Bryson Coldwater sat in the buffet hall, consuming from a massive smorgasbord of various dishes on his dinning table. It was relatively quite at this point in time, and he was sitting by himself, he had dismissed Lila and Nico earlier as he wanted some time alone. Finally, after a night of stress, he had time to himself.

“Enjoying your brunch?” Viola asked walking over toward them. She was adorned with a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses that covered her face.

“What’s with the getup? You going to the beach again?” Bryson asked.

Viola made a small grimace, “Actually I think I’ll stay away from beach activities for a bit.” She said as she took a fry from one of the dishes and gently popped it into her mouth, “I see you’re dining alone, where’s the help?”

“I dismissed Frost and Reese, I needed time alone and they could use the short break.” Bryson said as he had a forkful of eggs.

“That’s rather soft of you. I think mother and father would disapprove.” Viola teased.

“Oh, and you’re going to tell?” Bryson said irritated, which earned a giggle from Viola.

“Not at all, I think it’s rather endearing that you have such a soft heart. Though it does further prove that you aren’t family by blood. But that’s not a bad thing.” Viola mused. She then reached out and patted his head, “Thanks.” She said.

“For what? Also stop that.” He asked as he swatted her hand away.

“Ooh, is little Bry-Bry embarrassed by his big sister?” She teased, before speaking on a more genuine note, “Thanks for saving me Bry.”

“No need to thank me, we’re family.” Bryson said with a half-shrug.

“Still, you did a lot more than you needed to. You could have told father and it would have been over.” Viola said.

“But you didn’t want that, so I didn’t tell them.” Bryson said simply.

“Thanks for letting me be selfish.” Viola said in earnest.

“Well, you are a Coldwater. People tend to think Coldwaters to be greedy.” Bryson joked.

“Not far from the truth.” Viola agreed, “By the way.” She recalled, “Sable and you really aren’t on speaking terms huh? She hasn’t had a single conversation with you in a long time.”

“Yeah, you remembered my eyes from last night?”

“When they turned into two mini lightbulbs? Yeah, why is that? Iris glow when people cast magic, they don’t disappear.” Viola asked in concern.

“It’s part of the reason why I have an innate talent with casting magic.” Bryson said.

“Any drawbacks?”

“None… I think.” Bryson said, choosing to not talk about what happened the night his powers first awakened.

“You think?”

“Well, I feel like I just cast magic normally. I just notice things related to magic a bit more.” Bryson said with a shrug.

“I’m guessing our parents don’t know?”

“Yep, keep it a secret?”

“Against my better judgement, sure.” Viola said reluctantly, “Anyways, what does this have to do with Sable ignoring you?”

“She also knows that I have these powers, and when she found out, she was not happy.”

“Jealous, makes sense.”

“I don’t think I would call it jealousy.” Bryson said shifting uncomfortably on his seat.

“Well, it is. Everyone already treats you better than her and now she knows that you are better with that little trick of yours.” Viola said flatly.

“Wow, thanks. I sure feel great.” Bryson said gloomily.

“Hey, don’t worry, we’re all family. She’ll come around.” She said with a reassuring pat on his shoulder.

Bryson gave a small nod of his head as he noticed Ben Gallagher head over to them.

“Enjoying your meal?” He asked jovially.

“You seem like you’re in good spirits.” Bryson muttered.

“That’s cause the vamp is finally taken care off.” Ben said taking a seat at the table, “My work here is finally done.”

“So everything has been taken care of?” Viola asked.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Yep, the ghoul’s remains have been disposed of, no one noticed what happened on the beach, coast guard thought it was just some hooligans playing with light magic, and everyone got out relatively unscathed.” Ben said with a big smile plastered on his face.

“Seriously? No one else noticed all those lights at all?” Bryson asked in disbelief.

“Hey, people don’t pay attention to the unpopulated areas when they’re busy partying.” Ben said with a shrug.

“So what are you going to do now?” Viola asked.

“Well this was my last job, I’m gonna take my payment and officially retire from being a hunter.” Ben said with a sigh of relief, leaning back on his chair.

“What are you going to do after?”

“Try to get this acting carrier sorted.”

“You’re actually serious with that idea?” Bryson asked.

“Hey, I like to think I’m pretty good.” Ben said placing a hand over his chest before turning to Viola, “What do you think young lady?”

“I think you did quite well when I saw you perform.” Viola said kindly.

“Why thank you.” Ben said with a smile. Bryson rolled his eyes as he continued to eat.

“Anyways, I just wanted to check up on you two, if you’re both good, then I’m off.” Ben said.

“Oh, you’re leaving?” Viola asked, looking slightly disappointed.

“Yeah, my last show was the one you two saw, plus I need to pick up my pay so I’m leaving today.” Ben said as he got up from his seat.

Bryson remembered something as he took a bite of tuna, “Oh wait, hold on Gallagher.”

“Hmm?” Ben turned to face Bryson who pulled out an envelope and a piece of folded paper from his pocket.

“Here.” He said handing it over to him.

“What’s this?”

