Chapter 23
The sky is filled with dark clouds. Torrential rain and crashing thunder are nearly deafened by the howling wind.
The storm rages like a passionate war between gods that rule the sky, businesses even closed to keep their workers safe.
Charlie and Seamus both closed up their respective shops as the clash of the elements surged on in the night sky.
The boys use their unexpected evening free to their advantage.
Jackson practices a scrying spell, one with a short incantation that focuses mana through a mirror.
His target, Wendy, waits by a mirror in her own home.
She agreed to help Jackson practice his control.
The spell requires a gentle touch. Too much mana and the glass would shatter.
He could fix it with a spell if he failed, Hakeem encouraged him by saying that any chance to practice was worth the effort spent.
Meanwhile, Hakeem and Eddie prepare dinner together.
They are experimenting with Hakeem’s family recipe for oven chicken and potatoes and how it would pair with Eddie’s mother’s kimchi recipe.
Rice cooks while Eddie finishes chopping the cabbage and rubbing in the spice mix, filling the air with heat.
Hakeem seasons the chicken and chops the potatoes while the oven preheats.
“Doesn’t kimchi need to be fermented before eating?” asks Hakeem, as he slides the chicken and potatoes into the oven.
“My Umma says this version of the recipe can be enjoyed without letting it sit for too long, by the time the chicken is done the flavor should have hopefully set into the veggies.” Eddie finishes mixing the spice rub into the cabbage and Korean radish, his hands stained red.
“The spice smells so good.” As though on cue, Hakeem’s stomach rumbles.
They laugh as they clean up the kitchen while the kimchi sits and the chicken and potatoes bake.
Jackson is distracted by the scene in the kitchen, bittersweet memories of his small apartment in New York flash in the back of his mind.
He promised himself he wouldn’t bury them away, it hurt more to forget than to recall.
Him and Ravi struggling in the kitchen, getting shooed away by Tony and Vinny.
The laughs they shared over meals, the sweet wine and cheesy breads.
He still remembered the richness of the tomato sauce lingering on his tongue.
, maybe he’ll ask about doing Italian one night.
He could remember the recipe if he tried and with two great cooks by his side he had hope of not burning down the kitchen.
Jackson returns his focus to the mirror mounted on the wall next to the front door. He gets a text confirmation from Wendy that she has a glass of wine, snacks and her favorite reruns on while she awaits to wave at him from her mirror.
W: So will I be able to talk to you through the mirror?
J: According to Hakeem, yes. This was a way people got in touch before phones when letters were too slow. Provided they had the magic to do it of course.
W: Snazzy. Poor humans and their non magic letters that took ages. How ever did they manage?
J: I’m sure my grandmother or Hakeem can provide you with a lengthy answer. Shall I ask on your behalf?
W: Hmmm, pass. Mama’s got The Great Fae Realm Bake to enjoy.
J: Season?
W: Three, with Mary Joanne.
J: Love her. I think the boys would like that show.
W: I’m sure you know Exactly what they like, Jackson ;)
J: Shut up and watch your baking show.
W: Yeeeeees sir!
He rolls his eyes, a fond smirk betraying his aggravation.
Jackson extends his arms outwards.
“Mirror, Mirror on the wall. Show me one, show me all. Between the bridge of distant lands, show me those who shared my path.”
Tendrils of shadow seep out of his hands, creeping their way to the glass.
A soft green glow swirls in the mirror, misting out Jackson’s reflection.
He can hear some noise coming through the other side, “Woah, weird. Jackson is that you or do I need to call the-” The mirror shatters before Wendy can finish, severing the connection before the spell fully forms.
“Dammit,” Jackson grumbles, running his hands over his face and through his hair in frustration. That’s the third time tonight the mirror cracked, but it was the farthest he got the spell to work.
Eddie calls out from the kitchen, “do you want to take a breather before going forward?”
Jackson shakes his head. “I’m okay, I just want to get this right.”
“Stitch and Sew, Mend the Break”
He traces a circle in front of the cracked mirror once, twice, thrice.
“Restora.”
The cracks meld back together, for the third time this evening, much to Jackson’s annoyance.
“Even professionals have trial and error when trying new spells. You don’t need to strain yourself,” says Hakeem, brows furrowed.
“I promise I know my limits, I have the mana to spare.” He offers a sly wink towards the kitchen and a self assured grin.
