Chapter Twenty-Seven
Victor walks outside, looking for Leo. He scans the grounds and sees a few dozen people walking around.
Others are enjoying the sunny day, lying on a blanket in the grass.
A half dozen are windsurfing on the lake.
As Victor walks over to the lake, he sees Leo returning a horse to the stables.
Leo smiles as he pets the majestic beast, mouthing how handsome and powerful the horse is.
Victor smiles, noticing this is the first time he has seen Leo relaxed and enjoying himself.
Leo spots Victor alone in the grassy field when he leaves the stall. Leo sends Victor a smile as he closes the door behind him. He brushes his hands on the sides of his jeans and walks over to Victor. Victor meets him halfway.
“Were you riding around while you were waiting for me?” Victor asks.
“Yes, it’s been a while since I rode. We took a lap around the lake,” Leo mentions as he looks out to the water.
“It’s huge,” Victor remarks as he looks around the lake, barely able to see the shoreline on the other side. “How fast were you going?”
Leo smiles ear-to-ear. “She can run on water, so we just went across to the other side and back. You know the saying, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but it will just want to run across it.’”
Victor ponders Leo’s statement. “I’m not so sure that’s how it goes.”
Leo laughs and pats Victor on the back. “Come on, let’s get something to eat before we head back to your place.”
Leo walks Victor over to a large ramada on the other side of the lawn. The coven gathers around several long wooden picnic tables. Several young individuals are helping an older woman bring out the food. As Leo and Victor reach a picnic table, Leo gestures to Victor to have a seat.
“I know you’ve probably had some good barbecue in Texas, but wait until you’ve had Elder Maggie’s barbecue,” Leo remarks.
Elder Maggie starts floating the food around the tables. She has a huge smile as she waves her arms and hands around as if conducting an orchestra. As soon as the food reaches Victor, he goes for a bowl. Before he could take it, a spoonful of green beans plates itself onto Victor’s plate.
“Is lunch always like this?” Victor smirks.
Leo lets out a light chuckle, “No. It’s only because Superior Charles is trying to impress you.”
“Why?” Victor asks, giving Leo a side-eyed glance.
“For one, you’re not part of a coven yet. Some young individuals are inherited into a coven when they are born. But if they decide to join another, they must be invited by the superior of that coven,” Leo explains.
“What’s ‘For Two’?” Victor questions while watching the food float around the ramada.
“You’re basically a Solus Warlock,” Leo responds. “A Solus is someone without a coven. That’s reason enough for a superior to invite you to join their coven, especially if you impress them. And you’re an empath. We don’t have many empaths nowadays. That also includes seers and telepaths.”
“What do you mean? Have they died off?” Victor ponders as he watches his plate fill with food.
“Or were killed,” Leo comments under his breath. “What?” Victor snaps his head to Leo.
Leo puts his napkin in his shirt and picks up his fork.
“A little over four decades ago, these dark covens, if you want to call them that, wanted to go back to a traditional way of life. They sought out everyone who was gifted with an ability.” He takes a bite of his food before he continues. “You should eat before it gets cold.”
Victor pours himself a glass of tea before he takes Leo’s glass to pour some tea for him. “What happened to those with abilities?”
“They were told to join those dark covens and help with returning to the ways witchcraft once was, or be killed,” Leo responds with a mouth full of food.
Victor drops Leo’s glass of tea all over the table.
No one around reacts. Leo snaps his fingers upward, lifting the liquid off the table into a ball.
Leo then flings his hand over his shoulder, throwing the liquid into a trash can.
Victor looks around. Everyone at the table continues to eat and talk amongst themselves while Leo chows down on a couple of ribs.
Victor pours Leo another glass. “How many with an ability are left?”
Leo wipes his face before asking, “Can you please hand me a wet nap?” Victor reaches over to the pile of wet naps until Leo scolds him. “No, with your magic.” Victor gives Leo a disgusted look, and Leo gives a cheesy smile in return.
Victor takes a breath and then waves his hand to pick up a wet nap with his magic. As it floats over to Leo, he snatches it before Leo can take it.
