Ellie sat leaned back, following attentively where they were going. She was curious, very curious. Perhaps she would have had more questions and would have pestered Christopher more, but her sister was a part of this. Ellie could not imagine her sister getting involved in something that was bad for her.
Her younger sister was sitting quietly beside her. Ellie had to confess Amelia looked wonderful in the close fitting, elegant black dress. She always had a wonderful figure, something Ellie was envious about. But Ellie learned that her sister recently started going to the gym and as a result her body got more toned and more beautiful than before.
Perhaps with the new, posh job Ellie would finally have more time to go to the gym. She had been neglecting it too often lately. 'In For the Kill' by La Roux was playing quietly on the radio and Ellie felt it was very fitting for the situation she was in.
All these changes in Amelia's life were obviously because of Christopher. She got more determined, more focused on herself and was more confident. Ellie could not deny Christopher was doing her good. She chose to ignore what they actually did in the bedroom and the way he controlled her life because she loved her sister and knew she wanted this. She stopped trying to rationalise the whole issue because it was impossible but also because Ellie was gay. She could understand the freedom of sexual choices and preferences and that they were as diverse as the human nature. She could not rationalise what turned her on. The fact that she was gay made it possible for her to be open-minded toward this and accept there were different people who liked different things in bed. During one of the early conversations, when Amelia was trying to explain it to her, she reminded Ellie of her preference for women with long hair. It was just one of those things which turned her on. And even though things which turned Amelia on were more serious and more complex than Ellie's love for long-haired women, it got Ellie thinking.
"Come," Amelia whispered to her sister.
Ellie climbed out of the car and allowed her sister to lead her by the hand toward the entrance of a large house. About a dozen cars already stood parked in front of it and Ellie recognised the black Audi which belonged to Christopher. Ellie was good with numbers and she remembered the license plate.
So her boyfriend was already here. Were they late?
Amelia led her into a small room which however looked very cosy. There were sofas and cushions everywhere which looked very welcome in the light of the few black candles which were burning. Three people were already sitting there in silence.
"There's the loo," Amelia whispered, pointing at a door. "Here's water in case you're thirsty. Someone will come and pick you all up. Just do as you're told and don't be afraid."
Amelia smiled at her reassuringly and Ellie nodded. For the first time in her life it was Amelia who was leading the way and not the other way round. In this moment Ellie confessed to herself that a part of her really wanted to do this, even though it sounded a little weird in the beginning. However she wanted to do this because of her sister. She wanted to understand her better and be closer to her. And she was now seeing one of Amelia's faces she had never seen before. She smiled softly as the door closed behind Amelia.
She was not afraid. Why would she be?
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"The candidates are ready, Your Highness," Amelia announced.
"Excellent," Christopher said, glancing over her.
She looked stunning in that new dress he bought for her. However, as they overindulged a couple of days ago, she was wearing her red scarf tight around her neck. Her neck was namely covered in bruises. Christopher did not regret doing it, because he did it consciously. It was the losing control part which made him angry, but this time he did not lose control. He sometimes liked to leave a visible trace on a body part which was exposed to glance just because he liked her to be reminded to whom she belonged every time she passed by the mirror but also for him to savour the sight when she was around. He liked to know that it was he who did this to her and got aroused every time he would see a bruise on her he was responsible for.
The four of them sat in silence while the Knights prepared the temple. Christopher was smoking thoughtfully. When the initiations go through, the Order would have ten more members. Christopher started mentally sorting them into drawers according to who could do what. Ellie would certainly be welcome to work with Knight Peter, who was also a computer expert. Christopher was certain however that he was no match for Ellie.
Yes, he certainly had grand plans for the British Order.
oooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ellie followed the woman who came to pick her up along with everyone else and came to stand in front of large, double doors.
"I'm your guide and I'm here to protect you," the woman said seriously. "Do you trust me?"
No, Ellie thought. But fine. The woman held up four blindfolds and Ellie resisted the urge to grin.
She allowed the woman to put it over her eyes, wondering why this was necessary. The following moment she jumped and a curse escaped her as the woman yelled something.
"Shhh," the woman whispered into her ear. "Don't speak."
Ellie shrugged, wanting to say she was sorry. She allowed the woman to steer her into the space beyond the double doors and heard them snap close behind them. It was impossible to say exactly how large the space was, but Ellie's pace which echoed on the floor told her enough. She was obviously in a large hall. Which smelled strange. What kind of incense was this?
