Because what did the professor mean when she said that Taz left the Union?
After class, I approach our teacher.“Professor, may I ask a question?”
“Certainly, but make it quick, I have hot date with a roll of sushi.”She files her paper into her leather knapsack and hoists it on her shoulder.
“Um, what happened to Devries?”
“I’m afraid that’s confidential.”She briskly exits the lecture hall, and I power-walk to keep up.“I’m not even sure.I got a parchment from higher-ups stating that he has formally resigned.Such a shame.He was so good at breaking hexes.”
More questions buzz around my brain.“But…but why?”
“Again, I do not know.”She smiles and gives me a small salute.“But look at the bright side: you’re first in class now!I didn’t expect anything less from the son of a member of the High Council.Ta ta for now, Mr.Westbrook!”She titters and walks out the double doors.
After taking a deep breath, I dash to the nearby men’s washroom.My heart threatens to fly out of my throat, so I keel over at a toilet.I retch, but nothing comes out.I’ve never had this visceral reaction to seemingly good news before.
I ought to be thrilled, but only one thought buzzes through my brain: how could Taz leave me?
(Now)
Taz’s blond hair nearly shines as he sits alone in the cafeteria.He’s finishing his lunch, so it’s the perfect time for me to approach him.We haven’t chatted since our little forced-proximity moment in Quebec, not that I know how to contact him.He lives in Cosmo, though.Maybe we could hang out and have drinks…
Shoving away that tantalizing thought, I briskly make my way to his table and sit down across from him.His look of surprise only lasts a moment before he gives me that signature grin.
“Agent Westbrook.”
“Taz.”Saying his first name still feels foreign, and I roll my neck in discomfort.“How…how’s lunch?”
He quirks an eyebrow and takes one last chopstick pull of ramen.“Delicious.”
“Great.”I scratch the back of my neck and try not to focus on him dabbing his lips with a napkin.
He fixes a curious expression on me and taps the table.“Can I help you?”
“Um, yeah.There’s more cult activity detected, this time in Louisiana.You’re the best hex breaker I know, and you’ve been with us every step of the way.Thought I’d ask you to come on the mission, make it a four-person job again.”
His neutral expression has me feeling extra exposed.“You could have sent a parchment to me.Why visit me during lunch?”
I loosen my collar and avoid his perceptive gaze.“I, um…wasn’t sure if you were in the Union or back home in Cosmo.”
He sits back and shoots me a smirk.Taz is no simpleton, so he can tell it’s torturous for me to even allude to the fact that I wanted to see him, personally.Everything feels different after last week.I might actually want him on my team?in every sense of the word?and I don’t know what to make of it.
“Alright, I’ll join you.”I smile in relief, but he leans forward and says, “But first, you gotta give me your phone.”
“Huh?”
“That way you can text me when we’re both at home.For work purposes, of course.”
“Right.”My heart hammers in my chest again as I pull up my contacts and allow Taz to plug in his number.
A sinister voice in my head whispers,“Now you can text him any naughty pictures you’d like…”Shut up, voice.
He hands me back my phone and promptly gets up to put away his tray.I scroll to find the “Hey, it’s Taz” text and read the name he put himself under.
When he returns, I fix him a sour look.“‘Hexiest Man Alive?’Seriously, Devries?”
He giggles and puts his hands in his pockets.“I find it to be appropriate.After all, who could resist me?”
Pocketing my phone, I bite back the smile that threatens to override my frown.“Save that shit for your many girlfriends.”
