The Outsiders

The Outsiders: Chapter Twenty-One

Khristopher De Caldwick

As I cuddled into Soum, I glared at my brother— the dead man walking.

            Though Soum had said it was an accident, I couldn't possibly believe that my brother — a keen Vampire with enhanced abilities — dropped my mate hundreds of feet in the air. I was no gullible imbecile. Spareaux just appeared with a bounty of Vampires; how was I supposed to trust him? Never mind the guards he brought with him, he tried to interrogate my mate, dangling him in the sky as I did with Allard accept Allard deserved it. If he truly cared, if he was truly worthy of my answers, he would have asked me, not Soum.

            All I wanted was to rest in Soum's arms under the glimmering stars of twilight, yet I could only cuddle with Soum as Spareaux met my glare with the same annoyance. Running my fingers down my hair, Soum cradled me in his arms, soothing my aching muscles with how soothing scent and assuaging warmth. As I relaxed to his touch, I could only shut my eyes as I basked in his presence.

             An apology was called for on both of our parts, but we could handle our issues tomorrow. After a night of fighting, I could only exasperatedly sigh. Soum and I had made up, in a way I can't fathom, we apologized to each other with our touch, with our actions. Never had I thought a kiss would mean so much. The moment I wrapped him in my arms, I knew the kiss went deeper than the carnal. This mutual trust was jarring. With its fated ends and weak spots — it was far from perfect to the outsider, but perfect for him and me. I knew we needed to clear the haze of some topics and apologize for our own misgivings, but all I wanted to do was rest.

            "So, he's your mate?"

            Groaning, I could only glare at Spareaux as I jolted awake from the inklings of slumber. Soum caressed my arm with a soft smile before glaring at Spareaux. With a heavy sigh, I lost my vigor for sleep, shifting in Soum's lap before moving next to him. Placing my head on his shoulder and his arm on my waist, I calmed my vexation with his scent.

            "Since you are so interested, yes, Soum is my mate," I spat through gritted teeth.

"Why are you still here, anyway?"

Spareaux shifted in his seat, dropping his gaze towards the scorched grass. Though the fire incantation was deadly, it was quite easy to extinguish, only taking a small chant and the wave of a hand. I half-expected him not to survive the direction, shutting out the other half of my mind that ached at the thought of causing him harm. As he fondled the foliage with his foot, I glared at him with a stiff glower.

            "It's no every day you find your brother living such a different life, a happier one, without you."

I tensed to his words, embracing Soum's arm with a stiffer hold. Hesitantly peering into his eyes, I could only see the solemn earnestness in them. Gulping, I fidgeted with Soum's fingers, distracting myself from the guilt that burdened my shoulders.

"Why should you care?"

"Why? Because I'm the brother! Because I care about you!"

I could only stiffen at the distress and hurt in his tone. Laced with malice and betrayal, Spareaux could not hold in his pain. A tone so similar to my own, his voice broke at the end of the sentence. Never had I imagined how much hurt I would bring: not to Sonia, not to Toasheh, and especially not to Spareaux. I might have thought he truly meant his angered words, but it wasn't an excuse to hurt him as deeply as I did, no matter how hurt I was at the lies. I should have been benevolent; I should have cared about what I had done. Yet I was blinded by hurt and selfishness, selfishness that came to hurt me more than to heal.