He gazes at me, and I nod. “Your aunt wants me to protect you all from beings of malicious intent. That’s what these do. I swear, I want to be a part of this coven. I’m also a twenty-something gay guy, so I figured we could be friends. Maybe talk about what boys we’re interested in?”
We both chuckle at that. As we walk to the other side of the lawn, I sense the urge to fill the silence. “I’m…an empath witch.”
Shugo appears confused, so I continue. “It’s…my role. I can…sense auras from afar.”
“That sounds dope. Wanna check my aura? I swear my brother and I aren’t here to harm Boysen House.”
“I know,” I reply with a laugh. Earlier, I low-key scanned the brothers. Shugo seemed genuinely happy to be among witches, and Kenta was just horny. No malice was sensed in either of the Kondo brothers, but then again, I’m a novice at empath witchcraft. Can my powers really be trusted?
“And the magic dampeners…your aunt put them up, didn’t she? She doesn’t want you to get too overwhelmed with empath powers, am I right?”
I snicker. “Are you…able to read minds?”
We share a laugh and continue placing runes all over the property. I know Auntie is thrilled to have a protection witch in the house again, and I could use some friends.
After he finishes another set of perimeter protection stone wards, Shugo stands up and looks at me. “I know it can be frightening and almost offensive to offer, but…” He shrugs, and I lean in. “I can make a smaller version of a magic dampener ward. Put it on a necklace. But only if you think it will help you with the day-to-day.”
He raises his hands like I might shoot. “Just a suggestion. That way, you can go live your life without worrying that empath powers might overwhelm you. It’s not a permanent solution, but it can help you.”
Even now, the sounds of auras from around the city occasionally brush my ears. The thought of being able to turn that off, if only for a little while, sounds tempting. If I do this, maybe Gordy will be okay with going out with me again. And we can kiss and sleep together…
“Yes!” I yelp, nodding with vigor. Shugo smiles at me, and we continue our walk, talking logistics all the way. Life is changing fast, but hopefully my new roommate is a welcome, positive change in my witchy life.
CHAPTER 16- GORDY
WALKING INTO THEkitchen on a warm afternoon, I’m met with a familiar sight?my roommate Seb, stirring over the stove. He’s a talented potions witch, as well as a future culinary school student. When we’re not conjuring, he’s making special meals, typically Mexican fare, or types of potatoes. He grins at me as I approach the fridge.
“How was work?”
“Alright.” I pop open a root beer and take a swig. Seb looks at me expectantly, and I nod. “The crew is fine. I’m getting paid. No one’s noticed I’m a big-ass turtle. Can’t complain.”
It’s true; summer months are huge for landscaping, and I managed to snag a part-time gig where I’m left alone ninety-percent of the time. It’s just me, and the various yards and forest areas that need to be shaped. Folks pay big bucks for me to do simple digging and trimming jobs, and I’m happy to line my pockets with those bucks.
“Glad. You’re really coming into your own here in Cosmo.” Seb focuses on the cauldron and smiles. “I was initially concerned when Kai claimed he wanted his descendant to move in with us.”
“Oh?” I lean on the counter and take another long sip.
“Yeah. You were some random guy. But just like Kai, you were a stranger with a good heart. You get along well with us and everyone in Boysen House.”
My pulse rises when I think of a certain pretty witch boy. The last time I saw Loxley, he was writhing in pain, and that wizardguy told us he was an empath witch. Since then, he’s messaged me about his efforts to control his newfound abilities. He’s also described over text message how annoyed he is that Lisbeth is using magic dampeners and keeping him at home.
The pain on his face that morning…I could never forget it. I can’t help but feel responsible. It’s obvious that I help him access his magic somehow, and now I’ve opened a floodgate of painful auras, voices in his head. That guilt has been gnawing at me so much that I’ve been avoiding the one guy I truly care for.
Seb claims I have a good heart, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a danger to Loxley.
“It’ll be cool to see everyone in the Boysen Coven this weekend.”
“Huh?”
“For my birthday.” Seb looks up at me as he stirs. “They’re throwing a barbecue for me.”
Another event at Boysen House? Where Loxley lives? Near the bed where we made love?
“Um, I don’t know if I can, uh, go.”
“Gordy,” he whines. He stops stirring and fixes me with a gaze. “I was really hoping we could all be there. We’re meeting the new members of the coven. It would mean a lot to me for us to be there as a family.”
I frown as I toss out the now-empty bottle. He’s laying it on thick, using the F-word. I swear, his actual witchcraft is batting his pretty eyes and getting Kai and me to do whatever he pleases. He’s fated mates with Kai, so having power over the Jade Lion makes sense.
