Chapter 97: A Woods family adoption

Sergei stepped in, moving Kellen back behind him, a clear sign of protection and Hill grabbed Kellen’s arm again. Both were behaving like something terrible was going to happen to Kellen, and it was bad that Kellen found their concern amusing.

“We, the other Captains and I, would like to thank everyone for coming out on such short notice to listen to us speak. We understand that not everyone was able to attend this press conference, including some faces that you would expect to be here. However, to keep the city safe, we can’t always be in the same place.” Sergei’s voice rang out over the crowd, his eyes scanning the crowd for any movement that was suspicious.

Kellen hadn’t noticed anything, but then again, he only had one eye to look out of at this point. He also didn’t know this space as well as the Saturn Guild, so he could only guess at what would be the best spots for an Esper to watch the press conference from.

“While I am aware that some of you may be familiar with Guide Woods through the fame of his parents and, most recently, him joining the Saturn Guild as partner of the Captain, Guide Woods is quite well known for his abilities on the front lines. While it was a laborious task, the fact that he was able to do something that most would deem impossible doesn’t actually surprise me that much. In fact, he’s in the process of training more Field Guides to be like him and his co-conspirator that couldn’t be with us today.” Kellen felt his eyes widen slightly at that mention.

He was talking about Brent, wasn’t he? So…openly? Brent would probably be happy with being called a co-conspirator since he usually called himself Kellen’s partner. However, it probably wouldn’t go over well with the public if Sergei said that, especially since Sergei was, well, trying to be involved with Brent.

Kellen could feel how the crowd shifted slightly at Sergei’s announcement that Kellen was training Field Guides. He couldn’t tell if it was a good shift or a bad shift, but Hill clearly didn’t like the energy from the crowd. When he glanced at her to read her expression, she looked pissed.

Kellen, while stunted because of his injuries, was able to pick up on some of the calls that were coming through Sergei’s earpiece. It seemed that there were some disturbances in the crowd but that the Nemesis Guild was handling it.

Sergei chuckled into the mic and Kellen watched as some of the people around them glanced around nervously. It was clear that wasn’t a common reaction from the man, but then again, was doing a press conference even normal for him at all? He was acting out of character, and it all became clear to Kellen when the man spoke next.

“We would like to thank everyone who came internationally to witness our talk. We truly appreciate the concern you show our city, and your care. I am sure that I speak for Guide Woods as well that we are grateful that you are also angry on our behalf.” Sergei glanced back at Kellen who gave a nod and a thumbs up. Kellen shifted forward, smiling as he came to share the podium with Sergei.

“I also would like to tell any family members that are watching and I haven’t reached out to, this is only temporary. We have the best of the best working on getting everyone healthy and happy, not just myself.” Kellen added with a cheeky grin.

Kellen could see Sergei’s expression shift just slightly from the corner of his eye as he leaned forward, placing his hands on the podium with a little smirk.

“I too, have a message for the international community that is a bit more personal.” Sergei said. Kellen felt his lungs fill, knowing that whatever was about to come was going to shock him simply because Sergei was saying it. “To someone who is currently away from the city, when I get there and when I see you…when I get my hands on you…” Sergei trailed off, letting out a soft breath. “You’ve been warned.” Kellen felt a shiver run down his spine. Hill let out a shaky breath behind Kellen.

“Dear lord.” Hill whispered and Kellen couldn’t help but agree with her. Maybe it was because Kellen also caught the look that was in his eyes. Sergei was serious. That was a warning, and that warning was specifically for Brent.

“Thank you. We will be taking no questions.” Sergei then turned, wrapped an arm around Kellen’s shoulder and ushered him back into the Guild building.

Kellen was whisked out of the line of sight of the people, into a room with no windows, and once that was done, Sergei collapsed onto a chair nearby, sighing. He was busy unbuttoning his shirt, getting out of his stiff outfit while Hill and the other Lieutenants checked in on the other operation that was going on at the same moment.

“Anything from Thatcher?” Sergei asked, covering his face, exhausted. Kellen took a seat in the room that he’d been escorted to. This wasn’t the room that Kellen had been waiting in before, but instead felt like a conference room of sorts, but with filing cabinets and really comfortable chairs.

A soft sigh from the Lieutenant that had remained behind, and Kellen turned towards him to watch him.

“No, nothing. He’s gone quiet, but he did warn us that their team would go quiet. We also have eyes on the area as well and nothing on the airwaves or in power fluctuations.” He reported. Hill sat down next to Kellen, sighing, looking about as exhausted as Sergei.

