And I hope he knows I mean it.
After mulling it over in his head, he gives a slight nod.I sit down on the wall, and he crouches near me.He puts his hand on my chest, and I try to ignore how strong he looks or how good he smells this close.
Then, I close my eyes and allow him to push my spirit out of my body.In moments, I’m floating outside the maroon bubble.As expected, Necia and Max are nowhere to be found, so I get to work scrutinizing the seams of this hex.My focus turns to the lines of entropy unseen by the average human eye.The maroon bubble is its own hex, and all hexes are interwoven magical threads of entropy.And that which is woven can be unknotted.Pull here…and then here…undo this knot…
I gasp and blink, staring up at dusky sky.
“Taz…Taz!”Luther is above me, and I feel my shirt and chest.I’m solid again!
“What happened?”I ask, sitting up.
“The bubble burst, and we fell.Now I need to make sure your spirit is intact.”He sounds so distressed, crouching near me.“Tell me something only Taz would know.What do you remember?”
I shake my head and look around at the dark forest.The concern in Luther’s eyes brings back my focus.“I remember…beating you…in year twelve.The energy construct contest.You were furious.”
“Taz!”He laughs and grips my shoulders.“Your spirit is back.”
I roll my neck.“Of course it is.”
“I didn’t know if I messed up or something.”
We share a smile, and I resist the urge to hug him.After all, he’s not into me like that, right?He did admit he’s gay…
“Have faith in your abilities, Lulu.”I grin, and he rolls his eyes, but this time, with a smile.After he stands up, he reaches a hand out and pulls me up.I hold his palm for a moment, and he doesn’t let go either.
Does he feel this, too?Glacially slow, I lean forward, bringing my face closer.Is this happening?
Before I can make a sexy mistake, Necia and Max come stomping back through the woods.Luther and I break apart and both fix our ties just as the pair reaches us.
“Are you guys alright?”she asks.
“We’re fine.Taz undid the hex I was stuck in.”
“It was a team effort,” I add.Luther catches my gaze, and I swear he smiles a little more.“Where’s the suspect?”
“About that,” Max says.It is then that I notice the blood on his shirt.
“You…killed him?”I ask.
Necia and Max share a grim look.“He…killed himself,” Max says.“He had a pistol.Self-inflicted wound to the head.”
We all share disturbed looks and slowly walk back to the car.Tonight was a lot of highs and a few lows.Necia and Max discuss how they’re going to clean up this mess for the mortal authorities to interpret.Meanwhile, Luther and I exchange glances that mean more now than they ever have.
We agents have a lot of work to do.But I can’t help but be satisfied knowing Luther and I have come a long way.
CHAPTER 9- LUTHER
(THEN)
THE SEATthat Taz Devries typically occupies is noticeably absent this Saturday.Typical?he plays hooky two weeks before the end of our sorcery protection school career.
Professor Rodante wipes the chalk from her hands.“Graduation is right around the corner.For those of you wishing to be field agents, next fall you’ll be placed into our internships.You’ll hone your skills for a few more years.In no time at all, you’ll be full-fledged agents, ready to protect the magical world with all the skills you’ve learned.And I’m so proud of you all.”She claps her hands, and I exchange a grateful smile with Necia sitting next to me.
“Unfortunately, I have to let you all know a bit of bad news.Mr.Devries won’t be with us going forward.He is fine, but he has decided to no longer be part of the Union.”My blood runs cold at the professor’s words.There’s no way I heard that right.
“But to end today’s session on a high note, I’d like to congratulate our highest in class.Everyone, give a round of applause to Luther Westbrook.”
Everyone applauds, and Necia taps my shoulder.All eyes are on me, and I give a small smile.I should be thrilled that I got the highest marks after four years, but instead, I’m numb and frozen.Mentally, I’m far away.
