Chapter Text
Trevor sipped at the bitter coffee. Adrian was watching him carefully but Trevor ignored his gaze, dumping in a spoonful of sugar.
He found that, despite the comfort of last night, he couldn’t look at Adrian. When he did, his heart jumped and his stomach dropped and he again asked himself how he could be so blind.
How could he hide his own emotions so deeply that it tripped his world completely? How could he continue lugging them around when, after his time here, he knocked his walls, his facade, down?
Did he want to rebuild them? Could he stand to?
Did Adrian—
He shook his head. Lisa hadn’t answered his question on vampire marks. She hadn’t because there was something there.
Something he and Adrian didn’t have.
Because Adrian— Adrian would have said something, wouldn’t he? He would have said it when Trevor survived the attack.
The memory of scratches rooted into the ground grew in his mind.
No. Dracula said it. You’re a distraction. You’re disrupting them. You’ve carved out a place for yourself here but you’re not wanted.
Another part of him argued. Another part of him desperately wanted.
But Trevor never got what he wanted. Whether that be his father, the Morningstar, his choice after being listed in the treaty. His mother's affection when he was born and her sole attention when there were younger ones to care for.
So why would he ever be given Adrian? Why would his feelings ever be returned or given?
Adrian felt nothing for him. And Trevor. He had to respect it. He had to move on.
The splash of sugar in dark liquid was melting slowly, an audience to his dilemma. If Trevor was feeling poetic, he’d compare his emotion to the drowning sugar. Consumed by the dark environment around him. Used for its pleasure.
It’s a good thing Trevor wasn’t a poetic man.
Adrian was. He cringed.
He hadn’t planned on drinking coffee. But he also didn’t feel like eating so when Adrian had taken his place behind the stove, Trevor had blurted out the memory of the energy-lifting drink to have instead.
He stirred with an unsteady hand, glancing up when he heard a pair of footsteps enter the kitchen.
There was Lisa, looking at him worriedly, a furrow between her brows. Trevor avoided her gaze when a shadow materialised behind her.
Oh. There was Dracula too. He wasted no time.“Hector and Isaac will be arriving in the next hour.”
Adrian straightened, stunned, setting his cooking knife down with a thud. He’d been dicing onions. “So it’s confirmed?”
“It is.”
He smiled and when Adrian looked at him, Trevor forced his lips to curl. He must not have been too successful because Adrian frowned. “Trevor—“
“Who are they?”
Adrian had a sudden look of realisation. “Oh yes. I never told you their names. They are the friends I told you about, the ones who were present at the wedding but had to leave.”
They were the ones Adrian grew up with. The ones he said were almost like family.
“Is this what you both had to speak about yesterday? While we were in the lab?”
“It was.” Adrian was still frowning and he was sure Dracula was too on being referred to so flippantly. “Isaac and Hector weren’t sure if they’d finished with what preoccupied them so I held off with any announcement but,” he looked towards his father, “I assume they got into contact with you?”
He nodded. “Come to my office when the hour is up. You too,” he said to Trevor. “They’ll want to meet you. Officially.”
“Sure.” He replied after Adrian nodded. Dracula left the kitchen— what does he even do all day?— but Lisa still stood at the entrance. Her gaze was searching. “Trevor—“
He interrupted quickly, too aware of Adrian watching and curious. “It’s alright, Lisa. I’ll… speak to you later if that’s alright.” No, I won’t.
Her eyes softened. “Of course.” And when she left after a long moment's hesitation, Adrian was glancing between them, confused.
She didn’t tell him, he thought relieved and spoke up before Adrian could say anything. “Excited?”
He blinked. “On?”
“Hector and Isaac.”
“Oh, yes. Very much.” He paused. “Trevor, what—”
He spoke over him. “We should make the garlic bread for them.”
“... We should.” And then he sighed, expression disappointed and Trevor shuffled. I’m sorry, he wanted to say. But he didn’t.
“They really want to meet me?” He asked instead.
Adrian nodded. “They’ve asked about you. In their letters.”
“And what did you say?”
“The truth.”
Trevor swallowed. He stood abruptly. “I should get ready. Still messy from…” From sleeping on the floor.
Adrian protested, "You haven’t eaten anything.” But Trevor waved him off, rinsing his cup in the sink. When he noticed Adrian had no cup near him or in the sink, he filled one with blood, just as he did yesterday and handed it to him.
Relief dawned on Adrian’s face as he did but Trevor didn’t stay and wander on it and instead fled the kitchen.
