Chapter 20- Gordy
THE SUMMER GREENERY passes us by as Seb drives down the road. My gaze tracks the houses and streets of Cosmo through the passenger window. I hum in contentment, happy to be so comfortable in the city that I’ve quickly claimed as my new home.
But the happiness might be from me losing my virginity.
I’m not a virginal turtle anymore, woo-hoo!
While I couldn’t be more thrilled, I’m keeping it quiet for now.
Everyone in the greater Boysen House coven can tell that he and I are seeing each other, so there’s no need to kiss and tell.
I’m just happy things have fallen into place. And I’ve fallen for him.
“You good, man?” Seb asks.
“Yeah.” I sit up straight and play with my seatbelt.
“You keep sighing, and your tail keeps wagging.”
My cheeks prickle with embarrassment, and I focus on keeping my appendage still. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s cool.” Seb grins at me before refocusing on the road. “I’m happy for you, bud.”
I bristle, but deep down, I’m flattered. I’ve never had friends with whom I could talk about romance. Mostly because my only real friend was Speakeasy, and there was no romance to speak of. Seb has been my number one confidante, other than Loxley.
And he told me he’s fated to Kai, a mage of similar power to me. So he should have some insight into what’s gnawing at my chest. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Always,” he replies.
“Aren’t you, and I guess, Kai…aren’t you scared?”
“What?”
“There are threats everywhere.” My hands toy with the seatbelt as we approach Boysen House. “Threats I’ve never heard of. And threats of losing control over magic I didn’t think were possible.”
When he parks the car, he shoots me a serious look. I continue, “Aren’t you both scared of the other person getting hurt in the line of wizard duty or something?”
Seb ponders my words, then nods. “There is, for sure, a lot to think about. I used to believe I was one of a few witches on the East Coast, but as it turns out, there are whole networks of magical beings. The mystical world is so much bigger than I previously thought.”
He stares out the windshield and taps the steering wheel. “Sure, there are dark forces out there. But there are good forces, too. Being a witch has always been about protecting our community, and we’ve found allies we can trust.”
When he looks at me, a soft smile grows on his face. “Together, we can prevent harm. Supporting our loved ones during the rough times is all we can do.”
I nod and let his words sink in. Seb may be the same age as Loxley, but he seems wise beyond his years. Then again, he’s dating my sage, older ancestor. “Speaking of loved ones, I’m gonna go pick up Kai from the portal mansion.”
That’s right, Kai is on some mission with the Union. After unhooking my seatbelt, I get out of the car. With a wave, Seb drives off. The five-minute walk down the block to Boysen House gives me plenty of time to shift into my human guise. As I get closer, a smile grows on my face.
It’s been a whole week since Loxley and I had sex, and I miss him.
Sure, we’ve been chatting and playing video games every night, but it’s no substitute for the real deal.
He’s enjoying his new job, and I like mine, too.
It seems like he has no plans to leave Cosmo, even if he doesn’t pass the next competency exam.
All this commuting back and forth across town is annoying, even if it’s only for date nights. Maybe I can ask him to move in with me down the road? Their house has two new witches, so it’s not like the coven will have a deficit.
The thought of sleeping with him regularly sends a rush of excitement up my shell.
“My mate,” my inner turtle growls. There it goes again, that voice inside my head roaring at me, begging me to declare my devotion to Loxley.
That passionate spirit was so loud when we had sex, and now it yearns to be by Loxley’s side forever.
Kai claims Seb is his lion’s fated mate. Is Loxley mine?
Shaking my head, I hop up onto the front porch.
It’s much too soon to be throwing things around like fated mate, or heaven forbid, a familiar.
I loathe the idea of being anyone’s pet.
We’re still growing into each other as boyfriends, and learning to master our powers. But would I want to belong to Loxley…?
After ringing the bell, I clap my hands together.
“One day at a time,” I mutter to myself.
Since there’s no answer, I look around. I’m aware I’m a little early, but Seb was willing to give me a ride, and surprising Loxley sounds great.
The more time I have with my boyfriend, the happier I am.
I really ought to have a conversation to ensure that he and I are “boyfriend” official.
Sensing magical activity in the backyard, I make my way around the house. The fence is unlocked, so I quickly stride onward to find Loxley. The door to the cellar is closed, and I carefully dodge the tiny chicken coop. Turning the corner, my pull to Loxley grows stronger.
