Chapter Thirty-Five
Victor sits with Leo and Wren at the island in Eddie’s kitchen.
Victor hasn’t washed the dried blood off his face.
They sit in silence, munching on chips and salsa.
Victor is exhausted. He begins to drift off but is woken up when Eddie returns.
Everyone looks to the door as they hear footsteps outside.
Eddie, Superior Charles, and Superior Jackie walk into the kitchen.
“Derek won’t be bothering us anymore,” Superior Charles says as he grabs the bottle of tequila off the island. “He’s behind wards and in a secluded room until his trial with the council.”
Eddie walks up and stands next to Leo. “Sadly, even though he’s locked up, there is still the blood oath.”
Leo slouches his shoulders and sighs. “I know. And I’ll have to accept it.”
Eddie reaches out for Leo’s hand. “Don’t worry, mijo. We’ll figure something out.”
“Where’s Madame Jeanette?” Victor asks.
“She’s working on something for me.” Superior Charles responds, knocking back a shot of tequila.
Victor grabs the bottle and pours himself a shot. “It’s about Morgana, isn’t it?” Victor downs his drink and slams the glass on the counter. “I want to help her find that cunt.”
Superior Jackie touches Victor’s shoulder and gently squeezes.
“No, young empath.” She takes the bottle from Victor and pours herself a drink.
“If she is working with Florance, then she is much too strong for you.” She drinks her shot and then pours herself and Victor another.
“And to add salt to your wound, she won’t be easy to find.
She’s been in hiding for a very long time. ”
Victor knocks back his shot and then stands up. “I’m going to wash this blood off my face and go to bed.” He walks out of the kitchen with his head low as if he’s been defeated, even though he won tonight.
Leo stands up and calls out, “Victor, wait. I’m going to head to bed too.” When Leo reaches the door, he turns around and says, “Have a good night, everyone.”
When Victor and Leo are out of view, Superior Jackie looks at Superior Charles and asks, “Do you think those two will ever get a chance to be together?” Superior Charles shrugs his shoulders.
“I think when Victor accepts that he’ll be the next Grand Warlock, then he’ll be able to break that oath and finally move on with Leo,” Eddie comments, holding his shot glass close to his lips.
Wren rests her head on her fist as she leans on the island. “We could always execute Derek.” Everyone turns to Wren with gruesome faces. “Oh, don’t tell me none of you thought about it.”
“I have thought about it once or twice,” Superior Charles admits. “But I’m not going to kill someone out of spite.”
“We all have, amigo,” Eddie says as he pours everyone another drink. “I just wish those two the best for now.” They each take a shot glass and clink them together.
In the middle of the night, Victor tosses around in his bed.
He keeps adjusting his pillow, rolling side to side.
But his thoughts are running rampant. He sits up and brings his knees to his chest. He looks at the wall, knowing Leo is on the other side.
Victor wants to be with him, but he knows the consequences if Leo commits adultery.
But they cuddled the other night, and nothing happened.
That should be okay—just two friends consoling each other.
Victor gets out of bed and puts on his robe.
He peeks his head out and looks around the dark atrium.
Quietly, Victor walks over to Leo’s room.
He’s about to knock on Leo’s door when Leo opens it.
As Leo is about to make a sound, Victor presses his fingers against Leo’s lips.
Leo and Victor stare into each other’s eyes as Leo embraces Victor’s fingertips.
Leo closes his eyes, takes Victor’s hand into his own, and holds Victor’s hand to his face.
Leo looks back at Victor and pulls him in for a deep embrace.
“We can’t do anything that could violate this oath I’m bound to,” Leo whispers into Victor’s ear.
“I know,” Victor whispers back. “But that doesn’t mean two friends can’t keep each other company.”
Leo pulls back and gives Victor a little smile. “You’re a bad influence.”
“And you don’t like it?” Victor smiles back.
Leo pulls Victor into his room and closes the door behind them.
The following day, Victor and Leo slip into shorts and shirts and walk into the kitchen.
Eddie is the only one standing at the stove.
He dances around to the salsa music playing on the radio.
Victor and Leo walk over to the kitchen island and sit, enjoying the view of Eddie dancing around while paying no attention.
Eddie turns around and smiles. “Buenos días, mis amores. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Where are your husbands?” Victor asks.
