Guild of Truth 02 - Shield from the Heart (34 page)

Merrick cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the man in front of him. “Sure. What’d you need to talk to me about?”

Joel led him back to the guest room and gently shut the door once they were both inside. “It’s not so much talking as I wanted to give you something — something for Sydney.” He pulled out a velvet box from his pants and quickly gave it to Merrick as if he was afraid of losing his nerve.

Curious, Merrick opened the box. His eyes widened. “Joel, I can’t give her this. It’s too much.” Inside the box was a beautifully crafted gold necklace with a pearlescent seashell charm.

When he tried to give it back to him, Joel pulled his hands back and held them out at his sides. “I can’t give it to her. I don’t have that right anymore, Merrick. Besides, the necklace screams Syd. She’ll love it and I can’t bring myself to return it. Just give it to her. She doesn’t need to know it was ever from me.”

Merrick stared down at the pendant. “Why are you giving it to me? You could have given it to anyone else in the guild.”

Joel shrugged. “You make her happy. This’ll make her happy and as long as she’s happy, I can pretend that I am too.”

Merrick’s respect for Joel went up about ten notches. Under different circumstances he’d like to think they could’ve been the best of friends. But life didn’t work that way, and so Merrick kept his distance. Maybe one day they’d be able to become friends. He didn’t mind waiting.

He curled his hands around the necklace. “Thanks. Is there any specific date you’d like me to give it to her?”

“Tonight, if you want. I heard rumors that tonight was going to be a special night.”

With that he left.

Merrick had no idea what Joel had meant until after the movie when Felix started to put on some seasonal music. Sydney pulled Merrick up to dance while Felix and Cali swayed around the floor. Out of nowhere a very non-Christmas song came on and Felix dropped down to one knee in front of Cali.

Sydney gasped as Felix took out a little black box and flipped it open to reveal a white gold band adorned with a black diamond.

“Cali Crazar.” He stared up into Cali’s wide obsidian eyes. “I’m already yours for the rest of time, but would you marry me anyway?” Felix flashed her a grin and Cali nearly tackled him to the ground.

“You pompous ass,” Cali said. “You told me you were going into that jewelry store to gather intel.”

“And you bought that?” Niella asked incredulously.

Cali glared at her good naturedly over Felix’s shoulder.

“So is that a yes?” Felix asked.

Cali kissed him soundly on the mouth. “Of course it’s a yes,” she told him, then her lips moved but Merrick couldn’t hear a word. It was as if he suddenly went deaf.

Felix’s grin grew wider at whatever Cali said. It looked as if he had no trouble hearing her.

The alcohol really started flowing then. Merrick stole Sydney away before they had too much.

“What is it?” Sydney giggled as he closed the guest door behind her.

It looked like she’d already had a few good drinks.

“I wanted to give you something. I figured tonight was a good night.” He pulled the box out and handed it to Sydney.

She instantly sobered. “Oh, Merrick … ” She gingerly opened it and her breath caught. “It’s beautiful. How’d you know I loved seashells?”

Merrick’s smile was bittersweet. “Let’s just say someone passed on the information.”

Sydney beamed and threw her arms around his neck. “I love it. Will you put it on for me?”

When they went back to the living room everyone commented on Sydney’s necklace. Cali and Sydney had fun comparing jewelry and as the night neared its end, Joel and Felix held up their beer bottles to gather attention.

“All right everyone, we have an announcement. We’ve official created a Title for Merrick.”

They lifted their drinks in his direction.

“I know it’s been a while,” said Felix, “but you were a little tricky to figure out. So we’ve settled on … drum roll please … ”

Joel pounded on the nearby coffee table.

“The Decoder,” Felix said with a flourish.

Sydney’s nose wrinkled. “Ew,” she yelled. “You make him sound like a cereal box toy or something.”

Joel and Felix opened their mouths to protest when Luke shot eagerly to his feet. “Hey guys, have you thought up a name for me yet?”

“Uh … ” Joel looked to Felix.

“Sure,” said Felix. “You’re the … um … ”

“The Generator,” Joel shouted triumphantly as if the thought had just struck him.

Merrick stared down at his drink and realized with all the alcohol they’d consumed the name probably had just popped up to him.

Luke’s face fell. “The Generator? That sounds too much like terminator.”

Felix shoved Joel. “Yes! The Generator.” He dropped his voice and adopted his best Arnold Schwarzenegger accent as he spoke the title. “I now dub it mandatory to say your name like this.”

“What?” said Luke.

“Come on,” Joel piped up. “Say it.” Then he put on his own accent. “Luke the Generator.”

Felix shook his head. “Mine was way better, man.”

“I don’t think so,” argued Joel.

Merrick sat up a little straighter and put on the accent. “Luke the Generator, come with me if you want to live.”

Joel and Felix both froze and stared at him. Then at the same time they burst.

“Holy shit!”

“That was awesome!”

Cali and Niella both cheered.

Sydney leaned into him with a grin. “I’m so proud,” she teased him.

• • •

“So something has been bugging me. You mentioned before that everyone comes up with titles and terms for the guild.” Merrick came to a stop at the light as he drove himself and Sydney home.

Sydney yawned. “Yeah. And?”

The light turned green.

“And I was wondering who made up the term Mirror Mates?” he asked.

“Felix. He was the first to find out about them so he named it.”

“Is there any reasoning behind it?” He pulled into her designated parking spot and turned off the car.

“Felix believed that two souls that reflect one another are always destined to find each other. Or something.”

Merrick turned in his chair and cupped her face. “He’s right. And I’ve never been so glad that you found me.”

Sydney’s eyes sparkled with love and affection. She was his everything.

She leaned in and kissed him. “I’m glad I found you too.”

Mary K. Norris loves to travel the world and go on crazy, extreme adventures. Unfortunately, she can’t do that all the time, so she creates crazy adventures for her characters in supernatural worlds from the comfort of her home in Southern California. She has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and when she’s not reading or writing she’s usually found doing some kind of physical activity, playing video games, or at Disneyland.

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