End of an Era: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 4)

by Kristan Belle

  At least this way the race was still in Marshall’s good hands. Bartholomew would have approved of him leading the Lamia Matris from the shadows. He was a good man and could do great things. Charles was lucky to have him on his side.

  “The ceremony went very well. It’s a big day for them all.”

  “And now they’ll be joining you for the next part of their journey.” Marshall’s voice was filled with pride. He’d been happy to spend his time at the academy and it gave him a closer connection to the warriors that would be going out onto the streets.

  “They’ll certainly make us proud.” Kelton smiled.

  “Well, I’ll let you get back to the celebrations. Charles wanted me to check in with you.”

  Kelton grinned to himself. Charles knew full well who was really running things and would do everything he could to keep Marshall on side. “Thanks for the call.”

  “You’re welcome, son.” Marshall said before hanging up the phone.

  Kelton was glad that the old guy had a new purpose in life. Marshall wasn’t one for sitting around on his backside doing nothing. He lived to serve and be useful. This was the perfect solution for everyone.

  Ash tentatively walked down the steps from the stage, seeking out her family. Her heart dropped a little when she only saw Lana and her father waiting for her, but put on a brave face and made her way over. As soon as she was close enough, Lana wiped her eyes and pulled her in for a big hug.

  “I’m so proud of you.” Lana whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

  “I can’t believe I really did it.”

  “I always knew you would.”

  Ash pulled back and with a smile, looking over Lana’s shoulder. She was shocked to see the look of immense pride clearly etched on her fathers’ face. Over the years at the academy, he had always been there for her but he’d remained his stiff old self, like he never had really come to terms with this new life that had been thrust upon her. Now? He looked just like the rest of the proud fathers in the hall.

  Holding out his arms to her, Aisline felt a lump of emotion form in her throat. Rushing forward, she felt herself enveloped within his embrace, which was something she hadn’t realised she’d missed until that moment.

  “My daughter, the warrior.” He muttered quietly.

  “I can’t believe they came.” Ash said, her voice muffled as she buried herself in her fathers’ warmth.

  “They wanted to be here for you.”

  “I didn’t think they’d ever accept it.”

  “I still don’t think they have if I’m honest, but your mother wanted to come. She had to acknowledge this great achievement.”

  Ash couldn’t reply. It was the first time she’d seen her mother and sister since receiving the warrior mark and being dumped at the academy. It was a lot for her to take in. Seeing them there at the presentation had been the last thing she’d expected.

  “How have they been?” She usually avoided asking him about her mother and sister as it hurt too much, but after seeing them, she needed to know. They both looked so well and had hardly changed in all the time they’d been apart.

  “They’re the same as always.” Her father chuckled.

  Ash had never really fit in at home. She’d been the type of girl that was always looking for the next big adventure in life, hanging with the wrong crowd and generally not being the type of daughter her mother wanted. Her sister fulfilled that role perfectly and Ash couldn’t ever match up. So when the warrior mark appeared, she got that next big adventure that she craved, but lost her family in the process.

  “You’re not my little girl anymore.” Her father said, smiling. “But I guess you haven’t been for a very long time.”

  “I guess not” Ash grinned.

  Her time at the academy had changed her. A lot. It wasn’t just the change in lifestyle and training, but everything else she had to endure. The kidnapping had been a defining moment in her life. She always tried not to put too much stock in it, preferring to brush it under the carpet. It had been a harrowing time for her and she still bore the scars of that time. However, in an odd way, she was now thankful for that time. It made her into the stronger person she was today. If she could get over what had happened, she could take anything life threw at her.

  “I’m afraid to say that I cannot stay much longer. You mother isn’t feeling too well and I don’t want to leave her for too long.”

  “Is she okay? It’s not anything serious, is it?”

  He shook his head sadly. “I think it’s the stress getting to her.”

  “It must have been hard for her to come here.” She knew that her mother hated the fact that she was living the life of a warrior and probably wouldn’t ever accept it. Coming to the academy had been a big step for her.

  “She’s always been highly strung. You know that. And your sister is just the same. I’m just glad you’re so strong and confident.”

  She wasn’t sure where she got that from. Growing up, she’d always looked up to her father as a strong man, but in truth, he wasn’t. He was good in the boardroom, but in life? He let his wife rule the roost. Not that she’d ever hold that against him, she loved him just the way he was, but she had no idea where she’d got this new-found strength for life from.

  “I’m just glad they came.”

  “We wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” He leant forward to hug her awkwardly. Physical contact had never been easy for him. “I’m sure you’ll have more fun when all us grown-ups have gone, anyway.” He winked.

