“Ah.”The quiet is irksome, so I continue, “Probably gonna get a hotel room.A real fancy one.Paris, France, if I can.”
“Don’t you have to be an adult to book rooms?”He’s still not looking up, but I adore that he’s so invested in my future sex life.
“Oh yeah, sure.Maybe when I’m eighteen I’ll book a room.Better yet, I’ll conjure up a keycard or float onto a balcony of sorts.Break into some other bloke’s room, an expensive one.Then have my first time there.”
“Romantic,” he mutters.I don’t miss the way his fists clench.
After ten seconds, it’s clear he’s not going to answer, so I hop up.“Well, I’m gonna go read on the other side of the library.See if there are any actually interesting books to check out.”Picking up my book, I stride away.“Or other teenagers to check out,” I add with a smirk.
Before I can step out the door, Luther’s voice makes me freeze up.“The beach.On a blanket.A secluded area, with a fog perimeter to keep us from getting caught.Or something.”
I turn to look at him, and I swear he’s blushing as he stares at the table.In fact, I bet I am, too.With one last grin and nod, I casually walk out of the study room.My inexplicable pull toward Luther Westbrook might be my favorite mystery.
(Now)
Days after the mission in New Mexico, I’m at the Union library, where I often go on my free mornings.My day job back in Virginia can wait; there have to be answers here.Sure, the layout hasn’t changed since I was a teenager, but I’ve barely scratched the surface of the catalogue.
I scribble on my stack of looseleaf paper the name of the latest book I’ve pored through.After letting out a frustrated noise, I stand up from the wooden chair and casually put back the leatherbound tome into the bookshelf slot.That compendium was useless, but it’s one book closer to my goal.I won’t rest until I learn everything I can about the Other Side.That monster knew exactly what I was looking for…
“Taz Devries.”I turn to the voice, and a huge smile grows on my face.
“Gear.”I give Girish a bro hug.“How’s my favorite agent of SPELL?”
“Am I?”He pushes up his glasses and shrugs.He’s been a chill bloke since our school days, but I haven’t gotten to properly catch up with him.“Well, I am an agent, but more on research.Behind the scenes.”
“You’re a valued asset.Come.”I point to the wooden pair of seats between us, and he nods.After we sit down, I look around to notice we’re alone in the library.“What brings you here?”
“I work here sometimes.You know me and books.”
That makes me smile.“Smart.We need all agents of SPELL to be sharp.”
“So, you’re officially gonna be an agent?”
My cheeks warm, and I loosen my collar.“It’s uh…as-needed basis.Per diem.”
“Well, a bunch of us live in Cosmo.We could hang out sometime?”
The thought of going to a bar and getting drinks with Luther makes my blood boil?antagonism or arousal, what’s the difference?
“I’m pretty busy.Running my shop, undoing major hexes for the Union.You know the like.”
“Speaking of which…” Girish pushes three books in front of me.I grin at the sight of my own books on the table.“Can you sign these copies?It would be sweet to have the real author’s signature on the tomes.”
He hands me a pen, and I nod.While I sign the first book, I fill the silence.“So, how’s life on the research side of SPELL?”
“It’s fine.It suits me better.Don’t want to be in the middle of a mission and then…” Girish makes a circle in the air with his finger near his temple, and I frown.
“That’s still happening, huh?”I recall moments in our schooldays when Gear’s precognitive headaches made him leave class early.
He shrugs.“I live with it.”I slide the books back to him, and he smiles.“Awesome, thank you.”
“It’s no big deal.”
Girish levels a look at me.“Gosh, it’s so good to have you back.I seriously think you should consider signing up for a SPELL internship.You could probably get expedited since you went to school with us, and you’re doing all this work already.Saving the world from the Other Side monsters is noble as fuck.”
“Hey, we’re all doing our part.”I idly tap the wooden table to my right.“You heard all that the other day?The New Mexico incident?”
“I talk to the chief,” he says with a shrug.