— —
Trevor watched Dracula form the shards of the transmission mirror with a clean efficiency that made his defences rise. But also his awe.
The distance mirror in the Belmont hold was similar but the properties this one had, the way Dracula formed it… He had to give him credit. Centuries of life, of exploration, didn’t go unrecognised.
Trevor watched as a desert landscape formed in its reflection, as two figures came into view, their expressions clearly shown in the artefact. And when they came through the transmission mirror, the action, the arrival of their bodies, was smooth like running water.
Lisa exclaimed as they came through, hugging them both tightly as soon as they put their satchels down. Trevor had to keep his expression calm but was cursing internally when he watched Dracula place an affectionate hand on both of their heads. When did he care about anyone but his family?
But he smiled when Adrian greeted them both, laughing about something that flew over his head as Trevor focused on his grinning expression.
Something in his chest tugged. Trevor knew what it was. But he didn’t give name to it. Didn’t want to make it more real.
Finally, the two men turned to him, watching him with careful eyes. It was the same intensity they looked at him during the wedding ceremony.
Cautious and curious.
And half of Trevor wanted to wave and leave but he remembered how Adrian had stayed around his family before they left, how he allowed himself to be subjected to judgment and ignorance, just so Trevor would feel comfortable.
And so Trevor would do the same.
Adrian stepped between them, beckoning Trevor forward. “Trevor this is Isaac,” he gestured to the dark-skinned man who held his hand out. Trevor shook it, tracking his gaze before making himself relax. “Good to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Trevor liked his accent. “Adrian has told us about you, though not enough.”
“All good, I hope.”
The silver-haired man spoke up. “Oh, yes. Surprisingly.” He held his hands up in defence when Adrian shot him a look. “What?”
Isaac sighed. “Hector has been curious to meet you.”
“I have.” Trevor shook his hand next. “Adrian said you’re working together on Gorgon venom. It caught my attention.”
“Why?”
He blinked. “I didn’t think Belmont’s did much science.”
“We don’t. But we also don’t marry vampires so things change.” Trevor must have said something right because they both grinned.
“Indeed.”
Hector turned to the Tepes’, gesturing to their satchels. “We’ve brought a few things back. I think you’ll like them.”
“What information have you both gotten?” Dracula said.
“Vlad,” Lisa reprimanded, “let them settle in, won’t you?”
“It’s alright. We can…” Isaac trailed off as he looked back at Trevor and he shuffled.
“I can wait down—”
“No,” Adrian said. “You’ll stay.”
Trevor noticed how Hector and Isaac exchanged curious glances.
“It’s fine, Adrian. I’ll wait.” He nodded to the forgemasters before turning to leave. When he walked down the hallway, he smacked his hands against his head. “Get it together,” he mumbled.
These were Adrian’s friends. Men who were almost family. Men who Dracula liked.
Why does he like them and not me? Trevor couldn’t help but think, making his way to a drawing room and waiting.
It doesn’t matter. Just be friendly.
He sighed. Trevor wasn’t sure if Hector and Isaac liked him all too much. But he couldn’t blame them. Trevor swapped the perspective. If his family had visited, they’d be wary of Adrian despite whatever assurances he’d given.
And if it was because Adrian was the son of Dracula, then Trevor, the product of generations of monster hunting, couldn’t expect a different treatment.
But it was still kind of shit.
He thought back to the forgemasters.
They were strong, Trevor already knew. They carried themselves with the easy weight many people in his family did. The fact that not much could beat them. And if it could, it had to put up a hell of a fight.
Trevor was like that too. He still is when he faces an opponent, like when he did Michael. It’s a part of being a hunter, that familiar recklessness and triumph.
But it’s not always the monsters that cause Death.
When he finally heard multiple pairs of footsteps approaching, Trevor straightened and schooled his features. He was still relieved when Dracula didn’t appear. The fact that Lisa wasn’t either both relieved and nerved him.
She was always an excellent buffer.
“Is everything alright?” He had to ask.
Adrian nodded, sitting beside him. “Yes. Are you—”
“Fine.”
“I apologise, Trevor,” Isaac said. He was watching them both closely, he and Hector sitting across from them. “If I had permission from Dracula, I’d have no issue telling you what we found.”
He waved. “No worries. I’ve become used to his… ways.” He settled on. Hector grinned.
“We have something for you.”
He blinked. “You do?”
“A wedding gift.” He rummaged through the satchel, pulling out a smooth black box. “Here you are.”