  “Sure will!” Lana giggled.

  “I’ll send our driver back to wait for you, Lana. Don’t rush. Stay and have fun, and make sure Aisline has the time of her life.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And Aisline? Remember always how proud we are of you. All of us.” He kissed her quickly on the forehead before striding out of the room.

  “Well, that was intense.” Lana smirked and rolled her eyes.

  “I can’t believe they came.”

  “You should have seen my face when I got in the car and found them all sitting there!”

  “I’m glad they made it. It meant a lot to have them here.” Ash took in a deep breath. The last thing she wanted to do today was cry and it was taking a lot to keep her emotions in check.

  “So they should be here. It’s a big deal and anyone who can’t see that must be blind.” Lana said sternly.

  “But you know what they’re like. They can’t accept any of this for me.”

  “You were never meant to stay at home and be pampered like a princess.” Lana shook her head. “This is you and it’s taking them way too long to come to terms with it.” She’s always hated the fact that Aisline had been shunned by her family, and over something that was out of her control.

  “Come on.” Ash suddenly grinned, grabbing hold of Lana’s arm. “I’m going to introduce you to some of my friends.”

  Lana squealed, making Ash laugh. That was exactly what they needed after the seriousness and all the emotions at seeing her family had brought about. They needed to act their age and have a little fun, live a little.

  Walking straight over to Kayleigh, she didn’t need to introduce Lana to them. They’d spoken on the phone enough times that they were all able to chatter on like good old friends. As Lana cooed over the major cuteness that was Elias, Ash asked, “Where’s Kelton?”

  “He’s off doing his official warrior duties.” Kayleigh nodded a head in Kelton’s direction where he was busy on the phone. Nothing seemed to stop that man from the job, even at an official ceremony such as this.

  Ash waved over at him as he nodded in her direction. Even though he was busy, she knew that his first priority was his family, as it should be. She’d seen the difference in them all since he had stepped down as the head of the academy. Being the head of the warriors was still a very big job, but it freed up a lot more time for him to spend with his family. It was a good thing for them all.

  And she had seen a diffe
rent side of him. She had a close friendship with him because of the time she spent with Kayleigh and Cala, but now that the stress of the job had lessened, she’d seen a softer, fun side of him.

  “I’m so happy for you.” Cala hugged Aisline, glad to see her friend achieve her dreams, especially coming among the top in her class.

  Over the last couple of years, Ash and Cala had become very close friends. It was just what Aisline had wanted when Cala had first come to the academy, but the real friendship hadn’t really started to bloom until after Rhian, Cala’s twin, had left. It took some time for Cala to come out of her shell, but with a little coaxing from Kayleigh and Aisline, Cala had seriously blossomed.

  A tinkling on a glass got everyone’s attention and the room quickly fell silent. They all looked towards where Master Warrior Kelton was standing at the centre of the stage.

  “Thank you all for your attention. I’m sorry for interrupting the festivities once more, but there is one more announcement that I’d like to make before the families depart.”

  Glancing around the room, Ash found Jackson and they locked eyes. He shrugged as she frowned. This was unusual and no one knew what was going on.

  “We have all revelled and celebrated the graduation of our latest group of warriors, but there is another person in this room that is stepping up and taking care of our boys.” He smiled as Doctor Marion Phillippe waddled onto the stage. She was heavily pregnant but wouldn’t have missed this day for the world.

  “Thank you, Kelton.” Marion turned to address the crowd as she lovingly rubbed her belly, “As you all know, we haven’t had the most peaceful time here at the academy and we have had more than our fair share of injuries. Obviously, we have teams of medical staff that can be onsite within minutes, but sometimes those few minutes can make a vital difference. That is why I am pleased to announce that I will be working with a new full time assistant as of next week.” She glanced over at Kelton, letting him have the honour.

  “Would you all please give a round of applause for our newest medical assistant at the Sons of Satrina Academy of Combat Training, Cala Kelton!” He beamed, loving using her full name.

  Cala blushed furiously and stumbled when Aisline shoved her towards the stage. When she got up there, she all but hid behind her father, hating being thrown into the lime-light. However, she had been half expecting Kelton to make this announcement. He was incredibly proud that Cala had still wanted to work within the academy and with the warriors and had wholeheartedly encouraged her to study medicine.

  As soon as the applause started to die down, Cala jumped down off the stage, heading directly over to Caleb and Rees. They were still sitting off to one side, at a table all by themselves.

  With a grin and a wave, Rees walked off to catch up with some of his friends. She saw Marion walk over to stand with Master Warrior Verynai, who put a possessive arm around her shoulder and smiled proudly.

