Arte’s explanation had been rather simple. Unless you were non-magical, you would be able to see a slight glow from the artefact’s eyes. This could help with identifying people who were hidden supernaturals. It also meant that Collin was a supernatural. And even if he was an old friend, Seb wasn’t sure he could call him that now, especially since no one had mentioned loreleis in the territory.

Honestly, Sebastian wasn’t even entirely sure what a lorelei was. He knew they were somehow linked to mermaids, but wasn’t sure what the difference was, if there were any. So now, he was standing in a mostly empty pet store waiting for further explanation. It wasn’t 100% private considering the sleepy clerk was just a few steps away, and anyone passing by could see them through the front window, but it was still better than standing outside where anyone nearby could pick up on their conversation.

Neither he nor Collin seemed to want to be the one who spoke first. So, the silence between them was getting tenser by the minute. Seb wondered if it was too late to run away and look for Edmund.

Collin broke first though. “So, you unlocked your magic?”

“Yeah.”

“And the necklace is for detecting magic.”

“It does other things, but yeah. Did you know I had magic?”

Collin shrugged. “Vaguely. You were still too young to use magic when I saw you last, so I wasn’t entirely sure, but I knew you had bloodline potential after that time you cut your hand on a river rock when we all went swimming.”

“Oh yeah, I remember that day. Niel thought I was dying when he saw the blood in the water.”

“He was only ten, so you can’t really blame him for being naive, but Luna really didn’t help with trying to explain how much blood a person needed to lose to die.”

Both of them laughed at the memory and the tension in the air significantly decreased.

“So, you’re a lorelei... what does that mean Exactly?”

“Well, it’s hard to explain. In essence, we’re river dwelling mermaids. We don’t really interact with other magical beings since our lives are tied more to the water than land. But I’m guessing from your artefact that you have some ties to werewolves?”

Sebastian nodded.

Collin tensed up. “The Wiker Pack is really, dangerous, Seb...”

“I know. They’re not who I’m aligned with.”

“Oh? I thought you mentioned Luke Wiker earlier. I guess you’re friends with a different kid named Luke.”

“Ah, well, no. We kind of stole him away from the Wiker Pack.” Sebastian laughed nervously.

“...Dude, what the fuck?”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

And now it was Sebastian’s turn to explain himself. He didn’t give the full details of everything since he was still being cautious, but by the end Collin had a much clearer understanding of what they’d been through. And he was laughing about it.

“What's so funny?”

“I’m sorry, it’s just,” Collin paused to laugh again. Lucy owes me money now.

Sebastian frowned. “What on earth for? Did you make some kind of bet about supernatural stuff? Wait, is Lucy also a lorelei?”

“As far as I’m aware, no. We made a bet about who in the group would be the first to have kids. My money was on you and Edmund.”

Seb flushed with embarrassment. “That's- You- This- Technically, I haven’t had kids yet.”

“You have basically adopted two children.”

“Why the hell would you even bet on that?”

Collin shrugged, finally calmed down. “I can’t remember the whole conversation, but I remember being absolutely sure you and Ed would become parents first. Though I did think you’d get married first.”

Sebastian somehow became even more flustered. “Married?”

Collin frowned. “Don’t tell me you guys are still pining after each other.”

“What do you mean ‘still’? I- Eddie doesn’t like me like that.”

“Geez. Now I owe Pierce money.”

Sebastian felt as if he could die on the spot from embarrassment. Before he did though, a buzzing from Collin’s phone interrupted them. Collin quickly pulled the device out of his back pocket and winced as he turned it on.

“It’s my mum. I forgot that she wanted me back to help with cleaning the guest house. You should also probably get to your lunch.”

“Oh, shit, yeah. It was good seeing you again man.”

Collin nodded with a bright smile. “It was great seeing you too. Tell Ed I said hi.”

And with that, the pair went their separate ways. Collin was basically powerwalking in the direction of the mall parking. Honestly, if Sebastian’s memory of how intense Penny could get was accurate, then he wouldn’t blame the man for full on running all the way home.

He chuckled to himself but sobered quickly as he thought back on their conversation. He still wasn’t sure if the Loreleis were allies or not, or at the very least, if Collin was. Under different circumstances, perhaps Seb wouldn’t be so guarded, but he couldn’t think for just himself right now. Not only did he have to consider how things could endanger Edmund, Daisy, and Luke, but also how it might affect his parents, Ed’s dad, and the others staying at the Kingsley house.

Once Sebastian reached the food court, he relaxed a little. He easily spotted Ed and the others sitting with what looked like enough food to cater a party of 20. Edmund was laughing with Luke over something that Daisy looked like she didn’t understand, when he looked up and spotted Seb. The way his grin seemed to brighten gave him a sudden burst of nerves. The good kind that made him feel a little lighter as he walked towards their table.

As he did however, he got a strange feeling in the back of his mind, as if Edmund’s weren’t the only pair of eyes on him. Ed seemed to have noticed something too, because his face changed to a more neutral expression and his eyes were suddenly searching the crowds around and behind Sebastian.

“Hey guys, sorry I took so long. I ran into an old friend.” He said as he sat down.

Edmund looked away from the crowds. “Who?”

“Collin,” Sebastian answered. “We went our separate ways since he had to get back to his mum, and I had to find you guys.”

Ed nodded, somehow getting the message that whoever was watching them wasn’t Collin. Collin could/would have come with him to the table if he intended on surveying or whatever. Whoever was watching could have been a part of his group though. Seb didn’t want to suspect the other man of anything devious, but that kind of trust wasn’t something they could afford.

“Sebastian, look. I got this cute little toy with my meal.” Daisy declared, breaking him out of his anxious thoughts.

He was more than grateful for the distraction. So, he pushed aside his worries and focused on talking to the others while they ate. He trusted Edmund to keep an eye out if something happened with their mysterious watcher.