The strength of the pack

Rhyme watched as the pack started to arrive at their call. His bright gaze fell on Actaea first, he returned her smile as she got comfortable and Epitaph appeared from the same direction Shaye had come from. He gave the man a quick nod at his attempt at a smile. He still couldn't shake the feeling that Epitaph was one of Rhythm's. They hadn't gotten any definite answers either.

Acere appeared with Tana quickly after. Rhyme guessed when he didn't see her companions that they'd been left with the pups. Vail made her way through, and she still held that same coldness towards him. He tried to ignore it as he dipped his head in greeting towards Allegro and Odysseus.

He watched as Cadence, Spider, and Rhea took their places. Corvus and Cael appeared shortly after, he couldn't miss how they all seemed drawn to one another. He couldn't miss Ignis' somber mood either. The boy was usually bouncing off the walls, nothing seemed to get him down. Rhyme wondered what had happened. Peggy slipped in last, and he thought it odd she sat next to her mentor instead of the group of young adults. She was the only one to sit with her mentor.

Shaye didn't hesitate in getting the meeting started, and he offered a few nods and smiles of congratulations as she graduated their previous apprentices. Mostly Rhyme was interested to see who might step forward to participate in their competition.

His attention fell on Spider again as he thanked Shaye for his rank. Rhyme offered a quick, "Congratulations," It seemed his promotion had surprised and pleased him.