She was told to sit and her hands began automatically probing around until she felt a smooth, wooden surface underneath her fingertips. She sat down and tried to see something underneath the blindfold, but it was impossible. The hall seemed to be in almost complete darkness and all she could see were dark tiles underneath her.
Creaking noises told her the others were led to chairs as well. Ellie would have very much liked to know exactly what was going to happen, but of course it was impossible. Still having those thoughts going through her head she felt something brushing against her leg and she stiffened up.
It felt like a spider. Ellie never felt spiders crawling up her leg but this sure felt like it. It was hairy and it was moving upward very slowly. As it reached her thigh, she heard the man sitting beside her gasp and she briefly wondered whether he was feeling the same thing. The hairy thing went up and Ellie's muscles were so taut that she was certain she would explode if this thing kept going. And then all of a sudden, it was gone.
She heard someone chuckle on the far right side, but it did not sound like a human voice, it was too deep. Then there was a whisper somewhere in front of her. And then behind her. Ellie had the impression the whisper just echoed around her, moving so fast it could not be human. She tried telling herself this was just a perfect acoustics system, but she felt something primal within her reacting to her surroundings. In that moment she knew they were trying to scare her and that she was being tested. And she felt anger waking inside of her. She was not sure WHY they wanted to scare her, but she would most certainly not run off screaming.
She concentrated on her breathing and tried to steady it as she felt something clammy brushing against her neck. The man sitting beside her was apparently not having a good day. Ellie could hear him panting and gasping. It annoyed her to no end. Now that she understood what they were doing, there was little that could happen to scare her. Even though she could not deny it was very uncomfortable at times, even painful. She concentrated on her breathing and tried to ignore whatever was happening.
At some point she heard a loud yell and then the whole hall went ghostly silent. Was it over? She could not feel anything anymore, except for the dull throbbing on her arm where someone had pressed something very hot against her skin.
She heard people moving around the hall and a strange thought popped into her head, which made her grin broadly. Was this how Amelia discovered her fetishes? She must have gone through the same experience. Was it possible she enjoyed it?
People started whispering and Ellie strained her ears to hear what they were saying. As their voices started getting louder, Ellie recognised they were speaking Latin. Ellie knew nothing about Latin and had no idea what they were saying, but it certainly sounded impressive. She recognised her sister's voice among others and was surprised with the aggressive note in it. As her voice rose to a shout, Ellie got goose bumps. Amelia sounded commanding, aggressive and impressive. Ellie could not connect this with the Amelia she knew.
And then, silence again. Ellie had a couple of moments to contemplate everything she knew and did not know about her sister before hands were placed on her shoulders. She was told to get up. She felt her legs were trembling as she moved slowly across the hall and was grateful she was left to stand as her guide obviously moved away to fetch the others. She needed time to compose herself and to stop that annoying trembling. Ellie was determined not to show fear or that they managed to intimidate her.
"I am your black sun, your whisper in the shadows," she heard the loud voice of her guide beside her.
"I am the passion for the night and beauty of the stars," she heard a male voice shout.
"I am power and I am knowledge," shouted someone across the hall.
"Desire my power and tremble before it!"
And then there was silence again.
"Behold, wanderer in the garish light, the beautiful darkness of your Black Sun," said the voice of the guide.
As Ellie felt fingers lifting her blindfold, all her hairs were standing on end. She had no idea how such simple sentences could evoke such a reaction in her, but there it was. Ellie had never heard anything more impressive. As she opened her eyes, for a moment she felt completely disoriented after wearing the blindfold for so long. But the one and only thing she saw first made her gasp.
It was just a painting. Or perhaps it was not just a painting. It was a painting of a sun, made on black canvas. The rays of the sun were glittering and the flickering light made it almost look like the rays were moving, dancing in a phantom breeze. Although the rays and the rim of the sun were beautiful by themselves, what really captured Ellie's attention was the inner part of the sun, which was black. It seemed to suck her in but at the same time spit something out.
A black hole, she thought.
She had no idea how long she stared at the painting. As she moved her glance away from it, suddenly remembering the blindfold was no longer there, a hand was placed on her shoulder. Ellie was steered toward a table which stood on an elevation right beside the painting of the black sun.
