Chapter 33:

Callum rapped his fingers over the table mantle. They were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. He wondered what was taking Stryg and Kithina so long.

“More wine sir?” The waiter asked.

“No, thank you,” Callum shook his head.

The waiter nodded and walked to another table. Callum glanced around the restaurant. All the customers came from one named house or another. Callum spotted the daughter of a civic lord eating with her friends. A merchant lady sat eating with her minor husbands a few tables over. This restaurant catered specifically to the high-class folk of Hollow Shade. Callum chose this restaurant in order to impress Stryg and Kithina.

Callum was growing up and soon he wouldn’t have his father’s protection anymore. Sure, no commoner would ever dare disrespect him, but the same couldn’t be said about the high-class, even his own siblings were a potential threat. They saw him as a stain in house Veres' reputation. It was made only worse that his father demanded he have a place equal to his siblings.

After Callum graduated he’d be eligible to be challenged to a mage duel. His siblings wouldn’t hesitate to do so and “accidentally” kill him in the duel. Death was common enough in duels. Or perhaps they wouldn’t wait that long and they’d send assassins after him. Callum needed allies and he needed them quick. People whom his siblings’ influence couldn’t reach. Powerful individuals unrelated to the affluent families of Hollow Shade. In other words, magi born from commoners.

Kithina seemed fond of him and was more than willing to become friends. Stryg was very standoffish, Callum had a difficult time gauging his behavior. But, Stryg had shown great potential, in both physical and magical abilities. Despite having a completely different background, Stryg was a kindred soul, a hybrid born into a harsh world. He wanted the rude goblin on his side.

Callum was willing to do what was needed to befriend the two magi, including treating them to a fancy dinner. If only the two would actually show up. He sighed.

“Young master, should I go look for Mr. Stryg and Ms. Kithina?” His attending maid asked in a polite tone.

“No, it's fine. I don’t wish to appear desperate,” Callum said.

As if on cue, Stryg and Kithina walked into the room. Kithina was dressed in a yellow dress that accentuated her red locks. She had gotten her hair and make up done at a salon. It was expensive, but as she looked around the fancy decor and well dressed patrons, she didn’t regret her decision at all. She was nervous, it was her first time in such a fancy place. But, it was one of her dreams to be a part of such a high class gathering. She hoped to the gods that she’d fit in.

Stryg wore simple black trousers and a loose blue tunic. He surveyed the restaurant with interest. The food did smell good and there were many beautiful women around as well. It passed his judgement.

Kithina spotted Callum and walked over with Stryg in tow.

“Kithina you look beautiful, I’m glad you were able to make it.” Callum smiled.

Kithina blushed under the praise, but her face turned sour as she spotted the maid behind Callum.

Great, another maid, Kithina thought in irritation. She thought she’d be used to the ever present maids by now, but she wasn’t, far from it. Their presence became more annoying as time passed.

She hid her annoyance behind a thin smile, “Sorry, we’re late. Stryg had trouble getting in.”

“They said there was no way I could have a reservation,” Stryg said with a cold tone.

“I had specifically told them to expect a hybrid goblin when I reserved this table weeks ago. I’m sorry that happened. I’ll have a talk with them,” Callum frowned.

“Good.” Stryg mumbled and sat down.

He grabbed the menu and began perusing. Stryg thought he had learned the kinds of food in Hollow Shade after trying dozens of dishes these past months, but he was wrong. He didn’t recognize anything on the menu.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I’ve come here with my family hundreds of times, growing up. I know everything there is to know about the food here,” Callum said.

“Thanks,” Kithina smiled sweetly. “This place really is gorgeous.”

She looked around the large red marble pillars that held up the painted ceiling. Ornate chandeliers hung over the entire hall.

Stryg settled on some sort of fish dish, or so Callum explained. Stryg didn’t care how fancy it was, so long as it was delicious. The dwarf and vampire hybrid made small talk as they waited for their orders to arrive. Stryg waited with closed eyes, trying to do his own form of meditation. Instead of emptying his mind, he tried focusing on his anger, like how Loh had told him to do a week ago. He was still struggling with the whole concept.

“Here is your caviar, sir,”the waiter said.

Stryg opened his eyes to look at the small orange circles that peppered his plate. “What is this? There’s practically nothing here.”

“This is roe, sir. Harvested from dire salmon in Hoarfrost Bay. It is of the highest quality, sir.”

“He’s telling the truth, you should try it,” Callum said.

Stryg looked skeptical at the dish. On the other hand, Kithina loved her stuffed pork tenderloin, devouring it in quick fashion.

“This is sooo good,” she moaned in delight.

Stryg ate only a bit of the caviar, the flavor wasn’t great and there was so little of it.

“It’s official. The food here sucks. The academy's dining hall is so much better,” Stryg stated. He didn’t even care to try his glass of wine, afraid that it was just as bad.

Callum put his fork down, “I’m sorry to hear that. Caviar can be a bit of an acquired taste. You’re welcome to try something else, whatever you like, I suggest any of the steaks.”

“I’ll take your caviar if you don’t want it,” Kithina said as she reached over his plate.

