Chapter 16- Luther
CHIEF TUTTLE STEPS up to the podium, and the whole room quiets down.
Almost a dozen of us are piled into the room, waiting for the debrief.
We used to have very few people come to these SPELL meetings, but this cultist case is serious business.
The past several weeks have had some close calls, but when I glance at the gorgeous man to my left, I can’t say I regret these missions.
Seeing him unconscious last week, near yet another dead body, frightened me more than I can describe. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost Taz in the line of battle. Therefore, this meeting is extra important.
“As you all know, we’ve been working on tracking the dark magic organization known as the Cult of the Unheard.
” Chief Tuttle points to the screen displaying various images of our recent case files.
“Between Max’s memories returning and all the information on their victims across the continent, we’ve managed to profile a motivation.
The cult is using blood sacrifices, be they kidnapped victims or active members, to fuel the ability to access the Other Side. ”
“These sacrifices are being used as resources for whichever warlocks are leading this violent magical movement. But they need more involvement, hence gathering followers. So far, the group has preyed on both mortals and mages who feel slighted by society. Those who lack tangible success. All of the victim profiles are lower income, with friends and family stating common themes of isolation, lack of life fulfillment, and anger at the world.”
The room feels somber as the chief continues, “They were promised satisfaction, but most of them got taken in by the cult, only to get murdered, and their blood was used for nefarious magic.”
Chief clicks the button and shows various victims and perps. “These individuals felt their wishes in life went unheard, hence the name of the cult.”
I try to muster up some sympathy, but it’s just not coming―sure, life is hard, but I’ve never turned to summoning bloodthirsty creatures. I’m just fortunate my parents supported me, and I didn’t turn to lashing out at the world.
The screen reveals a photograph of the half of the gauntlet we’ve retrieved.
“They’re using these pieces of this relic to craft their own rift into the Other Side.
It is imperative that we respond promptly to these threats and secure the other half of the gauntlet.
So, please, be on alert for any suspicious dark magic activity and keep us in SPELL informed. Thank you.”
After the meeting is adjourned, Necia and Max walk away, probably to flirt or whatever, leaving me with my boyfriend.
He’s been busy all week, so we haven’t gotten to hook up.
I’ve missed him messing with me and making me mad, then kissing him.
Sure, we’re keeping things private, but friends can eat at the massive Union cafeteria together, too.
So, I intend on nabbing my boyfriend’s attention.
“Lunch?” I ask as we walk down the stairs.
“Hm?”
“You must be starving. Union sushi?” I grin at him, and he barely nods, gazing out into the middle space.
Concern gnaws on my chest, and I want to grab his hand, but we’re at work. More than that, I want to push him against the wall and find out what’s bothering him. Then make out with him.
“You okay?”
“What?” He looks at me. “Oh yeah. Sushi’s great.”
I frown but let it go. Things have been going well between us, and I would hope he can confide in me. Maybe tonight he’ll finally let me stay over at his place?
We nab a tray of sushi, and I purposefully take a far corner table. The cafeteria is huge, but this setting gives off somewhat of a private vibe. After we put our trays down, I tap my chopsticks on the table, pondering how to broach the subject of Taz being so distant.
“You know you can tell me anything, right, Taz?” I ask softly.
He pauses mid-bite, and this seems to get his attention. After wiping his mouth, he says, “Yeah, I know, Luther.”
“Okay.” I place my hand on his. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“There’s, um, actually something important I need to say.”
Those words have never led to anything good. “Mhm,” I reply.
“Ever since last week…”
Before he can continue, I turn at the sound of another tray plopping down at our secluded table. “Mom?!” I yelp.
“Sorry to interrupt!” Mom beams at me, and it takes me a moment to come to my senses.
“What are you doing here?” I grin and give her a cheek-kiss before pulling out her chair.
“Just nabbing some lunch.”
“But how did you get in?” I ask. Taz stares at us in alarm; maybe he’s not at the meet-the-parents stage yet. Am I?
“I texted your father,” Mom replies.
Dad walks up and places his tray down. “The woman wanted sushi.” He shoots her a challenging look, and she smiles back. “What’s better than sushi from actual Japanese wizards?”
“One of the perks of being a nonmagical person married to a big-time wizard.” She grins and looks at Taz. “Hello!”
“Hi, I’m Taz.” He reaches over and shakes Mom’s hand. “Lovely to meet you. I see where Luther gets his good looks.”