"Ellie," the man who was sitting at the table addressed her loudly. "Will you denounce the laws of this land, of this earth and of this society? Are you ready to tread the path of power?"
For a second Ellie was tempted to ask 'what the fuck do you mean by that', but she remembered Amelia. However strange all this sounded, her sister was a part of it.
"Yes," she therefore said.
The man just nodded solemnly. He asked the same question the other three people while Ellie stood and waited. She saw Christopher also sitting behind a table of his own on the elevation, but he was not looking in her direction. He seemed to be reading something.
Ellie supposed each of the people sitting at tables on the platform would ask her something and was not surprised when her guide led her to the man with a moustache whose table had been placed next to the first one.
"Ellie," he addressed her with a serious expression, "Will you devote your life to the Order? Will you always be loyal to the Order and put your work for the Order before everything else?"
This time she was ready and did not need time to think.
While the other three people standing in a row with Ellie were asked the same questions, she took her time to look at them. The man standing beside her, the one who kept gasping and panting during that strange scare session, looked as though he was about to faint. Ellie smirked as she glanced over him. She had no idea what was going to happen when she was led into the hall either, but it would take a bit more than a couple of hairy spiders and strange whispering noises to scare her.
As her guide placed her hand on Ellie's shoulder, she turned automatically toward Christopher, but her guide steered her away from him. Ellie smiled as she was turned to face her sister.
Three steps were leading to the platform where she was sitting so Ellie had to look up at her, but the sight of her sister sitting there and looking down at her with a paper in her hands made her both blossom with pride and awe. She looked paler than usual in the scanty candlelight, but she was radiating confidence and power. Her long earrings and her necklace glinted as she leaned forward a little.
"Ellie," she addressed her in a stern, loud voice. "Will you devote your life to your spiritual development and always strive to become more than human? More powerful, stronger and wiser than the rest of the sheep we call people?"
By the time she was finished with her questions, Ellie was gaping at her, feeling a powerful wave of awe washing over her.
It turned out she did not know her sister at all. Because this person was not her sister.
"I will," she whispered.
Amelia nodded sharply and then turned to the man standing beside Ellie, what gave Ellie the time to stare at her.
Ellie had always been the stronger one, physically and emotionally. She was always there for Amelia, as a crying shoulder, as a loving sisterly hand to guide her and help her climb out of deep, dark holes she continued falling into when she was younger. But this version of Amelia left her awestruck. It was the face of her sister she not only had never seen, but could never imagine seeing it.
As Amelia leaned back in her chair, Ellie was steered toward Christopher. With her head still full of questions and confusion, she watched him lean forward and fix the glance of his dark eyes upon her.
"Ellie," he addressed her in a voice which was deeper than his usual voice, what made Ellie check. How was he doing it? "Do you swear loyalty to this Order and to me, its Ruler?"
Ruler, Order, rules, laws. Ellie could not understand anything anymore, but at some point while standing before her sister she stopped caring. She wanted to be a part of this, whatever it was, so badly that she was ready to go to any length imaginable to get what she wanted.
"I do," she said loudly.
Christopher nodded gravely and pulled out a sword from somewhere. It was a beautiful, double edged sword which Christopher spun playfully in his left hand as he descended the three stairs leading up to the platform. His dark eyes seemed even darker than usual and there was this strange aura surrounding him. Ellie could understand why Amelia was crazy about him. He was not only handsome, but he was radiating that strange, exquisite power which felt like dark, shimmering dust falling on all her senses which were now in a constant state of overload.
"On your knees," whispered the brown-haired woman who had been guiding her until then.
Ellie lowered herself on her both knees and watched the tip of the sword rise. She held her breath as she stared at his shoes. In that moment she became aware of the fact she was panting, but was not sure why. She was not scared and she was not tired. The energy which surrounded Christopher was so overwhelming that she felt dizzy and intoxicated at the same time.
"By my authority, the Ruler of the British Order, the Order of the Black Sun will henceforth recognise you as one of us," she heard him say in that same, eerie deep voice. "With all duties and privileges which your title entails. Hereby, Ellie," at what she felt the cold blade of the sword being lowered on her head, "I, Prince Christopher, Knight you."
For some absurd reason Ellie felt tears coming to her eyes. And she was definitely not a person who could burst into tears for stupid reasons. She tried to blink the tears away.
The blade was lifted from her head and she tried to catch her breath as she saw it being lowered on the ground.
