Nothing like the rough overused clothes he got from red cross, that's for sure.
He picked up the shirt. "Mind if I change?"
Rachel turned away. "I'll wait in the hall."
"No need," he replied. "Just turn around."
She hesitated, then faced the wall. Gale took off his t-shirt. The bruises had begun to fade, going from a dark purple to something that looked yellowish. He touched the yellowish spot at his shoulder, wincing at the pain. Probably a couple more days till that's fixed.
Putting the shirt on quickly, it fit perfectly which was a surprise. There was no exact perfect fit he had ever found in the red cross donation centre. Extra small, small, medium tagged clothes never fit, even though he was supposed to be those sizes. All of them were either too wide or too long, even the extra small. Like whose stupid idea was it to make an extra small that went all the way down to his thighs?
All the more to be impressed. Expensive clothes be damned. Luxury clothing probably had better size options.
"This is amazing. Did you guess my size?" he asked while buttoning up.
Rachel stayed facing the wall. "I pay attention."
"To my sizes?"
"To everything."
Pause. Everything? She even knew that he liked grape juice, but then gave him grape labelled alcohol. Something he needed to learn to like as an
adult.
Adults be damned too.
"You can turn around now."
Rachel faced him, eyes moving up and down quickly.
"Looks good." She stepped closer and fixed his collar, fingers grazing his neck. "Ready?"
"Ready."
They left the room and walked down the hall. The multiple generations of Ann women greeted them again in the hall as Rachel took him to the entrance lobby.
When they reached the lobby, it felt bigger than normal. Or maybe that was his imagination. Definitely his imagination or the pressure from having to go to this crazy rich family's dinner.
"This way." Rachel led him up the central stairs to big double doors. Gold leaf applied on the live wood showed flames rising from a circle.
Reaching the top of the staircase, a large dark wooden double door with brass knobs greeted them.
"By the way, about the people inside," Rachel whispered, "they're not blood relatives. But they're family all the same. Grandma collected them over the years."
"Collected them?"
"Her word, not mine." Rachel grabbed his arm. "Let me do the talking. Just eat and be polite."
"I can handle dinner conversation, probably." Most definitely probably not, but definitely he could not say that.
She squeezed his arm. "Trust me. These meetings always have hidden agendas."
Before he could ask what that even meant, Rachel pushed open the doors.
Five people sat around a long table. They all looked up when Gale and Rachel entered.
Esther Ann sat at the centre. Even here, with others in formal clothes, she stood out. Her loose white qipao, embroidered with red floral patterns, seemed to glow against her dark chair.
To her right sat a man looking straight at him. He sat straight, looking ready to charge straight at him. He wore a navy suit with no tie, hands straight and flat on the table.
Beside him was a younger woman, messy-ish hair like a bird's nest, dark circles but wide eyes, and fidgety fingers. Unlike the others, she had a tablet, phone, and what looked like a small projector. She grinned when she saw Rachel.
To Esther's left sat an older woman with short hair and sharp eyes. Her clothes weren't flashy, a similar qipao to the one Esther wore, except gray and no patterns.
Next to her was an older man with a neat moustache and thin glasses. He had papers beside his plate, and his fingers tapping away at his phone.
"Rachel," Esther said, palm ushering to two empty chairs. "Mr. Hathie. Please join us."
Rachel guided Gale to the chairs right across from Esther. When they sat together, the others murmured.
The younger woman leaned forward. "How's that Statistical Analysis class going? Still kicking your ass?"
"It's fine, Leah," Rachel replied. "The professor is a pain, but I'm managing."
Leah looked at Gale.
"And who's this? Someone from school?" She grinned. "He's cute."
"No," Rachel said. "Gale isn't from UofT. He's... a business associate."
The older woman cleared her throat. "A business associate joining you to a family dinner? Interesting."
"Abigail," Esther said. "All in good time. Let's begin. This is a dinner, after all."
The door opened, and Gerard came in with a cart. The smell wafted through the room right away, spicy and something sweet. The butler set out dishes. Bright red kimchi. Sizzling bulgogi. A bubbling pot of what looked like jjigae. Small dishes of banchan. Not what Gale expected from such a European-looking mansion.
"We tend to favour Korean cuisine," Esther said. "I spent several decades there in the 1800s. The flavours remind me of... simpler times."
Decades in the 1800s? Gale glanced at Rachel. She shook her head slightly, eyes telling him not to even bother asking or saying anything about what he'd just heard.
Gerard served everyone at the table, putting an assortment of the dishes onto their set of plates and bowls, starting with Esther and ending with Gale. The spice immediately hit his eyes, making them water. Spicy food was never an option in the wilderness. The only seasoning was either fruit, herbs, or salt. Pepper was even a luxury.
"Gale Hathie," Esther said once everyone took a bite except him, "How is the food?"
Gale took a bite of kimchi. His tongue burned as he forced a cough down. He circulated his essence around his mouth, relieving some of the pain.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. the violation.
"It's good," he said, hopefully buying the straight face he's trying his best to show. "Very flavourful."
