Convergence - The Last Science #2.2 - Heroes and Villains

Interlude VII - Call of Destiny - VIII

  "Hi," said Lani. Riley echoed him a second later. They took seats opposite the trio, while their guide leaned in and whispered something in Cinza's ear.

  "Thank you, Makoto," she replied, and he bowed again before retreating from the room. "Give Ruby my love."

  "Oh my god, you're her, aren't you?" said Riley breathlessly. "You're... you know. Her."

  Cinza smiled, clearly amused. "Well put."

  "And who are you two?" asked the girl brusquely.

  "Nikki, they're our guests," said Cinza, putting a hand on her arm.

  Nikki leaned back in her chair, frowning. "After what we just went through the last two days?"

  "Makoto trusts 'em, so I do too," the old man chimed in.

  "My name is Lani Makaio," said Lani suddenly, drawing their attention—and Riley's. "I'm an agent for the FBI's National Security Bureau, and partner to Jeremy Ashe, the special agent who was tasked with figuring out what happened to Rallsburg. Jeremy and I both found about magic a couple weeks ago when he fought alongside Hailey Winscombe in Tacoma. And today... today I was awakened too."

  He called a spirit to appear in front of them. The old man stood up in shock. Nikki sneezed. Cinza suddenly looked very interested.

  "That's quite a story," she commented, while Nikki sniffled. She sneezed again, hard, and Cinza plucked a tissue from her bag. "Please, release your spell. I'm afraid Nikki is allergic to such magic."

  Lani dismissed the spirit. "That's a thing?" asked Riley, raising her eyebrows. "Magical allergies?"

  "Indeed," said Cinza.

  "It's the worst," added Nikki, blowing her nose.

  "You were sayin'?" prompted the old man, nodding at Lani.

  "I met her," said Lani.

  "Who?" asked Riley, but Lani knew that Cinza and her companions wouldn't need any more explanation. It was obvious now, between their robes and her hair, what their real unifying force was. They weren't followers of Cinza, not in the slightest, no matter what the world had concluded so far.

  They, like Lani, were together to follow her.

  Cinza nodded, and a genuine smile warmed her face. "Miraculous, wasn't it?"

  "Twice over," he added excitedly. "She actually saved my life once before. When we went up to Vancouver to find Mr. Morozov and Mr. Rhodes."

  Cinza raised her eyebrows. "Really? How so?"

  Lani recounted the story, and all four of them hung onto every word—Riley with a bit more confusion than the rest.

  "You've been truly blessed," said Cinza as he concluded. "We're honored to have you among us."

  "I feel honored," he said, looking around. "This place is... is..."

  "Magical?" supplied Riley, grinning.

  Lani laughed. "Yes."

  "And what about you?" asked Cinza, turning to her. "I must ask, how did you arrive here?"

  "Well, I thought I was leading him around," she said, nudging Lani. "But apparently he was on the real adventure and I was just along for the ride."

  "I couldn't have done it without you," he replied.

  "Aww," she shot back, rolling her eyes—but she smiled anyway, which made him feel warmer than either of the fireplaces could do.