Page 210 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Oscar continued, “I find eyes fascinating, and I do not like to be bored. I used to live out on my own before I met my Jenna and she gave birth to our children. I observed people from afar, never really engaging with them. I always found people and their eyes interesting. Some people’s faces never give anything away, but the eyes are so expressive.”

Oscar tilted my head back and dropped in eye drops that stung. I wiped my eyes with the Kleenex Silas gave me. Oscar told me, “It will take a few minutes for those to kick in.” The light in the room became unbearable.

I winced asking, “Can you turn that off?” Silas frowned, “Of course.” I could barely keep my eyes open. Oscar gently examined my eyes. I whispered, “Something’s wrong, right? I should be able to open my eyes.”

Oscar replied, “I don’t believe anything is wrong. You just seem to be extremely sensitive to dilation. Your vision and eyes are perfect.” The man started to speak in another language but before I could ask about it, my eyes fluttered closed.

I woke up feeling sick and dizzy. I looked around unsure how I got back to my apartment. My phone was buzzing. I answered in a shaky tone, “Hello.” Caspian instantly asked, “Odette, what’s wrong?” I groaned, “I got my stupid eyes checked out and now I’m dying.”

Caspian asked, “You did what? What’s wrong with your eyes?” I groaned, “Evidently nothing. That doesn’t explain why I keep seeing things that don’t happen. People’s eyes don’t flicker black.” Caspian asked, “What people?”

I groaned, “That’s your question?” I looked at the screen and cried, “I’m sorry. I can’t look at my phone right now. My eyes hurt so much and it’s so bright.” Caspian assured me, “It’s alright, little sister. You can just talk. What do you feel like right now?”

I answered, “Like I may throw up. I don’t even know how I got home. I just remember falling asleep in the eye doctor’s office. He was a very charismatic man who speaks some beautiful language I’ve never heard.”

Caspian snorted, “I see. Whose eyes flicker black?” I snorted, “No one apparently. Except it’s everyone around here. Who cares? My head couldn’t hurt worse than it does now. I’m so unobservant but I noticed that. I missed that my song boy got a tattoo though.”

Caspian laughed, “Did he? Where is this tattoo?” I answered, “On his neck. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before the other night. It has a music note, an O, S, and C. I guess it stands for Odette’s Song Call.” Caspian disagreed, “It doesn’t.”

I asked, “How would you know that?” Caspian laughed, “It’s obviously for Odette Sargasso. That is our last name. The C we can figure out.” I reiterated, “It’s call. I don’t have a last name or a middle name.” Caspian sounded angry, “You do have a last name.” Except I didn’t.

Caspian insisted, “You are a Sargasso, Odette. Should you meet more people like Luke, you tell them the Sargasso’s will come against them for you. Most would walk away from you to avoid that.” I laughed, “Because you’re the mob boss kingpin now? No, it’s the Don.” Because they said clan, so they were going the Irish route.

Caspian snorted, “Let’s go back to boss.” I smiled, “AH HA! So you admit it.” Caspian laughed, “You seem better now.” I conceded, “I feel a little better, that was weird.” Caspian replied, “Hmm.” I told him, “I think my friends are planning my first birthday party.”

Caspian asked, “It’s your birthday?” I explained, “Tomorrow is. They were asking pointed questions and have been quite secretive and evasive lately. I’m positive it’s a party.” Caspian told me, “I’ll have to get you seventeen presents to make up for the birthday’s I missed. Happy early birthday, little sister. We would all sing to you if you can call us tomorrow.”

I tried to play it cool like I didn’t care, “I’m sure I can. You don’t owe me anything. Lux always got me a present, but he was never there on my actual birthday. My birthday just doesn’t mean much to me.” Except them singing would mean the world to me, which was silly.

Caspian said, “Your birthday is certainly a day we will celebrate. We are all very happy to have you in our lives. I hope your song boy makes it very special for you.” I teased, “Or he will deal with you.” Caspian nodded, “Yes.”

I snorted, “So simply put, just yes.” Caspian emphatically stated, “Anyone who upsets you will deal with me. I cannot say they will care for that.” I gulped, “Are you going after Luke then?” Caspian answered, “I will. That dolt going to mess up or I will find you.” I was hoping for the second one.

Caspian added, “One of those things will happen. When they do, the Merrick’s will rue the day they thought they could cross me and get away with it.” I asked, “What about grandpa and mom? They crossed you too.”

Caspian said, “Mom has also crossed me for the last time. This is unforgivable. What she’s done to you is irredeemable. What she did to our brother was awful, but he had his father to step up for him.” I whispered, “I think back on all Lux was doing for me a lot now.”

Caspian replied, “As we all would have.” I explained, “Lux was spending all his money on me to take care of me. I’m certain I only knew mom was my mom because her pictures were in the apartment. Lux paid someone to watch me if he wasn’t there. I think I saw mom restock the fridge a few times and leave before Lux’s dad took her to court for custody.”

Caspian’s jaw flexed, “Like I said, it’s not something that can be forgiven. Grandpa is currently all talk. If he acts on something, he’ll add to the list of family crossing me.” I told him, “I may not know all about your mob business, but I would never intentionally cross you.”

Caspian laughed, “That I know. You are very special. Serenity told me about what you did with the water. You truly are more powerful than anyone knows. Somehow, I’ll find you.” I teased, “Or I’ll find you. You and Serenity said if I got to a body of water and wanted to get to you, I could.” My brother smiled, “I believe that you could.”

I heard the key moving around in the lock on my door. I said, “My song boy is here.” Caspian dryly commented, “Do tell your song boy that your eyes are sensitive and that there’s nothing wrong with them. He should do better at convincing you of that.”

I snorted, “Yes, well now I know they are sensitive. I didn’t tell him about my eye doctor appointment though. It’s so not normal what I keep seeing. I’m not normal enough of the time so I didn’t want to mention this.” Caspian encouraged me, “You can always share things with your song boy.” We said goodbye then hung up.

Keaton rushed asking, “What happened?” I sighed, “Umm I must have fallen asleep in Oscar, I mean Dr. Umphries, office. I should pay for the cab or however they got me back here.” Keaton snorted, “It’s more than taken care of, don’t worry about it.”

An eye doctor/cab driver. The man did say he didn’t like to be bored. Keaton asked, “Why did you get your eyes checked out?” I shrugged, “I keep seeing people’s eyes flicker black. That’s not possible though, but Oscar said my eyes are fine. Maybe I should get a cat scan of my brain.”

Keaton flinched, “There’s nothing wrong with you.” I snorted, “My brother said my eyes are sensitive.” Keaton asked, “Did your mob boss brother have any other helpful tidbits?” I snorted, “I have a last name, I guess. It’s their last name, but I don’t want to talk about it. There’s too much light in here and it hurts.”

Sassy sadly hummed her song as if she was in pain too. Keaton pulled all the blinds. He pinned bobby pins on the cracks in the curtains to make sure no light came through then pulled me into his chest and put a blanket over my head.

Keaton kissed my forehead, “You just sleep.” I snorted, “It’s like having a hangover for getting my eyes checked out. I feel like that is something only I could do.” Keaton assured me, “I’ll take care of you in either situation.”

I asked, “What do you want to do tomorrow?” Keaton laughed, “It’s your birthday. So, we should do whatever you want.” I hit his chest teasing, “I knew you guys all knew.” Keaton nuzzled my neck, “I should know your birthday since you’re mine. Thankfully, Immy told me.”