Esther's lips curved up slightly. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."
The man, named Nathaniel based on Rachel's earlier briefing, was clearly observing him. "So, Mr. Hathie. I understand you were present during the airport
incident
."
Gale swallowed another bite. "I was."
"And what exactly were you doing there?" Nathaniel kept staring at him.
"
Nathaniel
," Rachel said.
"It's a fair question," Abigail, the one with the gray qipao, cut in. "Especially considering the resources expended that night."
Gale put down his chopsticks. "I work with Oliver Glory's… special divisions? Anyways, we handle sensitive matters."
"Glorified thug work, then?" Nathaniel asked.
"Specialized operations," Gale said. "Sometimes involving artifact recovery."
"Like the case you tried to retrieve at the airport?" Ezra, the older man, spoke for the first time.
Rachel put down her spoon. "Are we really doing this now? Can't we eat first?"
"Business and pleasure often mix in this family," Esther said. "Mr. Hathie is here for both reasons. He should understand how we operate."
Taking his spoon, Gale scooped up a spoonful of the clearly red soup and took a sip. The heat spread through his chest and up to his face. "I understand. You want to know if I'm a security risk after what happened at the airport."
"Oh, I like him. He gets right to it," Leah, the one with the devices on the table, said.
"My granddaughter exposed a family spell to save your life," Esther said. "The fire gate is a technique we guard closely. Few outside our family have witnessed it."
"I appreciate the sacrifice," Gale said. "And I understand the concern."
"Do you?" Abigail said. "Our family has operated under the radar for generations. One moment of exposure puts that at risk."
Gale met her eyes. "I know about keeping secrets. I won’t expose yours."
It was true. He literally did have his own secrets he couldn't tell anyone else. Who else would he tell? Rachel was the only one he could tell and she’s literally part of their family!
"Bold statement from someone we barely know," Nathaniel said.
"I believe in assessing people through direct interaction," Esther said. "Which brings us to the matter of your debt."
"I acknowledge it," Gale said immediately. "Rachel saved my life. I owe her and the Ann family."
"Traditional methods of repayment would involve financial compensation," Ezra said, adjusting his glasses. "However, your current financial standing doesn't seem to allow that."
Sweat beaded. Dripped down his forehead and temple. Stay calm, Gale. "Right. I don't have that kind of money."
"There are other ways to settle debts," Esther said. "Service, for instance."
"What kind of service?" Gale asked.
Esther took a small bite of kimchi. "We've recently lost something valuable. An artifact that belongs to our family. It was taken by hooligans connected to the Silver Lion group."
That name has been creeping up a lot recently.
"You want me to retrieve it," Gale said.
"It's a pair of knuckle guards," Esther continued. "With a red orb embedded in the right one. They belonged to my daughter."
"You said we didn’t need to take it back until later," Rachel balled her fist on the table.
"Plans change and now there's someone that can take it. Discreetly as well," Esther said.
"What's special about these knuckle guards?" Gale asked.
"Family heirloom," Abigail said immediately.
That answer was half a second too quick. Might be a cover story, but it's not like he had a choice right now.
"And why would I be the right person for this job?" he asked, taking a bite of the bulgogi. Surprisingly, this one was sweet rather than spicy.
"We have reason to believe you possess... unique talents," Nathaniel said.
"Based on what Rachel and Gerard observed at the airport," Leah said. "You moved differently than a normal Awakened."
Gale drank a mouthful of water. "I have good training."
"Better than good," Ezra said. "Our family knows many combat styles. Yours doesn't match any known pattern."
Gale glanced at Rachel, whose face showed nothing. "I'll need to see details first before I accept."
Esther's eyes went to Leah, who then slid her tablet across the table. On the screen was a blueprint of a building.
"The artifact is likely kept in their vault," Leah explained. "Third sub-level, behind significant security."
"Which would be suicide for a normal person to attempt," Gale said.
"But you're not normal, are you?" Esther said.
"Grandmother, this isn't fair. He's still recovering," Rachel said.
"Life rarely waits for convenient timing," Esther replied. "The Silver Lions are moving the artifact in by Saturday. That's 5 days. This is our window."
Gale studied the blueprint across the other side of the table on the tablet. From what it looked like, there wasn't a direct path to the vault. Going down the elevator wasn't an option if stealth was the only way to do this mission.
There were times he had to steal food from a bear's den with dad. Dad would also come up with games where they'd steal and defend food from each other using stealth. Fun times, and now he actually might need that kind of stealth now, except this time, people would be trying to kill him like in the airport debacle.
"If I do this," he said, "my debt is cleared?"
"In full," Esther said.
"And I'd have the Ann family's support if things go wrong?"
"Within reason," Abigail said. "We won't expose ourselves unnecessarily."
Gale looked at Rachel. "What do you think?"
All eyes turned to her.
"I think..." Rachel began, meeting Gale's gaze. "I think you should do what feels right. But know that whatever you decide, I'll support it."
Murmurs ran along the side of the tables, except for Esther.
"Bold statement," Nathaniel said.