"Remember, Knight of the Black Sun – you are not kneeling in front of a human being, but before your true Self, which is perfect; all-powerful and all-knowledgeable. You are kneeling in front of yourself. But since you have been wandering in garish light, your eyes need to get used to the darkness. Therefore I stand here now instead of your true Self, until you touch it. And I am the embodiment of your own power."
Ellie grinned broadly. She loved what she was hearing.
"Kiss the hand of the Ruler as a token of your loyalty and trust," her guide whispered into her ear.
Ellie looked up confusedly and saw Christopher standing in front of her with his right hand outstretched.
But of course.
She took in her hand and kissed it. He just nodded.
"Novice Ellie, go and sit at your rightful place in this Order," he said. "And never forget the day you swore the oath and were reborn in the night."
He distanced himself away and her guide placed her hands on her shoulders. Ellie was helped to her feet and led toward a vacant chair. She immediately looked toward Amelia, who was sitting bolt upright and with her eyes closed. Ellie smiled. She had so many questions for her sister.
She felt a hand placed on hers and looked up. The woman who was sitting beside her smiled at her reassuringly and nodded at her. Ellie smiled back. Apparently she wanted to express her welcome this way, even though it was obvious no one was allowed to speak. Ellie looked toward the middle of the hall just in time to see Christopher brandish the sword and then slowly place the tip of it on someone's head, who was kneeling in front of him. Ellie caught herself vaguely wondering how heavy the sword was and wallowing in the wonderful waves of energy which was still coursing through her, comparing it with post-coital bliss.
Christopher finally returned to his place and sat down, putting the sword away. Everyone closed their eyes and Ellie did the same. She could not think about anything in particular and her thoughts were jumping from one thing to another. Now certain this was meant to be a meditation or something similar, she was grateful for the time-out and just relished the feeling of sitting there, alone with her thoughts. At some point she had enough of it and opened her eyes to look around. The hall she was sitting in was very spacious. There was a tall table in the middle of the room and right behind it were wooden chairs. Ellie knew now she was sitting on one of them during the scare session. There were about a dozen people sitting in a circle around the hall and some of them already had their eyes opened, but were still sitting quietly and were not moving, obviously not to disturb the others. In the opposite corner of the hall stood the beautiful painting of the sun Ellie first saw when the blindfold was taken off. From where she was sitting she could not see any details and wondered at the feeling she had when she was staring at it. It all seemed so distant and strange – did she really feel what she did? How could a single painting have such an effect on her?
The podium resembled those one could see in lecture rooms. There were four small tables on it and her sister was sitting at the one closest to Ellie. Ellie looked toward Christopher, who was sitting with his eyes open and was staring at his hands. His chair was different. It had black velvet padding and there were wooden ornaments lacing the back of it. It was too far away to make out any details, but Ellie hoped she would get the chance to have a better look at it.
"This ritual is finished," Christopher said suddenly. "Potestas scientiaque supra omnia!"
The rest of the present people shouted the last sentence in Latin in unison, after what Christopher got to his feet. Ellie looked around herself. Everyone else was still sitting so she supposed she should do the same. She watched as her sister got to her feet as well and followed Christopher across the marble floor toward the door. Once the door closed behind the four of them, people seemed to relax.
„Congratulations," said the red haired woman who squeezed Ellie's hand a few minutes before.
Before Ellie had the chance to understand what was going on, she embraced Ellie and patted her on the back.
„Are you okay?" asked a man beside her.
„Yeah," Ellie said. „I'm just wondering what the hell just happened."
He laughed and embraced her.
„Just take it slowly," he said. „Make small steps. Come on, let's have a nice drink. You look like a person who needs one."
Ellie allowed him to steer her out of the hall and into the salon through which they passed when they were first led upstairs. The salon was now a buzz of voices and Amelia caught sight of her sister sitting at the other end of the salon. She made a step in that direction, but a hand was placed on her shoulder.
„Come and sit with us," the man who led her out of the hall said.
„But I just wanted to talk to my sister," Ellie said in surprise.
„She is currently discussing something with Prince Christopher," said the man, steering her toward a vacant table. „It would be rude to interrupt them."
„All right," Ellie agreed.
She could see why it would be rude to just barge in on them, but that never bothered her. However, it was obvious from what she had seen that people in this organisation were very polite to each other.
„You have to explain those titles to me," Ellie said as she sat down.