“Are you going to answer my question?”
Leo grabs the wet nap from Victor’s hand. “About seven empaths are left, including you. Five seers and three telepaths. Only three seers and five empaths are not in one of those dark covens. There could be more, but they have gone into hiding.”
“Why were they told to join or die?” Victor inquires.
“Anyone with an ability can perform necromancy perfectly. It’s what caused the mundane to fear us, and those dark covens feel that’s how witchcraft should be. Darkness and death,” Leo informs.
Victor swallows his food before speaking. “I guess that is why Superior Charles mentioned witchcraft is becoming more modern.”
Leo shrugs. “You can say that. We’re not dressing in black.
We’re not making sacrifices to please our gods.
We aren’t using our magic to overthrow the mundane.
Because we’d be outnumbered even if we did.
” He takes a big bite out of a rib before he continues with a mouth full of food.
“We use our magic more for good, in a way. We’re not all about goat’s blood and demons.
I mean, there are demons, but we don’t use them the way they want us to. ”
Victor looks around the ramada and notices a diverse mix of people from different walks of life. “Leo, if you’re in Superior Charles’ coven, why don’t you live with him or in Dallas?”
Leo looks up at Victor. Victor chuckles as he commands several more wet wipes over. Leo smiles as he finishes eating and cleans his face.
Leo drinks some tea before he can answer.
“Back in the day, covens did live with, or close to, one another. That’s why Superior Charles has such a large ranch house.
It was only about 20 years ago when his coven decided to live on their own.
But they would still serve under him.” Leo pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. “Serve is a strong word.”
“I get it,” Victor responds. “I take it most of the coven here live elsewhere?”
“Yeah, but most of them live in Texas. I’m one of the few to live out of state,” Leo mentions.
“Why do you live in San Francisco if you’re in this coven?” Victor asks.
Victor notices his question must have struck a nerve in Leo.
But Leo finishes his bite before he responds.
“Derek and I were allowed to live outside our covens since our marriage was practically a peace treaty. We chose to live in San Diego because it was closer to his coven. After we broke up, I didn’t want to move back to Texas, so I chose San Francisco because my parents live in Santa Rosa.
The house they live in was my grandma’s on my mom’s side.
And my parents prefer the weather in California to that in Texas.
But there’s nothing to do there. So, San Francisco.
Also, I got a terrific deal on my apartment. ”
“How’s that treaty now?” Victor questions.
“Since we’re still technically married, the covens must keep the peace. I wouldn’t look into it too much; it’s still confusing. But needless to say, I can still live elsewhere.”
“I guess letting you live wherever is one way covens are becoming more modern,” Victor remarks. “Are all covens the same way?”
“No,” Leo replies. “There are a few covens that still live together. But most live in the same neighborhood or within a mile from their superior’s home.”
Victor sets down his utensils once he finishes his late bite. He looks over at the table where Superior Charles and his elders are sitting. “He asked me to come back so he could help me with my empathic ability.”
Leo looks over where Superior Charles is sitting. “You should take him up on his offer. He’s one of the best empaths right now. He’s a strong leader, even though he’s not the grand warlock.”
“Did he go through the trials?” Victor asks, looking back at Leo.
Leo continues looking at his superior. “He tried but couldn’t make it past the trials to become the High Priest.”
“Speaking of titles,” Victor turns in his seat to look at Leo better, “he called you Lieutenant Magi Leo. You didn’t tell me you had a title.”
“Yes, I’m a second lieutenant. I’m working to become chancellor, but the sheriffs aren’t happy that I’m about to out-rank them.”
Confused, Victor tilts his head. “Wait, there’s a ranking system?”
“Oh yeah. It’s a headache to try to understand, but most covens, especially the larger ones, have ranks. It’s mostly used for our responsibilities and in battle. Right now, I’m mostly involved with training young witches and warlocks. And being a mentor helps me become chancellor quicker.”
“What would your duties be as chancellor?” Victor queries.
“I would be able to represent my coven at the council and have some leeway in the voting process,” Leo explains.
Victor leans against the table and ponders, “I didn’t picture you as a politician.”