"It's my right," Rachel replied. "I saved him. Traditional rules say the saviour has a stake in how the debt is repaid."
Ezra nodded. "She's correct, technically."
Gale took another bite. The only good thing that came from this spicy food was how it distracted him from… he looked around. Whatever this was. But as long as it was something he could pay Rachel back for, there weren't many downsides. It was finally something he could give back to her, albeit more to her family than personally to her. Eventually, there'll be a time he could do something personally for her. Most definitely probably.
"I'll do it," he said finally. "But with one condition."
"Which is?" Esther replied.
"Rachel comes with me."
The table erupted in voices.
"Absolutely not!"
"Too dangerous."
"Inappropriate."
"Good idea!" Leah said, eyes beaming.
All Rachel did was smile, but it looked like she wasn't against it.
Esther raised a hand, silencing everyone. "Explain your reasoning, Mr. Hathie."
"Simple," he said. "Rachel's familiar with her mother's possessions. She'll recognize the artifact immediately, saving valuable time."
Nathaniel leaned forward. "We can provide detailed images of the artifact. There's no need for the young miss to join you."
"Not the same," Gale said. "What if there are fakes? What if it's been modified?"
Abigail folded her hands on the table. "A fair point, but Rachel lacks field experience."
"I've closed three rifts this year alone," Rachel said.
"Educational expeditions," Ezra said. "Not infiltration missions."
Esther raised her hand, silencing the table again. "Mr. Hathie, while I appreciate your logic, I must decline. This mission requires... specific talents. Talents only you possess."
They were probably talking about his Phase Touch, but that had its own limitations from the spray painted yellow things on the door. Did they even know about that? Then again, maybe that was Rodriguez's play after scouting him out.
"It's about keeping family safe," Nathaniel said.
"I'm perfectly capable and handle my own," Rachel said.
"This isn't up for debate," Esther said. "You will go alone, Mr. Hathie."
Gale nodded slowly. "I understand your position. In that case, I want something else."
Leah perked up. "This should be good."
"Access to your library."
Complete silence followed. Rachel stiffened beside him. Ezra's hand froze as he reached for his water. Nathaniel's eyes narrowed.
"What library?" Abigail asked.
Gale took a sip of water, mouth too dry from whatever lie his mouth was cooking up. "The Ann family library. The one with your historical records and research."
"We have several libraries," Ezra said carefully. "Business records, family histories-"
"The one under the east wing," Gale specified, taking a complete shot in the dark, though Breath of the Void did do a partial scan of the whole building and couldn't pass through that specific place in the east wing. "The one with the restricted sections."
"How do you know about that?" Nathaniel demanded.
"Does it matter? I know it exists."
From their reactions, he hit the jackpot. Books always said rich families had their rich family secrets with a super secret library that could possibly shed some light on his own history. Better yet, they might even have fantasy or sci-fi books he hadn't read yet.
Esther's eyes pulsed a red light. "The library is off-limits to outsiders. Always has been."
"But you said it yourself," Gale said. "I'm not as much of an outsider."
"I did say that, didn't I?" Esther smiled softly.
"Grandma," Rachel said, "what are you trying to do?"
"It seems Mr. Hathie is shrewder than he appears," Esther said. "Using my own words against me."
Gale forced himself to smile with her. "I'm a detail-oriented adult, especially during an interview."
"The library contains secrets!" Abigail yelled. "We can't just give it to someone who… who we've only known for less than a couple of months."
"Limited access," Esther said. "Three visits. To specific sections I designate."
The other family members exchanged glances. It was obvious this kind of meeting wasn't usually how things turned out. Especially how people barely ate their food. His plate was the most finished out of all of them.
"That's acceptable," Gale said. "As long as one section includes information on artifacts and their properties."
"Artifacts?" Nathaniel asked. "Why would you be interested in those?"
"Professional curiosity," Gale replied. "My work with Mr. Glory often involves unusual items."
Esther maintained her smile. "You're not the naive boy I expected, are you, Mr. Hathie?"
Boy, was she ever wrong. He didn't even know about the library.
Esther picked up her spoon and took another bite of her soup. "Very well. Limited access to the library, including the section on artifacts, in exchange for retrieving my daughter's knuckle guards and being saved at the airport."
"Grandmother!" Rachel protested. "I saved Gale's life on my own will, not as an exchange!"
"The terms are acceptable," Esther continued. "But do understand this, Mr. Hathie, knowledge has its own price."
Gale nodded. "I've seen enough strange things already. I doubt your books will shock me."
"Bold words," Leah chewed on the bulgogi.
"Then we have an agreement," Esther said. "You will retrieve the artifact, and in return, you will have three supervised visits to our library."
"And my debt will be cleared?" Gale asked.
"In full."
"When do I start?" Gale asked.
"2 days from now," Esther said. "Nathaniel will provide the details."
Nathaniel grumbled before saying, "I'll prepare the briefing materials."
"Excellent," Esther said. "Now, shall we enjoy the rest of our dinner? Leah, tell us about your latest project."

Chapter 116