Chapter 7
Seven
Nikodemus
The charm was simple enough—something I’d been crafting for fifty odd years.
My prolific experience and expertise didn’t matter much when my concentration was so poor.
I was on my fourth attempt. The last three simply hadn’t held the spell.
This time the stone between my fingers sparked, sending uncomfortable energy zinging up my arm.
“Shit!” I dropped the crystal, watching colors flash through its structure as it danced along the inert, marble surface. The crystal spun like a crazed firework before finally fizzling out. A barely visible whisp of smoke rose from its center, wafting and dissipating into the air.
My fingers clenched, fists tight as I stared at the now worthless crystal. It would need to be thoroughly cleansed before it would be of any use and even then, it would only be able to hold the weakest of spells.
Leaning heavily into my chair, I blankly stared into the room, seeing nothing as my mind wandered.
I hated this. Hated what the Warlock Council’s vicious letter had reduced me too.
I could spout off all I wanted that I wasn’t concerned, that responding to their inane accusations was below me, that I couldn’t care less about their intentions.
While all that was true, it wasn’t the complete story.
The truth was that I was concerned. Not just for me, but my son.
I worried for Cilla. Perhaps most of all, I worried about my reputation.
It was a selfish worry. I was self-aware enough to realize this.
I had no problem admitting my own vanity.
I’d worked hard to gain a formidable reputation.
It was maddening knowing all that could be destroyed within such a short time span.
I didn’t fear the Warlock Council in the traditional sense.
What I’d told Hikaru and Vander were true.
Given my abilities, there was no way the council could bind my powers without my willing participation.
I’d like to think that would never be possible, but I wasn’t arrogant enough to believe it untrue.
Recent events reminded me just how vulnerable all of us were when the ones we loved were threatened.
Was there anything I wouldn’t do for my son?
The simple answer was no. If for some reason the only way to save Erasmus was to allow my powers to be bound, I would do so.
That knowledge was so deep rooted in my core that there was no room for doubt.
While those on the Warlock Council might find it difficult to believe I would go to such lengths for my son, they wouldn’t hesitate to use that weakness against me.
My blackened fingertips tapped along my marble worktable.
The council had to want something—something more than getting me out of the way.
They were picking a rather tenuous battle if all they wanted was to put me in my perceived place.
It was too big of a risk for too little reward unless there was more at stake.
“What are you up to?” I wasn’t certain who I was asking. I halfway expected Hikaru to answer. Surprisingly, the kitsune was being unusually respectful of my space and wishes. Perhaps Hikaru wasn’t feeling well.
For some reason, that thought twisted my stomach. “He’s fine.” I let loose an irritated huff. I had much more urgent concerns than that mischievous kitsune. One of those concerns chose that moment to call. My heart soared when Erasmus’s name flashed across my phone.
“Hey, Pops,” Erasmus said before I could offer the barest of greetings. My son’s calm, happy tone eased the pressure in my chest.
“You sound pleasantly content. Am I to assume your honeymoon is going well?”
Erasmus sighed happily. “Belize is beautiful.” Erasmus’s soft laughter drifted through the line. “I think Franklin’s gone through at least two bottles of SPF forty-five sunscreen. His poor skin just isn’t made for the sun.”
My fingers danced to a different tune, my mind already working through the problem.
Possible spells wove their way through my consciousness.
I could see how they’d connect, how they’d intertwine to help solve Franklin’s delicate skin concerns.
My brain was so engaged that I came back to the conversation realizing I’d missed most of what Erasmus had said.
It most likely mattered little. His tone was still jovial and full of excitement.
“The water’s so beautiful here, and not just the water, but the jungle. The wildlife is amazing.” Erasmus’s excitement was contagious. The unfortunate cure was the reason I’d called and left him a message.
“That sounds wonderful.” My words sounded stiff even to my own ears.
Erasmus’s pause indicated he understood the undercurrent. “What’s wrong?” My son was nearly as attuned to my moods as I was to his.
“I would like to say nothing, but I’m afraid that isn’t the case.” Regretfully, I gave Erasmus an abbreviated version of the letter I’d received. “I feel there is more going on, though admittedly, I am uncertain what that might be. I debated on calling or not, but—”
“I’m glad you called,” Erasmus answered without hesitation. “I know why you hesitated.” Erasmus blew out a frustrated breath. “Should Franklin and I cut our honeymoon short?”
