Seb hollers that dinner is ready, so I shut off my game and head to the kitchen. My date and my fate are both sealed this weekend. For all I know, we might not click in real life, and we’re back to being online buddies only. I do love the comfort zone. So we’re both gay; it doesn’t mean he’s gonna be attracted to me. He’s only going to see my silhouette for crying out loud.
But what if he wants to hold hands? Or kiss…?
When I make it to the table, Seb is waiting for me. He’s putting out empty plates, and I’m still not used to the whole “conjuring meals” business. My folks only did it on rare occasions when the moon was full and the rest of their coven was around. Now Kai conjures for us every night. My ancestor should be coming home soon.
“Feel the sparks?” Seb asks.
“What?!” I yelp in my seat.
His brow furrows, and he continues, “Sparks of magic.”
“Oh.” I relax and recall that no one knows Speakeasy exists. “None.”
“That’s very strange. You and Loxley were on fire last week. Literally.” Seb snickers and leans on the table.
Grimacing, I squeeze my tail with my fingers. “It was…the full moon, I think.”
“But in daylight?” Seb asks.
I shrug as Kai arrives. “Hello, my love.” He strides in and immediately kisses Seb, hard. My gaze darts away as they all but make out. Even if Kai weren’t my distant relative, living with perpetual honeymoon mages isn’t my idea of a vacation.
“How was the Union?” Seb asks.
“There is always another crisis with the agents of SPELL,” Kai replies with a smile. “You haven’t conjured food yet?”
“I was trying to get the Ruby Turtle over here to do it.”
They smile at me, and, despite not wanting to mess around with spellcasting, I raise my hands and focus on magic. Try as I might, no energy comes out. When Loxley’s pretty face surfaces in my memory, the slightest spark leaves my fingers.
I frown, but Seb chuckles. “Hey, that’s a start!”
It only worked because I focused on the one guy I’m trying to avoid. What is it about Loxley that makes wild magic manifest from the turtle within me?
Kai smiles and waves his hands. In moments, Cantonese cuisine appears, crispy noodles topped with seafood. “You will get there,” Kai says in his calm, British accent. “You have a great destiny, after all.”
We proceed to dig in. “You two have a great destiny. I’m still a mediocre mage.”
“You are not!” Seb argues. “You just need to practice. How about this Saturday, we meet up with the rest of Boysen House?”
The mere thought of Loxley, with his adorable wavy hair, makes my tail wag. I force it down and remember that I have a sort of blind date. Like all antisocial folks, I need to preparemyself all morning for a nighttime obligation. “I…can’t this weekend.”
“Why not? I thought you didn’t have a job yet?” Seb asks with a mouth full of noodles.
“I’m busy. Uh, how are culinary school applications?”
“Ugh, don’t get me started,” Seb says. I very much want him to get started; anything to distract them from me. My little plan works, and the rest of supper is occupied with Seb talking about his culinary school prospects. The entire time, Kai gazes at him with fondness, occasionally replying and brushing his hand.
I want what they have so badly. But Kai can hold his human form indefinitely. What hope is there for me?
While Kai is showering, I help Seb with the dishes. He must notice how nervous I am because he studies me with concern. “Um, Gordy, is everything alright?”
I try to muster up my courage. I’ve never had to talk about crushes before, but Seb is the closest thing I have to a peer or friend. “I…have a question for you. A personal question.”
“Okay.” He shucks off his rubber gloves. “Shoot.”
“How did you…?” I put down the plate I was drying and stare out the kitchen window into the darkness. “How did you, like…get Kai to want to…” I clear my throat and lower my voice. “Date you?”
The expression on Seb’s face changes at least three different times in as many seconds. “Ah.”
