Jackson aims his focus towards the three men before him. His eyes glow slightly as he draws the incomplete infinity loop, using the full range of motion of his arm.
“Salasil”
Tendrils of shadow flow from under Jackson’s feet, snaking towards the muscular men. The shadows climb their bodies and form black chains, radiating a slight green glow. The shadows wrap tightly around them, the sound of rattling chains fill the air. They are bound just as Eddie was bound before .
Hakeem’s eyes narrow as he takes a closer look at the spell’s execution. “Solid form, it seems stable. The spell seems to have affected its intended targets with no deviation.”
Hakeem turns to Jackson, a wide smile reaching his eyes. They shine in the light, a warm feeling fills Jackson’s chest. Eddie smiles at Jackson fondly from his position bound in front of the terrace doors. “Knew youcould do it, Jackson.”
The warm feeling in his chest intensifies. Jackson turns back to the bound men, the scene something from a risque romance novel. Hakeem might read something like that. Hell, he might own something like it.
“Okay, try to break free. Hakeem says it shouldn’t tighten as you try to escape so injury shouldn’t be an issue, hopefully. But please don’t pull a muscle or something straining yourself.”
Hakeem watches closely, standing next to Jackson. He has a notepad propped onto the back of his grimoire and a pen at the ready. “Alright, gentlemen. On your marks, get set, go!”
Bernard, Oswald and Eddie grunt and groan as they flex, push outwards and try to break free of the chains. The sounds emanating from the three large men fill the air of the apartment. Jackson notices Hakeem hiding his face behind his grimoire and notepad, his cheeks turning a rosy shade of red. Jackson chuckles to himself as he imagines the thoughts filling Hakeem’s mind. Hakeem looks so innocent hiding from the scene in front of them, those romance novels he reads could never compare to the real thing after all.
Magic fills the air as Bernard and Oswald begin to change. “Hey, no fair shifting!” Eddie admonishes his friends as hair begins to cover their bodies, bones creaking and rearranging. Hakeem hurriedly takes notes, he didn’t often see shifters change in front of him, taking the chance to learn what he could from the occurrence.
Bernard turns into a large brown bear and Oswald turns into a river otter. As one man grows and the other shrinks, Jackson can ascertain their intention. If their size changes to a drastic point the spell will fail, the chains don’t tighten and Hakeem didn’t mention anything about them expanding either. It was a solid plan in theory, but one look at Hakeem’s face told him there was more to this spell than he thought.
Jackson leans into Hakeem and whispers in his ear. “So, when it comes to shifters, how would this spell react?”
Hakeem looks up from his notes to study the scene before him. A small otter and large brown bear squirm on the floor as the chains continue tobind them. “The spell binds a target’s physical form; they do not tighten as they try to escape. A shifter’s physical form is their beast form and human form. The spell is simple yet intuitive. If a shifter were to change forms whilst bound by the spell it would adjust itself. It’s not a matter of tightening or expanding.”
Jackson watches as the two animals writhe on the floor and Eddie continues to fight against the chains from his spot. “They only asked if physical force could break the chains, not if changing forms would affect the spell did they?”
Hakeem shakes his head. “They did not.”
“Did you assume they would try to shift their way out of the chains?”
“I had a hunch.” Hakeem says with a nod.
“Isn’t it vindictive to keep that from them?” Asks Jackson, amused.
“I answered the questions they asked, and this is an experiment. I didn’t want to provide unnecessary information that would deter them. No one is harmed. This is good information.”
“You’re evil.” Jackson says with a smirk.
“I’m a scientist. I’m driven by curiosity.” Hakeem replies matter of factly.
Jackson, deciding to be devious, leans in closer, breath tickling Hakeem’s ear as he whispers, “I never said it was a bad thing.”
Hakeem sputters and drops his pen, eyes wide at the comment. Jackson chuckles at the reaction.
Eddie watches the exchange between Jackson and Hakeem. Hakeem’s blush and Jackson’s chuckle, they stir something in Eddie’s chest. He can’t put his finger on the emotion. It’s warm and makes his stomach twist. He flexes his arms more and grunts against the force of the chains. Eddie’s face contorts into a snarl, his eyes glowing ocean blue, something awakening in his heart. He lets out a war cry and pushes his arms out with all the strength in his body. Hakeem and Jackson turn to face him, expressions shocked and jaws dropped. The strained cry of metal rings through their ears as the chains begin to stretch. The chains explode from around his chest and arm, disappearing into the air as they shatter.
Oswald and Bernard change back, their struggling ceasing. Everyonewatches Eddie with wide eyes and dropped jaws. Eddie has sweat lining his forehead, his breath heavy and uneven, eyes still glowing blue. He straightens his back and stands tall, brushing the hair sticking to his face. His muscles bulge as his chest rises and falls with each breath. He levels his gaze to Jackson and Hakeem, giving them a sly smirk and a wink. Both their faces flush at the gesture, heartbeats quickening. “Guess I win, huh?” Eddie asks between breaths. The boys nod their heads in agreement, mouths still agape, their gaze lingering on him.
Hakeem closes his jaw and walks towards Eddie, hand outstretched. “Eddie, you-that was-how did you-you’re amazing!”
Jackson echoes the statement. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Eddie steadies his breath and smiles brightly at the both of them, their stomachs jumping as the smile shows off white teeth and fills his cheeks. “Maybe brute strength can break through magic.”
Hakeem shakes his head as he steps up to Eddie, head craned up to meet his gaze. “No, no Eddie. I don’t know if that was a spell or some latent shifter magic you just didn’t awaken till now. But that wasn’t just brute strength that anyone could train to achieve. That was something that was purely you. Eddie, it was amazing.”
Hakeem didn’t realize he had a hand on Eddie’s arm, the muscle hard under his grasp. He quickly removes his hand, tucking it close to the gold necklace around his neck. “Sorry, sorry.”
