Does Anywhere Hurt?

Without much formality, Ainsley quickly got to his feet and ran off from the room. The very image of the morphed dragon was enough to trigger his flight-or-fight response. He quickly recognized the danger and had to leave to survive. He didn't care if it was rude on his part, but he could argue with himself. Even the ones that were like Lupin ran away; what more of him, a human?

It's just that before he could leave the hallway that led to the dining hall, he ran into Sinclair. He collided with the firm body, with its arms embracing him to catch his fall. As a reflex, he also grabbed onto Sinclair's shirt.

"Ainsley, what happened? I felt Father's power from a distance—"

"I want to go home, Sinco!" Ainsley basically cried out as he clawed at Sinclair. "Monsters… there are monsters here…"

"…I am one of them." A murmur escaped as a response, but Sinclair didn't take it against his friend. Not only was Ainsley not exposed to anything related to these seemingly fantastical creatures long ago, but he was already attacked by a non-human and even by another human as well. His world was on the verge of crashing and reshaping itself; it was normal for him to be scared.

Sinclair only patted his friend's back and circulated a green mist around the two of them. It was like a lullaby that calmed down the other. "I shouldn't have taken you here, but I can't bear to leave you on your own in the city. How about you just stick with me again for now? With me around, nothing will happen to you."

That was the problem. They just couldn't wait for Sinclair to separate himself from Ainsley.

Ainsley only nodded and noticed that he was latching on the other like an insect. He sniffed and took a small step back. If he could berate himself for being too shaken recently, he would be making himself cry to sleep. However, he suddenly felt Sinclair pull on him again.

"Sinco, I think I'm okay now. Where are we headed next?" He didn't fight the hold, but he felt uncomfortable. He was being held like he was breakable like glass.

"To Father—"

"To hell with that!" Ainsley exploded in an instant and started pushing the other away. "You meet him by yourself! Do you have any idea what just happened?! I thought I was going to die!"

Sinclair grabbed his wrists to stop him from pushing. "Alright, relax. I won't force you. I just need to tell him I'm leaving for an emergency."

When he heard the word 'emergency', Ainsley twitched and remembered what led to what happened earlier. He then held onto Sinclair. "Sinco, be careful with talking to your father right now. He's really pissed off by what he just heard. Your brother Roth is, uh, missing, it seems."

At this, Sinclair frowned.

"Who told him? Hmph, they should have expected the outburst then." He then realized something and looked down at Ainsley. "You got caught up in it? Does anywhere hurt?"

"That's a little too late for that now, you know." Ainsley sighed and then patted Sinclair's chest with his hand as if it could help dispel Sinclair's worry. "I'm good, I'm not hurt. I just don't want to see them again right now. Who knows when they'll eat me next?"

"…Father prefers maiden. I don't think he'd eat you." Ainsley froze, but before he could pick another fight with Sinclair, the latter held Ainsley's head against the side of his neck. The human didn't react out loud and just screamed inside… because he felt the shudder brought by Lupin's presence.

The hair on the back of his neck stood up, and the goosebumps were felt by Sinclair as his hands were on Ainsley's neck. The cold air that wafted through the hallway was enough of a hint of Lupin's deepening anger. However, Sinclair didn't cower at the display.

Lupin and Anastasia walked out of the dining hall to find a place to calm down. However, they caught Sinclair and Ainsley talking outside. Seeing his eldest didn't seem to be moving to save his brother, Lupin felt a little aggrieved.

"Rosen, I hope you're not leaving your brother to your servants alone." Even if Sinclair's servants were top-notched, Lupin didn't feel confident in letting them handle the case on their own.

Sinclair only stared at his father first before looking at Anastasia. "Mother, we're heading back to the city. The Cove is the last place Roth will run to if he really is hurt. We're leaving. I'll just speak to Father again some other time in the future. Please stay by his side until we find Roth."

Even if it looked disrespectful, Sinclair had always been like this. After all, his mother was not from the same social strata as they were. Anastasia knew it so well.

"Alright, just promise us that Roth will be home soon." Anastasia only sighed. She only glanced at Ainsley and proceeded to ignore him. Even if she saved this man before, it was out of whim. This human should not die at the hands of someone outside their clan.

"Mn." Sinclair released Ainsley from his hold and just turned around to walk the human back to their megayacht. Even if they were supposed to stay there over the weekend, Sinclair's priorities just changed. Moreover, it was apparent that Ainsley didn't want to stay another second in there.

"Wait, Rosen." Lupin then twitched and called out. The eldest stopped in his tracks and turned to take a look at his father. Lupin continued, "Your city is suffering from an attack. It seems that the cannibals are trying to destabilize the community first before striking. Be careful. I was supposed to discuss this with you, but it feels like you already know."

Sinclair only narrowed his eyes. "No, I was looking to consult your wisdom, Father. Thank you for giving me a good hint. Worry not, I'll send Roth back as complete as I can. His life will depend on his determination. After all, the grand draw is next week."

Lupin and Anastasia frowned. Grand draw?

At that, Sinclair gestured his farewell and left with Ainsley in tow. They passed the halls of the castle, the people in it rummaging to get something done. The human stared at those passing faces with luminescent eyes and dark scleras, only fueling his nightmares.