COBALT: The Red Phantom (Book One)

Chapter 22: The Power of Secrets (Part 1/2)

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Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian buddies! (If you guys are even here, hard to see us in all that space)

As for my southern buddies, I might have a July the 4th update for you guys as well - we'll see how much of an overhaul the next chapter needs.

Regardless, bring out the maple syrup EVERYTHING and lotsa bacon.

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          Káel held his phone up as he lay on his bed, clicking the power button nonchalantly. After weeks of faithful service it had finally died, so even if he wanted to share Phantoms existence with anyone else, he couldn't. 

          Truvius wasn't in the study room for once, he hadn't seen him since he left to the library. A trip he was taking more than usual in the past two weeks.

          Puff sat on the pillow beside Káel, looking down at Jeremiah who was slinking back and forth beneath the bed. His uncle hadn't replied to his letter about getting back to Earth, conveniently forgetting most of his questions and answering the unimportant ones.

          He grabbed a sheet of paper, catching Jeremiah's scowl.

Dear Staz,

I'll ask this again, if you're so pissed off about Ray kidnapping me why can't you take me back? Also, thank you for finally accepting to take care of Puff, please keep Jay away from him though, your guardian has an affinity for bullying him.

Also, can you tell Samanthra I can take care of myself now? If I have to suffer through another week of those lessons I'll get Puff to eat me. Or at least give me something to get back at Mr. Lightwood, he's tormenting me more than teaching.

Lastly, I don't have to give back that Zodraic battery right?

Sincerely, your nephew Káel

          Jeremiah walked away with the letter in his collar, constantly looking back at Káel with a death glare.

          "So," Phantom said, watching Káel sit on his bed.

          "So what?"

          "Are you going to hunt down Blondie?"

          Káel sighed, grabbing his dead phone again. "He's gonna give me the same response. If I even find him."

          Phantom chuckled, folding his arms with a trailing song to his voice. "Not if you use a little more force."

         "I'd hate to break it to you, but I'm pretty sure he's stronger than me," Káel said, receiving a nod from Puff.

          "Typical teenager," Phantom scoffed. "I find the most effective methods for extracting information are psychological."

          Káel grimaced, Phantom had grown eerily condescending with the passing weeks. "Like what? I barely know him."

          "But you have leverage," Phantom replied, ignoring the growing worry plaguing Káel's face as he squatted to reach his eye level. "Leverage in the form of that little bomb he requested."

          Káel blinked, a sequence of realisation slowly lighting his brain as his mouth twitched with the ghost of an evil smirk. "You have a point. I'm sure we can get an answer with that kind of leverage."