Shay had called for Omega to come get Itzal. He was starting to get to know him fairly well now, and with the calming energy all quintessence ghouls carried, it was hard not to like him. After their initially hostile meeting, Itzal thought Omega had begun warming up to him.
The same couldn’t be said for Alpha, who still glared daggers every time he was assigned to escort or babysit him. That wasn’t a surprise, though. He’d expected that from the Clergy ghouls and ghulehs. No great loss.
Omega must have sensed Itzal’s shift in mood, because he unconsciously sent some calming energy his way.
“How do you fancy some fresh air?” the big ghoul asked. “The Abbey’s got woods out back and plenty of land. We could go for a run? I’ve been so busy this week, I haven’t had the chance, and I’m about ready.”
Itzal perked up. It felt like forever since he’d properly run. The last time was almost two weeks ago, the night he met Sunshine. If there was one thing ghouls loved more than scrapping, it was running.
“That sounds great. I think I need it too. Everything’s been so intense lately. It’d be good to burn off some stress.”
Omega smiled and led him outside, around the Abbey and along a path through the gardens.
The whole building backed onto a huge stretch of open land, surrounded by a high stone wall. Itzal suspected some magic was at work. There shouldn’t be this much open space so deep inside the city. But he didn’t dwell on it, instead tilting his face toward the late morning sun and soaking up its warmth. It was winter, but the weather hadn’t been too harsh, and the sun was still making regular appearances.
As they moved beyond the manicured gardens, he spotted the woods and felt his heart rate pick up. He smelled moss on old trees and the earthy scent of damp fallen leaves. It called to the wilder part of him.
A smile crept across his face just as Omega turned, grinning too. Without a word, Omega launched into a sprint toward the trees, and Itzal followed without hesitation. They ran through the woods, leaving the path behind, leaping over fallen logs and boulders. He heard a stream babbling nearby and spotted woodland creatures darting between the trees.
This was the closest thing to true freedom he’d felt since being summoned. His bond with Santos had marred his runs before. His collar had tied him to Santos’s control. But now, amended and shielded by the Abbey’s wards, he no longer felt it.
It was pure bliss.
The further they ran, the more the sorrow from learning about his sire slipped away. He would face that pain again when the time came. For now, he was free. Only the rush of adrenaline and the cool breeze stinging his skin mattered.
He had no idea how long they ran. It felt like miles, but eventually Omega vaulted over a log and collapsed into a pile of leaves. Itzal followed and lay back, staring up at the bare canopy. The air had turned colder, his breath rising in puffs of steam. But the exertion and the blood pounding through his veins kept him warm.
“You have no idea how much I needed that,” Omega panted. “I’ve gotten lazy lately. I was struggling to keep up with you. The others like quick runs, but it usually turns into fighting or fucking. I don’t mind that, but I miss longer runs. It’s not the same running alone.”
Itzal looked over. Omega sprawled like a starfish, which made him laugh. He found himself opening up to the quintessence ghoul.
“I needed that too. I don’t get to run often since I’ve been on Earth. When I do, I have to run hard, because I never know when I’ll get another chance. Santos doesn’t let me out much. Sometimes it’s months between runs, with duties or just being too beat up to manage it.”
He stopped, realizing he’d said too much.
Omega turned toward him, serious now. His eyes glowed with cool blue fire and he growled.
“If we ever get our hands on that fuck, he’ll regret every second of life he stole from you. Ifrit and Alpha have already planned out the details of his torture.”
Itzal’s eyes widened, realising they’d been discussing him. He was surprised Alpha would defend him, and said so. Omega chuckled.
“Oh, Alpha acts moody and he hasn’t been fair to you, but he hates injustice. His temper’s as hot as any other fire ghoul’s. Even if he doesn’t like you, you’re still a ghoul, and he’d have your back if you ever needed him.”
Omega sighed and sat up, brushing leaves from his clothes. Itzal did the same, and they strolled back to the Abbey in silence. They hadn’t wandered far from where they started, so it didn’t take long. Mid-afternoon sunlight filtered in, and music drifted from the rehearsal space.
“I miss that too,” Omega said.
He’d been rhythm guitarist for the Ghost Project when Terzo was Papa.
“Do you still play?” Itzal asked.
“Of course!” Omega grinned. “I’m working on some stuff with some of the other former Ghost Project ghouls. We’ve got tons of songs and try to get together once a month to rehearse. It’s fun.”
They parted ways on the lair floor, promising to run again soon if they could.
Each era of ghouls had its own lair section. Those not in the Upper Clergy or Ghost Project, belonging to lesser Clergy members, were housed elsewhere.
Itzal headed to his room, kicked off his boots, and caught his reflection. Dirt on his face and twigs in his hair. A shower was definitely in order. Afterward, he made himself a sandwich, grabbed a banana and milk, and ate back in his room.
Soon, he heard a frustrated growl and a door slam. Recognizing it as Sunshine’s, he set down his milk and ventured outside, knocking on her door. No reply. Pressing his ear to the wood, he heard soft sobbing.
He cursed under his breath, glanced around for anyone else nearby, and found no one. Everyone else was still at rehearsal. Taking a deep breath, he gently pushed the door open a crack.
“It’s me, Itzal. I’m coming in, is that okay?” he said softly.
A muffled response, which he took as permission, and he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Sunshine lay curled on her bed, face buried in her pillow. Itzal stood quietly, unsure what had happened.
“What’s wrong, Sunshine?”
Another muffled response, more sniffles and sobs. He edged closer and sat on the bed’s edge. She looked up, her violet eyes glossy and puffy, nose red from crying.
“I don’t want to talk about it, I just… ugh!” She punched the pillow, making him jump. “Will you lay with me, Itzal?”
He glanced at the door, silently wishing someone else would come. A better ghoul to handle this.
“Are you sure? I can get Cumulus or Cirrus,” he offered.
“No!” she sobbed.
Itzal sighed and carefully lay on the edge of the bed, arms at his sides, keeping space between them. She stared at him, then suddenly grabbed his shirt and pulled him close. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing harder.
He froze for a moment, then let his instincts take over. Not the tortured ghoul who hated touch, but the one he’d once been. The one who knew how to comfort someone in pain.
He awkwardly wrapped an arm around her and drew her closer. She snuggled into him, crying into him, while he kissed her hair and softly stroked her back, doing his best not to panic.
YOU ARE READING
Nameless Ghoul
ParanormalA ghoul is summoned illegally and enslaved by a rogue sect of the Clergy. For the past twenty years, an evil Satanic sorcerer has held Itzal captive. He took control of his will, subjecting him to unimaginable horrors, and forced him to commit acts...
