Page 19 of Outnumbered

“Hello, Uncle Gavin,” Caleb replied and walked over to embrace him.

Gavin was Rhys’s youngest brother, a big advocate of creating schools for all races to attend in the outlying rural areas. Everything I’d heard about him said he was a genuinely good person.

“What are you doing here? Did you bring Ember?” Gavin hopped over the rope, leaned around the booth so I could see him, and waved. “Hi! You must be Ember. I’m Gavin.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Prince Gavin,” I replied with a smile.

He introduced himself to the others. “It’s so cool to see your hybrid pack together. The power you guys are emanating is awesome.”

“Emanating?” I asked.

“Uncle Gavin has a really strong sense for powers,” Caleb explained.

“Is this your first time here?” Gavin asked.

We all nodded.

“Then let me buy your first round!” He raised his hand and waved at a woman in black shirt and pants I hadn’t noticed standing nearby.

She hurried over and bowed. “Yes, Your Highness?”

“Can you please put this table’s first round on my tab?” he requested.

She bowed her head again. “Certainly, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Caleb said.

Gavin winked. “Keep ‘em on their toes, Ember. Have a great night!” He returned to his side and I wondered what he meant about keeping them on their toes?

After placing our drink order, Caleb sat down, scooting in to sit beside me, and draped an arm behind me.

Riddick sat on his other side, immediately looking out over the crowded floor of people dancing.

“Is it always this packed?” I asked.

Caleb shrugged. “From what my uncle and cousins say, yes. That’s part of why I don’t usually come here.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

He looked down at me and said, “It opens up the possibility of attacks. Being in the middle of a crowd that big gives those who hate me many more chances to attack me.”

I completely understood what it was like to be hated for what you were, just for what you were born as, but I couldn’t fathom how much it had to hurt to have strangers constantly trying to kill you.

Caleb’s head snapped to the side and I looked in the direction as well.

On the other side of the ropes and security stood the waiter from the brunch place.

Chapter

Six

“That’s him,” I whispered. “The waiter I felt the spark, pull with.”

Caleb tapped Riddick on the shoulder, but Riddick was already getting out of the booth and to his feet. Riddick walked over to one of the guards and said something while pointing to the guy.

Caleb scooted out of the booth and so did Triston, Branson, and I, so we all stood in front of the table.

The guards let the guy in and he walked towards us hesitantly. Stopping before Caleb, he bowed. “Your Majesty.”