I punched a hole through the spell so I could cross the threshold, the world snapping back to its normal appearance. Once I crossed through, the hole winked out, the spell weaving itself back together.
“Wow.” Sebastian narrowed his eyes at the spot I’d jogged through. “That’s incredibly advanced, being able to walk through a spell like this without tearing it down. Not many in the world would be able to do it. I didn’t expect it with the rudimentary spell you’d erected.”
“Let’s just quiet things down.” I made a sign like pushing down the air. “Not everyone knows I’m magical around here.”
He frowned. “That’s your son, though, right? He looks like you.”
I didn’t comment.
Apparently I didn’t need to.
“How can you have this much magic without him knowing about it? Without him having some too?” he asked.
“Niamh will explain my situation. Keep your voice down, if you would.” I marveled at the way he’d changed the spell. His side was no longer a mirror: I could see Ivy House, only Jimmy’s car wasn’t parked in the driveway and there was no sign of anyone in the doorway of the house. It looked as though Jimmy hadn’t come at all and we’d all gone inside. “The work you did on that spell is amazing. How can you fix someone else’s spell?”
He scratched his head, making another patch of hair stand on end. “I have a lot of power, and figuring out spells and duplicating them is kind of a hobby of mine. Patching up or fixing spells that have already been realized is in my wheelhouse.”
“Can a lot of mages do that?”
“No. That’s why I get paid so well. And why…whatever this is probably won’t work out. I mean, from the summons I got the sense I’m supposed to train you or something, but…” He shrugged. “Like I said, I have a job.”
“If it is just the money you’re worried about, that’s no problem.” I blew out a breath, really wishing I could have him walk me through how he’d fixed my spell. Jimmy was waiting, though. “Listen, will you just hang around this evening long enough for me to meet up with you? After I get my houseguest settled, I’ll head around to the bar. Please?”
Niamh stepped out of her house as the man’s gaze rooted to mine, reading me. Or maybe reading the situation.
“Okay.” He shrugged, still seeming so uninterested. Aloof. “I took a week off anyway, so I don’t have to hurry back.”
I had a week to determine if I could trust him, a week to win him to my side. The fact that he’d created a potion that hid him from Ivy House without making him glow like he was radioactive was eyebrow-raising, because even Elliot Graves, one of the most powerful mages in the world, hadn’t pulled that off. But transforming my spell into something infinitely better? This guy could be my salvation. Austin could drag out my magic, Edgar could point me in the right direction, and this guy could help me hone my craft.
I couldn’t help smiling at the thought. “I’ll connect with you later. Get some food or whatever you want. I’ll see you.”
As Niamh stepped down to him, I waved and jogged back to the house. I punched a hole in the spell and saw everyone still on the porch, Jasper and Ulric included. Edgar had joined them.
I really hoped it worked out with Sebastian. He’d give me the edge I needed to survive this crazy magical world. An edge I’d likely need once his obviously rich and probably high-powered boss found out I’d stolen his star employee.
Five
“The cape is dope, bro.” Jimmy was sitting at the kitchen island, eating an apple while Mr. Tom made him sandwiches. He’d gravitated straight toward the kitchen. “Sometimes you just gotta let your freak flag fly. At your age, you’ve earned it.”
“Yes, fantastic. Thank you for the vote of confidence,” Mr. Tom said dryly.
“It isn’t a cape,” I said. My stomach twisted as I stood at the corner of the island.
I’d decided before Jimmy had gotten here that I’d immediately tell him about the magic. There was no point in the house playing mind games with him like it had with my parents, or with me trying to hide the nature of the mage that had just shown up at the door. I’d have to tell Jimmy about the magic eventually—my parents had proven that—so I might as well do it while he was tired from his already long day. He’d be less inclined to want to leave.
I hoped he didn’t assume I’d gone crazy and immediately run for the door…
“They are wings,” I said. “In his other form, they are wings, and when he’s in this form—his human form—they look like that. Like a cape.”
There were probably better ways to break it to him, though.
Jimmy snorted. “Like a gargoyle?”
Mr. Tom twisted to look back at him. He didn’t say a word as he returned his focus to the sandwiches, leaving this to me.
“What do you know about gargoyles?” I leaned over the island.
“Remember that old cartoon? And come on…” He rolled his eyes. “How many movies have gargoyles with a cape that’s supposed to be their wings? I’ve seen it in anime, too. You’d think someone would have an original thought. I mean, no offense, bro. If you’re going to do cosplay, you kinda gotta go with what’s established, right?”
“Only in the realm of make-believe does one require original thoughts.” Mr. Tom set a plate down on the island, the porcelain clinking. “Would you like some chips? Tea?”
“Do you have Coke?” Jimmy asked.
“Yes, sadly. It will rot your teeth, but I did pick some up.” Mr. Tom turned toward the fridge.
I clasped my hands as Jimmy took a much-too-large bite of the sandwich, filling his cheeks to the extent that he could barely close his mouth. He’d relaxed a few of his manners at college, that was clear.
“So…there’ve been some changes with me,” I started. “It all started with this house…”
“I know.” He struggled to swallow before taking a sip of the freshly opened can of Coke to wash it down. “You look really good, Mom. You finally had time to exercise and stuff, huh? You always wanted to get in shape.”
“I wanted to be in shape, not get in shape, but…no. This house—”
“This house is rad. It’s creepy as hell.” He bobbed his head as he looked around. “It’s huge.”
“I’ll leave you to it.” Mr. Tom finished washing up. “I assume I will stay behind to watch the young master when you visit the bar?”
Jimmy’s eyes rounded, but he didn’t comment. There was no telling what, precisely, he was reacting to.
“Yes, if you don’t mind. The others are already there, not to mention Austin.” Anger flash-boiled my blood. I pushed it aside. “I’ll have plenty of cover.”
“Of course.” Mr. Tom walked from the room with a straight back, raised nose, and grossly overdone stuffy English butler vibe. He did like to put on a show.
“You have your own butler?” Jimmy asked with a grin, his right cheek puffed out with food. “That is so fucking awesome.”