Page 30 of Mystery of Magic

CHAPTER 13

Daryn led me from Kenji’s suite. He had thanked the Imp, and Indy and Kaine had agreed to stay for tea and planned to meet us in the cafeteria for pizza. The smell of melting cheese and fresh bread wafted down the hallway as we approached.

As Daryn and I entered the hunter cafeteria, the buzz of activity greeted us like an old friend. The dimly-lit room was filled with the comforting aroma of camaraderie and late-night sustenance. Many of the food stations had already closed for the night, but the promise of a slice of pizza beckoned me as I inhaled deeply.

The cafeteria was a place of respite and connection, where weary hunters gathered to refuel their bodies and spirits after long hours of battling the supernatural. It was a space where laughter and shared stories mingled with the clinking of cutlery and the soft hum of conversations.

Daryn and I made our way to the pizza station, joining a small line of fellow hunters who shared our late-night craving. The three hunters ahead of us exchanged tired but content smiles, asilent acknowledgment of the unspoken bond that bound us all together.

I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Daryn as we waited. His rugged features and determined eyes told a story of countless battles fought and won. His presence beside me was a source of comfort and strength, a reminder that I was never alone in this world of shadows and mysteries.

As we received our slices of pizza, I couldn’t help but appreciate the simple pleasures that came with being part of this extraordinary hunter base. We weren’t just warriors; we were a family, brought together by a shared purpose and an unwavering commitment to protect the world from the supernatural threats that lurked in the shadows.

Daryn and I found an empty table, and as we sat down, I savored the taste of the pizza. It was more than just a meal; it was a moment of respite, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still room for laughter, connection, and the simple joy of good food in the company of those who understood the weight of our responsibilities.

I was already inhaling my second slice when I noticed Kaine and Indy in line. They grabbed their pizza and a couple of sodas before joining us at the table. A minute later, Cipher did the same, but there was still an awkward silence when he sat down.

Kaine chatted with Cipher in a show of camaraderie, but Daryn and I exchanged a worried look. Indy still hadn’t forgiven the talented hunter for the events surrounding Rose.

Daryn placed his pizza crust on the plate. “I want to check on Caleb. Lochlan wants to start some training runs. While the demons seem to be avoiding us, I don’t want to take any chances. We need to be sure he has Sphinx under control and can maintain a simple glamor spell to shroud her presence when the squad is in public.”

I wiped a few crumbs from my lips with a napkin. “I wouldlike to see him, anyway. Why does he need a glamor spell when she is in her domestic form?”

Daryn stood. “I will explain on the way out. It’s late and we always do these runs when the mundanes are asleep. Most of them, anyway.”

Indy stood. “I will come too. Sphinx is unique and I like watching her development.”

Daryn nodded as he grabbed my plate and placed it on the tray. We deposited our empties on the cleaning station and proceeded toward the entrance.

“What about that glamor spell?”

Daryn opened the door for me and Indy. “While Sphinx’s domestic form is natural in the mundane world, it is unusual to see a military man with a cat on his shoulders. It would attract unwanted attention.”

I pursed my lips. “Yeah, I guess it would.”

Lochlan was standing by the flagpole while Caleb’s squad stood in front of him. They all focused on the master and hung on his every word.

Caleb had his arms crossed and Sphinx sat by his feet, cleaning her paws as if she were about to take a nap. Lochlan made a motion with his hand and the squad broke into a run behind him.

“Where are they going?”

“The training course. It’s close to the perimeter half a mile away. Are you up for a short jog?”

“Sure.” We began to jog a ways behind the squad, but stopped when they did.

As I approached the field, my heart raced with anticipation. The young hunters’ training course lay before me, a rugged landscape of challenge and adventure. It was a sight to behold, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement, even though I wouldn’t be participating today.

The course was a testament to the determination and creativity of those who had set it up. Towering wooden climbing walls stood at its center, their rough-hewn surfaces inviting the young to conquer their fears. Each rung and crevice was a test of a hunter’s resolve, a reminder that we were a family and every obstacle could be overcome together.

But there was more to this course than climbing walls. Scattered throughout were various other obstacles, each designed to push a hunter to his or her limits. There were narrow balance beams suspended over water-filled pits, each demanding agility and concentration. Tire hurdles challenged both strength and endurance. And ropes courses, high above the ground, tested bravery and trust in both ourselves and our team.

Lochlan made a motion with his hand and the squad split into two rows. Caleb and Thule took their stance at the starting point and when Lochlan lowered his hand, they bolted for the course.

Caleb and Thule reached the first climbing apparatus at the same time, and Sphinx ran behind him.

I clapped when Caleb reached the top, but my excitement turned to concern when Sphinx stopped and began to hiss. Her form bulked out and her beast form emerged, forcing Caleb to stop.

He cursed under his breath right before a ripple formed in the air before him.

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