Seeing the Unseen

Their Teacher

Seeing the Unseen Chapter Fifteen:

"Their Teacher"

My mouth dried itself out as I wrapped myself around Mason as he carried me bridal-style. He was running beside Jacob and they conversed and came up with plans as we headed towards their teacher's house, if you could even call it that.

"Teacher is very smart and understanding," Mason praised, skipping a bit as he ran. "'yku took me in and taught me despite no one believing in me."

Jacob growled. "It wasn't that people didn't believe in you, Xyll', it was more complicated."

Mason huffed.

"How come Mason is carrying me?" I asked. "He's still hurt!"

"I'm not fragile!" Mason exclaimed. "I am absolutely fine!"

"He's wrong and right," Jacob explained. "He isn't fragile and he can do this much. However, he can't call for his mask or scythe yet. I won't let him fight, but I'm not going to force him into bed rest."

Mason didn't seem happy about Jacob's words in the slightest, the brunet adjusting me in his grip. "How long will this last?"

"Until you are fully healed. It's up to your body, not me."

"My body says I'm fine."

"Your body is lying like a human then."

"Koreço, koreço... Please don't call me a human again..."

I scoffed. "It's fine, Mason. Humans aren't all bad. You were born from them!"

"So were Deçb'n'k'ç," Mason snapped back. "But I guess humans aren't that bad... you and your friends are pretty great."

"Beatrice is half reaper, that's why she's so different."

"Thanks." I rolled my eyes, looking at the raven. "I like you too."

Jacob just scoffed and glanced at Mason. We'll be arriving shortly.

-

"You home you?" a small child with dirty blond hair asked, looking between Mason and Jacob as they struggled to use proper English syntax, too accustomed to their own. "Human? You bring why?"

Jacob huffs and Mason gets on one knee to talk to the child face to face.

"Hello, Xyll'." Mason's voice was soft and gentle.

"T'me (tah-me)..." They smiled, bowing to my friend.

I looked to Jacob and raised an eyebrow. "That's the formal version of Oxe, right?"

The raven simply nodded.

"Is 'yku home?" Mason asked.

"Yes."

"Can we see them?"

The child nodded and led us into the small building and sat down on the floor, legs crossed like a kindergartener's. The two reapers followed and I cautiously sat as well.

The young looking reaper began speaking to Jacob in their native tongue while Mason smiled at me happily, though I could sense nervousness behind his gaze.

I felt a tugging at my sleeve and looked to see the little one.

"You half reaper you?"

"I think so," I replied. "but I don't know for sure, so I was helping your teacher could help me."

"¿Tyçk (tisk) 'llud'me (ay-yoo-dah-me)?"

I nodded. "That would be fantastic."

Their blue eyes shined happily and they quickly ran off to go get their teacher.

"They are adorable. So young... they will age, right?" I asked.

"Up until a point, yes," Jacob replied.

I opened my mouth to reply, but something felt... off. Mason gave my hand a quick squeeze and used his eyes to motion behind me.

Turning as cautiously as humanly possible, I came to meet the gaze of my friends' teacher. I gulped. His eyes were a royal blue, hair as black as night. Subconsciously, my hands flew to my hair, pulling on the locks gently.

"I'm assuming this is the half human-half reaper that you two brought," the adult spoke, surprisingly well-versed in the English language.

"Yes." Jacob nodded.

Teacher looked between Mason and me, eyes seemingly glowing in recognition.

Mason stiffened as his mentor motioned him over with a finger, the two disappearing to talk. I snapped over to Jacob and crawled over, leaning against him for support. Sensing my unrest, he allowed it, draping an arm around my shoulder as the youngest reaper finally made their appearance.

"Teacher give them talking to," they said as they drew their eyebrows together.

"Come here," Jacob said softly, the younger quickly obeying.

Jacob placed his forehead to theirs and a bright light cane between them, causing me to shut my eyes tightly. However, the action only seemed to decrease the intensity just slightly.

"Thank you." The younger bowed after the light subsided, a white dot on both of the reapers' foreheads. "I think I understand English now, mostly."

I smiled at their accent. It was hard to explain, but it was cute how their words sometimes mixed together.

"Beatrice."

I froze.

Mason stayed beside them, a dot on both of their foreheads as well. I squinted my eyes.

"Beatrice... Grace Harrison," Teacher said softly, yet with an undeniable sense of power. "you are indeed half human and reaper."

My chest tightened as I nodded slowly. "How could you tell...?"

They reached a hand out and I took it without hesitation, throwing myself off. Teacher looked me in the eyes and I became mystified.

"Beatrice..." Their free hand cupped my face. "Beatrice, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I leaned into the comforting touch.

"Sorry that I couldn't stay with you."

They touched my forehead and suddenly, my mask appeared. They smiled at the sight, letting me go so that I could grab my makeshift scythe. I touched the necklace and a long dagger appeared.

Tears ran down my face and Mason quickly touched my shoulder and I calmed the shaking of my limbs, the tears still falling freely. Teacher gave Mason a look, but he came even closer, helping to ground me.

"Beatrice..."

I started shaking again due to the voice being in my head, but Mason just held me closer.

"Beatrice, it's okay." Mason's voice rang through my head this time.

I closed my eyes and then opened them, facing eyes and hair that were akin to mine. I clenched my fists and the gear dissipated. Teacher nodded slowly and looked at me even deeper into my being than before. I sighed.

"H-Hi, Dad..."