Eddie turns around and smiles. “Buenos días, mis amores. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Where are your husbands?” Victor asks.
Eddie turns back to cooking eggs. “Jorge and Miguel are out of town on business, and Fernando is working at night while we prepare for an upcoming event. You just missed him as he went off to bed.” Eddie conjures his Air Magic, lifts three plates off the shelf, and plates food on them. He plucks the plates from the air and carries them over to Victor and Leo.
“Huevos Rancheros y Chilaquiles. Oh, I forgot the fruit.” Eddie looks over to the far counter where the fruit is and flicks his wrist to bring three small bowls to them.
Victor digs into his food. “Did you give your staff the day off?”
Eddie takes a bite. “No, they will be here later today.” He swallows and drinks coffee. “I wanted to give the three of us time to talk before you two leave today.”
“I forgot to tell you, we’re leaving today and moving on to your next lesson,” Leo tellsVictor.
“Already? I like it here,” Victor comments with a pouty face.
“You only like it here for my tequila,” Eddie winks at Victor over his coffee mug. “Victor, I just want you to know that you no longer have to worry.”
Victor gives Eddie an unamused gaze. “Are you trying to lie to an empath?”
“Someone’s starting to get a little cocky with his ability,” Eddie snickers.
Victor takes a bite with a sly look. “There’s nothing little about it.”
Eddie smiles and gives Leo a wink. Leo blushes. “Well,” Eddie pauses as he takes a bite. “Like I said, you shouldn’t have to worry any longer. Morgana doesn’t like to get her hands dirty. She will eventually find someone else to come after you. If she fails, then Florence will have to come out of hiding. That’s if she is still alive. But by then, you’ll be stronger than you are now.” Eddie sets down his fork and looks up at Victor. “If you ever needa place to escape, you are welcome here anytime.Mi casa es su casa.”
“Thank you, Eddie,” Victor says with a smile. He turns to Leo and asks, “So, where tonext?”
“I’m going to keep that as a surprise,” Leo comments as he hops off the stool. “I’m going to start getting ready.” Leo gives Eddie a big hug. “Keep out of trouble while I’m gone.”
“I make no promises,” Eddie responds. Once Leo leaves the kitchen, Eddie turns to Victor. “If you two aren’t careful, you could hurt or even kill Leo.”
“Yes, I know about the blood oath,” Victor sighs deeply.
“If you keep cuddling in bed with him, one thing will lead to another. How else do you think I ended up with three husbands?” Eddie chuckles as he collects the dirty dishes.
Victor raises an eyebrow. “First off, I know that’snothow you got three husbands. And secondly . . .” Victor lets out another deep sigh and looks at a spot on the island. “. . . I just needed him last night. After what happened, I was feeling distraught. Yes, I was able to get answers out of Derek, but it felt like I could have gotten more out of him. And seeing my mom again, it just made me miss her even more.”
Eddie nudges Victor’s shoulder with his own as he walks over to the sink. “Don’t worry, mijo. She’s watching over you. But it would be best if you were careful with Leo. I was his mentor when he started his warlock lessons. He’s like my baby brother, so I always look after him.” Eddie turns on the sink and starts soaping up the dishes. “Now, get ready. I’m looking forward to seeing how powerful you will become.”
Victor turns in his seat to get a better view of Eddie. “Everyone keeps saying I’m going to be powerful. And that’s not helping because if I fail, I’ll feel like I failed everyone.”
Eddie shrugs a shoulder as he washes. “You should believe in yourself, young empath. Because if you are anything like yourabuela. . .” Eddie glances over his shoulder. “You will become the Grand Warlock.”
Victor ponders this for a moment as he watches Eddie washing the dishes. He looks out the window at the agave field as the workers begin to start their day. To think, one day, those workers will be looking up to him. Even Eddie will be looking to him for guidance and strength. Victor takes one more look over at him before he heads up to his room.
As Victor makes his way up the stairs, he notices the door to his room is open. He can hear shuffling inside. He carefully walks to his room, slowly opens the door, and peeks inside. The maid is packing everything away.
“You don’t have to always pack for me, you know,” Victor remarks as he steps into the doorway.
“Nonsense, Mr. Russo. That’s what I’m here for.” She walks around the room, humming away. “I took the liberty to send off your suit and dirty clothes to be washed and delivered to your next destination.”
“You make it sound like you won’t be at the next stop,” Victor comments as he leans against the doorframe.
“Mr. Oliveira asked me to take some time off. I won’t see you for about a week,” the maid mentions as she continues folding and packing the clean laundry.
Victor walks over to the nightstand beside the bed and picks up his phone. He has several messages from his friends. “You know, you’ve been my maid for a few weeks now, and I don’t know why I never got your name,” Victor remarks as he responds to his friends’ messages.
“It’s not necessary, Mr. Russo. I’m only in and out, so there’s not much time to chit-chat.” She stops packing and turns to Victor. “Plus, I can see that same look on your face that your grandmother had when I was her maid.”
