Sweet Ambrosia (Pure Magic Book Three)

Chapter Three

I looked around nervously. Pulling away from Morgyn, I headed for the stairs, but Caleb darted in front of them and stopped me.

I clenched my fists at my sides and looked down. Caleb's eyes were still glowing red, which I knew was part of his dark form, but I always associated it with rage. I only ever saw those red eyes when he was angry.

"Jade," he said quietly.

I didn't respond. I kept my eyes on the floor, just hoping he would walk away again. I didn't want to talk. I would just turn into a crying mess again.

But he didn't go away. He stepped toward me and placed his hands on my arms.

"Jade, I'm sorry."

"No," I said quietly. "I'm sorry. I should have told you where I was going and what I was doing."

"Yes," Caleb nodded. "But it's in the past. I understand, even if I don't agree."

"He could have killed you. Because of me." I looked at him with bloodshot eyes.

"But he didn't because you barreled in there and knocked him out," Caleb said, his voice turning into a small giggle.

I couldn't help but smile a little. "He went down like a rag doll."

Caleb laughed harder. "Yes, he did."

My face turned serious again. "He'll be back for us."

"Well, we'll be ready."

"I just want peace and quiet. Like we had before I screwed it up," I sighed.

"Eh," Caleb shrugged. "It was only a matter of time before he found something to fight about. He hates me. He'll find any excuse."

"But he's out for Morgyn now," I reminded him. "Not you."

"He tries to attack one of us, and he gets all of us." Caleb narrowed his eyes. They seemed to glow even brighter when he did.

I sighed, but nodded in agreement. Caleb shifted out of his dark form finally and pulled me into a hug.

"Did he tell you anything?" He asked quietly. I could feel his breath on my neck as he spoke.

I nodded. "Yes, actually, but I don't think it'll do us any good."

"Try me," Caleb responded, not letting me go.

"Jack," I said. "Uh...Jack B-Betancourt?"

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"He was the man who killed Ruby," I explained. "He also killed Kristofer Betancourt, the man Vlad saw as his son." I thought for a moment. "Oh, wait! The hunter's name was Jack Smith, but he started using the surname Betancourt after killing Kristofer."

Caleb pulled away and looked at me. "Kristofer Betancourt," he repeated. "I remember him. Vlad sent him to fight me, but our fight actually ended up being a friendly spar. I trained him and told him about plasma fruit."

I shook my head. "No, that's wrong. Vlad said he was training him to be a 'dark vampire', as he said." I used air quotes.

Caleb laughed. "We're both right." He looked at me with a cheeky smirk. "Vlad taught him all of this stuff, then sent him to fight me, and each time, we would just chat, or train, or spar. Friendly fire." His smirk turned into a warm smile, as if he was feeling nostalgic. "He eventually started telling Vlad he was going to fight me just to get away from him."

"Savage," I giggled.

"Yeah," Caleb smiled sadly. "He was a good man, and a great friend."

I looked away. "Maybe I should have just given Vlad what he wanted. It seems like it's what you would have wanted too."