Chapter 15 #2
Charlie didn’t like making wishes, he knew how they drained Hakeem no matter what he said. But it would fix the issue and maybe even any other signs of wear and tear the machine was experiencing. “No other repair spells up your sleeve?” They ask, tentatively.
Hakeem shakes his head, “None that don’t involve taking the whole thing apart. Most repair spells work on visible damage or help fix known issues. This scenario is too vague.”
A defeated sigh comes from Charlie as they turn to look at Hakeem. They have to tilt their head down, this form easily a head taller than him. “Okay, but let’s be quick and discreet. I don’t want people seeing and getting ideas. People can be awful when the idea of wishes are involved.”
Hakeem doesn’t need reminding, his aunt and uncle made sure he knew the horror stories.
True djinn and half djinn alike, though few and far between, were often targeted for their wish magic.
Hakeem is weak compared to the stories, a small blessing perhaps.
He still rarely used his magic outside of home, he was shocked when he confessed it so easily to Jackson and Eddie.
Besides those first two days, neither of them ever wished for anything from him, never forced or pressured him to grant their desires.
Wish magic is an easy out - no complex calculations, no intricate gestures woven with lyrical prose to stir the air. Hakeem got to put his training and expansive knowledge to use. To be part of the spell instead of just an obedient spell slinger.
There was something about the way a spell forms around his fingers, his own mana mixed with Jackson’s. He gets to be more than just a weak half-djinn.
“I’ll be okay, and it should be quick. Now if you’ll just do the honors.” Hakeem reassures Charlie, his gaze never leaving theirs, gesturing to the machine.
Charlie takes a quick look around the cafe, making sure no one is focused on them. “Ok. Hakeem, I wish the espresso machine was fixed.” The wish is a whisper, just loud enough for Hakeem to hear.
Charlie blocks him from sight with their large frame, just as an extra precaution as Hakeem snaps his fingers and says the magic words. “As you wish.”
Magic sparks around the machine, wisps of silvery light working its way through its internal gears. A click, a clank and a whirring sound echoes through the espresso machine, then the familiar sound of a shot being pulled hums through the air of the cafe.
Charlie scans the cafe, chatter and music from the radio seeming to have drowned out the spell. They turn and place a steadying hand on Hakeem’s shoulder, who sways slightly. “Thank you, mon ami. Are you okay?”
Hakeem is a little light headed but the feeling fades fast. He steadies himself, smoothing out his apron and re-adjusts his glasses. He turns his face up towards Charlie, eyes weary but trying to hide it. “I’m fine. I really need to work on my stamina though.”
Charlie is about to say something else as the door opens, a swarm of people rush into the shop, the line going from the register to the door. “Alright, if you’re sure you’re fine, can you handle drinks while I handle cash? You’re faster than anyone even when you feel groggy.”
Hakeem stretches his arms and shakes off the last of the dizziness. “Aye aye, captain, you can count on me.” Hakeem gives Charlie a warm smile, they know he doesn’t want them to worry.
Charlie decides to trust Hakeem’s instinct. “Alright then, let’s get started. Welcome to ‘Shape of Brew’. I can take your order down here!”
Hakeem is flying through the orders, steam and the smell of brewed coffee filling the air around him.
Charlie takes many orders before they help Hakeem make and pass out drinks at the other end of the counter, before rushing back to take the next customer’s order as they walk through the door.
They still have some time before the evening staff arrives.
A little longer with just the two of them filling dozens of orders for loyal customers in Charlie’s little cafe.
Hakeem notices someone eyeing him, leaning on the far side of the counter, just out of the way of customers grabbing their orders. He thinks they were in the cafe already before the rush started, but couldn’t be sure as he had too many orders to bother splitting his focus for longer than a second.
The man lingers for a while longer, till the rush dies down. As Hakeem places the last of the drinks on the counter, the guy calls out to him as his pace finally slows. “Hey, Barista guy, got a second?” Hakeem looks up to meet his gaze, pale blue eyes on a freckled face framed by dirty blonde hair.
“Yes. Hi, sir, can I help you with something? Was there a problem with your drink? We can sort you out at the register, you didn’t have to wait here during the rush.”
The man waves him off, cracking a toothy grin.
“Nothing like that, just wanted to get your attention.” Hakeem is taken aback.
The man is fairly handsome, the idea of being flirted with at work something out of his novels, but something feels off.
Hakeem can’t place it and brushes it off as post-rush exhaustion.
The man saunters to the part of the counter Hakeem is behind and leans in, reading the name off the tag on Hakeem’s apron.
“So, Hakeem,” he flashes another smile, which does nothing to ease the tension Hakeem has formed in his shoulders.
“That was a neat little trick back there with the espresso machine. What kinda spell was that?” The man tilts his head as he asks.
It seems someone had seen Hakeem grant Charlie’s wish, was it going to be an issue?
Hakeem wears his best customer service smile, making sure his voice matches. “Just a simple repair spell, sir. It helps keep the store running smoothly when things go awry.”
“Donnie.”
Hakeem furrows his brow in confusion at the response. “Excuse me?”
The man leans in closer, the light overhead catching in his dirty blonde hair, coating his pale blue eyes in a light shadow, that attempt of a charming smile still plastered on his face. “Please, call me Donnie. Sir feels too formal.
“I heard the other Barista make a wish. That was wish magic you used, wasn’t it?”
Hakeem dryly swallows, a knot forming in his stomach. The guy looks harmless, but his words are laced with something dangerous. “Nothing of the sort. Like I said, simple repair magic.”
Donnie’s gaze focuses on Hakeem, who hasn’t backed away, body frozen in place. “Oh, don’t be shy, I won’t tell. Maybe we can discuss more over drinks later?” He reaches out, grabbing Hakeem’s wrist and pulling him closer to the counter.
Hakeem searches for Charlie, frantic. He remembers they went to the back to restock after the rush.
Hakeem tries to move but can’t, something is actually wrong. He goes to call Charlie over, his voice barely coming out as a whisper. He turns back to Donnie, to scold this unwanted contact and demand he back off, when his heart drops at what he notices.
It’s the faintest moment, a wave of black washes over Donnie’s eyes. He knows what that implies, Hakeem had come across similar cases in years of study.
He had seen it in his worst nightmares.
Donnie sold his soul to a demonic entity, he’s a cultist. A cultist in the heart of Solomon City, who had seen Hakeem grant a wish.
Hakeem pieces it together in an instant, the air is laced with magic. He can see the spell’s composition as soon as he becomes aware it has been cast. A dangerous spell to turn people’s attention away, to hide in plain sight.
Hakeem is winded from the rush, unable to still his mind filled with panic to think of a spell to get Donnie away from him.
What was going to happen? Would he be forced to agree to meet Donnie later?
Be dragged out now? What would happen when he discovers Hakeem could only grant simple wishes.
. The espresso machine took a little more mana than Hakeem thought it would.
Charlie would never forgive themselves if they knew the wish might lead to this.
Hakeem wants to wait for Charlie, hoping the spell Donnie used to hide in plain sight wouldn’t work to keep Charlie from seeing Hakeem’s wrist clenched in Donnie’s hand.
He can see the aggravation crawling up Donnie’s face, did he have that much time to spare?
A single thought echoes through the chaos of Hakeem’s mind.
“Help me, please. Eddie. Jackson.”
The door to the cafe opens as someone walks in. “I should attend to the other customers. Please let go, sir.” Hakeem’s voice is a whisper from the effect of the spell, his heart racing with anxiety.
Donnie’s smile turns wicked, his voice dark and cruel. “Now, I don’t believe we are done yet, djinn. I’m sure we have a lot more to discuss.”