Chapter 10 #2
“I’ll be sure to add that to the guide,” Jamison said, propping his elbows on his knees. “But if that was the cover story, what really happened?”
Dessa nodded, emotions roiling through her.
“Well, I was working here after school to help out my uncle. Since I’m an Uncanny, it seemed like a natural fit, and I loved AzRIO.
But when I was young, I didn’t really understand the importance of our secrets, and I would discuss whatever jobs we were working through with my friends. ”
“Zach, Alana, and Peter, right?”
“Yes. At the time, we had a string of magical item thefts in the neighborhood, and Werach’s enforcement office was calling them”—she held up air quotes—“‘coincidental losses.’ Long story short, the four of us decided we’d solve the case so that Brad would hire us on permanently.
Two days later, Zach went missing.” Dessa’s stare dropped to the ground, digging up the words after burying them for so long was as pleasant as a surgical procedure.
“I thought my senses were strong enough to find him, and they led us into a marsh on the outside of town. But they were ready for us.”
“Could you sense them?” Jamison leaned forward as if falling into the story.
“No,” Dessa whispered. “The three of us got separated. The abductor infected Alana with a Vampiric serum, and in a fit of bloodlust she…she killed her brother. I found them, but it was too late. I managed to stab her with a wooden stake to slow her down enough until Uncle Brad got there, but the Vampire venom had been artificially altered, and it drove her mad. Her parents left for California to try to find a treatment at a paranormal facility, but no luck. She hasn’t spoken a decipherable word since.
” She forced herself to meet Jamison’s eyes.
“It’s been years now, but I’ve never really forgiven myself.
After all, I purposely got them involved, and I walked them into a trap thinking I was sharper than I was. ”
Dessa took a breath, but babbled on before Jamison could say something that might break her completely.
“And now I’m not super good about letting people in.
Especially when this place has so many painful memories.
” Dessa wiped at her face again. “I’m working through it, but…
it’s a lot. I never thought I would come back here at all, but after the whole thing with my ex, it turns out I didn’t have anywhere else to go. ”
Jamison leaned back and blew out a long breath. “Are you sure I won the wallowing? Because that was some pretty top-tier stuff.”
A surprised chuckle burst out of Dessa, and she swatted Jamison’s knee. “Hey, someone said this was a party.”
Jamison nodded solemnly. “A total rager.”
“You know, I’ve never told anyone that story.” Dessa glanced around the apartment again, and strangely this time, it looked more cozy than desolate. “I guess I do feel better.”
“Me too.” Jamison’s face cracked into a grin. “It’s nice to know you freezing me out for all our lives wasn’t personal or anything.”
Dessa’s fingers absently drifted to twirl her engagement ring, only to remember it was no longer there.
“It’s hard to try to straddle the two worlds, and they don’t really mix.
People in one have a hard time understanding those in the other.
Also, if you have Magicker abilities, sometimes the temptation to use them against Nescients is too great.
People with magic running through them have a higher resistance to such things. ”
“But you tried to live in the Nescient world,” Jamison said, his brow wrinkling. “Were you tempted?”
Dessa pressed her lips into a firm line.
She’d been more than tempted, but she’d drawn lines and rationalized it—made sure to look over her shoulder.
Told herself the life she’d built was worth it.
“I was,” she finally managed. “I tried to make it work, but it was never a good fit. And I guess in the end, the magic always draws you back.”
For a second, Jamison stared at his hands as if considering his words.
“Before I got to this office, I would’ve done anything to get out of the paranormal world and go back to my old life.
I can see why you would try to choose a different path.
” He met her gaze, looking so much younger with his fresh haircut—like the grandson of the multimillionaire that he was.
“But I’m at least glad this stupid thing that I have is letting us finally talk. ”
“You’re now part of the club,” Dessa conceded with a wry grin. “Sorry it’s not as glamorous as you hoped.”
“Maybe not.” Jamison’s phone buzzed, and he silenced it while still in his pocket. “But thanks for telling me, Blue.” He stood up and glanced around her apartment one more time. “And thanks for letting me crash your pity party. If you have another one, don’t forget my invitation.”
Dessa’s smile widened as she rose and moved to the door with him. “Eh, maybe at our next party we can find something to actually celebrate instead of just wallowing.”
“Deal.” Jamison glanced at her over his shoulder with a wave. “See you at work in about twelve hours. Don’t be late or I’ll have to come up and drag you out of bed.”
Something about the image of Jamison finding her in bed made Dessa blush. “Yeah right, I’m not the one who was always tardy to class.”
Jamison brightened and paused at the top of the stairs. “Aw, you did notice me in high school.”
“Goodbye, Jamison Kane.”
With that, Dessa slammed the door on him and leaned against the thin wood. Jamison’s footsteps retreated down the stairs as he yelled something about not forgetting to lock the door behind him.
And though it had already been a spectacularly long week with little to show for it, Dessa went to bed lighter than she had in a very long time.