She gives me an impressed look, then turns to Taz again. “You must be the boy who my son’s always chatting with on the phone.”
“Mom,” I whine with an amused grin. Despite my teenage angst over being queer, my parents have been generally accepting since I came out after high school. They’ve also been very hands-off of my love life, a fact I’m also grateful for every day. That is, until now.
“Well, he’s told me good things about you. It can’t be easy being a mortal married to a wizard,” Taz remarks with a smile.
“I put the boys in their place,” Mom says with a smirk, and we all laugh. “Say, are you the same Taz my son used to complain about as kids?”
My face prickles with embarrassment, but Taz puffs up his chest. “The one and only, I hope.”
We laugh again and continue eating. “You know, you’re doing good work, Mr. Devries,” Dad says. “Chief Tuttle could make you a full-time agent of SPELL any day now.”
His cheeks turn pinker as he studies his sushi. “I’m…pretty busy.”
“With what?” Dad asks.
“Dad, he’ll join us if he wants to,” I say in a lower tone.
“Enough work talk,” Mom remarks, trying to keep the peace. “Tell us about yourself, Taz. Where are you from?”
“I lived in London when I was little, but moved to Delaware with Gran after, um…” He shifts in discomfort, glances at Dad, then back at Mom. “Most of my family, uh, went their separate ways.”
The silence between us is thick, save for the sound of other folks eating in the distance. After a beat, Mom clears her throat and says, “You’re more than welcome to share in our family! We can be loud and overbearing if you’d like.”
Taz laughs, but I frown. “Mom.”
“Why haven’t you invited this handsome boy over for dinner?” Mom asks.
“Yeah, Luther.” Taz is back to teasing. “You embarrassed by me?”
“Or me?” Mom asks, shooting me a challenging grin.
“Definitely not me,” Dad says, chewing on sushi, and we all roar in laughter. With that, the rest of lunch is comfortable. An impromptu meet-the-parents date here at work? If I can handle that, I can tackle any interdimensional threats coming our way.
With the easy rapport between Mom and Taz, I can’t help but envision him with my family for years to come. But first, I gotta get him alone and find out what’s been eating him up inside.
We don’t get to chat since I’m pulled away to do reports for the rest of the day. Taz claims it’s fine since he has his shop to run. It’s inconvenient, but I ask if I can come over after dinner, and he agrees with a lukewarm nod. It’s not much, but it’s all I can work with for now.
It’s evening by the time I park in front of Tome After Tome Books. Taz is changing the sign to read “closed” when he spots me. He seems so tired, and his smile barely reaches his eyes. Alright, something is amiss in the world of Taz Devries, and I need to find out what.
“Hey!” I greet him with a smile.
“Hey.” He gives me a peck on the lips and promptly tries to pull me into the apartment entrance. “I’m beat. Wanna shower first?”
“Sure, but I wanted to talk to you.” I don’t budge when he pulls my hand. We’re once again alone under the streetlight, an intimate atmosphere that gives me the courage to say what I need to say
“What’s up?” Taz asks.
“Something’s been bothering you,” I say as softly as I can.
He looks around like he’s trying to come up with a bluff, but settles down. “I’ll live.”
That concern makes a reappearance in my soul. “We were having a conversation before my parents intruded. Sorry about that, by the way.”
“It’s cool. Your mum is great.” He squeezes my hand and I smile.
“I’m glad you feel that way. But I really wanted to know about you.” I lean on the wall, and now we’re both cloaked in the shadows. “It’s not easy to say my feelings, but like…it feels like you’re pulling away from me.”
He gently squeezes my hand, but says nothing.
“I realize we’ve only been dating for a little bit, but you should know you can tell me anything. Anything that concerns you.”
He takes in a deep breath, and I know an exhausted soul when I see one.
“Is it because my dad said you should become an agent? You totally don’t have to.”
He huffs. “No, it’s not that.”
“Is it my folks? They like you.”
He snickers. “I like them too. They seem to not mind that you’re dating a White guy.”
I laugh softly and kiss his hand. “Then why does it feel like you don’t want to talk to me anymore?” He caresses my cheek, and I lean into it. “Did you…did you want us to take a break?”
“Cauldrons, no!” he says. I startle, and he pulls me in for a lingering kiss. I hope it’s not a form of goodbye. The attachment I feel for my former enemy is frightening. Still, whatever Taz is going through, I want to be there for him; I want to be his foundation.
“That’s what makes this all worse,” he says. “I’m…invested in us. And I’m still so fucking into you.”