She ate it greedily before Stryg could even voice his opinion. Not that he cared about the caviar, but he felt uncomfortable with someone taking his food from him.

“I didn’t know you two had gotten so close,” Callum laughed.

“We’re not,” they both said in unison.

“So Kithina, you normally just eat from a stranger’s plate?” Callum questioned.

Kithina looked at her hands in horror as if she had committed a crime. She was so focused on the luscious food. How could she have eaten from a man’s plate in front of Callum, and from Stryg’s plate no less.

Stryg ignored Kithina and her existential crisis, “She stole my food. How is that being close? She’s lucky I don’t want it.”

“Cal is that you?” A voice said from behind.

Callum closed his red eyes and grimaced. He opened them and turned around with a smile, “Hello, Maeve. Having dinner with your friends?”

A vampiress stood in front of a few other girls.

“I thought that was you,” Maeve said.

She was a young woman, with porcelain skin, dressed in a black frilled dress. She was 5 feet tall, but her tall red heels pushed her up 3 more inches. She was skinny, delicate even, like a glass figurine. Her platinum blonde hair was decorated elaborately under a fancy ribboned hat.

Her ruby eyes danced over Callum’s table in delight, “Who do we have here?”

Callum aimed his open hand towards his guests, “These are my friends, Kithina and Stryg. This is my paternal cousin, Maeve Mora, she’s a student at the business academy.”

“No need to introduce us. I can already tell what they are,” Maeve smirked.

“Commoners,” one of Maeve’s friends spat.

“That girl may try to dress up nicely, but I can still see the wooden beads in her hair. She can’t even afford silver beads like actual upstanding dwarves? No matter how you adorn one, a pig will still be a pig.” Maeve pointed a finger to her lips.

Kithina realized she had sauce all over her mouth. She swiftly grabbed a napkin to try and clean herself.

“Look at her face, she’s turning red like a ripe tomato,” another of Maeve’s friends laughed.

Kithina lowered her face to hide the tears forming in her eyes. Callum grit his teeth, but said nothing. He couldn’t afford to antagonize Maeve. She may not technically be a Veres, but they were still cousins. If he made a move against her now, it would be seen as a move against the house and in affront to his siblings. Any sort of truce he may have from being a student would evaporate within an instant. He couldn’t let that happen, he wasn’t ready to face his siblings.

“And this one’s practically blue,” Maeve looked at the goblin hybrid.

“Don’t even try bitch,” Stryg said.

He had been meditating with anger, his food was horrible, and he was still hungry. He didn’t have the patience to deal with this vampire. Callum said she was from the business academy, which meant she wasn’t a mage. Judging from her dainty figure, she wasn’t much of a fighter either. He could take her.

Maeve looked outraged, “Did he just say what I think he did.” She stalked over to him.

“Oh sweet Bellum,” one of her friends whispered, “She’s gonna kill him.”

Maeve raised her hand and slapped Stryg's face, but he caught her wrist before the slap connected. She tried escaping his grasp and failed in surprise. She may have vampiric strength, but Stryg was just as strong, stronger even.

“Let go of me! You animal!” Maeve screamed.

Stryg tightened his grip around her wrist, his claws beginning to dig into her pale skin, “I’m not an animal. I’m a chromatic species, you idiot.”

“Stryg stop!” Callum shouted.

Stryg looked at the other hybrid as if he was crazy.

“Please,” Callum said softly.

Everyone in the restaurant was watching them. Their entire spectacle. Kithina couldn’t handle it anymore and ran out while shielding her face from onlookers. Stryg was reminded of his first night challenge, how they had all mocked him. This time instead of jeering at him, they whispered amongst themselves. He hated it. Stryg released Maeve’s wrist.

She jumped back, “What is wrong with this commoner!? Does he think I’ll let him get away with attacking me? Callum, you call this thing your friend?”

“I’m sorry, Maeve. He’s just drunk and doesn’t know what he’s doing. I promise I’ll make it up to you later,” Callum said.

Stryg was confused. Why was Callum lying? Was he siding with his cousin or him?

“Heh, you think that matters? A commoner just attacked me. I’ll have his head on the chopping block for this,” Maeve seethed.

“I’m afraid you can’t. He’s a mageborn, he can’t just be executed for being drunk,” Callum said. It was the closest to a retaliation he could afford.

Maeve’s eyes narrowed as she glanced between the two men. “I see, now I get it. Why a commoner is your friend.” She turned to leave, but her hand slammed into Stryg’s glass, spilling wine all over his pants. “Whoops,” Maeve smiled.

Stryg shot up to his feet and hissed in outrage. He was going to end this girl.

“Stryg, stop! Please!” Callum rushed over and held him by the shoulders.

“Yeah, listen to your friend. Or should I say master.” Maeve said and walked away, the other girls following behind her.

“This is not the time. There are too many eyes on us. Please, Stryg don’t do anything rash,” Callum whispered.

Stryg struggled against Callum who tried his best to hold him down. Stryg glanced at the waiters who were calling the restaurant's security. His gaze settled on the vampiress strolling away, giggling with her friends. This wasn’t over. He pushed Callum off him and marched out of the restaurant.