5. Originals

The building was still as cold as they remembered. The corridors were silent to death. Dim lights add to the chillness of the walls. A certain odour lingered in the dark holes in the walls. It was a castle. But it seemed like nobody lived in it. A faint hint of blood entered Max's nostrils and he held his breath. It burnt his inside. 

They were walking at a matching pace. Called in by the Originals. And even though the message said to bring in the Human with them, Stephen opposed the idea. He wanted to check the situation himself before taking him in. No doubt at all, it was a high risk for Callum to enter. 

"Lexi"! Enzo called the girl behind the desk and she signaled them to go inside. 

The door opened to a big but empty hall. There were a few chairs and benches. And nothing else. And then there were two chairs in the center of the other end of the hall. 

"Ace". Stephen called. 

"Welcome Steph. Come". The other man replied instead of the one he called Ace. 

"Zol". They all bowed to him. 

"You didn't bring him huh"? Stephen heard Ace demanding an answer.

"He isn't safe here. Not until you promise to". He replied, shrugging his shoulders. 

"Did I do any harm to him? If I wanted to, I would have the moment he stepped in the mansion". Ace spitted in anger. 

"What difference does it make Ace? Mason is human too". Stephen was still calm. 

"The fuck. Mason has no powers. But that Human, he can change everything. And you know it. Still you chose to protect him? Why". He stood up stomping his feet. 

Stephen flinched a bit still it didnt affect his cool..

"Come on Ace. We are not here to discuss him". He clucked his tongue in disapproval. "Until and unless someone fed you". 

"I don't need spoon feeding Steph. You know I have eyes and ears everywhere. What made you think you can escape me or hide him"? His eyes flashing red. Zol was just sitting. Watching them. 

Max, Enzo, Zee and Saint took their seats. 

"I never meant to hide him, Ace. If I want to, I would have and you know what I am capable of". Stephen took a seat too, unbothered.

"Dont you dare talk to me like that. You are using your power card. Against me? I am The Original, Ace. Much older than you. What makes you think you can over power me huh"? There was no way Ace getting calm. 

"I am not challenging you Ace. I am who I am because of you. I have lived so long because of you. And I am grateful for it. But. Leave him out of the mess. He is not a threat". Stephen stood up again. He was getting irritated. 

"Not now. But what if"? 

"I will handle him myself". Stephen was confident. 

"Like how? You will change him"? Ace said.

"If i have to". 

"Stephen". The hall echoed with the high pitch voice of Zol. He knew he stepped on the thin line. 

"Do you even know what you are saying? Would you change him? Change him to what? Like who you are"? Zol said with an angry tone.

"Do you think he can take to be like you? Are you even in your right state of mind? Adam was right. That human is surely special to you. But he shouldn't be more than the rules set by us. Did you get us"? Zol said. His voice sent chills to the four, excluding Steph. 

"I knew it was Adam. Before you accuse me of anything. Do you even know the death rate on his collar? Do you even know the number of humans in his personal dungeons. And that is why he needed Callum too. To add his count. But let me tell you. I will never let him or you take on Callum. If anything happens to him, you know what I will and what I can do". Stephen's eyes flashed sharp blue for a while. 

"I will bring him in next time. But again. Only if you promise me his safety". Stephen signaled his friends to stand up to leave. 

"Dont put your conditions. You are not in a state". Ace said taking his seat. 

Stephen turned to him with a smirk. 

"Oh Ace. You know who I am". The hall turned silent again as the sound of shoes faded away. 

*************

"Adam". Zee hissed.

"I knew he would play dirty". Max spatted.

"Need to fix him Steph". Enzo said. 

Saint was sitting leaning his head on Zee's shoulder. 

"Change. And leave him". He said with eyes closed and Stephen sat upright on his seat. 

"That is actually a good idea Saint". He ruffled Saint's hair who just shrugged. 

"I need my drink". He said and Zee handed him his bottle. 

They all reached the mansion almost at dinner time. Considering the time that they left after breakfast. And it took every ounce of Stephen to make Callum  understand that no one can come into the mansion to hurt him. 

"Callum ". His lips automatically stretched into a smile when they all saw him sleeping on the couch in Stephen’s cloak. 

"Wake up Callum ". He sat beside him carefully so as not to scare him. Callum  closed his eyes once before opening them, adjusting to the light.

"You are back, Steph". He stood up rubbing his eyes with his palms. 

