Gods and Monsters

Ch. 28 Witches & Casters

Raza's eyes scanned over Sage's sleeping form for any signs of movement. There weren't any, as there hasn't been for two days now. He could hear the kids outside playing with Sam's wolf, or tormenting him, whichever you choose. Raza hoped his Chosen didn't hold onto a grudge for as long as his younger siblings did. They had accepted Sam's apology for trying to attack Sage but they could still be caught glaring at him or stepping between the pup and Sage if he got too close. It would appear they'd inherited the small blond's protectiveness.

He had expected Sage to be out for awhile after having a Caster's spell stripped from him so abruptly but he was becoming agitated. It was hard being in someone's presences without them really being there. Especially it being his Chosen. He could tell his body was accepting the changes though, his features slowly blending into those of his kind. His ears were no longer rounded but pointed and any blemishes had smoothed out to flawless sun kissed skin. His younger siblings shared similar features, although Marlo had one pointed and one rounded ear.

A blur shot down the stairs and Maverick leaned against the wall, watching his sleeping brother. The Childe had followed Raza after he'd specifically told him to stay at the Estate. Raza didn't even care anymore. The Childe seemed eager to make up for his childish behavior and for abandoning his younger siblings, who didn't even blink an eye when their oldest brother appeared after seemingly disappearing.

"How was it?" Raza asked, a smirk lifting one corner of his lips. "Being buried alive, that is." He clarified for the Childe, watching his confused expression turn into a snarl.

"Would you like to experience it for yourself?" Maverick hissed.

Raza snorted and lifted Sage before sitting on the couch, resting his blond head on his lap and running his fingers through his tangled curls. His features were so soft but also had a sharpness in his high cheekbones and pronounced jaw. His cute button nose and heart-shaped lips kept him from looking wicked. His eyebrows and lashes a darker blond than his golden locks, with his lashes resting against the hallow under his eyes. Raza knew he could spend hours observing everything that made up his Chosen's allure. It's what he's been doing for two days after all.

"So why is he comatose?" Maverick asked, pushing away from the wall and crossing the room. His hair had grown out over the weeks from the buzz cut to short curls that all the siblings seemed to share.

"It would appear your parents knew a very powerful Caster."

"How are they any different from Witches?"

Raza watched the Childe. The way he kept his back towards him as he looked out the window and kept his voice neutral, his mannerisms would come off as uncaring and aloof. Raza knew better. The Childe was genuinely interested. "There are two kinds of magic a Witch can study. White magic is the most common but that doesn't mean it can't be as deceiving or cruel, although their spells tend to be used for healing of the mind and body. Dark magic is what you would think it to be but Witches avoid it like the plague. A single spell can suck the life out of a weak Witch." Raza paused as the back door opened and the kids appeared seconds later followed by Elias and the young brown wolf.

"And a Caster?" Maverick asked, drawing his attention back to him.

"Casters study neither White nor Dark magic. I've heard many call their magic Gray, a mixture of both the good and the bad although most Casters are powerful enough to cast Dark spells without it eating away at their souls." Interested in what he was saying, the kids sat on the floor looking up at him and Elias leaning against his wolf. "Sage has yet to wake because it was a very powerful Caster who blocked him from himself. The same Caster and the same spells were done to you, Maverick. When you died, the spell was broken, that's why it took so long for you to phase."

"Told you he was dead." Mia huffed. Aurora rolled her eyes and ignored her twin.

Raza smiled at the girl, of course she would know. "A common Witch put a Glamour on you four. All it did was hide your true appearances." Raza said to them. "It's why you were still able to see things that a Human can't and how your Mate was able to find you, Elias." The young teen was staring at him with wide eyes before looking at his siblings.

"What do you mean, see things?" He asked.

"The dead." Mia deadpanned.

"Oh," Aurora giggled. "The good."

"The lost." Marlo chirped.

Raza smiled at them, having been told this already. They were able to sense his power the moment they met him and although they didn't know what he was or why, they knew they could trust him.

Elias' eyes shifted back to him. "What are you then?"

"You'll find out when the time is right." Raza smirked. In truth, he wanted his Chosen to be the first he told. Elias' eyes narrowed and his lips parted as he prepared to say something but Maverick beat him to it.

"Why is this happening now?"

"It's time of course." Raza said simply. Of course there was more but they'll learn about that later. Right now they just needed to wait for Sage to wake and then hopefully, they can return home.

They all turned towards the front door at the sound of someone walking up the stairs to the porch. Raza ran his thumb over Sage's smooth cheek, wanting him to wake up.

The front door opened to a small female, her hair a wild mess of blonde curls and green eyes that Raza had seen on another.

Elias jumped up, a look of shock on his face.

"Mom?"