Tolrek blames Beilon for his mother being shot, which takes the official and Darion by surprise, in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 30. Here’s an excerpt:
Beilon stared into Tolrek’s eyes, half-mystified and half-chilled, as Tolrek’s irises darkened to a malevolent greenish black. A ripple of energy that represented Tolrek’s craving to maim surged around him. His hands closed around Beilon’s throat, as he fixated on his target, wanting to feel the life drain out of him.
Armando remembers more details surrounding the death of his parents in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 35. Here’s a portion:
“When I was in the hospital, someone came to see me,” Armando began. “I’d felt that he shouldn’t have been there. I’d just awoken and he was standing over me. I’d opened my eyes and saw him, he’d smiled. I’d recognized him as the Nitelge who’d grabbed my arm during the night my parents had died. He’d waved a hand over my face and said a few words that sounded like a spell. I’d tried to push him away but then blacked out. For years, every time I’ve tried to describe to others what happened my head would hurt so badly. Eventually, I gave up, thinking I’d just imagined it all.”
Kouta and Ryuu share some salacious details about their past, in Balance, Chapter 29. Here’s a bit:
Ryuu pushed another pillow behind his head, as he stared off into space. Kouta became further intrigued. He wanted to know more about what was causing the expression on his lover’s face. Ryuu had a wide grin on his face, like he was reliving an extremely pleasant memory.
Those who are working against Darion and Tolrek, commit another act to hurt the couple, in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 29. Here’s an excerpt:
As Tolrek escorted his mother to his car, he surreptitiously looked around the perimeter of her house, spotting the agents that had been assigned to protect her. They’d all been made aware of his decision to take his mother in public, something that rarely happened.
I thought I’d give an update about where the current stories are heading. Balance and Vaironian Tides are winding down, while The Architect’s Guardian has a significant way to go. I’m still determining if the first two stories will have sequels but I’m 80% sure that AG will have one. I’d imagined it as a series. Armando Medina’s awakening to his powers and his relationship with Izdahl are just the start of what happens, in the universe where the AG takes place.
Armando reveals his most traumatic experience to Izdahl. Then, they decide what will be the next step for their relationship, in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 34. Here’s a portion:
Izdahl led Armando up the stairs and ran a bath for his lover, soothing him and then letting him rest. When Armando had fallen asleep, Izdahl stepped out onto the balcony, wondering if it wasn’t time to begin asking more questions about what had happened to Armando’s parents and who was ultimately accountable. The issue remained a festering wound in Nitelge and Human cultures, still used by some as a reason for why the two groups should not interact.
Kouta and Ryuu are excited about their decision to attend Ryuu’s movie premiere together. However, there are hurdles in Balance, Chapter 28. Here’s a bit:
Kouta knew that Ryuu was waiting for an answer. Still, it wasn’t about a simple yes or no. They had appeared in public together but the premiere would be on a grander scale. Plus, Ryuu was often annoyed about being in the news. Attending the premier with him would remove any lingering questions about their status. They were likely to get many questions. Now, with such an important prospect in front of him, Kouta wasn’t sure he wanted that kind of scrutiny. However, the more confident part of him finally helped him find his voice.
Darion learns that Tolrek and a few others have been acting on his behalf in Vaironian Tides, Chapter 28. Here’s an excerpt:
They’d set about gathering information, putting the pieces together. They’d enlisted a variety of resources; having Fei review a multitude of communications for clues to Meric’s whereabouts, using the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment Tezza and Reya had provided, accepting Makdan’s financial support to pay informants and directing Halsam to make sure that Tolrek was aware of the proceedings, while he was still fighting Ersha.
Izdahl and Armando are recovering from a painful conversation. After arguing about the status of their relationship, they’ve been pondering their last discussion in their posts titled Frustation! and Blindsided. Read their thoughts under their sections from The Characters Say…
Armando is preparing himself to be more revealing with Izdahl than he has ever been.
Izdahl and Armando have a candid conversation about Izdahl’s frustrations with their relationship in The Architect’s Guardian, Chapter 33. Here’s a portion:
“I get your damn point!” Armando snapped. “You can be so impossible! You take me from zero to furious in a matter of seconds. I guess I’ll leave you alone. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, especially on Amasi property.”
