Having made our way downstairs, The group of women were waiting for me at the bar. As though sensing my presence, Nerissa turned around and began walking towards me, causing the rest to follow suit.

“Good morning Apollo, I hope you are feeling better. I was saddened to hear you leave us last night.” Nerissa spoke. “I am much better, thank you Nerissa. I am still decaying, but I feel much better.

Looking around, there were quite a few faces who did not know each other and I thought that should be rectified. “Well, all my favourite people in one room, I think introductions are in order, I-“

I was suddenly interrupted by Keyla moving forward and saying. “Oh! Let me guess. I am good at this.” Her first stop was the woman she already knew. “Hey Kathrine girlie, come here!” Keyla said as she went to hug Kathrine like they were close friends. Kathrine let it happen as she remembered how intelligent this woman was and did not want to accidentally fall into some kind of trap by denying it.

“Hello Keyla, how are you?” Kathrine said politely. “Oh you, know. Same shit, different day. Hey how’s Rhea and that hot little piece Willow? They talk about their new bestie Keyla at all?” Keyla asked playfully.

“They mentioned you a few times.” Kathrine answered vaguely, causing Keyla’s inner thoughts to writhe with satisfaction. ‘Yummy, she is weary of me. I like it when… Hmmm, that being said, why doesn’t she ‘feel’ like prey?’ Deciding she would get to the bottom of that later, Keyla moved on.

“Really? That’s nice. They were fun. Now then… Look at you. Auburn hair, sparkling grey eyes, beautiful full lips. You must be centurion Hailey, Apollo has spoken highly of you. Truly his description of you is spot on. You are gorgeous.” Keyla’s target acted exactly how she thought she would after her words.

During her conversation with Kathrine, Keyla noticed 26 micromovements which involved the woman’s attention being drawn to Apollo behind her. ‘Young love, so easy to exploit, especially when the individual thinks they are smarter than everyone else.’

“Really?” Hailey blushed. “Apollo has spoken about me to you?” She tried to play it off casually, but she was secretly very excited. “Oh yes, Apollo holds you in high regard, Isn’t that right Apollo?”

I felt like Keyla was up to something, but for the life of me I could not figure out what. So I just went with it. “Oh absolutely, you are one of my favourite people, Hailey.” I said, making it out like I don’t only have a handful of non hive friends.

Hailey felt a rush of giddiness build up inside her, but her years of fronting allowed her to hide it well. “Is that so? That is such a nice thing to hear. Might I say you are also very pretty Keyla.”

Keyla fake blushed. “Aww, aren’t you a sweetie, now then, who do we have here? Goodness, you must have over 2ft on me? Let me guess… Red hair, with Kathrine who is also a redhead, and so is her daughter. If I remember correctly, there was a news piece on the former acting head of the Hyllus family 12 or so years ago and you fit the bill and description of that woman, so would you be Lady Valerica Hyllus?”

The hairs on the back of Valerica’s neck suddenly stood on end. She had an overwhelming feeling that this little thing she could accidentally stand on while walking was immensely dangerous.

Just from a simple glance, Valerica could tell that Apollo did not mention herself to this pipsqueak in front of her and that she just happen to have that information of a vague live news report that she remembered was a one off and never broadcasted again after that only furthered the feeling she had.

On top of having vague knowledge of her, Valerica also ‘felt’ a bloodlust radiating from the woman, which only disappeared once Apollo placed his hands onto her shoulders and said. “Oh come on Keyla, you don’t need to sound like a detective, you just guessed due to the biological traits didn’t you, you don’t have to go making up stories trouble maker.”

In response Keyla gave Valerica a look for a fraction of a second before a huge smile plastered onto her face as she arched her back so she could look straight upwards towards Apollo. “Hey! Don’t go busting me! I was just having some fun and trying to look cool!” She then turned back to Valerica with the same energy. “Sorry, I can’t help having a laugh with people. It’s my whole thing. A pleasure to meet you.” She said as she outstretched her hand for a handshake.

