Chapter 63: Espers do not do well when Guides are missing limbs

The shower was a little bit of heaven that Brent wasn’t expecting. Had he gotten sub-par treatment at the hands of his brother? Of course, that was a given. That included sub-par water pressure.

Brent was so happy that it felt like his skin was going to be peeled off of his body that he relished every moment under the water. So much so that he forgot that Esper Parker was coming back into the room.

The gentle knock startled Brent before the other man came in.

“Guide Brent, how are you-” The man cut off suddenly, and Brent, worried that something had happened, turned towards the door.

“Esper Parker? Is everything alright?” Brent asked. He couldn’t hear anything over the water if he was speaking quietly, so Brent opened up the door, just to peek his head out and see if there was anything amiss.

The man had a small bag, clear, plastic, and some plastic gloves on as well. The bag didn’t look like one he’d seen before, and in fact seemed to have a large white box on the front. He assumed that was for his clothes. Brent had left them as neatly stacked as he could manage on top of the toilet.

He had also left his prosthetic arm on the sink after much debate. He didn’t trust the arm to be waterproof, and it would be better for everyone if he still had use of it after he got out of the shower.

Esper Parker was standing stock still, staring at the arm on the sink counter. His one hand on the plastic bag, the other frozen in the air.

“Esper Parker? Are you alright?” Brent asked, worried for the other man and Esper Parker’s gaze darted to Brent’s, his eyes dark with his powers and panic all over his face.

“You only have one arm?!” It wasn’t a quiet declaration, but instead a shout. Before Brent could even answer, the door to the bathroom was flung open and Captain Dina was in there, her eyes wild.

“What are you shouting for, Jeff?” She asked, clearly ready to fight. Then she too caught sight of the arm on the counter and she froze. Her eyes, which had been a chocolatey brown when Brent saw them, quickly changed to that of the fiery red of her powers. “What the fuck is that?” She demanded, and Brent was feeling a little uncomfortable that they were having this conversation while he was naked.

“Uh, I have a fake arm.” Brent said. “I had an accident as a kid, the arm couldn’t be found, so…” Brent trailed off, staring at the two Espers who were in shock. Captain Dina’s head jerked, her expression darkening before she let out a heavy sigh, shook her head, and glanced towards Brent, conflicted.

“We’ll talk about this more once you’re out. I think that doorbell is the rest of the team. Guide Brent, make sure to clean up your neck. You had quite a bit of brain and blood there.” She told him and Brent just nodded as she left. Esper Parker couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of the arm on the counter and Brent gave a soft chuckle.

“Is it that surprising?” Brent asked and Esper Parker shivered.

“I…can I be honest?” He asked, finally glancing towards Brent. Brent nodded. “Very. Very shocking given your display earlier.” Brent felt a crooked grin touch his lips. Awe. That was cute.

“Alright. I’ll leave the questions for after. I’m going to make sure to scrub my neck now.” Brent said and slipped back into the shower. Brent could practically hear the other man struggling.

“Uh, um, are you sure you don’t need a hand?” Esper Parker asked and Brent let out a hearty laugh.

“Esper Parker, I am a Field Guide. I will take your care and consideration into account when you’re asking that question, but if you push anymore, I’m going to take offense.” Brent said, sticking his head out with a smile. Esper Parker flinched at the coldness in Brent’s eyes.

“Understood. I will leave you to it.” He muttered and Brent finally heard him move about. Brent began to scrub the areas that Captain Dina suggested, and Brent was once again glad for the gloves. His hands were mostly fine, he didn’t need to worry about blood on them. Brent gave a soft chuckle at that.

His brother should wear them more then.

~

When Brent emerged from the shower, soft, warm, and squeaky clean, the others were surely surprised by him. They had brought him a Guild workout uniform, similar to what he would have worn if he was at that Saturn Guild only the colours were slate grey and a fiery red that matched their Captain.

Brent had also washed off the make up from his face so his facial scars were back. He wondered how the Espers were going to react to them, given how they had reacted to his prosthetic arm. Which was also back on and in full view since the shirt he’d been given was a t-shirt. Brent missed having his gloves after only having a set for a few hours, but he would have to get used to it again.

There would be a time when he wouldn’t have to worry about not having them.

When Brent opened the door to the bathroom and stepped out into the hallway, he could hear that a few people were arguing. That quickly was shut down as Brent came into view and it was strange to see a sight that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Kellen and Rhys’ place playing out before him so far from home.