„Of course," said the man with a smile. „I'm Knight Timothy by the way."
„Nice to meet you, Knight Timothy," Ellie said with a grin, shaking his hand across the table.
„Here you go, dear," said a voice behind them.
A glass of juice was placed in front of Ellie, who looked up. The brown-haired woman who was her guide smiled warmly at her from above.
„Are you okay?" she asked her.
„Yeah," Ellie said. How did she know what Ellie normally liked to drink? Although she would not have anything against a glass of cold beer right now.
„You were very brave," the woman said, squeezing her shoulder. „Everyone is impressed. By the way, I'm Knight Penelope."
They shook hands.
„Well, got to rush," Penelope said. „Plenty work to do. You just take it easy."
She disappeared down the corridor.
„Would you like something else? Don't know why she didn't bring you any booze. After all you've been through, I can imagine you would want something stronger," Timothy said.
„I suppose Amelia told her what I like to drink," Ellie said. „But actually I'd love a beer."
Timothy grinned and got to his feet. A cart with drinks was placed strategically in one corner of the salon. While Timothy was looking for beer, Ellie again looked toward her sister. Right now Christopher seemed to be explaining something to the three of them with a cigarette between his fingers and Amelia was leaning forward and listening intently.
„Here you go," Timothy said, placing a bottle of light beer and a glass in front of Ellie. „So, you're Duchess Amelia's sister."
„Duchess?" Ellie echoed. „Bloody hell, you really have to explain those titles to me."
„Oh yes," Timothy said. „There are nine degrees in the Order. Novice, Knight, Count, Duke, Marquees, Prince, King. Beyond the degree of the King there's one more, but no one really knows the name of it. They are called the Shadows. And of course, the ninth degree, that of Imperator."
Ellie's brain was overwhelmed with too much information, but any question she might have had was lost in the realisation her sister was, what – fourth degree? How long had she been a member here?
„How long has my sister been a member?" she asked.
„Oh I think about seven years," Timothy said.
„Seven years!" Ellie exclaimed. „And I had no idea!"
Timothy's glance softened.
„It's okay," he said, placing a hand on hers. Ellie hoped Amelia also told them she was gay, because sometimes she landed in difficult situations just because she was too friendly with men who then got the wrong idea. Although Ellie could not understand why. She felt it was blatantly obvious she was gay.
„The rules are very strict," Timothy said. „Breach of secrecy is something very serious."
„Why?" Ellie asked.
„To protect the Order and its members," Timothy said simply. „And to keep our knowledge for ourselves. What is taught within the Order could be dangerous for those who are not ready. And there are a lot of bunglers and dabblers in the world."
„I don't know anything about what the Order teaches," Ellie said.
„Oh you will learn. I just wonder who will be your mentor," Timothy said with a smile.
„I get to have a mentor?" Ellie asked.
„Sure," Timothy said. „Someone has to guide you and help you on your way."
„Well, can you do it?"
„I don't get to decide," Timothy said. „But I like you. I'd like to work with you."
„Who decides?" Ellie asked, ignoring his comment.
„Prince Christopher."
„Okay, I get it," Ellie said. „Strict hierarchy, right?"
He shrugged.
„When can I talk to my sister?"
Timothy looked toward the table at the far end of the salon. Amelia was no longer there.
„Maybe she's in the ladies' room," he said. „So this is your chance."
Ellie did not need telling twice. She got to her feet and quickly crossed the salon, heading toward the door which she already noticed on her way up. And Amelia was there. She was checking her makeup.
„Ellie," she said with a broad smile. „I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you before."
Without further ado she embraced Ellie and put her head on her shoulder.
„I'm so glad you're here," she whispered.
And she seemed to be back to the Amelia Ellie knew. Shy, warm and friendly.
„I've got so many questions for you, little sister," Ellie whispered, rubbing her back.
„And I'll answer them," Amelia said. „As soon as I have a spare moment. Let me just check whether Prince Christopher needs me."
„I bet he loves that title," Ellie whispered into her ear.
The two sisters parted and Amelia smiled at her.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
But Christopher seemed to have a lot to discuss with Amelia. Ellie had no choice but to go back to Timothy and her beer.
