“That damned council should give you a break. You’re hardly home to be with me,” Derek comments in a pouty voice.
Leo gives Derek an annoyed expression, even though Derek can’t see it. “Derek, we don’t even live together anymore. We haven’t lived together for over three years now. I’m only still your husband because it’s binding.”
“That doesn’t mean we can’t still try, Leo.”
Leo pauses and looks back at Victor. He takes a deep breath before responding, “Look, Derek, I’m in the middle of this lesson. I need to let you go.”
“Fine, whatever. Call me back later.” Derek hangs up before Leo can say goodbye.
Leo sighs deeply as he puts his phone back in the inside pocket of his jacket and returns to observe Victor’s lessons.
After a few hours of practicing under the bright lights, Victor breaks a sweat. Karl looks cool as a cucumber. He notices thebeads of sweat on Victor’s forehead and casts a breeze to help cool him off.
Victor drops his hands to his sides. “I’m sorry, I just feel so tired.”
Karl steps back and crosses his arms. “Not to worry. Let’s take a break.” He snaps his fingers, and the leather-clad woman walks over, pushing a dining cart. The men bring over a couple of chairs. The woman locks the cart in place and then lifts the metal covers off the plates. The smell of lemon and salmon fills the air around them.
“I hope you enjoy the dinner I’ve prepared for you,” Karl says. His assistant rolls her eyes, knowing she was the one who prepared it.
The three of them sit and start eating while Karl’s personnel stand off to the side with their hands clasped.
“Leo mentioned that your first specialty is Water,” Victor tells Karl.
“That’s right. That’s how I got us salmon for dinner,” Karl replies as he chews away.
“So why are you teaching Air Magic?” Victor curiously asks.
Karl finishes his big bite of salmon before he answers. “Air is the main ingredient for Water, Fire, and Earth. All three need Air to survive. Air is also easy to manipulate and can dilute several attacks when used properly. It’s also easier to teach than Water.”
Leo looks up as he’s about to take a bite. “In other words, he’s a show-off, and for him to always show off, he became an instructor in Air Magic since there is such a high demand for air instructors.” Victor chuckles as Karl gives Leo a pointed look. Leo smiles as he takes a bite and winks at Karl.
“Wise ass,” Karl huffs.
“Show off,” Leo smirks.
“Why didn’t you try to make Air your first specialty?” Victor asks.
“It’s because my exams showed Water was my strongest,” Karl replies.
“Exams?” Victor looks over at Leo, “What exams?”
Leo is caught off guard as he tries to finish a large bite of food in his mouth. “All those of magic have to go through a set of exams to see where they are to be placed.”
“Why wasn’t I given any exam to take?” Victor queries.
“Well, we’re sort of doing things a little bit backwards,” Leo answers. “I think the council wants you to start learning magic now. The exams will be later. We need to visit a warlock who can administer the exam for empaths. Right now, he’s busy and needs time to prepare.”
Victor looks between Leo and Karl. “Why am I learning magic before I know what I should learn first?”
“Those with abilities can control all forms of magic,” Karl responds. “Empaths, in particular, can conjure more than one magic spell at a time. It’s challenging for someone like me to achieve. I can conjure Water, Air, and Light. But it’s difficult for me to conjure two at once. I’ve dabbled in Earth and Fire, but my magic can’t handle them. So, I just focus on the three I’m good at.”
“Which is why he’s jealous that you are going to learn all of them,” Leo comments, giving a sly wink to Karl.
Karl rolls his eyes at Leo and turns back to Victor. “So, what did you think of Jeanie?”
“Jeanie?” Victor questions.
“Madame Jeanette,” Leo says without looking up from his plate with a mouth full of food.