The Lieutenants and other important members of the Phoenix Guild were scattered around the kitchen island and the couch. Some were in civilian clothes, others were in their uniforms like Esper Parker. Captain Dina had changed into a loose-fitting t-shirt like Brents in white, and a pair of shorts. She looked like she was ready to go work out, not run a meeting.

The others turned to look at Brent as he approached, several gasping at the sight of his prosthetic and even Captain Dina looked a little pale at the sight of Brent’s scars on his face.

“You didn’t have those before.” She accused and Brent gave her a cheesy grin.

“My brother hid them with makeup. I have a sneaking suspicion he was either trying to kill me or marry me off to someone tonight.” Brent said. That made the air in the room electric with tension. Brent could feel it, but there was nothing he could do about it.

He knew what his brother was like the best. He could only imagine what he’d been doing to these people while Brent had been trying to survive.

Brent glanced around the room at the healthy mix of men and women. There was food piled up in the kitchen, and Brent felt his stomach rumble. Embarrassed, he flushed and Captain Dina’s lips twitched.

“Come on. I’m not going to starve a Guide. Get over here and grab a plate. I had a feeling you might be hungry. Esper Parker told me that you looked a little drunk when you were guiding him.” Captain Dina said gruffly, but Brent could tell she was softening. Brent smiled to himself, moving towards the kitchen and the others there.

“I wasn’t a little drunk. I was trying to be more drunk. How else was I going to do what my brother wanted?” Brent muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. Captain Dina glanced at him, curious, but Brent just smiled. They’d brought him something fragrant and flavourful, served with rice, and a two liter of a brown soda. Brent didn’t ask questions, quickly diving into the fool with relish.

This was completely different from the hospital food he’d been eating and the slop he’d been eating at his family’s home. He was grateful for every bite, and he could tell that every single set of eyes was watching his behaviour.

He finished off the food, sighing blissfully as he coyly wiped at his mouth when he was done with a napkin. It was another woman, with dyed purple hair and brown eyes who burst into laughter.

“You eat like any other Guide I know.” She said, smirking, and Brent gave her a wide grin.

“Well, I have to. Food is more than just sustenance to us Guides. I’m sure you know that.” He said, glancing around the room. There were a few nods in agreement before Brent gave a sigh and looked around at all the faces. About seven in total including Captain Dina and Esper Parker. “It’s time, isn’t it? You have lots of questions, and as far as you’re concerned, you think you have an enemy in your home.” Brent said, turning towards Captain Dina before he held out his real hand. “I’m Brent Jameson, and if he’s been kind, that’s who he would have referred to me as. You may also know me as Brenton James, the youngest son of the James family, and heir apparent to the throne.” Brent told them without hesitation and several gasps could be heard.

Why the fuck would he not tell them that? At this point, after his brother had poisoned any of Brent’s good will, he wasn’t going to play fair anymore. He wanted the empire? He would have to do some begging and pleading to get it from Brent. Hell, he was feeling downright murderous himself.

Captain Dina stared at Brent’s hand like it was a snake that was going to bite her before she took it, shaking it gently. Far more gently compared to the grip she’d had on him earlier.

“Who would have referred to you as Brent Jameson?” She asked cautiously, and Brent gave a wide smile.

“Kellen, of course. I’ve been his partner on the front lines for three years now, and I’ve been helping him train Field Guides for, gosh, two months? Three months now? I was on the front lines when the monster attack was happening, and that was when I got yoinked. Apparently, that was also when the gate exploded.” Brent said, his smile dropping from his face. Captain Dina squeezed Brent’s hand tightly for a moment before she looked at him, really looked at him.

“Kellen…did mention a pretty boy he worked with. Was he referring to you?” She asked and Brent gave a cheeky smile.

“I would like it very much if he was, but he could have also been referring to his partner as well. Though I don’t think I have glowing yellow eyes so if that was in the description, then count me out.” Brent said. Captain Dina stared at him, clearly uncertain for a long moment before she gave his hand another squeeze.

“You survived being by his side?” She asked and Brent shrugged.

“He took the pretty boy that I was and turned me into a Guide that he would trust his life to, so I’d say yeah. He also trusted me enough to train his people, calling them our people. I am pretty sure the ’6 months contract’ I signed with the Saturn Guild was actually for life, but I’m just in denial right now.” Brent said and finally, the last of the iciness from Captain Dina shifted. Her expression grew grim.

“You know about the gate?” She asked and Brent swallowed. His gaze slid to Esper Parker, whose expression was also grim.

“Esper Parker told me more news about it.” Brent admitted. Captain Dina let out a shaky breath.

“Gwen’s in the gate, Guide Brent.” Brent felt his knees give out. Oh fuck no.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep