Nameless Ghoul

Reunited

Itzal ran for a good couple of hours, burning off the frustrations of the last few days and using the time to think through what Secondo had offered. He thought he’d made his decision, but there was still time before he had to commit.

Back at the ghoul lair, he showered and cleaned up ahead of the summoning. There were still a couple of hours to go, so he lingered under the hot water, trying to soothe the nerves fluttering in his stomach. The thought of seeing his mother again after all these years left him feeling raw. He skipped dinner. He couldn’t stomach food right then.

As he laced up his boots, a soft knock came at the door. He knew it would be Sunshine and called for her to come in. When he looked up and saw her, his breath caught and he felt his eyes glow.

She had dressed in the traditional style most ghulehs wore back home. Soft, dark grey leggings and a flowing black blouse cinched with a belt at the hips. Her feet were bare, and she wore the gemstone pendant parents gifted to their kits upon reaching maturity. The vivid purple stone, marbled with black and white, picked out the colour of her eyes. She beamed back, and it stole the breath from his lungs.

“You look amazing,” he said.

“Thank you. I figured if I was going to meet your mother, I’d better dress up.” She winked. “Are you okay?” His smile faltered as his mind faltered, kicking up all the worst-case scenarios. Sunshine walked over and cupped his cheek. When he looked at her, her expression was soft and sad. “Hey. She’ll be so happy to see you. Don’t doubt that.”

He placed his hand over hers and nodded, taking a deep, steadying breath before standing.

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

They walked to the chapel in silence, save for the occasional greeting as they passed others. Secondo and Earth met them and ushered them into a side room to wait. Then they left to begin the summoning.

The room was large and inviting. Two oversized sofas faced one another with a low slate table between them. A broad granite hearth barely contained a roaring fire. The warmth seeped into the room at just the right temperature for ghouls, and the crackle of burning logs was comforting. A glass jug of Ghoulish tea and six small cups waited on the coffee table.

Itzal walked to the mantelpiece, resting his forearms against it and letting the fire’s heat soak into his bones. He stared into the flames.

“I could use some of Omega’s mojo right about now.”

Sunshine joined him, placing a gentle hand at the small of his back. She traced soothing circles there in quiet support.

They stood in silence until the fire sputtered with a sudden whoosh. Itzal jumped. Sunshine rested her head against his side.

Moments later, the door from the chapel creaked open. They both turned. Shay and Papa IV entered, flanked by Aether and Earth. Behind them came a tall, striking ghuleh with braided black hair and brilliant green eyes.

Itzal’s heart stopped. Her gaze locked onto his and she gasped, a sob bursting from her throat as her hand flew to her mouth. She broke away from the others and turned to black smoke, ghosting across the room. When she reformed in front of him, Itzal’s knees buckled.

He dropped to the floor, and she caught him, cradling his head against her belly. He flinched instinctively at the touch. She noticed and let go instantly.

Itzal stood, legs shaking, and she reached for his face, cupping it gently, her thumbs brushing his cheeks. He managed not to pull away again, though she caught the second flinch too.

“My precious child… what have they done to you?” she whispered, her eyes devouring every inch of him.

Tears streamed down her face as she studied him. She traced the scar on his cheekbone, then another slicing through his eyebrow. Her gaze dropped to the black collar at his neck. A sharp cry escaped her, and she reached for it.