Chapter 33 #3
Before the claw strikes down, tendrils of shadow wrap around the wolf’s wrist. Hakeem squints his eyes towards their point of origin, barely making out the blurred, handsome outline of Jackson back on his feet.
A shadow returns his glasses to his face as Jackson cries out, forcibly pulling the ramping beast off the ground towards him.
“Just a little more, we won’t let you hurt anyone! ”
The beast scrambles midair, landing on his hind legs and pouncing towards Jackson with supernatural force. Before either man could react, the beast barrels into Jackson, throwing them both off the cliff’s edge.
“NO!” Hakeem cries out, hand outreached towards the falling figures. He scrambles to his feet, pushing through every ache and bruise. Tears break free as he collapses at the edge of the cliff, his hand still reaching out in vain, “no.”
Hakeem pounds his fist into the soil, knuckles white around the grip of the wand.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. They just needed to wear Eddie’s wolf out.
He would change back, they would be exhausted, but they would be safe and together.
Jackson and Eddie are strong, they could probably survive things Hakeem would never dare attempt, but they were both worn out and the cliff was so steep and high up.
He has to help them, get them to safety.
He needs to think of a spell, of all the spells he knew there had to be at least one.
Why can’t he think of a single one?
He should know what to do. All the years of study and research. Does he truly have no way to reach them down there?
Tears stream down his cheeks, a silent sob of frustration shaking through his body.
He feels his magic growing distant, body beginning to succumb to pain and exhaustion.
Could he even make it back to the manor to get help?
Was Eddie’s wolf even done rampaging? Was he forced to sit here and wait for the group back in the manor to regain their strength and find them?
Was he truly this powerless on his own?
All these questions burn through his mind. He wishes with all his heart he could help his boyfriends himself.
A bitter laugh escapes him through the tears. What good would a wish do him? His magic was made to serve and he couldn’t even do that alone in the woods. His legs weigh a ton, limbs limp, devoid of all strength. He is truly nothing without them.
Remember your birthright, my child.
Hakeem snaps to attention, aching neck on a swivel to locate the source of the voice. He’s alone, but he knew he heard someone speak clearly to him. Was exhaustion driving him mad? “My…birthright,” he repeats the words in a whisper, his mind scrambling for an answer hidden within them.
“You are born of a djinn, a god of magic chained into servitude.”
Lady Eloise’s words from the spring solstice ring through his mind. He has the magic of the djinn coursing through his blood, his soul free of the bindings that held his father. His turn towards the clear night sky, the stars seem to shine brighter under his gaze.
Hakeem steels his resolve, forcing his legs to right himself, willing strength to return to his grip.
He scrambles a few feet back from the cliff’s edge, arm shaking as he raises his wand to the sky.
He is covered in cuts, bruises and dirt, body screaming in protest to the movement.
He powers through it all, gathering every drop of mana that still coursed through him.
The stars seem to flicker in anticipation.
Hakeem’s lips quiver as his mind races. This has to work, this has to bring them back to him. They would be okay, they have to be. If he can’t think of a spell he’ll let instinct guide him. He brushes away tears and clenches his jaw as he channels all his magic into this one spell.
“Nyx, primordial mother of the night. As your star walking amongst the earth I beseech thee. Grant me my birthright and open the heavens to me.”
The moon seems to shine brighter in the night sky, the stars twinkling as though applauding. A spell circle of shining silver constructs itself under Hakeem’s feet. An intricate web of lines and runes etching itself into the ground on the cliff’s edge.
“I call upon you, majestic beast of the stars. Tear yourself free from the sky and spread your wings across this world.”
The circle radiates power as silver sparks spread across Hakeem’s body.
He holds his arm up with his free hand, muscles threatening to give way.
He whispers a wish under his breath, willing the stars to hear his heart’s prayer.
“Bring them back to me.” He strikes his wand down, screaming out the last part of the incantation as his body feels torn apart by the magic.
“CYGNUS!”
The world falls silent as Hakeem collapses to his knees, steam rising from his grip around the wand, hand losing its hold, a scar burned into his palm.
His breath comes in tatters as his chest heaves.
His vision blurs behind his glasses, the spell circle fading from below him.
His voice cracks as the tears return and the world remains silent. “Please.”
A pillar of light erupts before him. The light shoots down from the heavens towards the spot where Jackson and Eddie fell. A mighty sound echoes through the night piercing through the deafening stillness. Hakeem holds his breath as the sound reaches his ears, a glorious…honk?
The winds pick up, picking up all the loose dust and debris in the area. Hakeem braces against the wind. He turns his head to risk a peek, a soft gasp escaping him at the sight.
Over the cliff’s edge, a shining figure elegantly flaps its wings as it flies higher.
A body of silvery stars, an overwhelming aura, elegant frame and strong wings rise over the edge, before landing before him.
A giant swan sings a song of victory as it appears before Hakeem.
His attention snaps to the figure riding the swan’s neck accompanied by a ball of shadows.
Jackson is covered in dirt and leaves, body and face littered with cuts and bruises slowly healing.
He winks and offers a rakish grin, “Hello, my love. Thanks for the lift.” Jackson slides off the celestial bird’s wing, the ball of shadows close by.
The shadows disperse, uncovering the limp form of a white furred werewolf.
The swan unfurls its wings, a glorious cry ringing through the air. Its silvery eyes meet Hakeem’s, he swears it offers a bow of its head before it flies up towards the starry sky, disappearing in a flash of light.
Jackson reaches out to Hakeem, collecting the mage in his arms. “Ow,” squeaks Hakeem.
Jackson flinches away, “Sorry.”
