“What did I tell you?” Leo asks as he holds out a hand to help Victor up. “Stop letting your guard down.” Victor takes Leo’s hand and is lifted off the ground. “Let me take a look at you,” Leo says as he examines Victor’s face. He cups a hand under Victor’s chin and inspects the damage. “Still got your beard and eyebrows. So, the flame wasn’t as intense as I thought.”
Victor pushes Leo’s hands off his face. “That was pretty crappy what you did. Letting me think that I hurt you.”
Leo laughs as he brushes the sleeves of Victor’s jacket. “Maybe you’ll learn your lesson next time you’re in a fight. Never trust those who are on the ground. You don’t know what defensive attack they have to slam in your face.”
Karl walks over to Victor and Leo, smiling proudly. “I’m impressed, youth empath. I was also very impressed when you created that tornado. That wasverywicked. Wicked in a good way. And I’m also pleased you didn’t rage out when your eyes started glowing.”
The leather-clad woman walks over with a brass tray with a bottle of champagne and three glasses. A small green box sits in the middle of the glasses. Karl hands Victor and Leo a glass and then pours them a drink.
Karl raises his glass and toasts, “To our young empath. Even though you might have lost the fight, you are a quick study. Here’s to the next part of your journey.”
They clink their glasses together. As Karl takes a swig, he remembers the box on the tray. “Oh, this is for you.” He takes the box and hands it to Victor. “I got you something.”
Victor hands Leo his glass and takes the box from Karl. He opens the box, revealing a silver bracelet encrusted with crushedcelestite. As Victor removes it from the box, Leo puts their glasses on the tray and takes the bracelet from Victor. He then proceeds to fasten it to Victor’s wrist.
Karl explains his gift. “Even though you have a ring to help you with your Air Magic skills, this bracelet should help with any rage issues. While you were passed out, I had my staff investigate what artifacts could help you.”
Victor looks at the bracelet on his wrist and takes back his glass. “Thank you, Karl. I greatly appreciate it.”
“Well, I was anticipating one more day of training, but I think we are finished here,” Karl mentions as he takes another swig. “It’s time for you to move on to your next specialty. Until we meet again, Empath Russo. And when it’s time for you to join a coven, think of me when you do.” Karl winks at Victor.
Meanwhile, in Madame Jeanette’s home, she sits at her table with Superior Jackie and Superior Charles.
“Well,” Superior Charles states as he exhales a puff from his cigar, “what do you see, Jeanette?”
Madame Jeanette takes a deep, long drag from her pipe and blows the tobacco cloud over her table. A few flashes of light look like lightning in a storm cloud. She leans back into her seat and strokes her chin as if she has a beard.
“We must be cautious with Empath Russo,” Madame Jeanette explains. “Someone out there would like to see him be used under their power. If we do not stop them, we might be unable to stop Victor. And if we cannot stop Victor, then I feel it will be us or him.”
She pauses and tilts her head in confusion. “His life could be in danger as well.”
“So, whoever was at the warehouse wanted Victor to rage out,” Superior Jackie comments.
“No necessarily,” Madame Jeanette responds. “They might have just been trying to hurt him, as well as hurt those around him.”
“Either way, we need to keep Victor safe,” Superior Charles remarks. “The last thing we want is the council on our asses, having us answer questions we don’t know. For now, let’s just keep things to ourselves until we can figure out who is going after our young empath.”
Chapter Nineteen
Victor and Leo walk into Victor’s room, laughing and celebrating Victor’s first lesson completion. Victor notices his luggage is packed and sitting in the living room. Then, the maid walks out of the bedroom. Victor exhales a low, deep sigh because he knows what’s coming.
“Oh, hello, Mr. Russo, Mr. Oliveira!” the maid says chipperly. “I have all your bags packed and ready for you to check out. If you like, I can have your suits cleaned for you before you go. I also packed lunch to take with you since it’s going to be a long trip to your next lesson.”
Victor looks over at Leo. Leo sees Victor’s face in his peripheral vision, then pierces his lips together and lightly shakes his head as if to say,“Don’t ask right now.”As the maid continues to ramble on, Victor starts to tune her out. He drifts out of it, and then suddenly, he’s no longer in his room. He blinks a couple of times and then starts to look around.“This isn’t my hotel room.Where am I?”Victor says to himself. He looks around, and then he sees someone familiar.“Amber? Lupe?”
“Amber!”
“Lupe!”
Amber and Lupe are cuddling on the couch, watching TV. Amber looks disgruntled as she glances at her phone.
“Ugh!” Amber projects out. “That asshole isn’t answering me back.”
“Maybe he’s busy,” Lupe responds while watching TV.
“Victor isn’t like this. He responds right away. It’s been almost two days. I’m starting to get worried,” Amber proclaims.
Victor walks up to Amber and Lupe on the couch.“Hey! I’m right here!”Victor starts waving his arms around and then stands right in front of them. It wasn’t until he realized,“Wait, you can’t see me. What’s going on?”
