Page 38 of Jade Lion and the Witch Boy
“But I can’t complain about free food,” Anika says.
We eat quietly, and I’m loving the spice mixture on the french fries. It’s Cajun, not too salty, with heat and sweetness. “Is it to your liking?” Kai asks me quietly.
I nod and smile. “It’s amazing. How’d you know about this recipe?”
He shrugs. “I read about Mexican-style American food. I knew how fond you were of these potato sticks.”
He did all this for me? His thoughtfulness warms my soul. “Well, I thank you, sir,” I reply.
Before I do something absurd like kiss him in front of everyone, I scoot away and turn my attention back to the food. Lisbeth is studying us, and I know we could be more subtle. I don’t think I’m ready for the whole coven to know that Kai and I are…something. But there have been many developments, and I need to share with my witchy family.
“So, how was last night?” Lisbeth asks.
“It was…informative.” I turn to Kai and silently ask him with my eyes if I can keep going.
“Yes,” he says, gazing at me. “I regained all my memories.”
“Really?” Taina asks.
“That’s wonderful,” Lisbeth adds.
“Yes.” I clear my throat and steel myself to tell the truth. “We…discovered something new. Something huge here in Cosmo.”
The ladies pause and study me. “We were approached by a wizard,” I say.
“What?” Lisbeth asks, in shock.
For the next five minutes, I describe our experience with the Union of Mages. I explain how wizards have a base across town, and that they use geo arcanum and portals to protect the world from dark forces like the Other Side. The ladies don’t interrupt, and hopefully they understand the gravity of the magical subculture we’ve uncovered.
“Wow,” Anika says, taking it all in.
“I’ve never met wizards before,” Taina says, aimlessly toying with a french fry.
“That’s because wizards are awful,” Lisbeth mutters in a spiteful tone.
“I told you there was a portal here in Cosmo,” Ashley says to Lisbeth. “I’ve been tracking wizards my whole life. My ancestors had run-ins with them.” Ashley frowns and stares at her meal. “And they shunned witches. We get burned at the stake, and they get their mansions and wealth.”
My face softens in sympathy. As the shyest of the bunch, Ashley hasn’t shared with me her sordid past with wizards. And now I’m here bringing up old wounds over burgers and fries.
“Are you sure they weren’t just really wealthy witches?” Anika asks.
“I assure you, they were wizards.” Kai’s voice is deep, serious, and leaves no room for disagreement.
I nod and continue, “Luther asked us—well, asked Kai—to join the Union. We haven’t given him an answer, but…”
“I will not join a group that would exclude witches. You are my friends,” he says, decisively.
I beam at him, and my cheeks warm. His loyalty to us makes him extra sexy.
Lisbeth’s eyes dart between us, and she almost looks panicked. “I had heard rumors of a portable resource of magic.”
“The geo arcanum,” Ashley adds. “The very rock that grants wizards their weaponized sorcery.”
Anika sits back and sighs. “They’ve hidden themselves well. And those selfish bastards wouldn’t even talk to us or share their wealth and knowledge.” She wrings her hands together and looks away. “Wizards hate witches, a tale as old as time.”
“They’re awful,” Ashley says in a dejected tone. “The worst.”
I shrug. “Maybe. But they are fighting against the Other Side, remember?”
