Victor steps away as Superior Charles and Eddie pick up Derek. Eddie performs a binding spell on Derek. Derek snarls at Victor but Victor remains focused in case he tries to do something to escape. Eddie lets out a sharp whistle. Out of the darkness, the two muscular Aztec men appear to assist Eddie in taking Derek back to the mirror.
As the others watch Derek being taken away, Superior Charles looks at Victor and asks, “Did you get the information you needed out of him?”
Victor nods. “Derek said that Florence Maryweather is still alive.”
“That’s impossible,” Madame Jeanette proclaims. “She’s been dead for almost 30 years.”
“He claims she is still alive and hiding. He receives orders from her from his contact, Superior Morgana Crimson. If we find Morgana, we’ll find Florence.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Victor sits with Leo and Wren at the island in Eddie’s kitchen. Victor hasn’t washed the dried blood off his face. They sit in silence, munching on chips and salsa. Victor is exhausted. He begins to drift off but is woken up when Eddie returns. Everyone looks to the door as they hear footsteps outside. Eddie, Superior Charles, and Superior Jackie walk into the kitchen.
“Derek won’t be bothering us anymore,” Superior Charles says as he grabs the bottle of tequila off the island. “He’s behind wards and in a secluded room until his trial with the council.”
Eddie walks up and stands next to Leo. “Sadly, even though he’s locked up, there is still the blood oath.”
Leo slouches his shoulders and sighs. “I know. And I’ll have to accept it.”
Eddie reaches out for Leo’s hand. “Don’t worry,mijo. We’ll figure something out.”
“Where’s Madame Jeanette?” Victor asks.
“She’s working on something for me.” Superior Charles responds, knocking back a shot of tequila.
Victor grabs the bottle and pours himself a shot. “It’s about Morgana, isn’t it?” Victor downs his drink and slams the glass on the counter. “I want to help her find that cunt.”
Superior Jackie touches Victor’s shoulder and gently squeezes. “No, young empath.” She takes the bottle from Victor and pours herself a drink. “If she is working with Florance, then she is much too strong for you.” She drinks her shot and then pours herself and Victor another. “And to add salt to your wound, she won’t be easy to find. She’s been in hiding for a very long time.”
Victor knocks back his shot and then stands up. “I’m going to wash this blood off my face and go to bed.” He walks out of the kitchen with his head low as if he’s been defeated, even though he won tonight.
Leo stands up and calls out, “Victor, wait. I’m going to head to bed too.” When Leo reaches the door, he turns around and says, “Have a good night, everyone.”
When Victor and Leo are out of view, Superior Jackie looks at Superior Charles and asks, “Do you think those two will ever get a chance to be together?” Superior Charles shrugs his shoulders.
“I think when Victor accepts that he’ll be the next Grand Warlock, then he’ll be able to break that oath and finally move on with Leo,” Eddie comments, holding his shot glass close to his lips.
Wren rests her head on her fist as she leans on the island. “We could always execute Derek.” Everyone turns to Wren with gruesome faces. “Oh, don’t tell me none of you thought about it.”
“I have thought about it once or twice,” Superior Charles admits. “But I’m not going to kill someone out of spite.”
“We all have,amigo,” Eddie says as he pours everyone another drink. “I just wish those two the best for now.” They each take a shot glass and clink them together.
In the middle of the night, Victor tosses around in his bed. He keeps adjusting his pillow, rolling side to side. But his thoughts are running rampant. He sits up and brings his knees to his chest. He looks at the wall, knowing Leo is on the other side. Victor wants to be with him, but he knows the consequences if Leo commits adultery. But they cuddled the other night, and nothing happened. That should be okay—just two friends consoling each other.
Victor gets out of bed and puts on his robe. He peeks his head out and looks around the dark atrium. Quietly, Victor walks over to Leo’s room. He’s about to knock on Leo’s door when Leo opens it. As Leo is about to make a sound, Victor presses his fingers against Leo’s lips. Leo and Victor stare into each other’s eyes as Leo embraces Victor’s fingertips. Leo closes his eyes, takes Victor’s hand into his own, and holds Victor’s hand to his face. Leo looks back at Victor and pulls him in for a deep embrace.
“We can’t do anything that could violate this oath I’m bound to,” Leo whispers into Victor’s ear.
“I know,” Victor whispers back. “But that doesn’t mean two friends can’t keep each other company.”
Leo pulls back and gives Victor a little smile. “You’re a bad influence.”
“And you don’t like it?” Victor smiles back.
Leo pulls Victor into his room and closes the door behind them.
The following day, Victor and Leo slip into shorts and shirts and walk into the kitchen. Eddie is the only one standing at the stove. He dances around to the salsa music playing on the radio. Victor and Leo walk over to the kitchen island and sit, enjoying the view of Eddie dancing around while paying no attention.
