Outside the hub tables and chairs had been set up so that those who purchased meals could have somewhere to sit and dine with company. 

The Hub fare was never boring and served diverse meals with cuisines from around the world. 

Something in the mini mart was guaranteed to appeal to even the most discerning taste buds. 

“How do you know so much about cooking Lana?”

“My family is heavily involved in the restaurant and catering industry, not to mention my older brother is a top chef. Try this next, you’ll love it!”

Lana didn’t lie, this beef dish was simply delicious and Lana was in full catering mode. 

She took the time to serve Azalea only the most tender pieces of meat, some cuts tender others well seasoned and dripping off the bone.

No question was too stupid, not only did Lana serve Azalea pieces from her own plate but she also explained about the dishes on display in great detail. 

Lana’s greatest goal after graduation was to follow in her brother’s footsteps and elevate the family business to the next level. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to try this spicy tenderloin?” 

There was a tender gaze in Lana’s eyes and Azalea was absolutely certain it was more geared towards the food than her until Azalea said, “I’m stuffed.”

Disappointed, Lana asked, “are you sure you're really full?”

Azalea knew her limits and another bite would mean puking not something she wanted to do when they had a long day ahead of them. 

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

Even though she hated to disappoint her friend Azalea loved how Lana got excited about food but another bite would surely lead to indigestion. 

“Alright then, we still have thirty minutes to kill. Let's go for a walk to the fish pond. I heard there are some decent size Koi fish there. I wonder what Koi fish tastes like, too bad its school property or I would try my luck.”

“How can you think about stuffing that tiny mouth of yours with more food? You go ahead, I’m just going to stay here and rest a bit.”

“Oh no. If you stay here you're going to fall asleep,” taking up Azalea’s school bag from the seat Lana also grabbed Azalea’s right hand and pulled her along, “you're coming with me.”

Apparently, Azalea’s bag wasn’t properly locked and a few books that Lana collected on her behalf while she sat with Professor Lane and Dean Anderson spilled out. 

Mercy Academy was such a strange school in comparison to Meadowbrook.

Back home everyone studied normal subjects like language arts, mathematics, history and the sciences. 

Here at this school they offered courses such as Home and Family Life Education (HFLE) (which Lana jokingly called ‘Conduit Sex Ed’),  “Advance Sentry Emotion Analysis & Conduit Guidance Counselling, Physical Education for Conduits, History of Mental Ability users and Essential Mental Energy strategies for Conduits were all compulsory courses.

“Oops sorry,” cried Lana.

Apologizing as she helped Azalea stuff the textbooks into her knapsack but determined to still drag Azalea in the direction of the fish pond. 

Other conduits like to go by the fish pond because it was another neutral place where they could easily run into sentries and there was one in particular that caught Lana’s eyes.

“Wait a minute,” said Lana as she noticed what seemed like a simple chain with a very large pendant, “Isn’t that a dog tag…but this sign seems familiar?”

Before Azalea could even think to snatch the dog tag out of her hands and stuff it back into her bag. 

Lana held it up to the sky, examining the crest that was deeply embedded in the surface of the platinum dog tag.

Before she could flip it over to the other side to read the original owner's name on the back someone else grabbed the chain out of Lana’s hand. 

This person wore a similar chain but in gold with a dog tag with yellow gemstones etched in the unique design hanging from their neck as well.

It seems Azalea was wrong about the crest; it was not some family emblem as the person wearing it did not remotely resemble Thorn, her gray wolf. 

“You thief!” shouted Lana.

Lana and Azalea chased after the redhead that snatched away the platinum chain but he moved so fast and was clearly not a conduit.

Finally he came to a stop near a sycamore tree where a mixed group of sentries and conduits hung out in private. 

Blaze saw the two young female conduits running towards them out of breath and couldn't help but show a curious expression.

The redhead was fast but he was quicker, the sentry snatched the platinum chain from the thief’s hand. 

The other party held a folder in one hand and the chain in the other..

Tall and straight, he wore a similar outfit to the redhead but while the other looked like a skateboarder with rips, burns and dust everywhere.

This guy made the sentry uniform look finely tailored to his muscular physique, from head to toes, his narrow waist, everything fit perfectly and nothing was unkempt or out of place.

Blaze eyes narrowed, “What did you take this time?”

“Give it back, it’s mine now,” said Rhys angrily. 

Rhys loved shiny things and wanted to add the platinum jewellery to his secret stash.

Suddenly Blaze's expression became very strange after reading the name on the back of the dog tag.

He seemed angered and his eyes burned brightly then this flare up of emotion was squelched as easily as it appeared and yet his anger was not aimed at Rhys.

Blaze demanded, “Which one of you female conduits did Rhys take the chain from?”

Lana trembled with fear but Azalea did now cower, “it was given to me. Is there a problem?”

“Were you told about the meaning of the emblem?”

“All I was told is that it’s for my protection, if I was ever in a tough spot I could show it and I would get help,” replied Azalea.

As far as she was concerned she had done nothing wrong, the platinum chain and dog tag was not stolen but given and if this guy had a problem he needed to take it up with Thorn not her.

A trace of surprise crossed Blaze’s face and it appeared as if he wanted to ask more but then a female conduit stepped between Azalea and Blaze. 

“Are you lost?” she asked snarkily without waiting for an answer. “You must be new here or you would know your place and not embarrass yourself in front of the Mercifuls.”

“Delilah,” said a surprisingly familiar voice with brown eyes. “Don’t waste your time talking to that newcomer, it’s just a loser from my hometown. Azalea, didn't I warn you at the hub not to bother me. I didn’t peg you for a stalker. Listen, let me make it very clear. Stop stalking me or you will live to regret it!”