Eddie and Hakeem exchange nervous glances. They aren’t worried about his mana, but decided to let him be for now.
“One more time,” says Jackson. with a roll of his shoulders.
“Mirror, Mirror”.
Jackson attempts the spell again. Once again the image in the mirror is replaced by green mist. “Well, hello there.”
Crack, the spell fails again. “Fuckin- I’m okay, I’m good.” Jackson holds his tongue and takes deep breaths, he will not lose control over a simple obsolete scrying spell.
He repairs a mirror and tries for a fifth time. “Bonjour, Mr. Jack-”
Crack, the mirror breaks again. Jackson’s eye twitches in frustration, he lets loose a sigh as he massages between his brows.
He pulls out his phone to text Wendy, counting to ten in his head in an attempt to remain calm. “My darling, dearest, Wendy. Please don’t talk till I finish the spell.” Wendy replies with a simple GIF of a cartoon cat zipping its mouth shut.
Eddie calls from the kitchen where he and Hakeem are just finishing the dishes. “You okay, Jackson?”
Jackson’s voice cracks as he snaps his head to shout over his shoulder, “Fine, eh hem. Just fine, just taking a second to compose myself.”
Jackson will not let this get him down.
Mirror, mirror, Crack.
He will not lose his cool over a practice spell with no consequences.
On the wall, Crack.
He will regain the control he had that day he hunted down the cultist.
Show me those, Crack.
He will not lose control and hurt the people he lo-
“Whose path we—”
Crack.
“Why. Won’t. You. Just, WORK!?” Shadows quiver in the corners as Jackson’s voice booms across the apartment, before all the lights shut off.
“Oh shit! Is everyone okay?” Hakeem yelps, bumping into Eddie, “Oh sorry, Eddie.”
“I’m alright. Jackson?” Both men turn to look at Jackson, his shoulders heaving and breathing hard. The faint glow of crimson can be seen seeping from the profile of his face.
Hakeem makes his way over, a careful hand extended, “Jackson? Are you hurt?”
Hakeem goes to place a caring hand on Jackson’s shoulder, but snaps his hand back and holds it close to his mothers necklace when he sees the man before him up close.
Face twisted into a wicked snarl, fangs on full display as he swipes his tongue over their pointed tips.
Hands strained into the shape of claws and crimson eyes staring at Hakeem. Jackson can tell, he looks like a mon-
No.
Hakeem isn’t looking at him like that. He doesn’t look scared, just worried. The same concern is apparent on Eddie’s face who has come up behind Hakeem. They promised they would never see him as a monster, even when he looked like something pulled from a child’s nightmare.
Jackson relaxes his stance, forcing his heart beat to calm.
He doesn’t want this. He doesn’t want these men to waste their time worrying over him, to panic over him.
He wants to make new memories with them, not repeat the same mistakes.
“I’m sorry,” Jackson whispers between short breaths, “I-I-I got mad and frustrated and just,” He gestures to the cracked glass and darkness that fills the room, “lost control. Again.”
Hakeem and Eddie make their way over, embracing him in a soft hug.
“Thank you for sharing, I know it’s frustrating not having control.
But you are getting better I promise you.
Even if you can’t see the results for yourself, I can and will always be there to let you know.
” Hakeem’s words are a balm on Jackson’s wounded pride.
“Maybe my magic isn’t meant to be controlled unless it’s for vengeance, maybe it’s meant to run wild and crazy.”
Hakeem looks up at Jackson, a couple inches still enough of a difference that they aren’t at eye level this close.
“Your magic is mine, and I have told you once and I will tell you a thousand times more, it can be controlled and made to do amazing things.” Jackson wants to believe him, but his heart threatens to close itself off to avoid acknowledging the possibility.
“But maybe telling you isn’t enough anymore.
Perhaps it’s time I show you how amazing I know you can be. ”
Confused, Jackson can’t help his eyebrow shooting up in question. “What did you have in mind?” Hakeem simply grins, a devilish thing Jackson didn’t know could come from such a sweet man. Though, he thought the same thing about Eddie and was proven very wrong.
“Just trust me, okay?”
Trust me. The same words Hakeem had said to him that fateful day when they first met, when they discovered the bond between their magics. Jackson can only chuckle softly and nod, “Of course I trust you.”
Eddie goes to check on the food while Hakeem heads up to his room to retrieve some grimoires. “Uh oh. Guys, we have a problem. I think more than the lights got hit.”