Helheim

CHAPTER 16

A week had gone by, and I'm not sure I was a hundred percent present during the memorial the town celebrated in honor of the homeless man who died at the fire. The old couple who owned the house and their children were all there. They seemed devastated by the news and the sight of their memories burned to ashes. We had no business and no right at all to be there pretending to be sad about what had happened, but we were; me, The Seven, Valhalla, other people from school and from the town, all acting like we were sorry for the family and the man that had lost his life.

The mayor gave a "touching" speech about the tragedy, and the importance of not doing drugs and not drinking, because that was the conclusion they had come to at the police station, that the guy was so drunk, he had tried to light up a cigarette and failed to do so, lighting everything on fire instead, including himself.

I had worn black, to show some respect. Yet, The Seven were wearing different shades of gray.

I stood silently next to Imani, Killian and Zian, as I watched Amelie and Elio talk softly to the old couple after the speech was done. While on the other hand Nox and Kaden approached the eldest son.

-Let's go- whispered Killian to Imani as soon as he saw the mayor and a couple other high-level politicians walking towards a group of people.

-What are they doing? - I whispered panicked.

-They are getting the work done dumbass, planting the seed- replied Zian annoyed- That way they'll think it was their idea to do what we want them to-

Realization sank in, as I began analyzing the situation. Such an innocent act, to go and maintain a small conversation with someone, but it was not about politeness nor kindness. They were all approaching the same objective pulling all the existent strings, playing with them, driving them towards were they wanted them to be. I couldn't help but think of them as group of wolves spreading around their prey, circling it before they clung their teeth into it's flesh.

-Then what are you doing? - I asked.

-Making sure you don't fuck things up, my job is to silent you if it's necessary- he replied coldly, although I could tell by the way his mouth curled that would be something he would love to do.

-I'm not a kid, I don't need a babysitter, and even if you don't believe me I am no snitch- I retorted bitterly.

-Ex eodem ore calidum et frigidum efflare- he muttered so low I barely heard him.

-Did they ask you to do this? –I questioned annoyed.

He eyed me carefully.

-I volunteered- he finally said- I would really enjoy shushing that mouth of yours -

-I bet- I replied locking eyes with him.

His ember eyes pierced through mine with a mixture of pure hate and something else that I could not decipher. He was scary, like really actually scary; the eye contact lasted a couple of seconds before I looked away, right on time for Nox to be back.

-Zian, go get us a drink would you? - he half questioned half ordered. And the Italian boy was visibly displeased, but he would never contradict him, nor disobey; so off he went, leaving me alone now with the icy-blue eyed boy, and that was worst.

He stood next to me. He was always so calm, so quiet, so analyzing, so cold and imposing. I could have sworn I could feel the coldness emanating through his body. Still he would put on the most heartwarming mask face on as soon as he needed to.

He caught me eyeing him. I knew I shouldn't have, but it was really hard not to stare though. I heard him chuckle a little. Two minutes hadn't even gone by before I unconsciously found myself looking at him again, watching him, as his eyes followed Kaden carefully around the place.