Hakeem smiles weakly at him, “I’m fine. Just sore.” His head turns to the wolf, his brows furrowed in concern. “Is Eddie-is he?”
Tears threaten to spill once more before Jackson wipes Hakeem’s eyes. “Hey, no, he’s okay. The scrimmage on the way down and the fall knocked him out. I’m lucky I had my fill today. My magic healed me up and left me conscious, barely.”
Hakeem falls into Jackson’s arms, burying his face in the elf’s ruined shirt, clutching desperately at the fabric. “I’m sorry. I was just in the way, maybe I should’ve stayed behind.”
Jackson shushes him, wrapping his arms around him and placing a gentle kiss on his head.
“None of that. I couldn’t overpower Eddie’s wolf.
We out maneuvered him the best we could, together.
And you got us back up here after we fell off the cliff.
Why is there always a cliff during these types of things? ”
Hakeem chuckles weakly, “The universe has a twisted sense of humor, that’s why.”
The werewolf groans beside them, a familiar voice following. “Jack-son. Ha-keem.”
The boys turn towards the weak voice, shouting out in unison, “Eddie!”
Jackson helps Hakeem towards Eddie, one man on either side of the whimpering beast.
“I’m-sorry. I-couldn’t-control-it.” Eddie’s voice is clipped, tears filling his ocean blue eyes, no longer looking soulless and empty.
Jackson strokes Eddie’s fur, voice soft and tender. “Hey now, it’s alright, my darling. We got you back now, that’s all that matters.”
Hakeem cups Eddie’s cheek, turning his snout towards him. A relieved smile fills his cheeks, “Jackson is right. We’re sorry we were so rough with you. We had to tire your wolf out.”
Tears roll down Eddie’s cheek as both boys move in closer. “I’m supposed to protect you two. I put everyone in danger. I don’t deserve you.” His voice hitches as he notices the bruises on Hakeem’s arms, the dark circles under Jackson’s eyes from overuse of magic and the dirt covering both of them.
Hakeem and Jackson rest their heads on Eddie’s chest, even after all that fighting his fur is so plush. “I will never judge you for losing control, it would make me the realm’s biggest hypocrite. You had no way of knowing the power you would awaken,” says Jackson.
“It will only get easier from here, you have so many people willing to support you through the next steps,” whispers Hakeem.
They nuzzle in closer as they feel Eddie’s form begin to shrink as he changes back. Their heads now lay on a bare chest, with a tattered shirt hanging off hard muscle. Even Eddie’s pants are half torn, it seems his werewolf form was too much even for LaLune brand enchanted clothing.
Eddie wraps his sore arms around his boyfriends, sniffing as tears roll across his muddied cheeks. “I’m sorry I scared you both. I’m sorry I pushed you both so far. Thank you for stopping me, for keeping me from hurting anyone else. I will spend my whole life making it up to you two.”
Hakeem sniffs back his own tears, “You were always there for us, Eddie.”
“It was our turn to be there for you,” continues Jackson, fondly.
Eddie can’t hold back a sob as pain and relief flood through his body, “I love you both so much.”
Hakeem and Jackson smile the widest smiles their aching bodies would allow. “We love you too,” they say in unison.
Hakeem’s eyes go glossy as he hiccups. “Uh ohs. Me thinks my mana use was a liiiiiitle too much,” he giggles against Eddie’s chest.
Jackson sighs fondly, “It’s no shock. Your body may have gotten used to using more mana, but tonight was especially trying.”
At that moment, Eddie tightens his hold on them both and chuckles, a bit too manically for Jackson’s comfort. “Darling?”
Eddie words slur as he replies, “I feel weird, guys.”
Jackson rolls his eyes as he hits his forehead against Eddie’s chest; who nuzzles into his dark hair. “Of course. Your body is used to physical exertion, not overwhelming mana.”
Eddie and Hakeem let loose mana drunk giggles as they lay on the ground, bodies left immobile from exhaustion.
Jackson’s ear catches a voice in the distance, his father’s. “Father! Over here. We’re okay but cannot move right now.”
His father and mother, accompanied by Christopher LaLune, emerge from the tree line. “Boys!” They all exclaim.
“Okaaaaay, Eddie is half naked,” Joseph turns his head as he realizes Eddie’s clothes are in tatters.
Christopher produces a towel and drapes it over his son as Annabella and Joseph help Jackson and Hakeem up. “Guess our research team has to look into Alpha strength enchantments for Eddie.”
“Alpha?”Asks Jackson. That’s when it clicks. The overwhelming power, the paralyzing fear, Eddie is the-
“Lycan! Correctamundo! Our super amazing and awesome Eddie is the Alpha werewolf of legend,” says Hakeem matter of factly with a giggle as he falls limp in Annabella’s hold.
Joseph regards him with concern as he wraps an arm around Jackson’s waist to support his son. “What’s with Hakeem?”
Annabella chuckles as she adjusts the loopy mage in her hold. “Mana drunk. His body isn’t used to the amount of mana he used. With Jackson as his nearly endless supply, it’s not a surprise.”
“Jackson is amazing like that too. I have two amazing boyfriends that I love so very very very…uh, what’s the word?”Asks Hakeem.
“Much?” Offers Christopher as he leads his son towards the manor.
“Yeah!” Exclaims Hakeem triumphantly.
As the boys are led slowly back to the manor, Jackson’s eyes lock with Eddie’s for the first time since the man changed back.
A feeling erupts in his heart, an answer ringing clear in his mind that connects all the pieces of the puzzle together.
He smiles to himself at the long awaited realization. “Of course it’s you.”