The Terrible Twelve

Chapter 24: When A Swan Cries

"Do you think they'll figure it out?" Oliver and Callum walked out of Ian's office and headed towards the kitchen.

"I have no idea man," Callum had his own problems to deal with let alone this whole Jane thing. "I just want them to figure it out."

"What's got you so worked up? Rivka?" Oliver knew that every since they'd moved in to Ian's coven, Callum had had a special relationship with Rivka. He'd denied any romantic feelings but they were still close. Rivka being so upset and exploding at Ian was definitely cause for Callum to be upset.

"No not this time. Rivka dug herself into that hole." Callum chuckled darkly, "No my mind is on a completely different vampire."

"Ooh and who might that be?" Oliver was highly interested. His best friend had only shown interest in one thing, sports. He knew he'd had relationships with vampires before but they never lasted.

"Yea but it's a little tricky." Callum hesitated, "How do you feel about Isabel?"

Oliver's face brightened, "Isa! I love her what about her?" Callum gave Oliver a shy look and he understood and instantly lowered his voice, "You have a crush on Isa?"

"Don't say it like that! I'm 215 years old, I'm not a school child anymore." Callum answered indignantly.

Oliver laughed, "Call it whatever you want. When did this start?"

"Literally like yesterday." Callum answered, "We went on a walk together."

He laughed again, "So you're going old school courting on her? Shouldn't you have asked her brother to chaperone?"

Callum shoved him playfully, "Will you shut up! That's the whole problem. We all know Luca is crazy protective of Isabel and I don't want him mad at me because I'm trying to get with his little sister."

"Well you shouldn't put it like that." Isabel giggled as she walked into the kitchen.

Callum shut his eyes and stalled. If he didn't move maybe she'd just walk away. Oliver busted out laughing and clapped him on the shoulder, "You're on your own with this one bro." Oliver left the kitchen laughing and Callum peeked to see if Isabel was still there.

"Yea I'm still here playboy." She laughed.

"I'm sorry." Callum was so embarrassed he could barely talk, "I really didn't mean it like that."

"I know you didn't. You can relax. Although you should very happy that my brother is across the church right now."

"Yea I'm thanking God for that one." Callum laughed still nervous of the predicament he was in.

"Yea you should be." Isabel laughed and grabbed a blood juice box before leaving the kitchen. Callum breathed a sigh of relief once she was gone. At least she hadn't rebuffed him completely. But across the castle other problems were still being resolved.

"So you're honestly telling me that you didn't know how Rivka felt about you?" Everyone else had left the office and Sophia was sitting on the couch watching Ian pace around the office and staring at the door every now and then. Ian had wanted to go after Viridian earlier but Sophia hadn't let him, telling him she needed time alone to think.

"I thought that she was just a little too protective of me and I thought that she was a little obsessed about me but I thought it was more of the 'you're my mentor' type of obsession not 'I'm ridiculously in love with you' obsessed." Ian explained.