56. The Helping Hand

Long after the masquerade ball had ended, Tatum stood on the balcony in his room, watching the starry skies.

It was peaceful and surreal, unlike the masquerade ball.

He’d smiled and held idle conversations with Mother Tina’s guests when all he had really wanted to do was be in his room, enjoying the quiet solitude.

He had put off joining the guests downstairs long enough until he couldn't hide anymore. His absence wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

Takoda was better at events than he was. Attending them gave him a headache. In the past, he made excuses to get out of attending them because he didn’t want to have one of his spells and have people aware of his ailment. It would make him weak in their eyes, and they would’ve used the knowledge of his strange illness against him.

Now he was somewhat free of his headaches, thanks to an oblivious Baka. She had freed him of a lifetime of pain, and she had no idea.

Still, he was too much of an introvert to be around so many people. The only excit