With that, we walk out of the chief’s office.“Do you think I should do it?”Taz asks.
“You get a stipend.”I shrug as we walk.“And you can go on missions with me.”
He chuckles.“You’ve sweetened the pot, Westbrook.Perhaps I’ll become a full-time agent just to keep your ass safe.”
“You do keep me safe.”We stop, and I square him a serious look.“And you challenge me, you always have.I’m a better wizard when you’re around.I should have seen that when we were kids, but now…”
He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze.“Now you’re stuck with me, Lulu.”
We laugh, and I lean in and kiss him slowly, right there in the Union for everyone to see.I’m more than happy to be stuck with Taz.We may only have been dating for a few weeks, but a future with the man who’s always driven me wild is starting to sound ideal.
CHAPTER 20- TAZ
AFTER PUTTING AWAYthe last of the cleaning supplies, I shut the cabinet door and hop up.Chores aren’t really a chore nowadays since I have so much to be thankful for.I’m dating an amazing guy who loves me, and my brother is back in my life!It’s been almost a week, and each day I feel more and more grateful to have Vikrum in the realm of humans.
Which is why I’m here, putting together boxes of cleaning supplies.It’s pricey to pay for all the kitchenware and cutlery, but no expense can be spared now that I’m funding my brother’s new life.I gaze around at the massive kitchen here in the portal mansion.The only one who used to live here full-time was Girish, and he kind of let this place lose its luster.All these fine white wooden cabinets and stainless steel sinks, but no pantry snacks?And that’s nothing to say of the lack of cleaning supplies.What kind of man doesn’t own a broom?
I like Girish a lot, but I need to help them both function like adults here.
So, in the past several days, I’ve taken it upon myself to fix up Vik’s new room as well as these common areas.I want my brother to have the best of the best; I’m setting up the life that went on pause for fifteen years.
When I walk into this room, I can’t help but smile.I’m thrilled he’s using the new laptop I got him and that the Wi-Fi I arranged for is working.But also just seeing the sunlight catch his silhouette fills me with contentment.It’s nonsensical to be afraid my brother is going to disappear again, but that kind of deep-seated trauma doesn’t go away so easily.So, as I tuck my hands into my pockets and lean on the doorframe, I relish the sight of him, alive and well.
“Did you need something?”Vik asks, without looking up.
“No, not at all.”I sit next to him on the second wooden chair.Luther insisted on conjuring the furnishing of the room; that was the first day Vik was let go of the infirmary, and since then, Luther has given us space.“I can’t just be happy to see my brother?”
“I’m happy to see you, too.”He gives me an amused look.“But standing by the doorway is a bit creepy.”
“You say creepy, I say protective.”
“You say protective, I say overprotective,” he murmurs.
I laugh softly.“What are you reading?”
“I have lots of world news to catch up on.Glad the internet is much faster nowadays.”
“Be careful, though.Some of it is?”
“Fake news, I know,” Vik says, finishing my sentence.He smirks at me.“What a weird term.Don’t people, like, think critically before they read headlines?”
“We’re still waiting on humanity to get there.Have you discovered the terror of AI photos?”
“The terror of what?”Vik’s smile falls, and I tap his shoulder.
“Trust me, brother.The internet is a more dreadful place than…”
My words die in my throat, and my smile falls.I was only there for a few minutes in astral form, but the Other Side was equal parts perplexing and threatening.
“It’s okay.”Vik smiles and taps my hand.“You can say the Other Side.I’m not some sleeper agent that will get triggered into being a warlock.”
“I didn’t think that,” I reply.
“Well, the Union certainly does.”He closes his laptop and pushes it into the desk.“Cauldrons, I know that they control the geo arcanum and protect people, but I wish they would poke and prod me less.”
“You know it’s just for your wellness, Vik.”
“I know.”