“No. Absolutely not. If anything, the two of you may be safer there than here. I am not even certain if you are in danger at all, I just…if something had happened because you were ignorant of a possible threat…” I couldn’t finish that statement, the mere thought of anything happening to my son was enough to stop my heart.
I heard Erasmus murmuring to someone nearby before he said, “Franklin wants to talk to you.”
“Put him on.” While I found most humans irritating at best and heinous at worst, the homicide detective my son had fallen in love with and married was tolerable and had proven himself several times over.
Like me, Franklin O’Hare would do anything and everything within his (admittedly) limited abilities to protect Erasmus.
“Hey, Holland. What’s going on?”
While it was tedious repeating myself, I did so. Franklin quietly listened, interjecting here or there with a question. Franklin’s mind worked differently than my son’s. Erasmus came at the problem from the perspective of a concerned son. Franklin tackled the issue with a detective’s mind.
When I’d finished and Franklin had no other questions, he handed the phone back to his husband. “Are you okay?” Erasmus asked.
“I am fine.” It was only a partial lie. “I am better having spoken with you.”
“Good. Like I said before, I’m glad you called.”
“I apologize if I ruined your honeymoon.”
“Nothing’s ruined at all. We signed up for a hike and tour of the local jungle. Franklin and I still plan on going. We’ll have a kick ass time. We’ll just be a bit more watchful and attentive while we’re enjoying ourselves.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.”
“And I’m happy to say it as many times as you need to hear it. I love you, Pops. I’ll say that as many times as needed too.”
I rubbed the fabric over my heart. My voice wasn’t as steady as I would have liked when I answered, “I love you too, son. Always.” Clearing my throat, I said, “Now, go have some fun. I want to hear all about your trip when you get back.”
“Everything? Really, Pops? It’s my honeymoon and—”
“Brat. You know that’s not what I meant.”
Erasmus’s laughter lit me up from the inside. “Yeah, I get it. Gaia, you should see Franklin right now. His skin’s bright red with embarrassment. He also looks like he might vomit any second.”
I could sympathize. While I loved my son and enjoyed hearing about his life, those details did not need to extend to his sexual experiences. “Goodbye, Erasmus.”
“Bye, Pops.”
The call ended, leaving me alone in my solitude.
The typical ease I found in my workroom was nowhere to be found.
My brain was too muddled to work on anything.
Even my momentary interest in Franklin’s skin concerns had flown from my mind.
The magical connections that had seemed so clear mere moments ago were now little more than ghostly whisps of ideas.
Standing, my joints popped as I stretched and left my room.
I expected Hikaru to be waiting outside somewhere but to my surprise, he was absent.
Unfortunately, what wasn’t surprising was the now messy state of my living room.
I sent out a search spell, but it found nothing.
Although, to be honest, I wasn’t entirely confident my spell would be able to locate Hikaru if he was in his dissipated form.
It was another frustration to heap on a growing pile.
Stepping out of my home, I headed for the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The crashing waves below mirrored my own inner turmoil, offering an odd type of comfort.
Hands stuffed into my pockets, I tilted my head toward the sky. The wind coming off the ocean ruffled my hair. Some didn’t care for the scent of the ocean. I was not such an individual. I found the salty scent soothing.
The crashing waves below were loud enough they nearly drowned out my ringing phone. Pulling it from my back pocket, my brow furrowed at the number. The area code was similar to one I’d seen earlier.
“Warlock Holland,” I answered as I walked away from the cliff edge and the pounding waves.
“Pardon the intrusion. This is Keir. I am looking for—”
“Hikaru.” I’d heard Keir’s name before, when Hikaru had been speaking with Martin on our way back home. “If you are looking for Hikaru, then I am afraid I cannot help you.”
“He’s gone?” Keir asked with a level of concern I hadn’t expected. “Do you know where he is?”
“No.” I pushed down the irritation that knowledge brought. I didn’t know where Hikaru was and it…bothered me. “I am not the kitsune’s keeper,” I gruffly added.