"Yes we are back. Did you have your lunch"? Stephen asked him to comb his hair with fingers. 

"I didn't. You were not here". He replied cutely. Stephen pinched his cheeks softly. 

"Come. Dinner is served". He held his hand to the table.

"Hello Max. Enzo. Zee. Saint". He greeted them all and they all nodded. 

Even if it was still difficult for Max, still they all were perfectly settled together. They all loved the jolly bubble of the mansion. 

*************

"Steph, where did you go"? Callum  asked him, leaning on his shoulder after dinner. They were in Callum 's room. Stephen was sitting by the bedhead while Callum was leaning on his shoulder playing with his rings. 

"Had to meet the heads". 

"Heads"? 

"Yes, the founders of this company that I am running". He replied. Callum  nodded as a yes. 

"So how did it go"?

"Nothing much. Those old heads simply act childish sometimes". He said with a hint of irritation and Callum  giggled. 

"As in what they asked for "? 

"Hmmm. They asked to meet you"! He told Callum as a matter of fact. 

Callum  sat up quickly. Facing him. Sitting cross legged. He was wearing a  silk button up shirt and shorts that reached his mid thigh. But maybe he didn’t calculate the effect of it on Stephen. He was just staring at those chocolate thighs. Firm. Smooth. Muscular. Just how he loved. The shirt slipped as Callum had not buttoned up the first two buttons, showing off his glowing chest. 

How he wished to snap open the buttons and feel the smooth skin under his cold fingers. He must be warm. Stephen thought to himself.

"What happened"? Callum shook him a bit pulling him out of the trance. 

"Ahh yes. Oh nothing. Nothing. You should sleep now. We have a meeting tomorrow. Right". Stephen stood up to leave the room. 

"Are you leaving me? " He turned to find Callum pouting. Damn Callum . What the hell are you doing to me? 

"Yes, it’s night". He tried to hold on to his self control. 

"Can you sleep here"? Callum  said, playing with the hem of his silk shirt. 

"I would love to but am afraid I can't hold myself". Stephen replied in a tinted voice. 

"Hold yourself? For what"? He asked innocently.

"Remember. I won the swimming challenge". Stephen bent down pinching his chin and he smiled looking at the red spreading on Callum's cheeks. Down his neck. 

"Bad. Go. Good night. I will have your cloak with me". He stuck his tongue out to tease him. 

Bad move Callum . 

His lips were instantly captured openly by those thin soft lips. Sucking his soul out, deepening the kiss. Stephen left his lips after being satisfied at how breathless Callum was. And how plump glistering his lips were. He smooched them once again before tucking him in the comforter and left the room. 

Knowing exactly how flustered Callum  would be. 

***********

The weekdays were busy. The merger was a hell. Lots of paper work. Lots of meetings. Callum  was tired but he was happy to be with Stephen. Nothing has happened since last time. He was comfortable to attend the meetings with Stephen without being observed and watched over with lustful eyes. 

Seems like the word had been spread in the business world that Stephen had claimed his boy. Well except for Adam. He would try to sneak around Callum . To take every moment if he would touch Callum  or taste him. But it was almost impossible. 

Things were going subtle between Stephen and Callum . Nothing escalated much more than those good night talks and kisses here and there. They were not in a rush. 

Stephen had not heard anything from Ace or Zol either. It was peaceful. 

Peace before the storm.

The boys were having chill time when Callum  asked Stephen if he could go shopping. 

Stephen insisted that they would go together but Callum insisted that it was safe to go. He would disguise and come home as soon as he had a surprise for Steph. Stephen even negotiated that he would not follow him but at least let him stay at the mall. 

"Please Steph. I will be safe. I know you have your people on guard. Please . Just this once". He pleaded and Stephen lost it. Saint signalled him to let Callum go. It was okay. And besides, Callum was right. Stephen had put guards on him.

"Okay. This is the first and the last time. Don’t spend much time. Okay" . Stephen allowed him half heartily yet stern. 

"Ohh I love you Steph". Callum  hugged him tight and froze instantly recalling what he just said. 

Stephen laughed out followed by his friends. 

"Yeah. I love you too. Now go". He kissed his forehead and Callum  left the mansion taking the Bike from Stephen garage. 

"Stephen it’s late". Enzo said him while they were working on the new project and new building. 

