War of Destiny 5: Soul Redeemed

Chapter 3

As I headed for the door to join Adrian and Diana, I noticed Stephen sitting alone at a small table in the common room. In front of him sat a chessboard that had been left set up. "Do you want to play?"I asked. I could always put off my training for an hour or two.Stephen shook his bowed head. Concerned, I went to sit across from him. "What's wrong?" I asked gently. I did my best not to intentionally read his mind, but his emotions were so strong I caught the thought anyway.

Chess isn't the same anymore. I miss Jeffrey.

"Stephen,I am sorry. I know you and Jeffrey were close."

He looked up, seeming startled for a moment. I was afraid he would be angry, but instead he smiled sadly. "I didn't have a chance to know Adam very well, but I thought we were becoming friends before he passed on. When Jeffrey and I stayed in Reading while the rest of you were trying to rescue Matthew, he and Aren tried to make things normal for me. We would sit and play chess or maw on many evenings.They would tell me stories of the places they had traveled and the things they saw. Jeffrey answered a lot of my questions about vampires. He had also started teaching me fighting techniques, ones that he had hoped Matthew would be able to help with. But with everything that happened . . ." He shook his head. "I feel a little awkward seeking Matthew out. I don't know him as well as the rest of you. And now that Kali is a vampire as well, and living on her own, I guess I'm just feeling a little lonely."

I leaned past the chess table to take his hands in mine. "I am so sorry! I didn't realize how much this affected you. I don't want you to feel alone and unhappy. As much as it pains me to say it, if you really wish to rejoin the mortals' society, we can help you get what you need to do so."

"Oh no, I don't wish to do that, Julia. You all are family to me now.It's just that I miss some of those family members sometimes," he replied.

I squeezed his hands carefully. "I do too." He met my gaze. "You're not alone, Stephen."

I considered my next words carefully. "I can understand your uncertainty in approaching Matthew. He hasn't been the easiest to deal with, and Samuel probably hasn't been much better."

Stephen sighed. "It's partially my fault. I had created an idea of what Matthew was like from my conversations with Jeffrey and Aren, and my few interactions with him back in England. Of course, he's very different from what I had pictured."

"I don't think what you pictured was wrong. Even Jeffrey would have said he didn't recognize him after he was rescued." I gave my surrogate son's hands another squeeze. "Matthew's been through a lot. He's normally sweet and funny, not angry and vindictive."

"I know. It isn't fair to him to judge him so, but like I said, I don't know him."

"But you are correct, you never really got a chance to know him." I thought of my trip with him to St. Victor's Abbey last night, of the prayers I thought I had heard. "I honestly am not sure how well I know Matthew anymore, but I can say I've seen more glimpses recently of that sweet funny man I knew." Stephen smiled slightly, and I added, "I need to train myself tonight, but I know Matthew and some of Elizabeth's group plan to spar. I'm sure they won't mind you joining them. One of them is bound to have some techniques they can teach you."

"Thank you, Julia."

*             *                *

When I stepped out into the yard with Adrian and Diana, I was happy to see it wasn't just us out here either. Elizabeth and Matthew were sparring and Stephen was among those watching the action behind us. I sighed as I realized the only one I didn't see in the crowded yard was Samuel. Although he's seemed calmer since being here, he has also remained withdrawn.