8. A Dance of Blue & Violet

09.10.203 UI

Following his mother’s accident, Aaron had been required to attend therapy every other week. After a year of acceptable progress, the visits became monthly. Chief Bowen, however, had insisted on a mental health evaluation after reading his report, concerned due to the many, many holes in the story Aaron had pulled out of his ass. A story lacking a certain grouchy and downright sexy witch that now seemed to be living in his head rent-free.

If Morgan thought that little temper tantrum was enough to push him away, Aaron was going to show him that he could be just as stubborn. He had imagined meeting Etna’s leather-clad antihero so many times since the man suddenly appeared five years ago, but his fantasies could have never lived up to the real thing. Okay, there may have been kissing in his daydreams. Perhaps a bit more than kissing. And maybe Aaron had been the one to swoop in to save Morgan from a monstrous dragon that had escaped from a rift, sweeping him up in his arms as he showered Aaron with praise and admiration for how brave he had been.

He had not, however, dreamed up the scenario that Lexi had painted for him when she explained that Morgan had dropped his big, bad villain act at the mere sight of an old photo of him before racing across the city. He hadn’t pictured the protective way that Morgan had fought to keep him safe from those things in the underground, and Aaron never in his life would have imagined he would go as far as sharing his magic with him.

His musings hadn’t accounted for the strange sense of peace he felt in the presence of a man that most of the city only spoke of in whispers, nor the positively intoxicating scent of leather and lightning that filled that bastion of comfort. He had also failed to envision the way those fine hairs on that pearly, smooth skin gracefully encircled Morgan’s navel. Aaron flushed, recalling the way his eyes had drifted down the man’s body, making him lose his gods-damned mind when he should’ve been showing his gentlemanly side to someone that had just risked life and literal limb to save him.

Nice one, Jones. No wonder he threw you out.

“Mister Jones?”

“What?” Aaron sputtered, snapping back to the present, “Oh. Sorry, doc. Got a lot on my mind.”

Doctor Shockley nodded. “That’s understandable after what you’ve endured. Would you like to tell me about it?”

“The Chief sent over the report, didn’t he?” Aaron leaned back in his chair, waving him off. He was so tired of talking about being kidnapped. He must’ve gone over his cover story at least two dozen times at work already.

“He did.” Shockley pursed his lips, glancing down at his holo-pad. “It is somewhat... lacking though. If there’s anything you couldn’t say to your superiors, now would be the time. Patient confidentiality and all that.”

“Well...” Aaron chewed his lip. He only had to keep the truth from the police. He could talk about it here. Confusing thoughts was what therapy was all about, right? “I may have... had some help.”

“Mhm. I suspected as much. Someone you’d like to keep off the ECPD’s radar, I take it?”

“Uh, yeah.” Aaron slumped forward. “You won’t-”

“It doesn’t leave this room, Aaron. You have my word.”

He blew a breath through tight lips. “Morgan- Morgan Fell. Lexi went to him for help.”

Shockley leaned forward with growing eyes. “The reclusive witch for hire everyone is always gossiping about?”

Aaron bobbed his head. “That’s the one.”

“Oh my. I can’t imagine what that must’ve cost Alexandra.”

“Nothing,” Aaron said, “He didn’t ask for anything.”

“Hmm.” Shockley clasped his stylus in both hands. “A bit of a philanthropist, is he?”

Aaron laughed. He couldn’t imagine Morgan taking kindly to being accused of philanthropy. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

A grin tugged at the corner of the doctor’s lips. “Got to know him a little?”

Aaron reddened at the question. “Uh, yeah, I guess so. He was… he was incredible. The way people talk about him, his power, it’s all true. And he wasn’t cruel, well, not at first. I kinda… irritated him, I guess. Hit a nerve or something. Up until that though, he was so protective. Sweet, even. He went and-”

He abruptly stopped talking, unable to bring himself to mention that a witch he’d barely known had chosen to bind with him. Tethers between magickind and commons were something personal and intense. He had fully expected the moody jerk to sever their connection once it was no longer necessary, but he hadn’t. He certainly wasn’t ashamed to be linked to Morgan, but whatever this was—if it was anything at all—this was his.

Doctor Shockley cleared his throat. “Will you be seeing him again?”

“Actually, yeah,” Aaron said, “I’m headed to a meeting right after this. I think he’s supposed to be there.”

“Good.” Shockley smiled, making a note on his pad. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take such an interest in someone before, Aaron. You should pursue this.”

“P-Pursue this?” Aaron blinked away his shock. “As in?”

“As in ask him out. You clearly have a connection with him.”

“Are you serious?” He wasn’t certain if he should laugh or run. Of course he wanted to ask drop-dead gorgeous Morgan freaking Fell on a date, but there were obstacles between them that Aaron wasn’t sure how to navigate. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We didn’t exactly leave things on the best of terms. And the Chief would lose his shit if I started dating a witch on the most wanted list.”

“Well, as I understand, there is no rule against dating a member of the occult.” Shockley’s smile hadn’t left. “And I don’t believe Mister Fell has ever been properly convicted of anything, correct? Bowen may not like it, but I wouldn’t want to be the one to come between the most notorious witch in the city and someone he cares for.”