"Huh? What time is it"? Stephen asked, turning to him.. He was so involved in the moment that he lost the time check. 

"Past lunch". This time Enzo had a creased forehead. 

"What. It has been 3 hours. I told Callum not to be late. Call him". Panick started kicking in. No it’s not happening. 

Before they could get him on call Stephen got a call instead. 

"To the Originals. Now". Just one message and Stephen felt all his body was set on fire. The veins popped up on his neck. 

"Fuckkkk". He slammed everything on the table. 

"I will not forgive you for this Adam". He screamed and they all rushed to visit Crescent again. The Castle. 

Defeating the laws of speed and distance they challenged the time and there they were. 

The hall wasn’t that empty like last time. 

Ace and Zol were sitting on their respective seats. While Adam was sitting on a chair facing the center. Unbothered by Stephen or his friends. Stephen followed his gaze and his cool was shattered. 

Callum was tied to a chair. Conscious. Afraid. Crying. Gagging on the cloth tied in his mouth. 

"Why"? He just turned to Zol who pointed at Adam.

"I said," Why? Didn't I say I will bring him to you? Why do you need Adam to kidnap him"? Stephen was yelling. 

Ace clucked his tongue and left his seat. 

"I didn't ask Adam to bring him in. But. We need to talk, Steph". He was speaking calmly.

"Oh no we don't. Not until he is untied and in my arms". He turned to get Callum free but was caught by Adam instead. He gripped his neck slamming him on the floor. Few pebbles scattered with the impact of heavy fall. 

Callum whimpered in fear. 

Max Enzo Zee and Saint were helpless too. As Zol had trapped them by magic. 

"I told you to share, Steph. Only if you have listened to me. Now see how scared your little kitten is". Adam put a bit of pressure on  Stephen's neck. 

"Fu...ckk.. Offf... Bas..tard". Stephen said, panting hard. He held Adam's wrist and used all of his power to turn and toss him around the hall hitting a concrete pillar. 

"I precisely told you not to touch my boy and you have the nerves to kidnap him and bring him to Crescent. Don’t you know who I am"? Stephen was in rage. He held Adam, pulling him by his arms only to throw him again at the other pillar, not giving him a chance to stand. 

"You are a fucking weak. Wrapped on the little finger of a fucking human. Shame on you Stephen". This time Adam charged on him. Picking him up and tossed him on the wooden benches, breaking them apart. 

"Don’t you know. Humans are to play with not to keep in as bloody lovers. How the fucking hell you can resist it". Adam moved to stand behind Callum. Bending on him. Sniffing his neck..

"Do you see the pulse here? See its throbbing. Flowing with the blood". Adam scratched a nail on the pulse at the side of his neck drawing blood. 

"Hmmmmmm. I am high just sniffing it. How would it taste to have the warmth of this blood on my tongue? Wanna try"? Adam challenged as blood was oozing from the wounds. 

Callum  had his eyes shut tight. Everything happening around him was too much to handle. He wanted to be with Steph. He was trembling with fear. He was mumbling for Steph. 

The air was thick as 6 people held their breath at the smell of blood filled the air.

"Get your fucking hands of him. You bastard". Stephen leaped on him, taking him down with him. 

"Steph". Ace called him but it was late. Callum saw his eyes flashing yellow. A bright yellow. Pupils dilated. Stephen had Adam's neck exposed as his fangs elongated and the last thing Callum saw was those fangs sinking in the crook of Adam's neck and then he lost his consciousness. It was too much for him.

"Tsk tsk tsk. You let your wolf overpower you". Zol said unamused. Though they didn’t put any charge on Stephen for killing Adam, because they knew Adam had few things on his hands to be taken care of. But they were kind of disappointed. 

Stephen wasn’t a weak Vampire. But he never even let his Vampire side over powering him. But letting his Wolf lose... That was something they didn’t expect from him. At least not for a Human. 

"If I had not let my Wolf lose, it would have been worse. Next time. I repeat. If anything happens to Callum. Or someone brought him here like this, without my knowledge. I am gonna destroy it all". He snarled. His eyes turned red for a while before they turned deep blue. His fangs restored as he picked an unconscious Callum in his arms. 

"And what will you explain to your human? Who you are"? Zol smirked. 

"I will tell him everything. Including the fact that I am Hybrid". He replied calmly before leaving the hall with his friends as Zol put his spell off them. 

***********

Tabby