“Thank god nothing terrible happened while you were up on the stage.” Hill muttered. Sergei let out a low laugh.

“There was something, but it was caught before it could even get to us, and I agree. If Kellen got hurt? I would be dead.” Sergei spoke plainly, while Kellen wasn’t sure he liked the sounds of that.

“You wouldn’t be dead.” Kellen said. Every head turned towards him, all of them giving him a similar, pitying look. Sergei even uncovered his face, giving Kellen a look that made Kellen’s face warm. “What? You wouldn’t be!” Kellen now felt like he was defending Rhys’ honour. Sergei sighed.

“He’s really been well behaved around you, hasn’t he?” Sergei muttered, shaking his head. Hill let out a snort from beside Kellen, forcing Kellen to turn his eye towards her. She had turned towards Sergei, looking strained.

“Well behaved? It’s been like watching a dog being trained, I am just unsure who is the dog in this situation, and who is the master.” Hill’s words had Kellen’s breath freezing in his chest. That was…alarming to hear her say.

Sergei laughed.

“Mm. It is a bit like two mutts holding onto each other’s leashes, I’d agree.” Kellen felt his breath leave his lips, his free hand shaking.

“I don’t like what you two are saying right now.” Kellen told them both, glaring at them. Sergei covered his eyes again, smirking.

“I doubt that you would, but that doesn’t make it any less true. While I am happy that you found someone who appreciates you, that does not mean I am happy with his actions, Kellen.” Sergei told him. “Not that I am able to blame him. I’ve acted out of character, after all. Love does make someone act foolish.” He muttered and Kellen swore he saw the man flush.

“Just…be honest with Brent, will you? He’s probably freaking out about the declaration that you made.” Hill commented, a sly smile on her lips. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a lollipop. She unwrapped it and shoved it into her mouth before reaching into her pocket and offering another around the room.

Only Lieutenant Davies took her up on her offer.

“Brent? Freaking out over something like that? I doubt it.” Sergei said, sounding confident. Kellen gave a harsh laugh.

“He’s a runner.” Kellen said and he could feel the air freeze after Sergei heard his words.

“What?” He asked, and Kellen gave him an amused look.

“I’ve known the man for 3 years, Sergei. Why do you think he even ended up in our front lines? He’s a runner. He runs from everything that scares him or interests him. Maybe he might be changing now, but if you push him too much, he’ll revert back to his natural instincts. Like mine is shooting people.” Kellen said with a shrug. “Hill’s right to say that he might be freaking out. Do I think you did the wrong thing? No. The man should know that an S Class is coming after him. It’ll give him time to hide if he doesn’t want you.” Was this something he should say?

Maybe not. Was it harsh? Absolutely. However, this was the reality. Sergei was an S Class Esper, and Brent, even if he came from a powerful family overseas, was an A Class Guide. Everyone in the room knew that Brent didn’t have a good relationship with Brent’s own family. It was obvious, so he wasn’t going to get any support from them to protect him from an S Class’s attention.

However, it did appear that Brent was getting close to Kellen’s family, so he might get some support there. Scratch that, Kellen knew his family which was full of older, a little more crazy Espers. They would love to protect a scarred, one armed Guide.

Brent was in good hands if he didn’t want to see Sergei, but Kellen liked that Sergei was so honest. It was probably why Brent liked Sergei in the first place. Honestly was something Brent had a hard time with, and was why he got along with Kellen so well.

Brent lied and Kellen told the truth. Brent went into gates that would close after they were done with them, and Kellen went into gates that were always open, always stable but changing. They matched each other, which was why Kellen knew so much about him.

“Fuck. Do you think he’s going to run?” Sergei asked, worry and regret waring in his tone. Kellen leaned back in his chair, staring up at the cream ceiling tiles above him.

“I can’t say that he won’t, but what I will say is that my Aunt Dina might be the least of your worries if she deemed that he needed more protection from his family.” Kellen told him. Sergei’s expression stiffened.

“Fuck.” Sergei muttered and Kellen felt his lips curl up. That was rather cute of the other S Class.

“We’ve got something.” Lieutenant Howard said suddenly. “A large explosion. Fire. Monsters.” The monsters were a surprising bonus to what had to be an already chaotic situation.

“What? Monsters?” Sergei asked, sitting up immediately. “Do we have a gate nearby?” If there was, it would be the first gate that showed up in the city in years.

“Doesn’t look like it, but maybe they were keeping a gate in the hideout. We’re getting the signal. They need backup.” Kellen’s happiness faded in between one heartbeat and the next. What was going on? Rhys was okay, right? He had to be okay.

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