When All is Null and Void

Chapter Nine

The conversation came to a quick halt when both women realized Alexander and Caleb had both turned to watch them. Rhea shook Caleb's hand, but gave Alexander an awkward hug which lasted for no more than a breath. Alexander seemed to have stiffened. Gone was the smile he'd had when speaking to Caleb along with the subtle laugh lines around his face. Did they not like each other?

"I see you two have met," Rhea said, and she walked out of the room.

"I thought it would be good to meet Caleb before he starts living with me."

"Living?" Caleb said, panic starting to rise. "I wasn't aware that..." he trailed off. So had he really seen the apartment for the last time? He hadn't even said goodbye to Angelica. He really was just going to disappear and Angelica would forget about him.

Alexander clasped him on the shoulder. "You'll do your training with me, at my house. I make good food, don't worry."

Caleb wasn't sure the food he ate was particularly important, but at the moment he wasn't really focused on the idea of eating anything. His stomach had plummeted to his knees, and his hands had started to shake. He cupped them into fists at his side and smiled. This was a good thing. It had to be.

"And this is happening today?" Caleb asked.

Rhea took Peggy's tablet and started tapping away at it while Alexander answered. "After the test we'll head out."

"And Alexander is a wonderful mentor," Rhea interjected, although it seemed a little less genuine than Caleb might have expected out of affirming words. They came out...compulsory? "Anyways!" Rhea said, brightening. "Peggy needs to draw some of your blood, and then you two can head out."

"Why do you need my blood?" Wrapping his arms around his chest in attempt to hide his veins, Caleb frowned.

"For your ring to be activated properly, we have to submerge it in your blood," Rhea said. "Blood connects the ring to the Void."

"Morbid, but true," Alexander said, shrugging from across the room. He was playing with some sort of scalpel and poked the tip of his right pointer finger. The ensuing clatter was loud and jarring as Alexander dropped the scalpel onto the metal table.

"Alexander." Peggy said with a vehement hiss.

"Ye—yep, what?" He seemed a little dazed, probably because his finger was now bleeding.

"Can you please stop playing around with things that aren't yours and come here?" Peggy was so reproachful Caleb grunted indignantly, but Alexander slunk over, a scolded puppy. He leaned against the table they all stood around.

"Do you have your ring?" Rhea turned her eyes to Caleb.

He'd left the ring box on his desk back at home, instead choosing to slip the ring into the pocket on the front of his shirt. Caleb slid it out and placed it in Rhea's hand. "Thanks," she said.

"Do you have a bandage, by chance?" Alexander asked, as soon as Peggy picked up a syringe.

Caleb grinned as Peggy set it back down, sighed, and opened a drawer. Alexander widened his eyes and showed Caleb the small cut. Ow, he mouthed, and then winked. Peggy gave him a small bandage, and Alexander wrapped it up after sucking the blood off his finger. A gag rose in Caleb's throat; the thought of blood, like needles, always tended to make him squeamish.

"All right," Peggy said. "I'd like to get this whole process finished." Her impatience was punctuated by an even bigger sigh.

"That's fine with me," Alexander said. "I'll just be over here." He pointed a few feet away from Peggy and her sharp needle. Caleb had the distinct notion his mentor would not be playing with any more medical tools.