Spontaneous applause erupted from several corners of the room, and soon everyone was giving them a thunderous ovation. Cassie was blushing. Griffin looked dumbstruck, and even Erik reddened, but the applause didn’t faze Maddie. She smiled and waved in acknowledgment.
Faye waited for silence before proceeding. “The Concordance Circle met in private session a week ago. We debated how best to reward the service each of these individuals has rendered.”
“So, this meeting is all about us?” Cassie gasped.
“Shhh!” Erik warned.
“There is a rare past precedent for the action we take tonight.” Faye turned to face the four very surprised individuals sitting in the bottom tier of seats across the room from her. “Would all of you please rise and approach the table?”
They looked uncertainly at one another.
“Oh, what the hell!” Maddie got up and strode forward.
The trio followed her lead until they all stood in a row facing Faye.
Cassie noticed an odd collection of objects resting on the table directly in front of the memory guardian. She had no time to consider their meaning.
Faye was speaking again. “Maddie, step forward please.”
The operations director towered over her diminutive chief.
The old woman gazed up at her. “In the event an individual renders extraordinary service in your position in the organization, she is accorded the title of Chatelaine—castle protector and keeper of the keys.” Faye selected one of the objects on the table. It was an old-fashioned gold-plated key on a gold ring. She handed it to Maddie. “Take this as a symbol of your new title.”
Applause echoed around the room.
For once in her life, Maddie was speechless until she managed to stammer, “Th... th... thank you.” She then rejoined the other three.
Faye’s gaze traveled across the group and came to rest on the security coordinator. “Erik, you’re next.”
The blond man cleared his throat, betraying the only sign of nervousness he was likely to show.
When he stood in front of the memory guardian, her eyes twinkled mischievously. She addressed her comments to the Concordance as a whole. “Many of you already know Erik’s penchant for distinguishing himself by getting into trouble.”
An appreciative chuckle rose from the crowd. Erik grinned unabashedly, proud of his bad boy reputation.
“Tonight, the Circle honors his virtues. When a security coordinator on a field mission has distinguished himself as Erik has done, he is given the title of Paladin—the pythia’s defender.”
Faye reached toward the table and selected a small silver dagger with a scrollwork handle. She held the object out to Erik. “Receive this symbol of your new title.”
Erik bobbed his head in acknowledgement and took the dagger.
More applause followed.
Apparently, the new paladin wasn’t used to positive attention. He ducked back into line with the others.
“Griffin, if you please,” Faye called next.
The tall Brit looked pale enough to faint, but he did as commanded.
Addressing the group as a whole, Faye said, “Young as he is, our Griffin can already claim the remarkable achievement of being appointed Chief scrivener at the ripe old age of twenty- two.”
Knowing laughter once again travelled around the hall.
“There is no higher title than Chief Scrivener for someone in Griffin’s position, so we have decided to augment his existing title. Henceforth, Griffin shall be known as the Right Honourable Chief Scrivener.” Faye reached for a quill pen made of ostrich feather lying on the table. Handing it to him, she said, “Receive this token of your elevated rank.”
Griffin bowed from the waist before accepting the pen. Shyly, he refused to make eye contact with the cheering crowd in the bleachers and darted back among his fellows.
Cassie felt her palms begin to sweat.
Faye’s attention settled on her. “And last, but certainly not least, I call forward our pythia, Cassie.”
The young woman tucked back the curtain of hair that had swung over the left side of her face.
Faye reached out and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly before releasing it.
“And what can I say about our most recent recruit? Someone who knew nothing of the Arkana before she found herself gifted with telemetric powers like her sister before her. Someone who was forced to master her talents in a few short weeks and use those skills during a perilous field mission. Since that first expedition, she has repeatedly put her own life at risk for the sake of our cause.”
Applause echoed off the walls.
“Again, there is no title higher than pythia for one with Cassie’s abilities, so the Circle has no alternative but to augment Cassie’s rank as well. She will henceforth be known as the Right Honourable Pythia.” Faye reached for the final object on the table. A small crystal ball resting on a brass pedestal. Handing it to the young woman, she added, “Receive this symbol of your rank.”
Cassie looked around the room and saw several people leap to their feet in a standing ovation.
She took the object from Faye, dashing away a few tears before rejoining her colleagues.
Faye raised her hands for quiet. The applause ceased immediately, and people sat back down.
“My friends, this is more than a change of title for these worthy individuals. All four of them shall henceforth exercise voting rights within the Circle.”
More applause followed.
“We get to sit at the grown-up table?” Cassie whispered aside to Erik.
“Sounds like it,” he murmured back, stunned.
In the time it took Cassie to blink, four empty chairs had magically appeared at the large circular table. The thirty individuals already seated there smiled as if to invite the four newcomers to join them.
“Go ahead,” Faye urged. “Take your seats.”
They all silently did as requested.
When everyone was settled, Faye spoke again. “And now your first official act as members of the Circle will be to vote to adjourn this meeting and retire upstairs for refreshments. All in favor?”
Four new hands shot up into the air to join the thirty already raised in assent. The motion carried unanimously.
Chapter 3—Cold Case
Leroy Hunt stood in the middle of Daley Plaza
