It was hard not to look around and be skeptical of where I was. I would have never pictured myself at a New Year’s Eve party. Especially not with people like this. Up at the top of one of the high-rises in the city, I looked out at the shimmering lights from the glass penthouse window. I could see the Cathedral a few streets over. That was probably why Anders chose this place, besides distancing himself.

  When Serena and I had become a couple, he got pissy, but after she took her leave of absence to take care of her sister in May of last year, he completely left the Cathedral all together. I guess he moved up here to hide, I suppose. I didn’t blame him.

  When she came back, a few months ago, it was like things never changed for us. But not for him. Anders spent a lot of time with Gideon now, learning the ins and outs of the Order. I suppose that was for the best. I wouldn’t want prodigy boy to miss out on anything important.

  The stress had been getting to me more than it used to. I found myself looking over my shoulder a lot. I didn’t sleep much anymore. The voice in my head was unsettling, but I’d found that after killing monsters on our missions, it simmered down for a while. But it popped up more and more frequently each time. I hadn’t told anyone other than Gideon. I was his favorite secret and it provided me leverage against the man. In that way, I spent a lot of time with Gideon as well. That must have driven Anders nuts.

  I finished my glass of champagne and pressed my head to the cold glass. It was soothing, and the pounding music stopped bugging me for a moment.

  I felt a cool hand run up the back of my shirt to the center of my back.

  “How are you always so warm?” Her voice was like silk. I took a deep breath, taking in her touch and scent. I felt the edges of my mouth turn up into a smile and I turned to face her.

  “I haven’t a clue. Must be all the pent up rage.” I laughed, only half joking. Serena looked up at me with her emerald eyes, sparkling. Her red cheeks revealed roughly how many drinks she had consumed.

  “You’ve been in here hiding almost all night. Come out and spend time with everyone.” She reached up and pulled my head down for a kiss. I still felt the sparks when she kissed me, just like our first time, down by the waterfront.

  “I’m not really a party person.” I whispered into her hair. She giggled as I kissed her neck. Then she swatted me.

  “No seriously. It was nice of Anders to invite us all to his place to celebrate. The least you could do is come talk to the man for a bit.” She scolded, pushing me back gently. I stared at her blankly, but she just put her hands on her hips and cocked her eyebrows.

  “I did talk to him. I said ‘hi’ when I walked in.” I mumbled.

  “And then proceeded to hide in his guest bedroom. Real nice, Chase.” She would get that look in her eye, like if she had a wooden spoon, I’d have been beaten with it.

  “Look, it’s not like we’re really good friends or anything. Ever since you and I…He’s still hurting.” I told her.

  “Anders is a big boy. He’ll get over it.” She mellowed a bit, and I saw the glimmer of guilt on her face.

  “Anders doesn’t exactly ‘get over’ things.” I said, making finger quotations to emphasize my point.

  A knock on the door turned her away from me. It felt like the sun being shut off.

  “You guys aren’t having sex in there are you?” Anders called from the hall.

  “No Anders, you can come in.” Serena called back. When he hesitated, she went and opened the door for him and pulled him inside.

  “I’m gonna go say hi to the kids. The five and two year old get along better than some people I know. I’ll leave you boys to talk.” She pushed Anders into the room and slipped out, closing the door behind her.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Anders stared at me like a deer in headlights, so I found something interesting on the floor to look at.

  “How’s your night going? Do you need another drink?” He finally asked.

  “Good Gods, yes.” I chuckled. He handed me his glass of champagne and I took a deep sip.

  “Thanks for having everyone over.” I said quietly.

  “Oh, it was no big deal. No point in buying a huge pretentious penthouse, if you aren’t going to throw it in your colleagues faces.” He laughed nervously, then fidgeted with his pristine white suit. It probably cost him near as much as the penthouse. I showed up in black jeans and a dress shirt, wrinkles included.

  Standing across the room from each other, it couldn’t be more obvious just how opposite we were. He was this brilliant gleaming success, and here I was, all dishevelled and broody. How the mighty had fallen.

  “Do you think you’ll come out and join the party? I know it’s not really your thing. But you can’t just hide in my guest room all night.” He scratched the back of his head, like telling me what to do in his own house was uncomfortable.

