The Fourth Zaldizko - Chapter 78 A Man Who Loves Easily

Trix taught me further methods in directing my healing through my hands without taxing my energies, using meditative breathing and finding the center of my balance.

The less disruption to my chi flow during healing, meant I wouldn’t have to exhaust (especially embarrass) myself all the time. In theory, it sounded easy. Learning to focus on channelling my energies through my hands was tough and exhausting, since being a healer for me was instinctive.

“Famine. Are you even learning anything?!” Trix scolded me when I constantly failed to heal animals through my hands.

Almost like I had reverted backwards in step from when I had healed the kitten. It was hard to think and do this at the same time. Especially when there were more healthy animals running amok around the tower room now. My focus kept getting distracted.

Trix sighed and gave a sign to break. He looked at his pocket watch and noticed it was almost time for lunch anyway.

“Let’s leave it here for today. I have to work.” He sighed.

“Thanks Trix. I appreciate it.” I bowed my thanks that seemed to have caught him off guard for the moment.

“I’m doing this for Leinard.” He grumbled, averting my eyes.

“I know. You’re a good big brother, like Death.” I innocently blurted.

“Say. With Death. I heard about what his ex-lover did,” Trix pensively said to change the subject. “Don’t you think he’s being too hard on himself about it?”

“You care about my brother?” I found the fact amusing.

“Idiot! You men are part of my team. It’s duty of care, git!” He snapped back on the defensive.

“Thank you.” I politely acknowledged his care.

This was the first time Trix shared a genuine opinion and reaction of another. It was a relief to know that both men didn’t completely hate each other.

Another thing I began to notice about Trix was his tacky playfulness being a facade. The truth of who was could be seen on occasion, yet it led to questions of whether it really was his true being. As he’d easily revert to his tacky attitude.

“Hmm. How about we kiss here to really call it a day? My chi needs some Famine nourishment.” He grinned devilishly.

“I’m dating your brother. Didn’t you reprimand me earlier on it?” I groaned, my fingers twitching with rude words.

“I did. If I’m the one kissing, we can call that an exception.” He flashed a signature tacky smile.

“Hell no!” I shoved him to the ground and stood up.

For a moment, I thought there was something of a genuine gentleman behind his tackiness.

“Drats! Leinard gets all the ones I like.” He grumbled as he sat back up.

“Ones you like? What do you mean?” I gingerly signed with a gulp.

“Fufu. Do you want to know about his past lovers?” Trix teased me.

I frowned. The thought tugged at my heart and poked at the yes/no buttons in my brain.

Did I want to know who Leinard had dated in the past? I knew Charlese was one (if you could call their friends-with-benefits situation a relationship), but who else had he dated? Had he been in love with them as he was with me? He was a flighty romantic at heart, so maybe I was a passing fancy?

for visiting.

I shook my head. No. I refused to believe our love was less that chemistry.

“Famine. Leinard is a man who loves easily once he has decided who to love.” Trix continued to tease and add fire to my internal dilemma. “He can also decide not to love that person as easily. When that happens, they tend to be nothing more than used furniture to him.”

I frowned.

“He may seem loyal and stoic on the outside. At his core, he’s shallow.” Trix approached me so our faces were within kissing range. “I, on the other hand, appear shallow on the surface, but once I decide to love someone, it’s for life. I give them my everything.”

He leaned in to kiss me. I slammed a fist into his stomach to make him recoil backwards with tears of pain in his eyes.

“You would say despicable things about your brother?! Shame on you.” I rose to my feet and went to attend to the animals on the other side of the floor.

Trix came up behind me and forced me around to look at him, so I could see his words being signed clearly.

“Famine! I do say this about my brother because I’ve seen him do this! Leinard has dated people and dumped them without a second thought when they don’t end up meeting to his expectations. He will hurt you.”

My frown deepened. Of course, I didn’t believe him. Especially when Leinard had done so much for me and my brothers. His love for me was genuine. It had to be.

“I don’t believe you!” I feverishly answered back. “Anyway, our relationship has nothing to do with you!”

Sounds of the nearby door opening broke our conversation. A classroom of seniors entered with empty cages to gather the healthy animals into them.

“Captain Aueralius!” One of the pristine students formally greeted Trix. “We’re here to return the animals into the Transportation Field.”

Return? I scratched my head, not understanding why the animals had to go back.

“They can’t continue to exist if they stay in the Second District. The land will steal their chi to the very last drop. As you have seen. Humans and insects can replenish chi, hence why we’re unaffected. These animals don’t have this ability.” Trix answered to my unspoken question.

The seniors nodded and continued with their duties. Within half an hour the room was empty of animal life. I felt sad standing in the suddenly quiet room alone with Trix.

“I’m returning to duty.” Trix faced me. “Remember what I said. I’m here for you if you change your mind.”

“I won’t. I love Colonel.” I signed back.

Trix smiled tenderly and nodded. I felt confused when he patted my shoulder and walked out of the room. His smile had been different. Almost like it was a confirmation.

My heart perked up with a hope that his words were actually a test of my loyalty to Leinard. So, did I pass a test?

Feelings of the air being disrupted by the school bell, drew my thoughts to my afternoon classes and my stomach growling for lunch. I was beyond hungry.