After War Storm

Cal

Mare flung the castle door open as we ran inside, both of us desperate to get back to our son and find out what had happened and why I had heard my mother's voice. I still didn't understand that part. I didn't understand what had happened, why it did, or how it was possible.

"Wait in here," I told the family who had run back here with us. I set Felicity down on her feet as I had been carrying her since her legs grew tired on the run.

Mare and I raced through the castle, checking every room we passed for one of our friends or family who would know where Ti was.

It didn't take long to find Uncle Julien, Evangeline and Cameron in one of the castle's many living room. It was a strange place for them to be but that wasn't what I was concerned about.

Ti wasn't with them and Cameron had been looking after him. If Cameron didn't have him then I would have thought Evangeline or Julien did. This was making me very nervous to hear what they were going to say. Right now, it didn't look good.

It was clear to see they'd all been crying. Each of them had red puffy eyes and it surprised me. Cameron never cried and it was rare for Evangeline to either. Honestly, even Julien didn't cry that often.

For all three of them to have been, something must be seriously wrong.

And I knew it was Ti.

I just wanted to know where he was and what had happened.

If he was hurt, why hadn't they been there to protect him?

Evangeline's eyes met Mare's and they were full of sorrow. I'd never really seen Evangeline look that truly sad over anything.

"Where's Ti?" Mare asked, before I could.
"Mare," Eve said slowly "maybe you should come and sit down.

Oh no. That really wasn't good.

What news could be so bad Evangeline suggest we sit down?

"I don't think so," Mare answered immediately a hard voice "Where's Ti?" I could see the fear in her and I wanted badly to comfort her but I too was scared and I didn't know how much of a comfort I would be, at least not while we didn't know what had happened. "Where is he?" Mare asked again after she received no answer. She didn't get one that time either. "Answer me!"

I knew she was panicking and I didn't blame her. I was panicked and worried to. Anxious to hear where Ti was.

I took Mare's hand in mine, rubbing my thumb against the back of it. Normally, it would be soothing but right now I knew there was no calming Mare down, not until Evangeline told her what was going on.

"Evangeline," I said, my tone sounding like a warning "Where is our son?"

Our son. A son I had only shared a few days with before leaving and now he was hurt. Based on their looked I'd wager very seriously hurt. I wanted my son back. I wanted him, Mare and I to all be together.

Why wasn't anyone answering us?

"I'm so, so sorry," Cameron spoke before Evangeline could answer me. "to both of you."

Cameron looked like she was about to cry. This didn't seem like Ti was simply hurt.

He could be- No he couldn't. I refused to even let myself think it.

"Ti was involved in an accident," Eve said slowly then paused.
"What sort of accident?" Mare asked, needing to know.
"We don't know what happened. But someone found Ti and he- he- he was dead."