“Uh, a couple of years ago for father’s fortieth birthday there was a massive celebration. A few different performing troupes were there. I asked Phillip earlier this morning to gather some names and a letter of recommendation for you.” Bryson said.

“Really?” Ben asked in surprise, “Well thanks, this is very kind of you.” Ben thanked a wide smile now on his face, in awe at what Bryson had handed him.

“Eh, had to repay you somehow.” Bryson shrugged.

“Well this is more than enough. Thank you, maybe next time we meet it’ll be at a show.” Ben said as he stashed the papers away.

“I doubt it.” Bryson mumbled.

“Goodbye you two, and again Bryson, thank you.” Ben said giving a small wave as he left the dining hall.

Once Ben disappeared, Viola gave Bryson a playful poke on his cheek, “Big ol’ softy.”

“Hey, I’m not the one with the big doe eyes watching him leave.”

“What are you talking about?” Viola said playing with her hair.

“You look at him the way mother sometimes looks at father, and yes I do notice these things.” Bryson said.

“That’s an annoying habit.” Viola muttered and noticed that Bryson was still staring at her waiting for a reply, “Okay… so he’s kind of handsome.” Viola relented.

“Really? You… like him?” Bryson said in disbelief.

“I don’t see a problem with that, he’s cool, charming and capable.”

“He’s like thirty.”

“Doesn’t change any of what I just said.”

“Weren’t you grossed out by Keddrick’s age?”

“First off, he was way older than Ben and that’s only one reason why I didn’t like that monster. He was a total creep. Ben, now that’s a real man.” Viola said with a wink, “It’s time for me to head off as well, I have other things to attend, enjoy your meal brother.” She said as she got up from her seat and left Bryson alone.

Bryson squinted at the retreating Viola; a thousand thoughts raced through his head before he finally settled on one. I don’t care enough. He then shrugged and continued with his meal.

***

Lila Frost was currently in Bryson Coldwater’s hotel bedroom, making his bed. This is a hotel, why do I still need to make the bed. She complained inwardly. Though I guess Coldwater staff is responsible for this, and I am part of the staff. As she fluffed the pillows, she hears a knock on the door. Turning around, Lila was surprised to see Viola standing by the door.

“Lady Viola, why are you here?” Lila said in surprise at the heterochromia teen.

Viola cautiously looked around, “No one else is here correct?”

“Um, no.” Lila replied confused.

“Where’s Gilles?”

“At the beach?” Lila said unsure what she was getting at.

Giving another look around, making sure that no was near them, Viola closed the door behind her as she entered the room.

“Is there a problem?” Lila asked cautiously.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

Viola gave a large sigh before looking at Lila, “I’m going to regret this, but you have my thanks for helping me and for saving my life.” It sounded as if it had physically hurt her to say that.

“I’m sorry?” Lila said blinking a few times. It seemed as though she wasn’t able to process the words she was hearing.

“I said thank you. Don’t make me say it again.” Viola said with an annoyed groan.

“You’re thanking me.”

“Yes.”

“You’re thanking me.” Lila repeated.

“Yeah, that’s why I said ‘thank you’.” Viola said, now getting confused.

“You came here to thank me?”

“Yes, are you trying to rub it in?” She said irritated.

“Oh, no, no. Sorry, it’s just that this is the first time a Coldwater has properly thanked me.” Lila said quickly, frantically waving her hands before calming down a bit, “It’s just a bit weird to hear it.”

“Yeah, well you’re not going to here it often. But you deserve it this time.” Viola said, “Still, surprised Bryson hasn’t thanked you yet.” Viola said sounding both impressed and proud of the fact.

“I appreciate the thanks and you didn’t need to say anything. It was the right thing to do.” Lila said choosing not to dwell over the fact that all Coldwaters seemed to be so closed off.

“Hmm.” Viola emoted crossing her arms, “You aren’t the worst.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“You make sure to keep Bryson safe. I don’t care how talented he is, he can still get in trouble and needs a good head on their shoulders to help him. I really don’t want him to grow up like Gareth, or worse Gilles.” Viola said sternly.

“I don’t talk anyone of the other Coldwaters much, are they really that bad?”

“Gareth is cold, distant and thinks way to highly of himself for it to be healthy. There’s a reason why he didn’t give us a grand goodbye when he left. Though, father does appreciate those traits.” She explained, “And Gilles is just a bit dumb.”

“What about Sable?”

“I honestly don’t know her as much as I should, so I have no idea what she’s like. I’m sure she’s fine.” Viola admitted.

“How in the world is she the black sheep in the family? Bryson’s not even related.” Lila asked in wonder.

“I realized. I’m going to try to get to know her better.” Viola assured her, “But still, the matter of Bryson, watch him.” She practically ordered.

“You don’t need to worry, I will. But I don’t think you need to worry about how Bryson will turn out too much. He’s a good kid.” Lila promised.

Viola gave a small nod of agreement, “As long as he stays out of trouble, he shouldn’t have any problems.” With that she walked back to the door, “I’m going enjoy the rest of my vacation now. I think I earned it.” Closing the door, she left Lila to finish making the bed. It seemed that now, everyone will finally enjoy their trip here.