Thirty three

While I ate, I felt a bit like a superstar with both men eyeing me with an exhaustive interest. I must say that I don't particularly enjoy this kind of attention since it makes me self-conscious of every move I make, and soon enough all that unease began translating into twitchy movements of my hands, I bit my tongue several times, and my leg bounced under the table as if I was permanently connected to an electrical outlet.

Thrilling. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, honestly.

Still, I don't understand what exactly brought that reaction upon, but here we are, I suppose.

After what felt like an insurmountable amount of food, and - what I can only describe, as the most uncomfortable moment in my life, I finally finished.

Both men, weirdly enough seem to be in their element. Neither showed any hint of unease they were both grinning as if that was the happiest moment of their lives.

" What are you two so happy about?" I decided to finally ask because their chirpy mood is beginning to grate my nerves.

" Nothing," They both shrug, and I glare.

Squirming in his seat, Graham provides a bit more insight," Well, since you almost departed this world, we decided to bury the hatched for now, and put all our disagreements aside. Only so we can focus on the matter at hand," He finishes with a wry smile and looks at Mason.

" I see. Well, stop it. It makes me uncomfortable," I add, and pick up my cup of coffee. I suppose I've grown accustomed to the chaos and bickering. Who knew?

" Alright," Mason acquiesces reluctantly and looks at Graham. I hold my breath, waiting for all hell to break loose, but to my surprise, neither of them move a muscle and just glare at each other.

" You took too much," Graham accuses, and I sit straighter in my chair. Took what?

" I did," Mason admits, and looks at me.

" Now, this a very strange conversation," I slowly put my cup down," Anyone cares to shed some light?" I look at both men while they, well, how should I put this, they glare at each other like feral animals. God. What is with me and peace? I should've stayed quiet. I felt so good when I woke up.

" I suppose this is a time as good, as any," Mason takes his eyes off Graham for a split second to look at me, but that is all he spares in my direction.

" When you finally opened up, I channelled too much," I'm beyond perplexed at this point.

" What? How? I thought you could only channel excess of power. What is too much anyway? How do you even know this? " The questions kept tumbling off my lips without any restraint. And there were many more to come but I ran out of breath, so I kinda had to stop.

" As it turns out, I can channel more than excess. I only figured out how last night. I don't know. I thought that this connection between us is a one-way street, but maybe it was not. Graham speculated it before, but since I never experienced it, I was reluctant to lean in into that theory. It appears that I was wrong. Not just that, but we will get back to that on a later date," I'm speechless, only for a moment.

" So, if my understanding is correct and I believe that it is. You practically sucked the life out of me, " That statement comes off more like an accusation. It wasn't my intention, but it's too late, I can't take that back, can I?

Mason drops his head in his hands and sighs, " Regretfully, I did. Fortunately, I stopped just in time, " He mutters under his breath, but because it is so deadly quiet in the room we hear him loud and clear.

" Shocking," Graham mocks, " I suppose, your greed doesn't revolve only around material belongings. Sucking the life out of another human being has become your new goal" Let's just say that Graham is not Mason's number-one fan at the moment. I, on the other hand, I'm more concerned with the specifics of the how, and why.

" I can't even begin to understand how it is even possible," I say under my breath, my mind is fogged with millions of possibilities. What could have led us to reach this point? At what point in time, and what conditions have made it possible for Mason to take at will from me? Could he do it again? Or was it just a fluke made possible by my unstable emotional state? Oh, boy.

I might find myself in need of therapy.

" Trust me you are not the only one," Mason reaches for my hand. I recoil instinctively from his touch. My gesture seems to have made a dent in his usually composed demeanour, because he winces, and turns downcast.

" I'm sorry," I reach for his hand in an attempt to make amends.

" Well, this is just wonderful, isn't it?" Graham smiles but it looks nothing nor feels like his usual hearty smiles full of warmth and vigour, " And just like that she has forgiven you. I suppose she is the better man in this room," It is hard to ignore the antagonistic undercurrent in Graham's tone. It has a tinge of bitterness, that doesn't go unnoticed by Mason.

" You've made your point. There is no need to rub my nose in it," Mason bites back, and and glares at Graham from across the table. I have a feeling that a scuffle is underway and I'm not sure I want to bear witness. Not if I'm the cause of it.

" You weren't there Mason. You didn't see what I see," He turns to me with eyes full of accusation," You think I don't remember but I do. Not all of it, but I do. It comes and goes, but I remember you. He is just as bad for you as you are for him. And you," He turns to Mason again, and winces" You are not any better. I've been your friend for a long time but I've never seen you being this stupid and reckless," Mason stands, kicking back his chair, grabs Graham by the front of his shirt, dragging Graham to him over the table.

" You don't know anything. So I'd appreciate it if you keep your opinions to yourself. You think too much for your own good," Graham's fist connects with Mason's jaw, the next second those words leave Mason's lips, and next, I find myself in the middle of an out-all brawl.

Exactly what I needed. Wonderful.

What's next?

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if one of them pulled out a sword, and began to duel.

Charming.