“Right.What…what’s happening, you think?Since when do Other Side monsters possess mortals?The priest didn’t know anything about magic.”
“I don’t know.The only theory I can think of…well, I don’t know if anyone will trust me.”
“I’m all ears.”
Girish shrugs and looks away.“The monsters have always tried to get free.But the reports lately have shown more and more…know how to talk.”
The memory of the cloud beast with five eyes taunting me sears my brain.“Yeah?”I whisper.
“It’s possible they’re evolving.Gaining sentience.More and more rifts are popping up.We wizards are getting more creative, who’s to say those dark creatures aren’t?”
I tap my lip.“You may be on to something.But we were going to intervene with that dastardly cult, not a monster.Was the intel wrong?”
“Maybe.More analysis is needed.I’d hate to think what would happen if the two are linked.Mortals and mages harboring demonic beings from the Other Side on purpose?”He shudders, and the very notion gives me nausea.
Girish stands up.“I gotta go.But hey, maybe I’ll talk to you during the next mission.”
“Perhaps you will.”
“Stupendous.You and Luther make a great team.You always have.”
“Yeah, we’re a real dynamic duo,” I say with as much sarcasm as I can muster.
“I’m serious, man.You two have always made each other better wizards.”
I shoot him an incredulous look.“Better wizards?Annoying, yes, but better?”
“Between you and me, he always had more drive in school when he thought about how well you were doing.After you left, he acted like…”
My breath is caught in my throat as I wait for him to finish his sentence.Girish continues, “Anyway, I hope you seriously consider making this per diem gig a full-time thing.”
The disappointment in not hearing the rest of his sentence is heavy in my soul.What did Luther used to think about me?Wait, why do I care?“For sure.”
We stand up, but I nearly stumble when the papers underneath my hand slip off the table.Way to go, Taz.This is what you get for thinking naughty thoughts about Luther Westbrook.
“Shit, my bad,” I say.
“No worries, I got it.”Girish leans down to pick up my sheets when he freezes.I awkwardly stop moving and wonder what’s going on.His eyes are glazed over as he scrutinizes the falling sheets of paper.
Wait?is he having a vision?I remember his precognitive abilities were inconsistent at best.It’s rare for a wizard to have the innate skill of divination, but seeing the future could be useful.
“Girish?Gear?What do you see?”
He moves some papers around so they make a small circle.I hold my breath and stare into his white eyes.He must be gazing into my future.The stars know I could use some guidance, but is my old schoolmate more skilled at precognition nowadays?
After a long five seconds, he shakes his head and proceeds to pick up the papers.“Sorry about that.”
My throat goes dry as I study his face.He seems perfectly neutral when he hands me back my sheets.“Girish.Gear.”
“I, um, have to…” He pushes up his glasses, suddenly uncomfortable.
“Gear, please tell me what you saw,” I say with a quiet urgency.
He winces and looks around.We’re still alone, and I need answers.“Look, my precognition isn’t always accurate,” he replies.
“Try me,” I say, my voice nearly a whisper.
He scratches his neck and looks away.“I could hear you…overjoyed.”
