Troubled Souls

Chapter 6

Silas

Rowan stopped me from going after Nova. He shook his head warningly then took off his oversized hoodie so I could cover myself up. My privates were barely covered, but it'd have to do for now. Her disgust lingered all over me as I tried to make sense of everything. This was not what I imagined would happen. I didn't necessarily expect her to thank me or fall into my arms like I was a hero, but I at least thought there would be somewhat of a conversation. Nothing. Her words echoed through my mind as Rowan and I walked to the mansion like the fight in the woods had never happened. I couldn't care less about the attack that went down at the bonfire. We'd fought them before and we would have to again at some point. I didn't care. I couldn't care. All I wanted was Nova. How could that be the most important part out of everything? How could it be that she was the only person on my mind constantly?

We were about to go inside the mansion when Rowan blocked the doorway and turned to me. His face spoke volumes.

    "What were you thinking out there?" Looking back it may not have been the greatest move, but it was with the best intentions. "What did you think was going to happen?"

    "I honestly don't even know..."

    "Of course you don't," Rowan grunted, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What you should have done was go away when things died down and meet her here. Dressed and human. I'm sure Nova would have pieced it together perfectly without the whole cinematic shift walking towards her."

    "It worked out fine for you and Jess-"

    "That was an entirely different situation to begin with! For starters, the connection was already made. I warned Jessica, told her exactly what she was going to see. And I sure as hell didn't change right in front of her! It's repulsive to watch, even for our own people." He had a point. "Jess and I had planned the entire thing. You just came up to us, slaughtered those celestials and then, all bloody and aggressive, you just figured: let me give her nightmares for the rest of her life."

    "What's gotten into you? Why does this get to you so much? It's who we are! She knows what I am, what we are!" Rowan clenched his teeth, his nostrils flared.

    "There is a big difference between the knowledge of what we are and actually having to witness it, Silas. Not even two weeks ago Nova thought we only existed in crappy fantasy stories. In one night, she had to run for her life, was attacked in the woods and -"

    "She was attacked?" Rowan nodded, waving it away.

    "Nova didn't even flinch. She had the reflex to throw her arms up and slide out of her cardigan to get away," my brother gestured wildly with his arms as he was re-enacting what he watched happening earlier, "She threw her arms up. To get out of her cardigan. Waited for me to knock him about before she somewhat panicked."

    "Explain why that didn't get to her, but I did."

    "Oh, please! When did you turn out to be such an idiot? Did the celestials present themselves as handsome young men to her before they changed and attacked? Did she know them personally?"

    "It should have made all the difference that Nova was aware of the fact it was me. I wouldn't hurt her." Rowan grabbed me by the arms, painfully pinching my biceps as he shook me.

    "You heard her, brother. It made no difference."

    "Good evening, boys." We were both startled by our father that had appeared in the doorway, his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorpost.

    "Father," Rowan and I said in unison.

    "Rowan, it's come to my attention that Nova's upset and I'd like for you to go up to her. As for you, Silas," Father took in the sight of me, covered in nothing but a metal band hoodie, "It's not befitting for a man of your position to walk around dressed like a rockstar. I might only hope you have a good enough reason as to why that is?"