Free Web NovelChapter 105: _Air Shaking With His Nervousness
"Shit." Ambrose cursed under his breath, backing away from the living room door. "Nope. I’m not opening—"
Another knock came, this time louder and more demanding. It was like the SS-Rank was letting him know that he KNEW he was at the other end.
And he was getting impatient.
"Daddy, who’s that?" Orion hopped to Ambrose innocently, big eyes pinned on the door. "Is it room service? We haven’t eaten any real food since we got here."
Ambrose’s nostrils flared as he spun to Orion and pressed a finger on his mouth. "Shh. Go hide in the bedroom."
[You do realise he can manipulate and perceive space at a much higher level than your measly spatial awareness, right?]
’... So what?!’
[So, sweetness, that means it’s futile trying to hide the anomaly from him. Don’t worry — I doubt he’ll be able to pinpoint what exactly is odd about Orion even if he suspects something.]
The frown lines on his forehead grew thicker. He glanced sideways at Orion and saw he was already heading toward the bedroom without question.
"Orion," he sighed. "Wait. Just... sit down and don’t say anything weird, okay?"
Orion paused, turning back to Ambrose with a curious light in his eyes. "Is the person a bad guy? Like Guide Han?"
Those words made Ambrose’s eyes widen with surprise. He’d made sure Han never saw Orion... at least not physically. Maybe he overheard his arguments with Devon?
"Guide Ambrose." Gabriel boomed just then. "I know you’re in there. The air is practically shaking with your nervousness."
Shit.
"... Open this door so we can talk. Remember we have to be back in America soon so we have no time for these games."
Ambrose rubbed the bridge of his nose, gesturing defeatedly at Orion. "Just sit, little urchin. He’s not... a bad guy."
Fortunately, the kid did as he said as he clicked the locks open. Once he opened the door, his breath hitched when his eyes met the stern gaze of the Esper standing before him.
Gabriel gave him a once-over, scoffing. "You’re aware I could’ve just teleported in, right?" He strode in regardless, not caring to wait for an invitation. "Now. Where do I even begin?"
As he folded his arms in front of his chest, Ambrose’s eyes slid over to Orion. He swallowed when he saw excitement on the boy’s face; his eyes glued on Gabriel like he was seeing a favourite uncle for the first time in months.
’Please, don’t tell me Gabriel is another bloody uncle of his in the alternate timeline he came from.’ Ambrose discreetly gave Orion a signal to keep quiet.
Gabriel must’ve noticed it—of course, he did—his head swerving from Ambrose to the six-year-old lounging casually on one of the sofas.
He squinted hard. "I finally got to meet the child on the internet..."
Ambrose’s heart has never beaten as fast as it did now. Gabriel pivoted on his heel, taking calm steps toward the boy. All while staring at him with no sign of nervousness at all.
’Odd.’ Gabriel thought to himself. ’There’s something... off about this child’s aura. I wonder if—’
"Sir Gabriel." Ambrose blurted before he could reach his son. "Please just... tell me what you wanted to talk about. My son and I were just saying our goodbyes before I... leave for the Echo Rift raid."
Gabriel didn’t turn his head to him for several seconds, making every muscle in Ambrose’s body tense.
He couldn’t let that man take a closer look at Orion. There’s no telling what his freakishly precise spatial perception could dig up.
Hell knew he couldn’t afford anyone finding out the boy was an Esper-Guide Hybrid. One at an unknown rank beyond S-Rank at that.
Finally, the Esper cleared his throat. "That’s exactly why I’m here," his head leisurely inclined over his shoulder. "The Echo Rift raid, I mean."
He turned on his feet, dragging measured steps to Ambrose now. Lifting a hand, he flicked invisible dust off his nails before continuing.
"Valentine picked you. Out of possibly hundreds of eligible Hunters in that meeting and back on US soil." A pause. "And I’m here to know why."
If it were anyone else, Ambrose might’ve sarcastically asked why they didn’t just question Valentine. But he knew damn well he couldn’t afford pissing Gabriel off a second time.
"I honestly... don’t know." And that was the truth. "He says he’s confident I could surprise him or something."
"Confidence based on what?"
"My performance in the Aurelian city S-Rank dungeon raid, sir. As well as my... presence during the first Norfolk Raid."
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. "Norfolk," his mind trailed off. "Right. You did say you first saw me there."
Ambrose hid a hand behind his back, balling and unballing it into a fist. If this went on too long he was afraid he would say something that would tick off the already loud alarm in Gabriel’s head.
"You never mentioned why exactly your Guild would send a C-Rank to either of those missions." And there it was. Bait. "What’s your deal? Are you perhaps some sort of specialist? Maybe secretly hiding a higher Rank?"
Colour drained instantly from the Guide’s face. "N–No, sir. Nothing of the sort at all." He raised both hands. "Just a... C-Rank Guide who’s good with people."
He chuckled awkwardly after that but Gabriel’s pointed stare told him he wasn’t buying it.
They stayed like that for heaven knows how long. At this point, Orion made himself busy by grabbing the TV remote, the sound of an action movie playing being what finally cut through the silence.
"Very well then." Gabriel’s chest fell with a silent heave. "Be outside the hotel in fifteen minutes. I’d start packing any weapons and items I need if I were you."
He made his way to the door when Ambrose chimed. "Wait!"
Gabriel looked back with his brow arched.
The Guide didn’t waste another second. "My... my son. Am I just supposed to leave him in this hotel? Don’t we need to head back to our respective Guilds first where we can pack the necessary gear with us?"
"Hmph," Gabriel answered with a harrumph. "You don’t take your weapons with you during trips like this? Or, let me guess—you’ve never even been outside US soil."
Ambrose caught his bottom lip between his teeth, lowering his head.
It didn’t take long for Gabriel to add: "We’ll make a stop at Phoenix Flight. You can drop your kid there and pack your gear."
Before a thank you could leave Ambrose’s mouth, Gabriel flicked his wrist. The air warped around him like heat radiating off asphalt—then snapped, teleporting him the next second.
Ambrose’s shoulders dropped with a relieved breath. "He wasn’t lying about being able to teleport anywhere he wants."
He looked at Orion. Really looked.
Then a thought hits him.
’If I die in that Rift... this kid is completely alone.’
