“Can you fix it?”the chief asks.“You’re some hex expert after all.”
I glance at Necia and Luther, then back at Max.All of my ideas churn in my head as to the nature of this specific hex.They don’t need to know that nearly every hex I’ve encountered in my studies is different, so each one requires a variety of approaches.I pull up a chair and sit next to Max, and say, “That’s what we’re here to find out.”
“You’re a hex expert?”Necia asks quietly.
“Let’s give the man some space,” the chief says.“Do you need anything from us, Mr.Devries?”
“Just some time.Patience.Quiet.”I shake out my hands and raise them near Max’s head.I indulge in looking at Luther with a half-smile.“I might be here for a while.”
The agents file out, and I get to work appraising the dark energy in Max’s head.I shut my eyes and concentrate on feeling the magic that exists in the unseen space between all matter.Something or someone has caused Max to be unable to communicate, and I owe it to my former schoolmate to undo this.
Twenty minutes later, I sense a presence pull up a chair next to me.With my hands hovering around Max’s head, I pull at every piece of unseen arcana I can think to find.This practice requires concentration, but that’s not the only reason I haven’t looked up at the man by my side.Instinctively, I know it’s Luther?he’s always had a pull on me I can’t describe.And now we’re alone together in a room for the first time in over a decade.
“Still nothing yet?”he asks.
I shake my head.“I’ve never encountered anything like this.”
We’re quiet for a long several seconds before he says, “So, you’re like…a hex guy now?”
I put my hands down and shake out my shoulders.Turning to my right, I take him in.Luther is a big man now, the agent of SPELL he’s always wanted to be.And the way that button-down shirt hugs his chest is alarmingly distracting.
“Keep it in your pants, Taz,”I chide myself in my mind.“You don’t know him anymore, and he used to despise you.”
“I’ve done my share of hex-breaking.People have paid me for my services on occasion.Is that a problem?”
“Not a problem.I just…like, didn’t know what you’ve been doing since school.”
I play with my fingers and wonder how much small-talk I should share.“I’ve been doing research.Worked odd jobs in the mortal world.Published some magic books in occult bookshops in the US.”
“That’s, um, surprising.”
Typical Luther, never impressed with me, even after all these years.“You haven’t read my work in the library?”
“No,” he replies, almost contrite.
“Right, well, I need to concentrate on this.Were you sent here to babysit me?”
“Nah, man.The chief thought you might need a water break.”He hands me a bottle, and I mutter my thanks.
After taking a swig, I put the water down next to me and lean forward.We quietly watch as Max looks around, as lost as ever.I attempt to sense more threads of hex magic with my fingers, then shake out my hands and lean back.“Bet this isn’t the school reunion you were expecting.Max is messed up, and I’m…well…”
“You’re here.Helping us agents.”He rubs his face, and I can tell this conversation is uncomfortable for him.“You’ll probably end up a full-time agent as well if you pull this off.”
I scoff and gaze into his dark brown eyes.“I’m simply a member of the Union.”
“But I thought being here with us was your dream?”
I study my hands.“My dreams haven’t been attainable since…”
Inspiration strikes me, and my head darts up.Max looks at me, still lying in bed, and I turn to Luther.“That might work.”
“What?”Luther asks.
I move to the opposite side of the bed and put my hands out.“I need your help.I have an idea to start undoing the hex.”
Luther leans forward, and Max looks at both of us.“We need to put him to sleep and pull out his essence into his astral form.”
“What?!”
