Page 87 of Dark Princess Ascending
With a sigh that was bittersweet, Gertrude pulled out her charge card from her pocket, inserted it into the machine, and chose the largest coffee it offered. Rob liked it with cream and no sugar, so she selected that, and once the machine was done brewing, she collected the cup, put the lid over it, and headed back to the clinic.
When she entered Rob's room, she caught him fighting to keep his eyes open. "My savior!" He extended his arm. "Come to revive me with the heavenly brew."
Chuckling, she handed him the cup. "Careful. It's hot." She hopped up on the bed to sit next to him. "I spoke with Hildegard, and she's moving out as early as tomorrow. Tonight, she's in the keep."
He frowned. "Why? I don't want her to feel as if she has to go because I'm moving in. The two of us can look for a place of our own."
"What's the difference?" she asked.
"The difference is that she wouldn't have to pack, and we will get a fresh start."
Gertrude let out a breath. "Moving to another house would be more difficult for me because of my herb garden. Hildegard would have let me keep it, of course, but it's an added level of complexity. Besides, Hildy has already spoken with Ingrid, and she's also found a new roommate. Peter's mother decided to stay in the village, and the two of them are moving in together."
"Good news," Margo walked in. "The whole gang is coming to witness the test. Mia and Toven, Negal, Frankie, Aru, Gabi, Jasmine, and Ell-rom. They are all on their way."
Gertrude glanced at her watch. "Did you check with Bridget? It hasn't been two hours yet."
"I did, and she's ready. We are only waiting for the gang to arrive."
Gertrude turned to Rob. "Is there anyone else you would like to invite?"
"Arwel and his mate, if Jin wants to come. William and Roni, if they can take a break from work."
"Right." Margo was already typing on her screen. "I forgot about them. Shame on me. I'm texting them to ask if they can make it."
A few moments passed until the replies arrived. "Jin is on her way, and the guys will rush over, and leave as soon as the test is done. There is some bigmission going on, and they are all on high alert tonight."
That was probably the Avengers mission. Perhaps they expected complications and were keeping senior Guardians on alert.
Gertrude rushed to brush Rob's hair, give him a quick shave with the electric razor, and splash him with cologne, making it just in time before his friends began filing in.
Rob managed to look both pleased and overwhelmed by the attention, welcoming his guests and thanking them for coming.
A few minutes later, when William and Roni walked in, Bridget appeared with her ceremonial tray, a small knife gleaming under the fluorescent lights.
"Alright, everyone, find a spot where you can see. Who's filming?"
"I am," Mia said, holding up her phone.
"I'll time it." Margo pulled up the stopwatch app on hers.
Gertrude squeezed Rob's hand as Bridget approached the bed, and he squeezed hers back, his grip surprisingly strong so soon out of the first stage of his transition.
"Your left hand, please," Bridget instructed.
Rob extended his hand, and Gertrude felt his slight tension as Bridget positioned his palm upward.
"This will sting a little," the doctor warned, though they all knew what to expect. "Now."
The knife's edge was sharp enough that the initial cut barely registered, but Gertrude saw Rob's jaw tighten slightly as the pain bloomed. They all watched intently as blood welled in the shallow cut.
Almost immediately, the edges began knitting together. The healing was happening quickly, and they could all track its progress. In mere seconds, the wound closed, and a few seconds later, no trace was left of the cut.
"Twenty-eight seconds total," Margo announced triumphantly. "That's a fantastic time!"
A cheer went up from their assembled friends, and Rob's face broke into a wide smile as congratulations poured in from all sides.
"Welcome to immortality," Toven said formally.