Keep watch

The first thing that greeted Storm's sight when he walked into the room were the large, bright blue eyes that were focused on him. Although those pair were glassy due to the tears gathered in them, they still had that same unnerving and unsettling effect on him. 

A small frown settled on Storm's face. Right from the moment he set his eyes on Nicholas, he already knew how sick he was and what he was suffering from. Despite the fact that he didn't look unhealthy, the boy still looked so tiny and frail in his sight. His body was visibly shivering, and tears were streaming out of his eyes, and strangely, he wasn't wailing out loud as expected from someone his age.

But something confused him. Instead of just fear, the boy widened his eyes in shock, as if he just saw and recognized a ghost from his past life.

He was still wondering what put the boy in that state when Nicholas' lips moved.

"D-dont hurt my Ellie," Nicholas spoke, stuttering at the beginning of his sentence, but his gaze on Storm was unwavering.

His words made the three men narrow their eyes at him. Storm, especially, was taken aback. He didn't know who this Ellie was, but he had an inkling that the boy was referring to his sister. How did he know he had his sister?

"If you hurt her, you…" Nicholas' voice trailed off as strength suddenly left his body. His vision blurred for a moment before finally going black, and he collapsed on the bed.

Storm stared at the unconscious boy with an unfathomable expression for a while before he turned to face Elfin.

"What was that all about?" He questioned, one of his brows raised as he expected an answer from Elfin, who was also staring at the boy.

"What was what all about? If you want to ask me a question, be specific." Elfin peeled his gaze from the boy, shifting it to rest on Storm.

"What did you tell the kid?" Storm changed the question, adding an accusation this time, as that was what he suspected might have happened. Elfin must have said something to elicit such a reaction from the boy.

"Why would I tell him anything?" Elfin asked back, confused at the question.

"How did he know I have his sister?" Storm paid no attention to his confusion and annoyance. He glanced at Seth, and when he saw him shake his head, Storm returned his probing gaze to Elfin.

"How am I supposed to know that?" Elfin asked back, his brows raised.

"You should have an answer. The boy is human. If you didn't say anything to him, how did he know?"

"You seem to be forgetting that I am in a weakened state, which means I don't have all my abilities and can't do much," Elfin responded in a bid to dismiss storm, but when he saw that the guy was not ready to give up, he let out a sigh. What a pain in the butt crack.

"I'm not sure how he knows about that, but my guess is that the kid is gifted." Elfin finally answered in a resigned tone.

"What do you mean gifted?" Storm probed further, puzzled at the explanation.

"Some humans are gifted with foresight. While some can see what will happen in the future, others can see and feel what is happening in the present even if they are not there at the time. Another percentage of the gifted population can see supernatural beings not visible to others. You should know this already." 

"How should I know it when you ensured I grew up in a cage?" Storm fired at Elfin.

"Right. I forgot about that. Anyways, now you know."

"Which category did he fall in?" Storm threw another question, not willing to let the topic go even though Elfin looked like he doesn't want to talk about it anymore.

"I don't know. As I said, I'm just guessing. I'm not even sure if that's what's going on with him."

"These gifted people, how do they see these things?" Another question flew out of Storm's lips, restrained curiosity beaming in his eyes.

"Do you want a lecture on gifted people or do you want to eat? I thought you brought the boy here so you could snack on him. He's unconscious now, he wouldn't feel the pain. Go on, eat."

The curiosity instantly disappeared from Storm's eyes, to be replaced by an intense cold stare. He looked away from Elfin and approached the boy on the bed with determined steps. 

Storm raised his hand and lightly ran the back of his fingers from Nicholas' cheek to his neck. His brows pulled together when he noticed the boy was burning up, and his lip was becoming paler than it was a few minutes ago.

"I never knew you thought of me as a dog, Elfin. But I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not one. The boy is sick in the blood. I don't eat sick food." Storm turned around to face Elfin. 

"You knew he was sick. The girl told you. Yet you sent for him to be brought here. Why are you acting as if you just found out?"

"I never knew he was sick in the blood," Storm answered, his tone, nonchalant, much to Elfin's annoyance. "Get a doctor for the kid, Seth. He needs some fixing." Storm started walking toward the door after giving the order.

"Where are you going?" Elfin probed, but Storm didn't respond anymore. He opened the door and walked out.

Seth moved to place Nicholas properly on the bed. As soon as he was done with that, he fished for his phone and was about to dial a number when Elfin's voice made him freeze.

"You should keep watch over him and ensure he doesn't mess up."

"Huh? You watch him every minute of the day. Why do you need extra eyes when yours are always on him?" Seth questioned, confused at Elfin's words.

"I'm not just telling you to watch him. I'm telling you to ensure he doesn't mess up. If he does, you will bear full responsibility. You will get punished in his stead."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Seth put on a distressed look. 

"I wonder." Elfin rubbed his jaw as if he was in deep thought.

"Storm is my master, Elfin. I can't tell him what to do. What makes you think punishing me would mean anything to him? Have you forgotten who he is?"

"You are his favorite creation. For now, the only way I can get to him is through you. So, avoid my wrath by making sure he stays right on track." Elfin responded, and without waiting for a response or reaction from Seth, he vanished.

Seth looked like he couldn't believe what just happened. What the hell?