“And you only got back out because of…” He points to Girish, who pushes his glasses up.
“I, um…had a vision…of how to do that.”
“Convenient,” the chief mutters.He turns to Taz and says, “And your brother was in there?”
Taz, to his credit, doesn’t flinch.“Yes.And I don’t regret pulling him or Luther back out.Luther is your lead agent.And Vikrum is my brother.”
“How long was he in there for?”Chief Tuttle asks, exasperated.
“About…fifteen years.”
“Fifteen…ugh.”Chief Tuttle runs his fingers through his hair.“This is unprecedented.The physiological effects and ramifications of prolonged exposure to the dark dimension could be dire,” he says through a whine.
“Again, I will not apologize,” Taz says with conviction.He exchanges looks with the other three, then nods.“If you want to kick me out of the Union, so be it.”
“Slow your roll, Joan of Arc.”The chief points at him, and Taz’s eyebrows raise.“You’re no martyr.I’m not kicking you out.You may not be an official agent, but you’re still an incredibly valued asset.Everyone in the magical community owes you a debt.Really, all of you work well together as a team.”
I smile at my boyfriend?he’s not being fired!
Chief Tuttle continues, “I’m happy to report that we now have all three pieces of the gauntlet secured.However, the lead cultist got away.It’s only a matter of time before the Cult of the Unheard starts dabbling in other dark rituals.”He puts his hands together on the desk.“And I’m sorry to be so blunt, but your brother is a liability.”
“Pardon?”Taz tenses up, but I put my hand on his to get him to stay seated.
“What I mean is, there is no precedent for someone living in the Other Side.”
“He was in a coma!”Taz argues.
“Be that as it may, we think it best if he lives under close monitoring.”
“Like what, here at the infirmary?Who can live like that?”Taz asks in an angry tone.
“Not here.While I do need Cedric to regularly evaluate him, I was thinking closer to the Union, rather than out in the world doing who-knows-what.”
“He can live with me in Cosmo, on my couch,” Taz says.
“Or he can live in the portal manor in Cosmo,” I counter.Everyone turns to me, and I nod.“Think about it: the portal is right there, and we can all visit him regularly.”
“I thought no one lived in the actual portal mansion?”Taz asks.
“Um, I live there.”We all turn to Girish.“He can like…live in one of the guest rooms, I guess.”
“Perfect!”I say.
“That’s my call to make, Agent Westbrook.”The room is quiet as the chief studies his hands.“But…you’re right.That is…acceptable.Meeting adjourned.”
We all stand up, and the others file out of the room.Before we can leave, the chief walks up to Taz and me.“Mr.Devries, I’ve been having a serious discussion with the High Council.”
Taz looks at me and audibly gulps.“Yes?”
“We’d like to offer you a series of exams to initiate you into being a full-fledged agent of SPELL.It’s unorthodox, but really, nothing about this program has a precedent.”
Taz seems stunned.“But you seemed disappointed in my actions.”
“I also said you were a valuable asset.You’d be able to work alongside your other half over here.”
He hooks his thumb at me, and my eyebrows rise.
“Just think it over.”