Trevor took it gently, placing it on his lap and, after glancing at Hector and Isaac who nodded, flipped it open.
Trevor blinked at the ribbons within. One was red and another blue ribbon sat beside it.
“What are they?”
Isaac smiled. “In some cultures, a wedding ceremony is performed with ribbons. We thought it was an appropriate gift given the circumstances. It's a gesture of peace. Of connection.”
Trevor picked one up, feeling the silk under his fingers. He smiled. “Thank you.” He said honestly.
“It’s no matter.” But then Hector frowned. “Especially when we heard about the attack.”
“A matter that we are still looking into,” Isaac added and cocked his head. “Your family still does not know, yes?”
“Yes.” He replied stalely.
“Another necessity.”
Adrian’s expression twisted.
He raised a brow. “If you say so.” He desperately wanted to change the topic and blurted, “I saw you both at the wedding. You stopped that red-haired vampire from fighting my cousin.”
Isaac snorted. “Godbrand, yes. He has a… explosive personality.”
“So he's an asshole?”
“Yes. He only loves hunting, killing, having sex and, on one occasion which he told us, turning humans into boats."
Trevor blinked. “How does he do that?”
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask.”
He chuckled and was relieved when they smiled. More when Adrian did. “Well, he was the only one I noticed that tried to start something.”
“He always will.” Isaac turned to Hector. “I thought it would be Carmilla.”
Hector’s face scrunched. “She would if it benefitted her.”
“Who’s Carmilla?”
“The vampire who rules over Styria. She hates humans.”
“Don’t they all?” Trevor muttered.
“I’m just glad her council did not attend.”
“Are they worse?”
“Not exactly.” Hector looked as if he chewed something sour. “There is just one lady, Lenore, who does not respect boundaries.”
“She got the last hint you gave her,” Issac smirked and Hector only sniffed.
“I should hope so.”
Trevor looked between them. They weren’t bad. Funny actually. Easy to talk to. But it was clear they still lingered on him and his family. Like Dracula, he supposed. A threat. A dormant threat, but one nonetheless.
Beside him, Adrian cocked his head, reminiscent of when he was in his wolf form and hunting. Then he tapped his shoulder. “My mother calls on me. We should go—”
“Trevor can stay with us,” Isaac said. “We’ll wait for you.”
Adrian hesitated and Trevor swallowed.
They’re his friends. Do it for him.
“He’s right. You can run up when you’re done.”
Adrian still hesitated. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” He pushed at his side. “Go. Before she blames us for keeping you.”
Hector chuckled but Adrian stared at him for a moment, eyes burning before he finally stood. He left with enough speed that Trevor felt a breeze behind him.
Hector sighed. “Vampires. They show off sometimes, did you know? I think it amuses them, watching humans marvel at things they’ll never be capable of.”
Trevor shook his head. Adrian did use his powers when they trained but he never flaunted them. They were just a part of him. “You’ve seen Adrian,” he said. “He doesn’t. Not like that.”
Hector gave a small, lopsided smile. “He’s different.”
Trevor hesitated. “Can I ask? Why are you both on Dracula’s side?”
Their expressions turned serious and Trevor steeled himself. He didn't think he’d ever trust them like he did Lisa and Adrian but he needed to understand them. Needed to know how to navigate them.
“We are forgemasters Trevor. Our ability manifested at a young age and we were… shunned for a magic we could not control. That we did not know.” Isaac stared. “I’m sure you know that humans are not kind to that which they don’t understand.”
He nodded jerkily.
“That is how we were treated. Like animals. We do not bore any affection for humanity. We do bear it for Dracula.”
Trevor waited, his hands tight around the box.
“We both first met Dracula at a young age. He… guided us after our mistreatment. Gave us hope when we knew none. It was no God-fearing man who helped but rather, the Devil.”
“According to some.” Hector piped up and Isaac huffed.
“Yes. The Church does have a specific view of him, don’t they? Belmont’s too,” he added.
Trevor sighed. “That’s a history that precedes us. And we hate the Church more than we do him at the moment. Which is saying a lot.”
“Empires and institutions rise and fall. Nothing that is comprised of mortality will ever last.”
“But things that are immortal will? I’ve killed more vampires than I can count.”
Isaac acquiesced with a nod. “Indeed.”
“It might be belief,” Hector said.
“Oh?”
“An empire may fall and an institution may crumble but only when its belief is snuffed out. As long as one believes, nothing is truly lost.”