Eddie turns back to cooking eggs. “Jorge and Miguel are out of town on business, and Fernando is working at night while we prepare for an upcoming event. You just missed him as he went off to bed.” Eddie conjures his Air Magic, lifts three plates off the shelf, and plates food on them.
He plucks the plates from the air and carries them over to Victor and Leo.
“Huevos Rancheros y Chilaquiles. Oh, I forgot the fruit.” Eddie looks over to the far counter where the fruit is and flicks his wrist to bring three small bowls to them.
Victor digs into his food. “Did you give your staff the day off?”
Eddie takes a bite. “No, they will be here later today.” He swallows and drinks coffee. “I wanted to give the three of us time to talk before you two leave today.”
“I forgot to tell you, we’re leaving today and moving on to your next lesson,” Leo tells Victor.
“Already? I like it here,” Victor comments with a pouty face.
“You only like it here for my tequila,” Eddie winks at Victor over his coffee mug. “Victor, I just want you to know that you no longer have to worry.”
Victor gives Eddie an unamused gaze. “Are you trying to lie to an empath?”
“Someone’s starting to get a little cocky with his ability,” Eddie snickers.
Victor takes a bite with a sly look. “There’s nothing little about it.”
Eddie smiles and gives Leo a wink. Leo blushes.
“Well,” Eddie pauses as he takes a bite.
“Like I said, you shouldn’t have to worry any longer.
Morgana doesn’t like to get her hands dirty.
She will eventually find someone else to come after you.
If she fails, then Florence will have to come out of hiding.
That’s if she is still alive. But by then, you’ll be stronger than you are now.
” Eddie sets down his fork and looks up at Victor.
“If you ever need a place to escape, you are welcome here anytime. Mi casa es su casa.”
“Thank you, Eddie,” Victor says with a smile. He turns to Leo and asks, “So, where to next?”
“I’m going to keep that as a surprise,” Leo comments as he hops off the stool. “I’m going to start getting ready.” Leo gives Eddie a big hug. “Keep out of trouble while I’m gone.”
“I make no promises,” Eddie responds. Once Leo leaves the kitchen, Eddie turns to Victor. “If you two aren’t careful, you could hurt or even kill Leo.”
“Yes, I know about the blood oath,” Victor sighs deeply.
“If you keep cuddling in bed with him, one thing will lead to another. How else do you think I ended up with three husbands?” Eddie chuckles as he collects the dirty dishes.
Victor raises an eyebrow. “First off, I know that’s not how you got three husbands.
And secondly . . .” Victor lets out another deep sigh and looks at a spot on the island.
“. . . I just needed him last night. After what happened, I was feeling distraught. Yes, I was able to get answers out of Derek, but it felt like I could have gotten more out of him. And seeing my mom again, it just made me miss her even more.”
Eddie nudges Victor’s shoulder with his own as he walks over to the sink.
“Don’t worry, mijo. She’s watching over you.
But it would be best if you were careful with Leo.
I was his mentor when he started his warlock lessons.
He’s like my baby brother, so I always look after him.
” Eddie turns on the sink and starts soaping up the dishes.
“Now, get ready. I’m looking forward to seeing how powerful you will become. ”
Victor turns in his seat to get a better view of Eddie. “Everyone keeps saying I’m going to be powerful. And that’s not helping because if I fail, I’ll feel like I failed everyone.”
Eddie shrugs a shoulder as he washes. “You should believe in yourself, young empath. Because if you are anything like your abuela . . .” Eddie glances over his shoulder. “You will become the Grand Warlock.”
Victor ponders this for a moment as he watches Eddie washing the dishes.
He looks out the window at the agave field as the workers begin to start their day.
To think, one day, those workers will be looking up to him.
Even Eddie will be looking to him for guidance and strength.
Victor takes one more look over at him before he heads up to his room.
As Victor makes his way up the stairs, he notices the door to his room is open. He can hear shuffling inside. He carefully walks to his room, slowly opens the door, and peeks inside. The maid is packing everything away.
“You don’t have to always pack for me, you know,” Victor remarks as he steps into the doorway.
“Nonsense, Mr. Russo. That’s what I’m here for.” She walks around the room, humming away. “I took the liberty to send off your suit and dirty clothes to be washed and delivered to your next destination.”
“You make it sound like you won’t be at the next stop,” Victor comments as he leans against the doorframe.
“Mr. Oliveira asked me to take some time off. I won’t see you for about a week,” the maid mentions as she continues folding and packing the clean laundry.