  “Congratulations on the job.”

  “Thanks. It was only finalised an hour before we got here. I didn’t have time to tell you.” Cala beamed.

  She was thrilled, especially seeing as she had to fight off other applicants. At first, she thought that she may get the job only because she was Kelton’s daughter, but Marion had gone to great lengths to prove that she had gotten the position purely on her own merit. It was a great feeling.

  “So, when do you start?”

  “Next week, so at least I’ve got a few more days of freedom.”

  “Well, Cala, you know I wish you all the luck in the world, but no offence, I hope I don’t see too much of you in there.” Caleb finally cracked a smile. It was a difficult day for him but he didn’t want to damper her spirits.

  “As long as I’m still seeing you outside of work, I’ll be happy.”

  “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

  It wasn’t going to be easy, but they wanted to work on it. She’d spoken to Aisline about it and knew that it would be hard to work around their warrior work, but it would be worth it. She’d never met anyone like Caleb before.

  “How are you doing?” Cala asked quietly. She knew that this wasn’t an easy day for him, seeing all those other families coming to celebrate with their children must have been hard for him. Since he renounced his ties to the pack, he no longer had any family apart from Rees.

  “It’s fine. I’m fine.” Caleb shrugged.

  It was obvious he didn’t want to talk about it. He’d avoided the conversation for weeks and Cala didn’t want to push him. They both breathed a sigh of relief when Jackson and Trey came over, ending their awkward silence.

  As the last of the families departed from the celebration, the newly graduated warriors started to line up along the centre of the rom. The laughter from only a moment ago quickly died from their lips. This was the moment. The one they’d all been waiting for.

  Kelton and Verynai stood at the head of the line, their expressions serious.

  “You have all had your fun and revelled in your new warrior status. Now is the time that you really step up.” Kelton said in a loud voice that bounced off the walls.

  “You’ve all seen the final result. This is what you’ve all been waiting for. This is the moment that you can show the world that you’re ready to be the protectors of the race.” Verynai took a couple of steps to stare at each and every one of them in turn. “You’ve all experienced pain of some level. Some of you have already been through this kind of process, but this is different.”

  “Step forward first graduate.”

  Aisline watched as Jackson stepped up to the centre of the stage and sat in the chair in the middle of the platform.

  She was bricking it. It was one thing to go out there on the streets and look for a fight, taking down the enemy and ridding the world of danger, but it was a whole other thing to willingly go up on that stage and go under the needle.

  It was time to tattoo the warrior mark.

  The buzzing of the tattoo gun started up and Ash felt a shiver go through her.

  All too soon, her name was called. She was terrified that she’d do something to make a fool out of herself, like faint or throw up. After all she’d done to show everyone that she was equal to the rest of the guys, passing out or puking when she was getting her tattoo would just be too embarrassing.

  As wanted to close her eyes but knew that would be seen as a sign of weakness. Staring at the wall straight ahead of her, she waited by the warrior in-charge of the ink gun prepped the area. This was why she hadn’t worn any make-up. What was the point? She’d have ended up looking all patchy.

  It felt like an eternity as she waited and her stomach churned violently.

  “Ready?” he asked gruffly. Ash nodded and tried not to flinch as he moved the ink gun towards her.

  It was every bit as bad as she thought it would be, but Ash was proud of herself. Jackson had explained that pain levels were different in everyone and that different places on the body hurt some more than others. He’d already gone under the ink gun several times, so he knew what he was talking about. Jackson had tried to make it easier for her, but it was all about the unknown.

  She didn’t know how much she had to fear it. Now she did. At least she hadn’t been sick or cried, even though the urge had been strong.

  Walking down off the stage on shaky legs, Ash leant against the wall next to Jackson.

  “That looks amazing.”

  Ash tried to smile. “Thanks. Yours too.”

  “Are you feeling okay?” He whispered gently, putting an arm around her. She knew no one would think anything of it and she leant into his touch, knowing that he wouldn’t let her fall.

  “I feel a little woozy.” She whispered back. Ash had no problem in telling him the truth. He wouldn’t judge her.

  They stood like that for a little while until Ash was feeling more like herself again. As each of the newly graduated warriors received their permanent ink mark and joined them at the side of the stage, she started to feel a bit
better. They were all in this together, going through the same experiences.

  As the last warrior received his tattooed mark, Kelton gathered them all together.

  “As of this moment, you have now officially joined our ranks. The tattoos make that clear to the rest of the world. Get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, you’ll be receiving your first assignment.”

  Kelton stepped forward with a serious expression.

  “Welcome to the Sons of Satrina.”

  The End