Trevor stared at the man. It was a lot more poetic than he thought he’d spout.
Hector stared at him. “What do you believe in, Trevor?”
Trevor paused. He believed in a lot of things. His family, though it was streaked with death. The Hold, which had withstood centuries. Though Dracula was another thing that withstood centuries and he definitely didn’t believe in him.
“It used to be duty.”
“And now?”
Trevor looked out to the balcony. There was a small fall of snow that covered the railing. The landscape was one someone could call desolate but there was a peacefulness that reminded him of when things were quiet. And when that quiet never bothered him.
“I’ll let you know.”
Isaac raised a brow. “When?”
“When I find out.”
— —
Trevor had neared the wing of the science labs when he felt a presence behind him. He whirled, blinking at Hector who merely waved.
He’d left the forgemasters when Adrian returned, citing that he’d give them time to catch up while he looked over Adrian the sheep.
Hector and Isaac had stared at him and Trevor held in a bark of laughter when he heard them ask Adrian who that was.
They had settled into comfortable conversation, enough that Trevor lowered his guard and thought that they had too. He hadn’t expected to see them again so soon but well. What could he do?
“What lab have you both set up in?”
“Uh,” he gave the general directions for it and Hector nodded. “Why?”
“I don’t want to disturb the sheep with my forging. Sometimes it can be a bit loud.”
“The metalwork?”
“Amongst other things.”
His eyes narrowed. “If you’re doing some creepy shit to a person—“
“What type of heathen do you take me for? We’re in peace times.”
“So what are you doing?”
He sighed. “Isaac and I found some spells while we were away. It’s always interesting to see what foreign magicians create.”
That was interesting. Trevor wanted to ask to see it but he knew what the answer would be. “Yeah, it is. Good luck.”
“Adrian is going to join us for a few. Perhaps you’d like to as well?”
Trevor stared at him. Then said, “Adrian asked you to include me, didn’t he?”
His lips curled. “He did. But we don’t make this offer to anyone. I’d quite like a Belmont perspective.”
He took back his previous thoughts. Still. “… I don’t know if I’m allowed.”
But there was a light smirk on Hector’s face. “I’m sure Adrian would let you in.”
He blinked. “I meant Dracula?”
“Well, this is pertinent to us. And if Adrian would like you there, we’re happy to have you.”
“Really?” He drawled. “Even if your lord Dracula told you not to?”
Hector met his gaze, determined. “Don’t misunderstand, we owe our lives to Dracula. When we came to the castle, Adrian was years our junior but his growth was unpredictable and his mind was far superior to his peers. We… I'd never had a friend of my own. Not before Isaac. And then Adrian joined us.” His smile was tinged with sadness. “Adrian is our friend. And though there have been several times we’ve left, we always come back. He is my friend.” He repeated and paused. “And there’s really nothing damming about you witnessing a few spells. Isaac is more rigid about it but sometimes Dracula can get…”
“Paranoid? Furious? An absolute fuc—“
“Paranoid works.”
Trevor paused. “And if it’s something you don’t want me to see?”
“Then I’ll tell you to your face.”
He grinned. “Thanks.”
He was beginning to suspect Adrian had put the forgemasters up to the task of befriending him.
He watched Isaac suspiciously as he looked over their smaller lab, at the notes they’d pinned onto the wall and the growing clutter on their shelves.
“Anything interesting?”
“May I see the sheep called Adrian?”
“He’s sleeping.” He smirked at Isaac’s disappointment.
“Then may you explain the antidote to me?”
Trevor did, happy to talk about something that wasn’t himself. He went over their research, how they isolated the venom and injected it for antigens into Adrian the sheep.
He explained the name when Isaac expressed his interest, smiling at his grin. He then went over their latest step, the booster shot.
“It’s really all dependent on the paralysing agent in the venom,” Trevor said as half his mind thought of something else. “If we can stop the effects, then it should render it useless. And it should work on other pieces of venom that contain paralytics with blood pressure effects too. Since it targets the nervous and vascular systems.”
Isaac rubbed his chin. “It’s quite ingenious.”
“Thanks. Adrian came up with it.”
Isaac shot him a look. “That’s not how he’s explaining it.”
“How is he?”
“That your monster knowledge superseded that which was even recorded here. That what you thought were mindless quips made him look deeper.” He paused. “He also said working with you made him realise that there’s more good he can do for others. That there’s an advantage to his birth that supersedes raw power.”
Trevor blinked. “He did not say all that.”
