“Salasil’’
Tendrils of shadow spring forward, then veer of course. They don’t head to the doll. Jackson watches in shock as the bindings head towards Eddie.
Eddie becomes wrapped in chains of shadow, arms and legs bound as he falls off the stool onto his ass. He lands with a thump, the air pushed out of him. “Ow. I’m okay.”
Jackson jumps to his feet and rushes to Eddie’s side on the floor. “Eddie, dude, I am so sorry. I don’t know what … Hakeem, I was doing so well, what happened?”
Hakeem has his hand over his mouth, stifling a gasp. His eyes wide and it seems the wooden doll was attempting to copy his expression. Hakeem dispels the animation spell with a wave of this wand, the doll flopping onto the counter. “I-I-I don’t know. I still haven’t had a chance to figure out what triggers these reactions. Eddie, are you okay?”
Eddie accepts Jackson’s help into a sitting position. “Yup, more shocked than hurt. My ass broke my fall.” He chuckles warmly at his roommates.
Jackson tries to pry the chains off to no avail. “Hakeem, I can’t get it to dispel, what do we do?”
Jackson is panicking. Hakeem is thinking. Eddie sits on the floor, arms and legs bound together, waiting patiently to be released.
The chains of shadow wrap around Eddie’s chest and arms in a way that makes his muscle bulge out. The way they wrap around his thighs showed off their thickness. It doesn’t help that Eddie is still in his running outfit, a tight black top and running shorts. If Jackson wasn’t panicking he would be red in the face looking at the scene before him.
Hakeem walks over, wand placed to the side. “I have an idea, if your magic doesn’t want to listen then let’s try coaxing it the same way I did when we first met.”
Hakeem offers Jackson a reassuring smile and asks for some space. Jackson backs off and Hakeem turns his attention to the bound Eddie. “Just stay still, Eddie, this shouldn’t hurt but might tingle.”
Eddie looks at Hakeem head on and smiles wide, it reaches his deep ocean blue eyes, crinkly slightly. “I trust you, do what you need to.”
Hakeem grabs one of the chains, he lets his own energy flow into them. The chains go from black shadows, to forest green, then they melt into a soft silvery glow in his hands. The mana in the spell responds to Hakeem’s touch, falling apart in his hands. Eddie stands up and stretches his unbound limbs, muscles flexing in his workout clothes. “See? Not a scratch. Did tingle though.”
Hakeem is relieved and needs a moment to rest, settling on the couch. Jackson shyly walks over to Eddie, hand rubbing the back of his neck. “Edmund, I’m sorry. I’m glad you’re okay but I just do-”
A strong pat on the back interrupts Jackson. Eddie beams at him, white teeth on full display. “I told you no worries, bud. No use in worrying when no one got hurt. We’re all still learning.”
He levels his gaze of ocean blue to Jackson’s forest green. “Seriously I’m okay. And I know you’ll get the hang of it some day. Also, didn’t I say to call me Eddie?”
Jackson chuckles dryly, happy everyone’s alright, grateful for their patience.
“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Eddie.”
“Anytime, Jackson.”
Chapter 13
Another two weeks pass in a blur of classes, shifts at work, mounds of paperwork and a couple more practice runs at spells. Hakeem had tasked Jackson with practicing the same simple spells from the weeks prior. Simple hand gestures, one word commands, until he could produce the same results over multiple consecutive attempts. Hakeem told him the best way to improve was to practice the basics beyond the point of tedious redundancy. When the basics were as close to mastered as they could, only then would Hakeem coach Jackson through more simple incantation spells.
Years of tutors and failures aside, whatever Hakeem was doing with Jackson seemed to be working. Jackson enjoyed the days in which Eddie would join him for practice. They both came from such prominent families yet struggled in such simple aspects of magic, in a world filled with it. Hakeem never shamed either of them for the pace at which they learned or improved. As stern as he was in the newly dubbed ‘Teacher Mode’, he was equally as patient.
Especially considering the mishap that ended with him and Eddie stuck to the ceiling wrapped in conjured vines. A story he hopes to never bring up again. (Note: Do Not touch a mage’s grimoire without proper supervision.)
Eddie found the whole scenario hilarious, Jacksondid not.Well…maybe a little.
As another Friday comes to an end Jackson is roused from his focus on the papers in front of him by five quick knocks on his office door. He was finishing work at the downtown office when Wendy appeared at his office’s threshold, holding a rather large ornate box. “Sorry to intrude, Jackson, this came for you from the office of Mrs. Lee’s attorney.”
Wendy makes her way over with the box and gingerly places it on Jackson’s desk. It’s roughly the size of a milk crate, made of dark wood with a glossy finish. Carvings of constellations finished in a shiny silver coat decorate the box on all sides. It has no lock or latch, but the aura of a protection charm radiates around it. Jackson stands from his chair and examines the box more closely. “Thank you, Wendy, from Brenda’s attorney’s office you say? Anything else come with it?”
Wendy produces a small white envelope, sealed with red wax. Jackson recognizes the stamp on the crest, a flower with five thin pointed petals, a star that bloomed from the earth. Brenda’s favorite. Wendy hands the envelope to Jackson who takes it with a limp hand and a sigh, he can’t imagine what other surprise his old friend had planned from beyond the grave.
“So, care to join me in uncovering this mystery in my office or do you prefer to snoop from outside my door.” He goes to open the letter as he addresses Wendy, who is trying and failing to hide her unbound curiosity.
Wendy scoffs in mock offense, “How very dare you, sir! I am a professional in this office.” She says, as she takes her place by his shoulder, looking to catch a glimpse of what the letter entails. Jackson can’t help the roll of his eyes, the slightest smirk on his face, as he breaks open the wax seal and reads the enclosed letter aloud.
“Dearest Jackie,