Leo snorts in disgust. “Such a nasty word, politician. I would never abuse my power to play my own game.”
As Victor snickers, plates of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream start sliding down the table and stopping in front of everyone. “I’m not sure I can eat dessert. I’m full from that brisket.” He looks over Leo’s shoulder and sees Superior Jackie walking toward them. “Speaking of politicians.”
Superior Jackie stops in front of Victor and Leo with a smile.
“Afternoon, gentlemen. Before I go, I wanted to give Victor something.” She digs through her purse and takes out a round, white business card with a pink emblem and hands it to Victor.
The emblem features an elegant design of a rose with the stem forming a subtle “J” shape.
“I heard Charles gave you an invite, and I wanted to give you one too.”
Leo cocks an eyebrow and looks at Victor. “Two in one day. Very impressive.”
Victor takes the business card from Superior Jackie. “Thank you, Superior.”
“Think about it,” Superior Jackie says with a smile before she turns and walks away.
Victor looks at the business card. He then senses other eyes are looking at him. He looks up and notices the others at the table are giving him a judgmental look.
“Hey!” Leo snaps. “Finish your dessert.”
“Whatever,” one of the warlocks says under his breath as he rolls his eyes.
Leo leans over to him. “Did you say something? Because I couldn’t hear you.”
He turns sheepish. “Nothing, Leo.”
“Come on, Victor. Let’s go for a walk.” Leo stands up and throws his napkin on the table as he walks away. Victor wipes his face and follows. Victor looks over his shoulder and sees Superior Charles look at him a few seconds before returning to the conversation with the elders at his table.
Victor and Leo walk along the shore of the lake. Victor takes out his phone when he receives a text message. “Shit,” Victor emphasizes softly as he reads the message.
“Something wrong?” Leo asks as they stop.
“Amber’s birthday dinner is tomorrow night. And I promised Lupe months ago that I would be there.”
Leo sighs deeply. “What did I tell you about keeping mundane friends?”
“About that.” Victor stops and turns to Leo.
“I should be upset with you because you responded to their texts, but I understand why you did it. I was passed out for an undetermined amount of time, and you didn’t want them to worry if I didn’t respond immediately.
You had every opportunity to tell them I can’t be their friend anymore, but you didn’t. ”
“It should come directly from you, not me,” Leo remarks.
“I can’t do that right now. And I knew about this dinner before I met you,” Victor says.
Leo scratches his chin and then lets out another deep sigh. “Fine,” he says, aggravated. “But I’m coming with you.”
“No, they’ll start asking more questions and might think we’re dating,” Victor protests.
“What? You don’t want to date me?” Leo gives Victor a cheesy, teeth-filled grin.
“No, I mean, yes. I mean . . . UGH! I don’t want to undergo a long interrogation, especially overshadowing the birthday girl.” Victor sighs, “I’ll be okay. I promise.”
Leo puckers his lips, deep in thought. “No, I’m coming with you. But I’ll keep my distance. They won’t know that I’m there.”
Victor looks up at the sky and moans, “Why can’t I have a night with my friends alone?”
“You know why. But don’t worry, I have an illusion charm I can wear. And I want you to wear your suit,” Leo says.
“Seriously? Do I also have to be home by 10 p.m. Dad?” Victor asks, sarcastically.
Leo leans over and whispers into Victor’s ear, “I’ll tell you when to call me daddy.” A chill goes down Victor’s spine, and his heart beats faster. Leo pulls away. “Ready to go back to your apartment?”
Victor looks at the time. “Yeah, I should, especially if I’m going to fly back to Dallas tonight.”
Leo takes a step back. “Hello! You’re already in Dallas. Well, north of Dallas. Why would you need to fly back? You could walk through the mirror.”
“Frank and Elliott are flying with me. It wouldn’t be right. And our flight is in a few hours, so I need to hurry back,” Victor proclaims.
Leo crosses his arms. “Fine, but you better let me know where you’re eating and staying.”
Victor rolls his eyes. “Okay . . .” He smirks as he looks into Leo’s eyes, “. . . Daddy.”