Valerica smiled, wondering just what has gotten so close to her baby? She then reached her own hand out. “The pleasure is all mine.” She said politely before pulling away as fast as was polite to do so.

Finally reigning herself in, Keyla turned to the walking gold armour and said respectfully. “I don’t know the protocol with Praetorians, so I will just say a simple hello. Hello” Keyla helloed to the hello recipient.

Nerissa turned to the short stack and simply nodded back before she began staring deeply at Apollo once more. “Well then, with Keyla’s special style of introducing herself and making herself the centre of attention like the party she is, Why don’t you all make your way to Sophia’s booth and introduce yourselves to each other? I just need a quick word with Nerissa and I will follow you shortly.” I smiled casually as I pointed in the direction of the booth.

Everyone seemed on board with my idea and began walking off together. I noticed Valerica peer up with Sophia as they began chatting and Hailey had made physical contact with Orchid by interlocking arm with hers. ‘Oof, I hope Orchid is still in a good mood from our snuggles.’ I thought as I watched them enter the booth.

Once the door was closed, I asked Nerissa to follow me so we could sit down and talk about something. Naturally Nerissa was intrigued and followed. Arriving at a couch, I encouraged Nerissa to take a seat as she simply stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do.

“What happened with the bed on the ship won’t happen again, trust me.” I said as I patted the cushion next to me as encouragement. Nerissa seemed convinced and joined me on the couch.

After Nerissa sat down, I was about to speak, but Nerissa started. “Apollo, I think I know what this is about and I will save you the hassle of asking. Worry not, I will not follow you home.”

“Oh that is good to know, wait what?” I asked, confused. To be fair, that was a concern I had thought about that scenario, but I had just planned on not telling her what time I was leaving and was just going to sneak out when the time was right.

Nerissa, noticing my confusion, carried on. “Well it is obvious to me because I have been around a long time, but I know your teacher cannot be a normal human.” I felt a cold sweat run down my back, ready to inform Sophia at a moment that she had perhaps become compromised here.

“With how powerful she is and how isolated she has made herself in the outer rim, she is most likely a wanted fugitive who has kept her identity hidden from even you. So to save you and your teacher worry, I will not follow you to your home.” Nerissa explained.

“Ooooh!” I exclaimed in both understanding and relief. “You think Jewel is on the run? Ok that makes sense, totally. I thank you for your understanding, though if I may ask? Why did you say you were going to follow me around until you have satisfied your intrigue if you are leaving the moment I want you to?” I asked curiously.

“Apollo, I am ancient in your eyes, time flows differently for me. A few months is nothing to me. I will just wait for you at the college; It will be a good opportunity to read up everything that I have missed during my last two hundred years of duty.”

I leant back against the couch after she said that as I thought. She is immortal, technically speaking, just like Jewel. She thinks differently to myself. I may also be functionally immortal at the moment, but my mind still only knows a mortal lifespan. With both of my lives combined, I have only lived roughly forty years after all, I do not yet fully understand the fleeting force that is time.

“Ok, I guess that makes sense, I am not quite used to how ancients view time, so bear with me. Though getting back on topic, I did not actually call you over here to talk about you coming back with me.” I said , causing Nerissa to tilt her head.

“Oh? Then what is it you require from me Apollo?” She asked curiously. “Oh nothing much, I just need a couple vials of your blood for my research. I think your body’s constitution is incredible and with my scientific rigamarole, I think I could uncover something fascinating.”

Nerissa stared at me through her purple slits for a moment while I just looked at her with an innocent smile. After a moment, she responded. “Sure thing, I see no reason to deny your request, your genetic science may be illegal in today’s dogma, but I remember a time when It was only strictly regulated. Though in return for my blood, I would only ask you to spar with me once you are healed.”

I smiled in relief having completed my ‘difficult’ task, my beautiful hive had given me before responding.

“We have a deal.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep