Chapter 13 #3
Bernard turns into a large brown bear and Oswald turns into a river otter.
As one man grows and the other shrinks, Jackson can ascertain their intention.
If their size changes to a drastic point the spell will fail, the chains don’t tighten and Hakeem didn’t mention anything about them expanding either.
It was a solid plan in theory, but one look at Hakeem’s face told him there was more to this spell than he thought.
Jackson leans into Hakeem and whispers in his ear. “So, when it comes to shifters, how would this spell react?”
Hakeem looks up from his notes to study the scene before him.
A small otter and large brown bear squirm on the floor as the chains continue to bind them.
“The spell binds a target’s physical form; they do not tighten as they try to escape.
A shifter’s physical form is their beast form and human form.
The spell is simple yet intuitive. If a shifter were to change forms whilst bound by the spell it would adjust itself.
It’s not a matter of tightening or expanding. ”
Jackson watches as the two animals writhe on the floor and Eddie continues to fight against the chains from his spot. “They only asked if physical force could break the chains, not if changing forms would affect the spell did they?”
Hakeem shakes his head. “They did not.”
“Did you assume they would try to shift their way out of the chains?”
“I had a hunch.” Hakeem says with a nod.
“Isn’t it vindictive to keep that from them?” Asks Jackson, amused.
“I answered the questions they asked, and this is an experiment. I didn’t want to provide unnecessary information that would deter them. No one is harmed. This is good information.”
“You’re evil.” Jackson says with a smirk.
“I’m a scientist. I’m driven by curiosity.” Hakeem replies matter of factly.
Jackson, deciding to be devious, leans in closer, breath tickling Hakeem’s ear as he whispers, “I never said it was a bad thing.”
Hakeem sputters and drops his pen, eyes wide at the comment. Jackson chuckles at the reaction.
Eddie watches the exchange between Jackson and Hakeem.
Hakeem’s blush and Jackson’s chuckle, they stir something in Eddie’s chest. He can’t put his finger on the emotion.
It’s warm and makes his stomach twist. He flexes his arms more and grunts against the force of the chains.
Eddie’s face contorts into a snarl, his eyes glowing ocean blue, something awakening in his heart.
He lets out a war cry and pushes his arms out with all the strength in his body.
Hakeem and Jackson turn to face him, expressions shocked and jaws dropped.
The strained cry of metal rings through their ears as the chains begin to stretch.
The chains explode from around his chest and arm, disappearing into the air as they shatter.
Oswald and Bernard change back, their struggling ceasing.
Everyone watches Eddie with wide eyes and dropped jaws.
Eddie has sweat lining his forehead, his breath heavy and uneven, eyes still glowing blue.
He straightens his back and stands tall, brushing the hair sticking to his face.
His muscles bulge as his chest rises and falls with each breath.
He levels his gaze to Jackson and Hakeem, giving them a sly smirk and a wink.
Both their faces flush at the gesture, heartbeats quickening.
“Guess I win, huh?” Eddie asks between breaths.
The boys nod their heads in agreement, mouths still agape, their gaze lingering on him.
Hakeem closes his jaw and walks towards Eddie, hand outstretched. “Eddie, you-that was-how did you-you’re amazing!”
Jackson echoes the statement. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Eddie steadies his breath and smiles brightly at the both of them, their stomachs jumping as the smile shows off white teeth and fills his cheeks. “Maybe brute strength can break through magic.”
Hakeem shakes his head as he steps up to Eddie, head craned up to meet his gaze.
“No, no Eddie. I don’t know if that was a spell or some latent shifter magic you just didn’t awaken till now.
But that wasn’t just brute strength that anyone could train to achieve.
That was something that was purely you. Eddie, it was amazing. ”
Hakeem didn’t realize he had a hand on Eddie’s arm, the muscle hard under his grasp. He quickly removes his hand, tucking it close to the gold necklace around his neck. “Sorry, sorry.”
Eddie rubs his arm where Hakeem’s hand rested, goosebumps left in its wake. “You’re good,” he says, eyes lingering on Hakeem.
A clearing of a throat draws the attention to the men bound on the floor. Oswald pipes up. “Sooo, uh congrats, Eddie. We couldn’t break free so we owe you guys lunch. Burgers, right? Great. Can’t do shit chained up like this. So, a little help?”
Bernard pouts on the floor next to his mate. “No fair. Eddie awakened some weird powers at the last moment. I call foul.”
“Says the men who tried to use shifter magic to get out of the chains rather than just brute strength as was the original debate. But the deal was whether or not you could break free, methods aside. So, no harm, no foul,” interjects Jackson.
Hakeem and Eddie laugh as Bernard sticks his tongue out at Jackson in a retort.
Oswald repeats his earlier question. “Could someone please unbind us? Jackson?”
Jackson calls to his magic to try and undo the spell, to no avail. He shrugs, “Sorry, my control in casting has improved, dispelling not so much. Hakeem, would you do the honors once more, good sir?”
“I’m on it, hold still you two. This might tingle.”
Eddie nods thoughtfully, “It does.”
Hakeem channels mana through the chains, they go from black to green to silver as they did before, dispersing. “You two okay? Any discomfort?”
Oswald and Bernard stretch out their limbs as they get up from the floor. “Stiff but good. Ozzy, babe, how you feeling?”
“Good, honey bear. So, Majesty Burger sound good everyone?” A round of agreements rings through the group.
* * *
After a delicious late lunch and good-byes were said to Oswald and Bernard, the boys grab reusable bags and triple check their grocery list. Eddie and Jackson were grabbing most of the ingredients for group meals as they promised earlier.
The idea of more of Hakeem’s cooking causes their stomachs to rumble, despite the recent lunch they enjoyed.
Jackson goes to grab his keys from their spot on the island only to find them missing.
“What in the-” Jackson see’s shadows slither from underneath the couch, irritation growing as he pinches the bridge of his nose, eyes closed and brows furrowed.
“One second guys, I think my keys have somehow found their way under the couch.”
Hakeem turns his head and raises an eyebrow. “How’d that happen?”
“I have a wild fucking hunch,” Jackson grumbles as he lowers his self to the floor reaching under the couch looking for his keys. He calls to the shadows, willing them to retrieve the keys just out of his reach. Nothing responded to his call, the shadows remaining still. “Of-fucking-course.”
Jackson sighs as he tries to wiggle his arm towards his keys tucked under the couch.
He feels the weight of the couch lift from his arm, the keys exposed to the room’s light, surrounded by dust bunnies.
Jackson looks up to see Eddie standing over him, the large couch lifted above their heads in his hands.
Eddie made no sound of effort when he lifted the couch, Jackson didn’t even notice his approach.
“Find them, Jackson?”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks, Eddie.” Jackson grabs the keys and rights himself, brushing the dust off his pants. “Isn’t that heavy?” He asks, pointing to the three seat recliner in Eddie’s hands.
“Not really,” replies Eddie sincerely.
Eddie places the couch back down gently, brushing his hands off. “Ready to go?” Eddie points his thumb behind him towards the door. Hakeem stares at Eddie’s back, cheeks flushed, jaw dropped once more.
Jackson understands the feeling. “Yeah, let’s go.”