Chapter 4- Gordy
(EARLIER THAT DAY)
The small boulder lands on the swampy soil with a satisfying plop.
After clapping my hands together, I gaze at the water before me.
Kai was generous enough to conjure up a small swamp area in the backyard for me.
He, in no uncertain terms, told me to make myself at home on this part of the property.
With all the trees, no mortals can see me roaming about and swimming in the ten-foot-deep mini swamp.
If I squint my eyes, this whole area reminds me of my house back in North Carolina.
In the week since I moved here, I’ve spoken to Mama and Papa several times on the phone. They assure me they’re fine and that I need to focus on my new life adventure, whatever that means. The only adventures I plan to have are in video game format.
Speaking of family, Seb approaches me. We’ve gotten along great so far, but a lot of that stems from their room being out of earshot of mine. I don’t need to hear my ancestor having sex with his boyfriend. “What’s up, turtle man?”
We share a chuckle and sit on the boulder. “Just redecorating.”
He cringes. “Is it offensive if I call you that?”
I shrug and bring my tail forward. “I am what I am. I’m just happy to not, like, scare you off.”
“You could never. You’re Kai’s family. His only family until we can find the others.
” I nod in response; the first night, Kai showed me our family history books.
It’s astounding knowing he’s my great-great-great uncle or something to that effect, but we live in a world with witches and shifters, so anything’s possible.
“I’m happy to have family too,” I reply with a smile. “Connecting with you guys has been really chill.”
“Yes, well, a big part of my family is my local coven, so I gotta bring the hammer down.” This makes me give him a puzzled expression. Seb points at me and continues, “Get dressed.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t want you smelling all swampy when we go meet the coven. The barbecue is starting soon, and I’m starving!”
I huff, but proceed to step forward through the yard back to the house. “Do I have to?”
“We’ve been over this, Gordy. Meeting witches is good magical networking. They help Kai and me out a lot, and they’re my family.”
I reach for the outdoor shower, built just like the one back home. Kai pulled out all the stops when making this house comfortable for me. I’m touched by how generous they’ve both been. “I know,” I say.
“There are also wizards coming to this event. Meeting them can only help your chances of honing your powers and joining the Union of Mages.” I nod and step into the shower stall.
Kai explained to my folks and me all about the super-secret wizard community that grants us worldwide teleportation and solo magic through the use of a magical substance. I’d be happy with any magic at all.
“Sounds good.”
“And plus, meeting friends is fun!” Seb laughs, but I simply nod.
Easy for Seb to say; he’s a charming, magnetic, handsome Mexican dude with dark hair and a devoted boyfriend. And he doesn’t resemble some pizza-eating ninja sewer creature.
I’ve never been good at making friends in real life, but Seb has been nothing but cool to me. So, I nod and say, “Alright. I’m gonna, um, shower now.”
“Right. Let Kai and me know when you’re ready.” He saunters off, cheering, “Bar-be-cue…bar-be-cue!”
I can’t help but laugh. My new roommates are cool. The only witchy power I want is a permanent glamour so I can walk around in public. Kai claims that my identity means I’m not a witch, but actually a mage. Wizards pull power from the sun, witches pull power from the moon, but I have neither.
As the water cascades down my shell, I shift into my human form.
I can still hardly hold this, so Kai is going to have to glamour me, at least at the beginning of this weird witch party we’re going to.
I’m not thrilled about this event, and I suck at making friends.
But Seb wants me to go. And my folks insist I can make connections. What’s the worst that can happen?
The worst thing has happened. For the first time in my life, I try to join a magical community as an adult, and this is what happens? Some dude claims me to be his familiar!
A fury I’ve never known boils in my veins. “I may be a turtle, but I’m NO ONE’S familiar!” With that, I storm off. I don’t care that this is my first time meeting them and I’m making a scene. This is humiliating and degrading, and it’s the most horrified I’ve ever felt.
I grumble and clench my fists as I walk through the yard. “A familiar…a pet…who does he think he is?”
How dare that guy―with his slender frame and sexy little glasses―claim me.
As if I’m an animal that belongs to him.
Someone he can just collect. A guy like that can get any girl he wants; he gets to live a normal, happy life in public, being gorgeous and making friends.
I’m relegated to a life cloaked in shadow, and he wants me to be his familiar.
With that thought, I recall I’m out in public, and the sun hasn’t set.
I promptly dash back to the front porch, pull my hood around myself, and tuck my tail in.
After finding a small, dark corner on the patio, I sit down and curl in on myself.
If I could shove my body into my shell like a cartoon, I would.
I’ll just wait here since Seb and Kai are my ride.
Not ten minutes later, my roommates, my new family, approach me.
“Gordy,” Kai says.
“Hey, buddy,” Seb says with a placating smile.
“I don’t know how to get home,” I mutter.
“Oh, it’s cool. We’re basically done eating anyway. Totally stuffed! Isn’t that right, babe?” Seb elbows Kai, but the taller man doesn’t react.
He crouches next to me and waves his hand. Looking down at my now-smooth hands, I see that he placed the glamour back. “Are you…hurt?”
“I’m fine. Physically, anyway.” I stand up and attempt to muster any semblance of pride I can. “If you want, I can take a ride-share home.”
“It’s fine. Like I said, we’re done! Filled with food.” Seb lets out another chortle, and I slowly nod. With that, the three of us walk to the car.
After buckling up, Kai turns around from the passenger seat. “Gordy, I am sorry.”
Looking out the window, I huff. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Kai.”
After a long, tense moment, Seb begins to drive us away. Kai is back to staring out the windshield, and it’s a silent car ride. Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling into the gravel driveway. This is my new home, sharing a city with a witch who wants me as his pet.
Once I get out of the car, Seb says, “You should know, Gordy.” Kai and I turn to him. “I, um…don’t know that new guy. But Lisbeth says he’s cool. He’s just a witch trying to learn and be part of the community, much like you. I don’t think he meant anything harmful or possessive.”
Tell that to the desperate look of longing in Loxley’s eyes. I know he wanted me; I have no doubt in my mind that he sees me as his witch’s pet.
“Um, okay,” I murmur.
“But if you’re not comfortable with him, that’s your right.” Seb approaches me and raises a hand before deciding against touching my arm. “You can talk to us about anything. You’re safe with us.”
“It is true. I am still your uncle, after all.” Kai shoots me a loving grin, and I give a small bow.
“Thank you both, but um, I’d like to just rest after a long night.”
Seb looks up at the barely azure sky. It isn’t nighttime yet, but he seems to get the hint. I want to forget tonight ever happened. “Alright. Goodnight, Gordy.”
With that, the three of us go our separate ways in the house.
Once in my room, I sit at my leather rolling chair and let myself spin.
No amount of solitude can scrub the memory of Loxley gazing up at me with shock and reverence.
Those pretty brown eyes and smooth skin must be why I can’t stop thinking about the way it felt to be near him.
That magical whisp from his palm sent a spark of energy across my body.
I hate that stranger, but the mere thought of him makes me want to get closer to him. I probably just want to yell at him some more and tell him I’ll never be his familiar. Yeah, that’s why I want to see him again.
With another deep breath in and out, I strip off my hoodie and pick up my gaming controller. Video games are my escape, and I can only hope my favorite player is online right now. As soon as I log on and see his username, a grin breaks out on my lips.
I message him, asking if he wants to play, and he promptly accepts. Username Speakeasy makes me feel less lonely, so online is the only way I’ll be making any friends for now.