Chapter 299: The call could have come from inside the house

Kellen was a little surprised to hear that Elder Ellis wanted to speak to Kellen alone. Well, maybe not alone, but with just Kellen, himself, and Rhys present.

It was the night before the press conference and up until now Elder Ellis had kept some distance from Kellen. Kellen hadn’t even been aware of it until Brent had pointed out that the middle-aged man who looked like an angel was staying away from Kellen while staring at him like a creep.

Kellen hadn’t considered his actions creepy, but it was clear he was the only one. When he brought it up to his parents, Aunt Dina, and Rhys, all of them had stated that he was behaving strangely. Yes, he was helping out with the press conference, but he had been behaving oddly.

So, Kellen had approached him and asked him if he had anything to say. That was when Elder Ellis said that he wanted to speak to Kellen but privately, and offered for Rhys to sit in with them while they spoke.

Kellen was a little apprehensive. After all, Elder Ellis was one of the other Espers that he had guided and Elder Ellis for his part seemed to understand that Kellen was being cautious. He didn’t tell him what to do and simply waited while Kellen and Rhys discussed it in front of him.

They ended up deciding that speaking to Elder Ellis about what was going on was smarter than not doing it. Rhys was willing to let Kellen hear him out about what he wanted to talk to him privately about, then continue whatever the hell he was doing now. Kellen agreed, since while it wasn’t making him uncomfortable, it was making others.

So, Kellen suggested that Elder Ellis follow him as he led the two Espers to a room, an office, where they could chat.

He knew that if he took Elder Ellis to their rooms that the others would freak out. They didn’t trust him, they didn’t want him near Kellen’s rooms. Kellen also didn’t understand Light powers as much as he understood Darkness powers.

He wanted to go somewhere more private, like his rooms because he knew them better, but he had to play by the rules of everyone else right now. They were already on edge because of the new information that he’d given them, he didn’t want them to come breaking down doors and frightening people.

Even Rhys, who was doing a wonderful job of being supportive and kind and understanding was glaring at the Elder who he had respected during the meeting. Elder Ellis didn’t even seem concerned by the glare that Rhys was giving him, and instead, expected it. Kellen just shook his head, sitting down in the small space meant for their meeting and waited.

He was sure Elder Ellis would speak up first.

~

He wasn’t wrong in his assumption. Once the door was closed and everyone was settled, Elder Ellis sighed and leaned back against the couch. He stared at Kellen for a long moment, keeping Rhys on edge, before he spoke.

"I don’t think holding anything back will be a smart idea, so I’ll just come out with my questions right away. You don’t have to answer them honestly, but I would appreciate it if you did." Elder Ellis told him softly, his white eyes staring into Kellen’s soul. "You’re...different from other S Classes, Guide Kellen. It’s something I can sense." He said, sounding nervous. Rhys shifted on the couch next to Kellen, his grip tightening on Kellen’s hand.

"Of course he is. He’s a Field Guide." Rhys told him, no room for negotiation. Elder Ellis gave a wry smile before it faded quickly.

"I am aware, Captain Thatcher, that Guide Kellen is a Field Guide. That’s not what I’m talking about and your reaction has me worried that I may be right." Kellen stared at him, wondering what he was hinting at. What was he worried about? He shouldn’t be worried about Kellen not being just a Guide. After all, Kellen knew that there were others like him, but that was kept close to everyone’s chest.

It was clear to Kellen too that Rhys was also on edge from what Elder Ellis had said. What he was implying.

"Why would Rhys’ reaction be strange, Elder Ellis? After all, you’re one of the Espers that I guided in public, and we’ve already had one of the three attack me. He has every right to be on edge being alone with you, regardless of how much he respects you." Kellen said. He watched as Elder Ellis twitched and he turned to stare at Kellen. His white eyes were a little unnerving, but Kellen went to bed every night with a man who had the eye colour of someone Guides and Espers alike feared. Kellen didn’t let himself be unnerved by the Elder.

The Elder gave him a small smile, as if he knew what Kellen was defending against, but he wasn’t going to say it out loud. Kellen kept his body relaxed, forcing himself to not react. He wasn’t sure what Elder Ellis was getting at, but he didn’t want to give anyone he didn’t trust more information then they deserved.

"If both of you are going to be on edge like this, I guess it is my due as the Elder in this situation to give information first." Elder Ellis said, before shifting in his seat. "I’ve had the E.A.G. come to me, several times, and ask me to turn on my friends, my people, and those who had supported me over the years. This hasn’t been a recent situation, either. They have been pestering me for years now." Kellen felt his jaw drop in shock. Rhys tensed, his body stiffening beside him as Elder Ellis continued to stare at them, smiling slightly.

"What? How?" Kellen asked, shocked and Elder Ellis shrugged.

