Page 51 of Handcuffs and Hexes

“Of course we’ve tried blocking it off, you sniveling sack o—”

Eugene elbowed him hard, then started talking over his partner loudly, listing all the things the EA and the police have done separately or in conjunction to contain or otherwise remove The Breach. As he did, I zoned out, my mind going to my personal troubles. Namely Hazel and Liam. Realizing how unfair I was being, I’d removed Liam’s barrier to Hazel shortly after he left the house yesterday.

Except, that wasn’t where he’d gone. He’d come home in the early hours of the morning smelling of booze and McDonald’s. Who the hell was he eating Mickey Dees with?

Ugh! I trusted him not to skip out on me, but I hated not knowing.

I didn’t know how to take rejection well. At least not from the people I actually cared about. Everyone else could take a hike. But Hazel? I actually cared about what she thought.

Was my little bit of deception with Chief Henderson a bad idea? Yes. That was uncalled for, but he was adamant that she’d lie toget back to work early, so I’d fudged it. I figured it would give us a few extra days. I didn’t want her to go yet.

I hadn’t actually planned to ask her to move in right away. Liam had jumped the gun on that one. But when she refused his offer to have her stay, it had hurt. Then she started going on about discretion and that had seemed like she was embarrassed to be seen with us. Except she was trying so hard not to say it. So I’d fished, even though I’d known that I wouldn’t like what I’d catch.

Of course, it’d be tough for her if they found out. I’d made sure of that by being the way I was. And I’d expected her to deal with that for me, after what? A little more than a week? After she’d already been plenty clear that this was supposed to be temporary?

For someone who fronts as nonchalant and unflappable, I sure had some deep-seated insecurities. The Breach and those stupid fucking dreams hadn’t helped. No matter how hard I tried to become more powerful, I was still human, and without proper sleep, my nerves were tattered and frayed.

Sybil’s knee hit mine hard under the table, bringing me back to the meeting I knew was crucial but didn’t have the energy for.

Palivius was looking at me expectantly. Shit. He’d asked me a question, hadn’t he?

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your question through the accent,” I said.

“I asked,” he repeated slowly like I was hard of intellect, “why have you not banished this ‘breach’ with your magic?” He rolled the R and made dramatic air quotes at the word breach.

Was this guy serious?

Instead of answering such a ridiculous question, I asked my own. “Have you been to the site?”

“I have flown over by helicopter.”

“So you understand that it’s the size of a major intersection, right? And we just told you that it’s impervious to wizardry.”

He waved his hand like it was no biggie. “This is an issue of skill.”

I couldn’t help but notice Nina’s eye roll. Yeah, this guy was annoying. But I was sure of myself enough not to react to his implication that I was unskilled. Let’s see him try if he was so good.

“Well, if you think you can do it, maybe we can take a trip out to the site, and you can give it a try.”

Yesss…come to me, Seth. You’re the one I want.

Keeping a straight face while the entity behind The Breach spoke in my head proved a hell of a lot harder than ignoring Palivius’s jab at my skills. Since Hazel had stormed out and Liam and I had our spat, the voice had gotten stronger and stronger, harder to ignore too.

Did it know that I felt alone? Was it trying to sneak in while I was weak?

I hummed a tune in my head, trying to block the words without using magic, lest those at the table realize what was happening. I wasn’t sure how they’d react if they knew. But this was why it was crucial that we took care of this problem now rather than later.

Sybil cleared her throat. “We have strict orders from the Dragon of Darlington not to approach it yet, remember? So Seth and I will need to stay here if you guys decide to go.”

I sent her a nod of thanks. I didn’t want to be anywhere near the thing if I didn’t have to. It was bad enough with it talking to me. Technically, the order had been for me only since Sybil was female, and so far, all the victims outside of the initial moment of the breach opening had been male.

Oblivious Palivius snorted. “Imagine being suppressed by a dragon. Pity.”

It was then decided that the others would take a quick trip down to The Breach while Sybil and I stayed back and awaited their return. Nina sent Sybil and me a look that clearly said she’d rather hang out with us but had to go.

“Want to go raid the cafeteria, Sethy boy?” Sybil asked when we were alone.

“Sure,” I said, ignoring the nickname.

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