Within two hours however she was sitting surrounded by people and was feeling tipsy. In the beginning all this felt a little awkward, but now she was feeling great. Of course everyone knew she was gay and absolutely no one had a problem with it. On the contrary. Ellie learned that people in the Order were very open about sex and had no problem with anything sex-related. She also learned that all Order members were highly successful in their careers. Timothy worked at the court, Melanie owned a law firm, Martin was a highly successful psychiatrist. They were all very open-minded about everything, they were not judgemental and they were all, from first to last, eccentric.
Ellie loved it.
What she learned about the Order should not have surprised her, but it did nevertheless. The Order of the Black Sun was an esoteric organisation with insanely strict rules. But it was also a political organisation.
"So what exactly is the goal of the Order?" Ellie asked Timothy.
"Apart from the esoteric work we already talked about, the goal of the Order is to push the country in the direction it needs to go," Timothy said.
Ellie widened her eyes.
"But the British Order is too small yet to accomplish anything on such a grand scale," he added.
"I just don't see how this could be possible in general," Ellie blurted out.
Timothy smiled.
"Orders which have a solid number of members, meaning between fifty and one hundred, can accomplish a lot," he said. "Apart from the fact that the members are all active in their own domains, there is group magical Work done."
"I see," Ellie said thoughtfully. "So it's a combination of team work and magic. But why? Why push Britain in some direction?"
Timothy inclined his head.
"Are you totally okay with everything that has been going on?" he asked. "Do you really think this is as far as we can go?"
"I see your point," Ellie said. "But how do you know in which direction the country should go?"
"That's the Ruler's task," he said. "He needs to know, we can only make suggestions."
Ellie looked toward Christopher. Now she could understand some things better. If he had such a responsibility here, then his relationship with Amelia was hardly a stretch. In a way they were just imitating and emphasising the roles they had in the Order.
"She's coming toward you," Martin said suddenly.
"Who?" Ellie asked, turning her head.
She saw her sister crossing the salon.
"Novice Ellie," she said with a smile. "And Knight Timothy. I wish to speak to the both of you."
Ellie got to her feet and followed her sister toward a vacant table right beside the one Amelia had been sitting at until then. She could feel Christopher's glance on her, following her every move.
"Well," Amelia said, sitting down. She was glowing from within, Ellie thought. "Did the older members explain some concepts to you?"
"They certainly did, Duchess Amelia," Ellie said, figuring she should address her sister formally.
Her sister smiled broadly at Ellie's first public use of her title and nodded.
"Your first task will be to write an essay about the initiation ritual you just experienced," Amelia said. "And it's best if you do it as soon as possible, because otherwise you might forget some of the details."
"Makes sense," Ellie commented.
"Once you're done with this, you will send it to Prince Christopher and Knight Timothy," Amelia continued. "It has been decided that he would be your mentor."
Timothy smiled broadly.
"We'll leave you in his expert hands," Amelia continued. "Prince Christopher wishes you to quit your current job as soon as possible, so you could start with your work for the Order. You will be cooperating with Knight Peter. Your tasks will be sent to you, but Prince Christopher suggested you meet with him to get to know him."
"What about the gear I'll need?" Ellie asked. "If I quit my job, my gear stays there."
"You will make a list of the things you need and we will procure them for you," Amelia said. "Do you have any questions?"
"Loads," Ellie said. "But they can wait."
The both of them smiled.
"Now go to Prince Christopher, he has something he wants to tell you."
"I'll wait for you here," Timothy said.
Ellie got to her feet and headed toward the table where Christopher was now sitting alone. The glance of his dark eyes travelled over her and the corners of his lips twitched.
"The Order has high hopes for you, Novice Ellie," he said in his bass. "How was the ritual for you?"
He did not invite her to sit which was why she remained standing. It was just the kind of thing one would expect from Christopher.
"Fantastic," she said. "I thoroughly enjoyed it."
He smiled secretively and nodded.
"I thought you would," he said. "Well."
He got to his feet and to her surprise, put his arms around her. The following moment she embraced him back, remembering random people coming toward her after the ritual and embracing her. It seemed to be a custom in the Order.
"Welcome," he said, parting with her. "I look forward to seeing your work."
He extended his right hand toward her and for a second, Ellie stared. But then she remembered what she needed to do. She kissed it.
Christopher merely nodded at her and went back to his place, whereas Ellie was approached by the smiling Timothy. He seemed to be beside himself with joy he was elected as her mentor. Ellie tried to follow what he was telling her as he led her down the long corridor to the library, but her thoughts were with her sister.