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 theyknew 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.”
Chapter 16
Eddie and Wendy chat idly as they walk to ‘Shape of Brew’. It’s a short walk from the gym, about five minutes up the road. Eddie stops abruptly, a dreadful feeling flooding his chest all at once. He grabs his shirt, knuckles turning white as he clenches the fabric, his knees buckling. Wendy turns to face him, concern overcoming her soft features. “Eddie? Oh my gods, Eddie!” She rushes to his side, placing a small hand on his broad back. “Eddie, talk to me. Is it an injury from earlier? Do you need an ambulance?”
Eddie breathes heavily, his foggy breath surrounding him in an ominous mist. Wendy backs away, a sense of dread washing over her. “Eddie?”
He slowly glances up to face her, his eyes filled with a burning blue glow, voice rough. “Something’s wrong.” His jaw clenches, his shoulders tense. He sprints forward, barely avoiding Wendy. “Something’s wrong at the cafe, I’m going ahead!” He calls over his shoulder, leaving Wendy standing on the sidewalk in her winter coat, confused.
“Wha- Eddie, hold on I’m coming!” She runs after him.
Eddie bursts into the cafe, Wendy panting behind him. “Gods, Eddie, what was all that?” He doesn’t reply, instead searches the cafe. The patrons stare at the large man who bursts in, breathing heavily, sweat across his brow and eyes a burning blue glow.
All focus is on him, except that of two people. Hakeem’s and someonewho has him by the wrist.
No one else seems to notice the scene, not even Wendy. Eddie doesn’t spot Charlie’s blue and blond hair, but he sees the panic on Hakeem’s face. He can hardly hear them, but senses Hakeem’s discomfort. Eddie hates the look the guy holding his wrist is giving him. His teeth bare, jaw clenching. His heart thunders in his chest, blood roaring in his ears. Nails dig into his palm, knuckles paling under the pressure. A twisted feeling stirs from his core, a single thought echoing through his mind.
Mine!
A burst of magic erupts from Eddie, a wave of ocean blue washing over everyone in the café. The mystery man and Hakeem don’t seem to notice, but everyone else gazes at Eddie speechless, fear paralyzing them.
Wendy watches Eddie stomp towards the counter, where she didn’t notice Hakeem had been.She can do nothing but watch, pinned in place by an overwhelming pressure. Eddie reaches the counter, the guy holding onto Hakeem doesn’t notice as Eddie’s burning stare lands on the back of his head.
* * *
“Please let go, I’m not interested.” Hakeem’s voice is weak, his eyes glossing over with tears, at risk of spilling out. These type of things weren’t meant to happen in broad daylight. Cultists didn’t dare roam so openly in Solomon City, is this guy working alone? What was going to happen? Why couldn’t he think of a single spell?
Do something, anything!
“Oh come on now, Hakeem,” His name sounds venomous coming out of Donnie’s mouth, he flinches at hearing it. “I really wish you would give me a chance.”
A large hand lands on Donnie’s shoulder, a vice grip digging into the bone. He swears and drops Hakeem’s wrist in pain. Hakeem clutches his hand close to his chest, away from the cultist’s reach. He looks up to see Eddie, noticing something different. His eyes are burning with mana,ocean blue flames filled with rage. “He said he wasn’t interested.” Eddie’s voice is low and resonant with power. “So back, the fuck, off.” Each word a command, unbridled anger sending waves of fear through Donnie from where he held onto his shoulder still.
Donnie’s face twists into a mask of horror, the spell cast around the cafe dissipating as his focus wavers. He can’t say anything, unable to turn his head, frozen in place. Relief floods Hakeem’s entire body. Where others could only stand and watch, their bodies betraying them in the wake of Eddie’s rage, Hakeem is able to let a single word escape his lips.
“Eddie.”
