Page 51 of Locked Souls

Crashing on the couch, so I didn't wake the kids, was a huge mistake. If we are going to be stuck here, we need to do some remodeling, or at least buy some new furniture.

My face is itchy from face-planting into a pile of dust, and the springs that were sticking in my back all night are not going to help with our job today.

Climbing off the couch, I groan as I try to stretch. Bast is passed out in the chair, and I have to laugh at how cramped he looks.

Maybe the couch wasn't the worst pick. Sucks to suck. After we sent the Initiates back to their dorms, Bast took off for a few hours.

I don't know where he went, but he took the keys to Levi's old car.

Walking into the kitchen, I check the fridge, but there isn't much inside. Would Grandma Cross scold me if I were to pop down to the dining hall and bring back some food for everyone?

Grabbing my shoes, I nudge Bast until he's awake.

“Let's go grab some breakfast, and we can bring some back for Levi and Chas.”

He grumbles, stumbling around for a few minutes, but eventually has his shoes on and we can leave.

Stopping at Otto and Jacob’s door, I gently knock. I don't want to wake Rome, if they are still asleep. Though, I can hear movement on the other side.

Otto opens the door, and he looks like a train ran him over. His hair is greasy and unkempt, and I think he's wearing Jacob’s clothes. They are a size too small.

“Want some breakfast?” I ask him, and he rubs his eyes, nodding.

“I'll meet you there,” he grumbles as he turns back around, shutting the door once more.

“Damn. I thought our girl was a mess. He looks like his heart’s been shredded,” Bast comments quietly as we head down the stone steps to the front entrance.

“You're blind if you can't see that he and Tempest love each other. I've been waiting for the inevitable wedding to occur.”

“I don't see Otto leaving Jacob. They have been together for a long time.”

“Who said they would be breaking up? Look at us and our family. Would it really be bad for Tempest to join them? They are raising Romeo as their son. He calls them Daddy.”

Bast grunts, then yawns, rubbing his mouth. His glasses are askew and I laugh.

He's not a morning person at all.

“So, where did you run off to last night?” Stopping at the entrance of the dining hall, I peek inside.

There doesn't seem to be many people inside yet, so now's as good a time as any, I guess.

“I went back to St. Peter's. The trials sparked something in me, and I had to face up to the reality that Father Monroe was really gone.”

I nod, because I get it. I may not have had to kill anyone for the final trial like the others did, but it still haunts me.

“Did it help? Going back, I mean?”

The house I grew up in is gone now, thanks to The Society, yet I can't help but wonder, if it wasn't, would that help me and Jules move on?

I know she still struggles, though being here at Holy Cross has helped a lot.

“In a way, yes, but I need to go and talk to my parents. It's been a long time, and I know my father doesn't approve of our life, but I need closure. Whenever we are safe to leave the Academy, I'm going to take a trip, and I hope you all will come with me. Maybe my mom won't be in a drunken stupor, and can finally meet her grandkids,” he mumbles, as we walk into the dining room.

Grabbing two trays, I fill it with a few things I know Chas likes, and Eli will want some scrambled egg yolks.

Bast does the same, and soon Otto joins us. Sister Anna walks in with a smile on her face, shaking her head.

“We are going to need to make double tomorrow,” she says with a soft laugh, then pulls out some candy bars from her robe.