Chapter Thirty-Eight
Victor stands in utter silence, his mouth slightly open, watching his childhood friend walk outside, holding a drink in each hand.
Superior Charles snuffs his cigar at the edge of the lap pool before walking to the door. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
Lucas doesn’t say much as he stands by the door. Victor is still trying to process what’s going on. Lucas walks over to the chairs and places the drinks on the small table. “Why don’t we have a seat?” Lucas suggests.
Victor slowly walks closer to Lucas. “What the fuck is going on here?” Victor looks over Lucas’ body. “Is there an illusion charm or something?”
Lucas laughs, “No, no. It’s me. Your best friend, Lucas.” Victor wraps his arms around Lucas, nearly knocking their drinks off the table. Lucas laughs some more. “Sounds like you’re having some issues grasping what’s happening around you.”
Victor pulls back with a shocked look on his face. “Wait! Does this mean . . .”
Lucas nods. “Yes. I’m a warlock.”
Victor punches Lucas in the arm. “What the fuck, dude! We’ve been friends for years, and you never told me?”
“You still punch like a bitch. And you know the first rule of fight club,” Lucas jokes as he rubs his arm.
Victor dramatically cocks his head. “Don’t start with me right now. I don’t think you understand what I’m going through.”
“You mean the whole Grand Warlock thing? Yeah, I’m aware,” Lucas mentions as he takes a seat.
Victor is thunderstruck, plopping down in the chair next to his best friend. “How do you know about all this?” he questions loudly.
“Because my superior is interested in you. She gave Superior Charles her invite to give toyou,” Lucas responds.
“First question, because I need to know . . . how old are you?” Victor asks.
Lucas laughs, tossing his head back. “Out of all the questions that must be going through that pretty little mind of yours, that’s the first question you ask me?”
“Well?”
“I’m still one year older than you,” Lucas replies, setting his drink back on the table. “And to follow up with your next set of questions: I started training at eight. Jon is also a warlock and is 30. He and I were inherited into our covens by our parents.Jon and I have been invited to join a coven together, but we are happy being a part of two separate covens. We do not have any abilities like you. And I specialize in Water, Air, Fire, and Light. While Jon specializes in Fire, Earth, Air, and Shadow.”
Victor looks at Lucas with astonishment.“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?”
Lucas’ laughs echo around the walls. “You have no idea how good it feels to tell you finally. Well, you’re an empath, so I’m pretty sure you know.” Lucas gives Victor a perplexed look. “Which is surprising that you never picked up on any of this all these years.”
Victor shrugs his shoulders as he reaches for his drink. “I mean, I never really thought about it. I always was drawn to you when we were teens, and I knew we would be great friends. But it never dawned on me that you were a warlock.” Victor pinches his eyebrows together, pondering, “So you weren’t pressured to not mingle with the mundane?”
Lucas shakes his head as he swallows his drink. “Nope. My superior doesn’t give a crap about all that. She’s only concerned that we don’t expose our magic. Come to think of it, I don’t think she approves of romantic relationships with the mundane. Unless they are trustworthy.”
“Frank, Elliott, Amber, and Lupe know about me,” Victor mentions over the rim of hisglass.
“I heard about what happened at Amber’s birthday. It caused a huge uproar with many covens,” Lucas explains. “Some covens won’t come forward to take responsibility for those witches who attacked you. But I haven’t told our friends I’m also a warlock. Don’t want the whole, ‘Ohhh, you should have been there for Victor. Why didn’t you know Victor was in trouble?’ talk with our friends.”
“So, why are you here?” Victor explores. “And the timing of it all?”
“Superior Charles contacted me shortly after the attack on Amber’s birthday. He wants you to see a familiar face to help you discuss this. I was busy substituting some young water witches, but I didn’t want to distract you with your own training. After your encounter last night, he called me to come over as quickly as possible,” Lucas explains.
Victor perks up when he remembers the events from their time in New Orleans for his birthday. “Wait a minute. Did you know about the test Madame Jeanette was doing? Did you lead me to her when we were in New Orleans for my birthday?”
“Actually, no,” Lucas responds. “I wasn’t aware of any of that.I was there under the pretense of celebrating your birthday, especially after your break-up with your asshole ex-boyfriend. But then, you discovered Jeanette’s shop. Jon gave me this look as though he knew this would happen. He told me after the trip that he saw Jeanette watching us as we were bar hopping. When we walked inside, we worried our covers would be blown. But Jeanette knew to play along as if she had just met us.”
“When did you find out?” Victor asks.
“It was after you agreed to talk with Leopold,” Lucas answers freely. “Jeanette contacted Jon and thanked him for bringing you to her. I didn’t understand what she meant until I realized she had a vision, and it came true. I then realized the whole endeavor was to test you to make sure you were the one they’ve been looking for.”