  “Can’t I?” I pushed back. He blanched and looked around the room.

  “I mean…I guess…” He muttered.

  “I’m kidding Anders. I’ll come out with you. Mingle a bit, then find another shadow to hide in.” I offered a weak smile.

  “Ok good. I mean, Serena will probably want her New Year’s kiss at midnight, and if you’re nowhere to be found, I might just have to steal it from ya. Heh.” He chuckled, but looked at my face which was vacant except for my raised eyebrow. He shook his head.

  “I’m sorry, that was out of line. I know my place.” He said, arms raised in defense.

  I tried not to get angry, but when he said stupid things like that, all my mind could picture was the time they spent together.

  How many kisses had they shared? I could visualize him touching her, and I can feel the warmth creeping up my spine from the sword. The voice in my head told me to tear his hands off, so he could never touch her again. I just shook my head.

  “Don’t worry about it.” I grumbled. I walked passed him, and he flinched when I open the door, just a little too quickly.

  The house was huge, and I had to walk down a small stair to get to the main living area where the music was loud and everyone was cheerfully mingling about the fireplace and dining room.

  Hector and Andrea leaned on the mantle, talking casually, and offering gentle touches of affection to each other. Every once and a while, Andrea’s eyes wander off to her two year old, stumbling around the apartment, his hands being held by Magnus’s son.

  “There you go Owion. You’ll be wunning on your own in no time!” Erik cheered. Baby Orion giggled and wrapped his arms around Erik’s waist.

  The sight of the two children reminded me how much I’d love to have a family one day. I scanned the room some more, as I walked slowly into the crowded space. Magnus was talking with some of the younger girls from neighboring Order branches, while his wife, Hilde, watched from a dining room chair, a glass of wine in her hand, the bottle beside her.

  I looked through countless other faces, until I found Serena out on the balcony, talking with Griffin. He really was an oddly proportioned human. He reminded me of a fantasy elf; tall, lanky, but muscular. His blonde hair was the opposite of mine, neatly brushed and parted in the center, running down the length of his back. The two of them shared a laugh, until Griffin turned to look over me with his cold eyes, almost white.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting.” I said loudly, stepping out onto the balcony. I wrapped my hand around Serena’s waist for good measure and pulled her close.

  “Not at all Chase. I was just regaling Serena with some of the missions she missed while she was away…taking care of your sister, was it?” His smile was unnerving.

  “Yes, she’s much better now.” Serena looked up at me, and I kissed her forehead.

  “Do you recall the Harpy taking off with Anders?” Griffin offered. I grinned widely.

  “I remember saving him from the damn thing, that’s for sure. Highlight of my year.” I laughed.

  The three of us were laughing like old friends. Truth be told, I related more with Griffin than anyone else here. Although unnerving, he was a gentleman. He was always been kind to Serena and I, once he got passed his awkward stage. I’d worked with him many times and much preferred the silence or light communication that he offered, to the brashness of Magnus, or the over inquisitive nature of Hector.

  “How about the time we watched Magnus get swallowed by a Hydra, because he was being an ass?” Griffin's laugh turned awkward. I frowned.

  “We almost lost him on that mission. It wasn’t that funny.” I said. My criticism didn’t seem to deter him much. He shrugged and finished his champagne.

  “A matter of perspective, I suppose.” And with that he bowed, kissing Serena’s hand and walked back inside. She immediately spun on me.

  “Did you talk to Anders?” She asked, the fire in her eyes returning.

  “I did. It was good until he made a joke about kissing you at midnight.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Malakas!” She cursed. “Why can’t he just be normal around you?”

  “Probably because he thinks I swooped in and stole you from him.” I pointed out. She smacked my arm.

  “I was not his! I am no man’s property.” She huffed.

  “Yea, I get that. I don’t think he did.” I replied.

  “10, 9, 8…”

  I heard the countdown being cheered from inside.

  “I guess this is it. Another year gone.” I shrugged.

  “A new year to come, full of beautiful things.” She said, grabbing my waist.

  “5, 4, 3…”

  “I love you.” We said simultaneously.

  “Happy New Year!” Everyone else cheered, as we kissed.