Free Espial by Nikita Francois Page A

expect
great things from Sol,” he said proudly.
         “We’ll see
about that during Combat,” she replied, looking directly at me. She then turned
toward the others at the desk. “Let’s head to lunch.” Everyone started making
their way to the elevators.

CHAPTER 12
         We rode up
to the rooftop, yet from a different elevator than the one that lead to Rider’s
quarters. It deposited us onto a rooftop café. The entire room was enclosed in
glass, similar to a greenhouse. Rectangular tables lined the entire outside
perimeter of the rooftop. Each was stacked with tiered trays brimming with
food. Circular table populated the middle of the café with various angels
sitting and eating. Only one table was clear and Alex spotted it immediately.
         “Here let’s
grab this table before someone else does.” He floated over to it and pulled out
two chairs. “Sol, I have a seat for you right next to me.”
         I walked
over and sat down. My mom sat to my right, with Glinda, Sacra and Div taking
seats to her right as well. Luke, Alex, and Rider remained standing, announcing
that they would bring us food from the buffet. After they left, my mother
turned and asked me how the ATS training went. I began explaining what happened
when Glinda, Sacra and Div tuned in. When I got to the part about the lightning
during my transport, Div spoke up.
         “I’ve only
seen something like that once before in my lifetime.”
         “When was
that?” I asked.
         “When your great-grandfather
was killed. When the nuclear reactor detonated, he turned into a bright flash
of white light. As he vanished, a bolt of lightning struck the exact spot where
he was flying.”
         We all sat
quietly for a moment. I imagined what that must have looked like. Suddenly, what
she said fully registered.
         “You were
there when he died?”
                “Yes,”
she replied, looking down at the table. “I will never forget that day for as
long as I live. He was a great man.” I saw the tears begin to well up in her
eyes. She quickly got up and ran back inside.
                “Your
grandfather trained her. Saved her, really,” said Sacra. “She was an orphan
when he found her; just before her fifteenth birthday and unsheathing began.
She looked up to him like a father.”
                At
that moment, Alex, Rider and Luke brought over three large serving trays piled
high with food and beverages. They placed them on the middle of the table and
everyone began digging in. Meats unfamiliar to me tasted savory and delicious.
Sweets I had never eaten before were stuffed into my mouth as quickly as I
could fit them. Bubbly and fizzy drinks of various colors dribbled down my face
as I practically inhaled each beverage. Everyone started talking about the
funny things that happened to them when they became angels. I continued eating
and drinking while listening and laughing along. Soon I felt stuffed and
somewhat nauseous. Alex leaned over as I sat back and pushed a plate away from
me.
                “You
sure that you’ve finished?” he teased.
                “Ha-ha,”
I tried joking back. I then hiccupped loudly. My hands flew to cover my mouth
as I looked around in horror.
                Everyone
at the table began laughing and Alex shook his head.
                “Well
now I know you have a weakness. It seems to be food.”
                I
looked back at him and laughed. “So if you don’t mind my asking, exactly how
old are you?”
         “I’m seventeen,”
he responded.
         “Oh you’re
young!” I said.
         “I guess
so.”
         “When did
you learn that you were an angel?”
         “I’ve known
my entire life.”
         “Wow. Is it
easier to live in Los Angeles than here?”
         “In some
ways, yes. Sato does not have a stronghold there, so angels and Espials can
walk