“He implied the last bit.”
Trevor snorted. Isaac sat down and leaned against this chair.
“How are you finding the castle?”
“It’s nice. Inventive.” He shrugged, looking out at the white landscape. There was a biting chill coming through the crack of the open window. But he didn’t want it too stifling. Trevor reminded himself to take a cloak from his room. “I can see why my ancestors were so insistent on finding it.”
Isaac nodded, then said, “Do you miss your family?”
He blinked. “Yes.” Of course he did. He looked down at his ring, at its gleam in the white light. Isaac looked too. “Do you think I’m a fool?”
“I think you’re brave.”
He laughed. It came out a harsh thing. And maybe there was more in the sound because Isaac paused and said, “Adrian is worried about you.”
Trevor exhaled sharply. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not.” He said calmly. “And the matter of your family’s ignorance is a necessity for now, but you will see them.”
“At this rate, it won’t be until this shit is over.”
“It will be over.”
“Reassuring,” he muttered but something in him dried up. He’d see his family but he’d leave. Leave the castle and leave the inhabitants. Leave Adrian—
He inhaled, letting the cold air wash down his throat. He wanted it to wake him up completely. Or knock him out. Trevor wasn’t sure.
He was supposed to be happy for Adrian, to mask his emotions until he could deal with them himself. But he couldn’t put a facade to the fact that Isaac recognised something was wrong.
I’m such an idiot.
“You should speak with Adrian.”
He wanted to. But for something entirely different. It was a small hope that festered inside him but he couldn’t . “We speak.” He gestured to the fanged dagger he’d seen hanging on his side, a hollow oval in its centre. “How do you use it?”
He liked Isaac because he didn’t push. Maybe he didn’t care enough to but it was appreciated. Trevor paid attention as he unclipped his blade, drawing attention to its make.
— — —
Trevor looked up when he heard the knock on his door. Lisa stood there when he opened it, expression determined. “Lisa?”
“I’m here to escort you to dinner.”
He blinked. “I… I could have walked myself.”
“I know.” She offered her arm and Trevor paused only for a second and hooked it with his own.
It didn’t take long as they made their way through the castle for Lisa to speak. “I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m accosting you.”
He snorted. “You should really see how my family drags me out. They do. Literally.”
Lisa huffed. “I’d try that if I thought I could.”
A memory came to him. He grinned. “You know, Adrian told me about his sword. About how it came from your family.”
“Oh, yes. What about it?”
He hummed. “It’s a good sword. But you never trained with it yourself?”
She looked at him incredulously. “I’ve never been a fighter. Quite the opposite when you consider my profession. There had been times I’d swung it around but that never in a training capacity.”
“I know. But I was thinking,” he waved a hand, “if you’d like to have a few training sessions with me.
Lisa blinked up at him. “You want to train me?”
He rushed out, “Yeah, I— it was just a thought when I first trained with Adrian but I… considering recent events, I think it would be a good idea.”
She paused, mouth parting. “It is,” she said softly. “It’s a wonderful idea.” Trevor panicked when he saw the wetness of her eyes. “Thank you, Trevor. For saving me. Again .” She sniffed.
“Of course I will. I always will.”
“I know,” she choked. “And I’m sorry for avoiding your question yesterday. I just,” she clutched at her neck and Trevor spied a gold locket that he hadn’t seen before, “I didn’t know how to answer. Not with something that’d tell you the truth but also…” she took a deep breath, “give Adrian the chance to tell you himself.”
Trevor froze.
“But it occurred to me today, when Issac and Hector arrived, how alone you are. You have us but,” she wiped her cheeks, “if your family was here, if Vlad allowed them, maybe you wouldn’t be so confused. And I am sorry for not doing more.”
“Lisa,” he breathed. “It’s alright, it's,” he swallowed. “It’s Dracula’s decision. And… I do miss my family. I want to see them. But I also knew what doing this meant. It’s not… you’ve done nothing wrong.”
She scoffed. “From the treaty’s standpoint. From mine,” from a mother's, he thought sadly, “it is wrong.” She took a deep breath. “If you’d like to ask me again, Trevor, I will answer.”
Trevor paused. “No. It’s alright.”
Lisa blinked. “Trevor, why—”
“Because I don’t know if I’m ready.” He admitted. “I don’t know what I want to hear.”
Understanding washed over Lisa’s face. And something sad. “Very well,” she said softly. “But if you ever change your mind, I am here.”
He smiled. “I know.”