"I have always experienced severe pain during guiding, Guide Kellen. Always, and as I’ve aged, it seems to have only gotten worse. I will admit, I’m not proud that the E.A.G. kept coming to me, nor that I willfully turned a blind eye to what they were doing and intentionally didn’t look into them further. I knew they were an issue, I knew that they were doing something wrong, but I..." Elder Ellis dropped his gaze, the smile faltering on his lips. "But I felt sympathy for them. I understood them. Or, I thought I did." He admitted quietly. Kellen was shocked, his body frozen.

"We trusted you." Rhys ground out and Elder Ellis raised his eyes. They were white, soulless, and Elder Ellis gave an apologetic smile.

"I know, and I’m sorry. The only saving grace I have is that I never did do what they asked." He swallowed. "But I had planned to. At this meeting I was going to finally cross the line and go to their side." He slid his gaze to Kellen. "Until you offered to guide me, Guide Kellen." He admitted.

Kellen tightened his grip on Rhys’ hand, needing to be comforted and held back so that he didn’t get up and smack the Elder around.

"You were going to rat us out? Are you serious? How could you?" Kellen demanded and Elder Ellis sighed once more.

"Because I was tired." He told them. "I’m exhausted. Living the way that I have, watching those I care about die over and over is exhausting. I don’t even get relief like others do, Guide Kellen. I continue to live in suffering, each moment full of pain and regret. My powers are also not some of the more helpful powers out there which is why I have been able to live for as long as I have. This body, this vessel is a curse, and a reminder that no one who truly cared about us would give us these powers." Elder Ellis said.

Kellen couldn’t believe what he was saying, but Rhys? His fiancé? Kellen felt the man jerk, heard the soft noise he made and when Kellen snapped his eyes in his direction, Rhys was faltering in his anger. That only made Kellen more confused and upset.

"But the E.A.G.? Elder Ellis, they...they kill people." Kellen told him and Elder Ellis smiled at Kellen.

"Which is why I held back from agreeing to do anything for them. The fact that I didn’t push back hard enough is the reason they felt bold enough to keep reaching out to me. I’m sorry for letting you down, but I thought it would be more honest if I explained where I was coming from before we spoke further. I’m not going to give them any information anymore. I have no desire to. This might make me sound like the woman who attacked you, Guide Kellen, but you were the one who changed my opinion and outlook on life." Elder Ellis said, a slight flush touching his pale cheeks. "I never knew that guiding could feel that way." He admitted.

Rhys tensed, Kellen tensed, and Elder Ellis laughed.

"Relax, I have no desire to take Guide Kellen away from you, Captain Thatcher, nor do I have the ability to do so. I have just...been searching for someone who could help me take away my pain and suffering and when I found that Guide Kellen could do that...at first I was possessive, but then I saw the way you helped others and realised that...you were just a better person then me. I had been searching in all of the wrong spots for help and that was why no one had helped me. I was in the wrong, and it is up to me to do better before my life comes to an end." Elder Ellis said. "Which is why I felt that I needed to speak to you about what I fear is happening." Elder Ellis continued.

"What do you mean?" Kellen asked and Elder Ellis sighed.

"I am sure you two are aware that the E.A.G. is working on something. Obviously they are, otherwise they wouldn’t need so many Espers or manufactured Guides like you suggested. I am still unaware of what they are plotting, but I have it under good authority that the leader is an S Class like we are, and an Esper." He hesitated. "I am unsure of the age, but I do believe they are male in nature, and they like to take on the form of those who have white hair." He said.

Kellen didn’t like hearing that, but whatever. They could just get Gunther a wig or something. He would probably accept it if it meant that he wouldn’t be mistaken for the head of the E.A.G. once it was revealed.

"Why are you telling us this?" Rhys asked and Elder Ellis shrugged.

"Why wouldn’t I? Guide Kellen has given me a new lease on life, you asked for my help to host the past S Class meeting. I owe you two a lot, and for that reason, I will keep your secrets to myself." He said and Kellen tensed.

"What do you mean by that?" Kellen asked, very concerned after all of the information that he had spilled. Elder Ellis chuckled.

"If there is one thing that I am good for, it’s sensing the flow of powers in a room, Guide Kellen." He said softly and Kellen felt like he’d shoved a metal rod down his spine. He couldn’t help his reaction and Rhys stood up, covering Elder Ellis’ view of Kellen.

"What are you planning to do with your accusation?" He demanded, protecting Kellen as Kellen stared blankly at Rhys’ back. Elder Ellis sighed.

"Nothing. I plan to do nothing with my information. I’m going to forget it as best as I can, actually. I don’t want to harm you two, but I wanted you to be aware. I wasn’t the only one in that room, and Guide Kellen, don’t trust the S Class Guides as much as you do. They are susceptible to lies and deceit as well as the others can be. I’m an example. If they were promised the ability to break their bonds with the Espers who had imprisoned them against their will, I’m not sure they would turn it down." Kellen felt those words like a blow to his gut.

He didn’t want to admit that it was true, but after seeing how some of them reacted with their partners...yeah. It was possible.

Who would you go with if given the choice? The devil you knew, or a devil who was unknown? Kellen knew his answer, but he couldn’t speak for the others. Things just got more complicated.