The Thought Keepers: Ability

Chapter 15: The New Bass Player

I woke up groggily, feeling unsatisfied with my sleep. I wiped my mouth, but it was still crusted over from drool. I rubbed it off as best I could before creeping out of the room. The bathroom should've been just around the corner, but Carson's house was a maze as always.

I found myself near the staircase when I heard two people speaking harshly to each other. One of them was Carson.

"...nowhere else to go! Where is she supposed to stay?"

Dread settled in my stomach as I realized they were talking about me. If it was an argument about me staying at the Mystic Castra, the other person could be none other than Carson's father, the Helios Supreme.

"She can figure that out for herself. You're not her keeper," Carson's father snapped. His voice was as cold and unfeeling as death; his words completely matter-of-fact. It was definitely not the kind of tone a parent should have.

"I am her keeper, actually. If you wanted me to forget about her, then you never should have made that stupid Pact."

I frowned, not understanding what he meant by that.

"Watch how you talk to me, son. This is my house, and I have a right to question who lives in it. You knew I wouldn't approve of her living here," Robert berated.

"I've only just found her again," Carson said. "I won't leave her alone when her uncle is missing. It's our responsibility to help Unnormals in need, to shelter those that have no place to stay. Isn't that why the Mystic Castra exists?"

The Helios Supreme sighed. "Of course, we try and help as many Unnormals as possible. But that girl is a liability. If she loses control, it puts everyone around her in danger. What will you do if that happens?"

"That won't happen," Carson declared with vehemence. "She's not the monster you make her out to be."

"She's not the innocent girl you perceive her as either," Carson's father countered. He sighed, sounding as weary as any parent whose child won't listen to them. "I'll allow her to stay until Ethan is found. But if she hurts someone, I'll hold you directly responsible. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Carson said quickly, as if he couldn't answer fast enough. "I'll keep everyone safe."

Robert scoffed, clearly not believing him. He slammed the door as loudly as possible on his way out, as if his lack of response wasn't clear enough. I imagined Carson lingering in his father's absence, staring at the closed door with hatred in his eyes.

"Eavesdropping is a habit of yours, I take it."

I whirled around to find Dante standing behind me, looking as tired as I felt. He was wearing pajamas like me, and walking around barefoot like he didn't want to make a sound.

"I feel like I should if the conversation is about me," I answered. "And if it's as explosive as that one."

Dante nodded. "That's fair. I usually sit on the stairs and listen to him and Carson go at it. That's not even the worst fight they've had."

I winced, remembering how Carson looked when he showed up in my room earlier. "I know. Do their fights always end so brutally?"

Dante tilted his head, making his combed hair fall out of place. "What do you mean?"

"Carson was really hurt from their training session last time. He came to my house bleeding so much that I tried to get him to a hospital, but he didn't want to go," I explained.

Dante looked deeply confused, as if I had said something ridiculous. "Robert would never do something like that. He has never beaten Carson, or anyone who lived here. Robert may be a jerk, but he isn't abusive or anything," Dante promised, but I wasn't convinced. The way he spoke to Carson was brutal.