—
Trevor stared at the spread of food. It filled the long dining table of a more decorative room, with plush carpet and chairs. There were spiced meats, smoked fish, cheeses, small cakes and salads. He was a little offended that they’d cooked without him.
“This looks wonderful.”
Isaac smiled at Lisa. “Yes. Especially these,” he held a piece of garlic bread. “Where did you get the idea?”
“Trevor got the recipe when we were in Iasi.” Adrian smiled at him and Trevor’s heart thudded. “It’s a lovely city.”
It was. But his memories of it were coated in confusion from Adrian’s behaviour at the play and anger from his encounter with Michael. He looked down at the new whip holder on his side, strong and new. There was another emotion.
Hector laughed. “Garlic, Trevor?”
He chuckled. “I tried.”
As Lisa engaged Isaac and Hector about their travels, Trevor felt a brush on his arm. Adrian stared at him worriedly. “Are you alright?”
Trevor swallowed. Under the yellow light, Adrian’s eyes looked warm. “Yeah.”
Adrian slid a meat dish over to him. “Try this?”
He did. It was smoked and spiced and Adrian smiled when he reached for another piece.
“And this?” It was an eggplant salad. Trevor raised a brow but heaped a few spoonfuls on his plate. When Adrian slid another dish to him, Trevor had to speak.
“What’s with all the food?”
Adrian stared. “You missed dinner yesterday and had nothing at breakfast.” He said it as if it was completely obvious.
He shifted. That was true. “I’m fine, Adrian.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re not.” He said with frustration and a small, deep part of Trevor was happy that Adrian was finally pushing back. Finally giving him something.
“I am.” He shoved the salad back and was about to say something when a shadow fell over him.
“Is something the matter?” Dracula spoke softly and Trevor swallowed, steeling himself and looking up to meet his stare.
“No.” And not breaking eye contact, he brought a fork of salad to his mouth and chewed obnoxiously. He felt triumphant when Dracula rolled his eyes.
He swore he heard Hector laugh across the table.
But the triumph faded when Dracula pulled a letter from his cloak and handed it to Trevor. The Belmont seal was recognisable.
“How,” he coughed. “How did you get it so quickly?”
“I used the mirror. I didn’t want my birds flying the long distance back when I moved the castle.”
“Right.” Trevor took the letter, staring at it. Dracula swiftly moved to his seat at the head of the table.
After a moment’s hesitation, Trevor opened the letter, the seal dry under his fingertips. He was honestly surprised Dracula hadn’t opened it himself.
His heart clenched at Ann’s familiar handwriting.
Dear Trevor,
I remember the rock fall. I told Mother and Henry about it to reminisce. And they’ve spoken at length about our responsibility. Or lack of. I can’t believe you’ve left me to fend for myself. I won’t stand for it. I’ll be dragging you into this soon, mark my words.
Trevor exhaled as he read over it.
I understand about the Guard. When they told me about the sighting, I was scared too. I didn’t want to be. But I didn’t sleep, not a single wink, until I was sure we were safe. Mother was confused when I fell asleep eating breakfast but I told her I had been training all night.
You keep telling me you’re learning but never what you’re learning. I’m intrigued. Henry also keeps asking me what you do all day and when I tell him you’re actually sitting down and opening books not on monsters, he looks completely horrified. See Trevor? See what you’ve become? It’s worse because you’ve affected me. I’m in the ho I’m learning more things by myself now.
Zach is getting antsy. He keeps asking about you, especially since his birthday passed . He says he’s going to visit you himself if we don’t take him.
Trevor stilled at the words, a stone plummeting in his stomach. It was his birthday?
I forgot his birthday.
Trevor was horrified. His stomach churned and he remembered his breathing exercises. In. Hold. Out. In. Hold—
I forgot. I wasn’t there.
How many times had Trevor woke him up at its dawn? How many times had they sat on the roof, watching the sunrise?
How many times had Trevor looked at him and thought about how far they’d come? Since his mother’s illness, since he helped raise him and Ann like he raised himself?
I forgot his birthday? But how could I?
His vision blurred and Trevor made out the next line.
But don’t worry. It’s just a phase. Sypha is trying to teach him magic. He’s got an affinity for it. Mother is so proud. I think I’m going to learn it too out of spite.
He shook. Magic? When did he—
His chair scraped back.
“I need some air,” he mumbled. “I’ll be right back.” He caught Adrian’s confused stare and his chest twisted.
Trevor left, the letter practically scrunched in his grip.