My smile falls when I see what’s going on: Loxley is sitting cross-legged on a blanket in the center of the yard.
Flanking him are Anika and Lisbeth. Flashing lights of magic float from above Loxley into his ears.
When I get close, the ladies glance at me, but look back down.
Loxley doesn’t even look at me―his eyes are closed and he’s concentrating, clearly focused on the magic flowing into him.
His sleeveless shirt reveals that he’s not wearing the charm necklace, the thing that’s supposed to protect him.
Loxley looks like he’s struggling, and the blood drains from my face. Panic creeps in at the realization that he’s using his empath powers.
“Wha…what are you doing?!” I yelp.
“He asked us to help him use his powers,” Anika says quietly.
Ignoring her, I rush up to him and crouch down. “Loxley…” He still doesn’t react, and more and more flashes of multicolored light float into his ears. The obvious signs of pain on his face break something in me. “Protect our mate,” a voice says in my mind. A fervent rage blazes to life in my soul.
“How could you let him do this?” I bark at Lisbeth. She seems shocked, but before she can react, I turn back to Loxley and touch his wrists.
“Loxley, please, come back to me!” With a little shake, he blinks his eyes open. The lights die down, and all traces of magic disappear. Loxley seems confused for a moment, then focuses on my face. Meanwhile, I sob in relief. He’s back.
“Gordy?” he asks in a scratchy tone.
“Oh, thank the stars,” I lean forward and hold him close. “You’re okay.”
“I was okay,” he says. “What are you…?”
“I saw you using magic, and…” My eyes sting as I cradle him close. The very idea of him hurting again has rendered me a wreck. “And I needed to save you.”
“What?” he murmurs.
“Where is your charm, your magical dampener?” I look all over his face for any physical signs of damage.
“This?” He pulls it out of his pocket, and I sigh in relief.
“Good, use it.” I reach for it, but he pulls back. He glances at me, his shock turning into concern. My boyfriend looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but all I’m doing is preventing him from being harmed.
For a tense moment, he doesn’t say a word and stands up. I get up as well, then brush off my thighs. As I gaze at him in the evening twilight, where I expect relief, I only see him scowling at me. What’s wrong?
“What were you thinking, hurting yourself like that?” I ask.
His expression hardens. “I…was t-trying…”
“He wanted to try to detect any magical threats,” Lisbeth says, stepping forward. “That’s why we were here, to help with group magic.” She and Anika look concerned, but not contrite enough.
“He’s an empath witch after all,” Anika adds.
I almost growl at them before turning back to Loxley. “I thought I told you not to try that anymore.”
Where I expected an apology, he continues to almost glare at me. Sure, he’s not happy, but I’m not backing down. My mate could have hurt himself!
After another tense few seconds, Anika says, “Um, I think I need to go…check some…house plants.”
“I’ll come with you!” Lisbeth says! “We’ll be right inside if you need us.” With that, the women are gone, and my boyfriend and I finally have privacy.
I yearned to see him again since we slept together, but this isn’t how our next date night was supposed to go. After taking a deep breath, I say, “Why would you do that?”
“To…protect us,” he says, still scowling.
I scoff. “There are ways to protect us without you hurting yourself.” I pace in a circle and continue, “The agents of SPELL, my roommate, the Jade Lion, the FBI…Cauldrons, Loxley, anyone but you!”
“Wha…what?” he rasps
“I can’t have you losing control of magic. Let someone else―”
“I’m an empath witch!” he barks. I freeze up and look at him―he’s never raised his voice before. I genuinely didn’t think he could do it.
We gaze at each other, miles of discomfort radiating between us. Why won’t he listen to me? “This…is my destiny,” he says, quietly.
“Why can’t it be someone else’s destiny? Okay, screw destiny. I’m supposed to be a powerful Ruby Turtle, but you don’t see me throwing magic around that I can’t control.”
“I can!”
“Can you?”
“Yes! I d-d-don’t need this.” He tosses the charm necklace, and I catch it without blinking.
I sigh and reply, “Loxley, you don’t know what it was like to see you use your powers for the first time. That pain…that agony you were in. All because you couldn’t control it, and I couldn’t help you.”
He steps forward and lowers his voice. “You do help me. You…unlocked m-m-m-my powers. You’re my…”
“What, your familiar?” I ask with a hefty dose of spiteful sarcasm. When he pauses and his jaw drops, my heart falls as well. “Wait, you still believe that? That I’m, like, what…your magical pet?”
