“Well, my brother, the lazy ass, didn’t want to help. So thank you, Loxley.” He gazes with fondness at the rooster underneath the wiry metal. “Only the best for my familiar.”
I shoot him a confused look. “What?” he asks.
Nervousness thrums through me, and I wipe my palms on my jeans. The memory of seeing Gordy for the first time is one I could never forget. I made a fool of myself moments later by declaring him my familiar. But more importantly, that pull was so remarkable.
After weeks of growing closer and sleeping with him, I know that he’s significant to me. But is he my familiar? My powers do get stronger when I’m with him…
“Loxley?” Shugo’s voice gets me out of my trance.
I push up my glasses and wave my hand, gesturing to forget about it.
“You can ask me anything, you know. We’re young witches. We’re in this together.” He readjusts his glasses and turns to study the chicken. “I know it takes you a while to form words, but you can ask me when you’re ready.”
Swallowing my anxiety, I say, “Your familiar.”
Shugo looks at me, and I shove my hands into my pockets. “How did you…know?”
He snickers and replies, “Ah. You sound like my brother. I knew he was mine on instinct.”
I give him a quizzical expression, and he continues, “The pull of my pet is so…undeniable. My magic links with him, and I feel invigorated. Like I’m the most powerful version of myself.”
His words remind me so much of my pull to Gordy. But how can this be the same? He’s not some pet turtle or rooster; he’s a man. A big, hunky man.
I’m not going to ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me by claiming him as my familiar again. For now, I’m going to see where my blossoming relationship goes.
“Of course, now I’m part of the Union of Mages. I have access to solo magic.” He walks to the edge of the cage and opens up the top. Instantly, the rooster dashes to him. With a few clucks, thebird ends up in Shugo’s arms, and he picks it up. The adoration on my roommate’s face is unmistakable.
“But I’m a better protection witch when I’m with this guy.”
He nuzzles the rooster, puts it back down, then closes the gate. “Speaking of, I’m going to check up on the runes at the edge of the yard. Want me to show you in case you have to cover for me one day?”
I have no clue how to interpret the runes; a protection witch, I am not. Still, Shugo is my friend, and it would be wise to familiarize myself with what he’s doing.
We make our way to the trees at the edge of the property. It wasn’t that long ago that we were here placing magical stones down, but Shugo told me that all protection runes are temporary. Like a battery, they get used up, some faster, some slower, but they’re not permanent.
After crouching down, Shugo mutters, “What in the world…?”
The distress in his voice concerns me. When I lean over to see what he’s holding, I catch a glimpse of one of the many stones we placed. The etched marking, previously white and pink, now appears black. And it’s burnt, as if someone took a blowtorch to it. What part of magic is this?
Shugo immediately darts up, holding the stones. “We need to have a coven meeting, ASAP.” The urgency in his voice leaves little room for argument. “Meanwhile, can you take a look at the rest of the stones to determine if any have this discoloration?”
I nod and get to work. Whatever is happening, I need to trust our new protection witch.
Two hours later, our coven is all gathered in the living room. Shugo has laid out three protection stones on the table. All of us Boysen witches are standing in a circle, looking down at the rocks.
“Okay, we’re all here. You’re probably wondering why I summoned you,” Shugo announces.
“I’m wondering why the new guy has the capacity to call a meeting,” Anika murmurs.
“I know. So annoying,” Kenta says. He shoots a facetious grin at Taina.
Taina nods and says, “Actually, I’d like to know what Shugo has to say.”
“Me too,” Kenta says quickly. I try not to roll my eyes at the straight dude, and instead, study the runic rocks on the table.
“What’s going on, Mr. Kondo?” Auntie asks.
“As you know, I’ve put up wards to protect us from harm.”
