The Outsiders

The Outsiders: Chapter Twenty-Nine

Khristopher De Caldwick

Even as I stared at the castle I once called home, I could only tremble amid the desolate air.

            I had only been apart from Soum and Ocmjai for about an hour, but I yearned the warmth of my family. Not only because of the bond, but because of the security I felt in their arms. Amid rising tensions between Ptomatteo and the Werewolves, I couldn't feel more at-ease with Soum and Ocmjai. Even if we weren't bonded, even if mates never existed, I would never call Caldwick home again.

             For my mate, for my child, I would bare the burden of Promatteo. For the packs and the people surrounding Caldwick, I would turn myself in. This world was too large, too colorful, too beautiful to be destroyed for one man's pleasure. Even if it brought me pain to be apart Soum and Ocmjai, if it meant living in a world where my kin could flourish without fear and without loneliness, then I was willing go put my life on the line.

             Soum was my heart, my love, my joy, and seeing him distraught over his family made everything clearer. I didn't need to prove myself to the Cauldron. I didn't need the magic; I didn't need the power. All I needed was a good slap or reality to shake my perception of not only myself, but the ones I love. It took me too long to realize my worth and the worth of others, and I will fight to make sure it lasts longer.

"So, what's the plan?"

Spareaux's blank stare and quizzical voice brought me from my thoughts to the grim view of Caldwick. Taking I breath, I turned to him with a stone-like stare.

            "You can pretend you found me and brought me back from Vertime where there was an attack. Pretend to be angry with me, make Ptomatteo believe you found me all but dead in Vertime. Gain the most trust you can while we can, so it will be easier to persuade the civilians of Caldwick to evacuate when the time comes."

            Crossing his arms, we stared at the desolate field that lead to the front gates. A coldness rushed down my spine as I stared at those gates, veiling a world, a facade, a lie. One that Promatteo placed over the land, over the people, over me. My mother died in those corridors. Spareaux and I were born among those Gothic walls. Though Caldwick wasn't my home anymore, there were memories — some i wished to forget — engraved in the walls of Caldwick Castle.

              "And if we fail?"

             Spareaux sighed half-heartedly.

             "No matter the tribulation, failure shouldn't be in our vernacular, even if the odds are stacked against us."

             "Optimistic as always," said Spareaux before pulling me into the sky.

             Gliding towards the gates, we made sure  we were spotted by the guards by the large cellar doors. Shouting for us to land, a shock of nostalgia surged through my veins at the sight of angry guards with Spareaux dragging me back to Caldwick. With a horrid attempt to hide my grin, I covered my face in a slate of nonchalant.

              We were actually doing this.

              "Sir Spareaux, Sir Khristopher!"

             The guards gasped our names, rejoicing in glee as they called for the working people surrounding the gates. Holding me like a prisoner, Spareaux landed on the soft grass, gracing the crowd of Vampires wit he our half-blooded essence. The guards came to my air first, gently surveying me as they called for the servants.