He shakes his head. “N-n-no!”
I laugh self-deprecatingly at the sky and pace in a circle again. “Unbelievable,” I mutter. My boyfriend thinks I’m his magical animal. Worst of all, I’m the reason he might kill himself with his new powers.
“Gordy,” he whispers. “You’re…not a pet. You…p-p-partner. B-b-boyfriend,” he stammers.
I sigh and take him in. For the first time tonight, he seems apologetic. This guy―this gorgeous, beautiful, nerdy, somewhat stubborn witch boy―has my emotions flying off the handle, as usual.
“I j-j-j-ust…need to…find the threat…protect you,” he rasps.
“I want to protect you, too.” Because I’ve fallen in love with you. The words threaten to leave my lips. Instead, I sigh and shake my head. “So, I’m gonna go.”
“What? Wh-wh-why?” he asks.
“Because…” Because magic hurts you, and I’m your magical conduit. “Because if I stay, I might say something that will ruin our relationship.”
Loxley’s eyes shine with moisture, his face a look of shock.
Before I can change my mind, I nod and stride away.
I don’t mind the long walk home across town.
Pulling my hood over my head, I stuff my hands into my coat pockets and power walk down the road.
Loxley can do whatever he wants, but I won’t be complicit in his pain.
***
Throwing yourself into work is easy when you’re fighting with your boyfriend.
Is he still my boyfriend? The thought of us breaking up makes my inner turtle furious, so I’m definitely still invested.
Seb told me that arguing is normal in relationships.
He also informed me that Luther and Taz claimed they fought for years and continue to bicker, and those two handsome dudes constantly look like they’re about to make out.
But our fight is about Loxley’s destiny, one that I feel is too dangerous for him.
And he wants me on board to support his witchy role.
Like Mama and Papa showed me, being a romantic partner means constant support. And I care for Loxley, so would being his familiar be so bad?
I finish mowing for the day and put the lawnmower into the resident shed.
With that done, I glance at my reflection in the shed window; I’m in my human guise, wearing only a sweaty tank top.
With a flex, I pop my pecs. I look good, if I do say so myself.
This morning, I realized I still had Loxley’s magical dampener necklace.
Putting it on, I’ve been able to suppress my turtle form all day.
I’ve been able to resemble a normal human for hours. I guess the new witch truly is well-versed in dampening magic. Still, this could wear off at any time, so I put my hoodie back and close the shed door.
Five minutes later, I’m striding down to the bus stop. My heart aches when I think about how long it’s been since I’ve spoken to Loxley. These past forty-six hours and ten minutes have been torture, but who’s counting?
Glancing at my phone, I notice no new texts. I frown, but my mood is immediately lifted when I notice Loxley calling me. Confused, but also excited, I pick up. “Hello?”
“H-h-hey.”
“Loxley? Is everything okay?” I make it to the bus stop, an isolated bench surrounded by trees.
“Yeah. I just…m-m-m-missed you.”
My cheeks warm, and I’m glad no one’s around to see me swoon.
“I missed you, too. I’m surprised you called instead of texting.”
“I know. Hate it.” We both laugh, and it fills my heart with joy knowing we can still share a friendly rapport. “My instinct told me…to chat. Auntie says it’s…more effective.”
“Facts. So listen, I was actually thinking about coming to see you. The last time we spoke, I, uh…”
“I need…to apologize.”
“Why? I’m the one who fucked up.”
“But I…need to communicate…better. You’re my partner, not a pet.”
A smile grows on my lips. “That means a lot. And thank you for calling me. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.” I hear a car getting close, the smallest bus I’ve ever seen. “Hold that thought, Lox. This conversation is best in person. I have some serious apologizing to do.”
“Oh, you don’t…”
“Yes, I do. I’m taking the bus across town to you. Here it is now.” The car that pulls up has dark windows and no bus signage. “Wait, that’s just some car.”
When the black unmarked van stops directly in front of me, my brow furrows. Huh? “Gordy?” Loxley asks over the phone.
Ignoring him, I try to step back when the van doors open. I see a person bound up in the dark of the passenger seat. On instinct, I squint my eyes and peer closer. “Hey, aren’t you―?”
My words are cut off by a puff of white smoke in my face. The last thing I remember is falling to the ground.