AIDAN

We walked up to the cathedral with my heart skipping a beat at the sight. Moving in the direction of the doors, Mr. Serious grabbed me by my shoulders to hold me back. His icy hands could be felt even through my leather jacket.

Jumping back from the shock, I reached for the spot he had touched. “Jesus! Remind me to get you some gloves.”

Mr. Serious stared up at the steeple. “I feel it’s best we maintain caution.”

I took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. “I guess you make a good point. No reason to go looking for danger when it always finds us.”

“Perhaps you should take a moment to yourself. You've had to absorb a great deal since learning so much truth from The Blood. I’ll secure the perimeter and locate any agents lurking in the shadows. There are sure to be a few preparing for tomorrow.” I barely heard the last part because Mr. Serious was gone before he finished.

A sigh escaped me. I should’ve gone to the party. Moving closer to the cathedral, I was looking over the building for gargoyle statues when I heard a rustling from the bushes behind me.

I took a step closer to the shrub and prepared myself to defend. I was moments from using some mind over matter, but a small white kitten scrambled out. “Oh, my goodness. Aren’t you just the cutest little critter I ever did see?”

I bent down to pick up the white fluff until it looked up at me. The kitten’s eyes were a deep glittering purple. Oh, okay. That, I’m mean, is not that weird. “Hey, there, little kitty. You sure do have pretty eyes. They almost look amethyst.” I heard nothing from the white kitten. Not one word. At first, I thought something was wrong with my powers until I heard two pigeons cursing each other out over some crumbs.

“Are you lost? I don’t see a collar around your neck.” Disturbing me to my core, the kitten jumped up my leg and managed to climb up to my shoulder. Once perched, it continued to stare directly into my eyes for a good thirty seconds. Freaked out? Why, yes I am. “Alright, little kitty, I think it’s time to get down. Don’t wanna tear the jacket. It’s the only one I have that fits.” I carefully reached up to take the kitten off my shoulder, but it became very alert and jumped down to scurry off.

“What in the world was that?”

The small white kitten disappeared just as Mr. Serious ran up looking monumentally freaked out. “What’s the matter?” I asked disturbed by his look of unease.

Mr. Serious’ tone matched his alarmed state. “Something is, without a doubt, amiss.”

“Specifics, man. Specifics!” I quickly retorted.

His eyes bore into mine. “There are absolutely no guards preserving the area.”

“Okay, that’s good, isn’t it? Less cannon fodder.” I felt confident in my reasoning, but Mr. Serious looked at me like I was an idiot.

“I dare say it is in no way a good thing when there is no sentry watching over the location in which an ancient ritual is set to take place in less than 24 hours. Do you disagree?” Mr. Serious looked as disturbed as he made me feel.

“What do you expect me to say when you put it like that?” A sinking feeling settled into my stomach, but I managed to calm myself down before it escalated. “It's fine.” I put my hands up to Mr. Serious, trying to reassure us both. “It's fine. Obviously, we’re just in the wrong place, but we still have until tomorrow to stop the ritual. Right?”