“You- You think he cares for me?” Aaron had goosebumps just thinking about it.

“No charge for rushing into rescue you, an officer of the law that might have arrested him on sight? From one of the most expensive mercenaries money can buy?” The grin on the doctor’s face stretched. “I think there’s hope.”

This was hopeless. Morgan was going to flip the second Aaron showed his face at Esotech Tower. It wasn’t like he came up with this idea. All he had done was call Daphne to see how the grump was recovering. He hadn’t asked her for the information on this Doctor Abernathy either, but when she offered, there was no way he was about to turn down cyber dirt on his kidnapper.

When she’d mentioned that Morgan planned to storm Esotech, and that he’d used what she called his “murder voice,” Aaron knew better than to assume she was joking. He harbored no doubt that Morgan was capable of killing, and he had enough evidence to assume it wouldn’t have been the first time. Those deaths, however, had been thugs, murderers, and rapists. Blowing up Esotech—that wasn’t something Aaron would be so quick to overlook.

As he parked his patrol car on the street outside the tower, something tugged at him. It was like a rope. A warm, velvety coil of light that pulled from his chest and down his right arm. He imagined it might have been a comforting feeling, sensing the one that was bound to you nearby, but the way it tugged at him now had him leaping from his seat and into action.

“Oh, no you don’t, handsome,” Aaron growled under his breath, quickly trotting across the sidewalk through the massive glass doors that opened with a hiss.

The sound of raised voices echoed across the white marble floors and up to the high ceilings. “You can return when you have an appointment!” a receptionist with overdone makeup and drawn on eyebrows screeched, turning to a nearby guard.

The large guard in black uniform moved forward, reaching for the weapon at their waist. Their face was fitted with implants; a line of metal over their cheekbone that glowed red at the center—a comm receiver that linked them to the building’s intranet and CCTV—and a metal plate across their jaw—a shock absorber to cushion blunt trauma. Their appearance even gave Aaron pause, but not it seemed, the marvelous creature standing several paces ahead with clenched fists and a violet aura of rage.

Aaron took on a calming tone, gently placing a hand at the small of Morgan’s back and offering a warm smile to the receptionist. “Mister Fell is with me.”

The tension left Morgan’s body in an instant. His head snapped over his shoulder, and the stunned look on his face sent satisfaction rippling through Aaron. Whether that was annoyance or something else hiding behind the man’s confused stare, he wasn’t sure.

The receptionist cleared her throat as she turned to the guard with a curt nod. “I don’t recall seeing that you would be escorting a civilian today, Officer Jones.”

Aaron plastered on his most charming grin. “Mister Fell was at the scene I’m here to discuss with Mister Ellington. I wasn’t in a clear state of mind during the incident, and a second point of view would be invaluable to my investigation.”

The woman sighed, turning a light pink as she returned his smile. Aaron risked a quick glance at Morgan to find him still staring.

What is that look? Is he… checking me out right now? Gods, this guy is a whirlwind.

“I’ll let him know you’ve arrived,” the receptionist said, “Please have a seat in the waiting area beyond the doors.”

Aaron gave her a single nod before ushering Morgan ahead.

“What in the hells are you doing here?” the man snapped with a whisper.

Aaron chuckled quietly. “Stopping you from blowing the place to smithereens, apparently.”

Morgan rolled his eyes so hard that Aaron could practically feel the irritation vibrate down his spine. “I had it under control.”

Aaron bit back a laugh when the receptionist let out a shriek that forced his eyes back toward the desk, finding her completely covered in ink. Every single one of the pens in the holder beside her keyboard had mysteriously exploded at the same time.

“Would you please play nice?” he pleaded through gritted teeth, still fighting back laughter.

He heard amusement in Morgan’s tone despite his growl. “Absolutely not.”

Aaron took a seat on one of the plush, white divans inside the doors, scooting over far enough to allow Morgan room. Morgan, however, pointedly strutted across the way to sit on the opposite bench, causing his gut to twist in disappointment.

“Are you…” Aaron stared, trying to catch his eye. “Mad at me?”

Morgan glared at the floor. “You can’t be mad at a dog for doing what it’s been trained to.”

“Damn,” Aaron groaned, his stomach turning sour at the jab, “Tell me how you really feel.”

“I did,” he said sharply, lifting his head to meet his eyes at last. The look on his face, however, was one of betrayal and not the adoration Aaron had been hoping for. “You made excuses, and now you’ve apparently opened an entire investigation when I specifically asked you not to.”

Aaron growled in his throat. “What was I supposed to do, Morgan? I had been missing. Should I have said ‘Yep! Just a minor kidnapping. All better now! No harm, no foul!’? I really don’t think that would’ve gone over well.”

Morgan shifted uncomfortably, averting his eyes.

Good. Something clicked at least. Stubborn ass. Stubborn, perfect, infuriating ass.

“I didn’t mention the things that attacked us,” Aaron said gently, already hating the look he’d put on that obnoxiously beautiful face. He tapped a rune to create a pale blue glow in his palm. “I didn’t tell them about this, and I didn’t tell them about… about you.”

Morgan’s eyes softened. He turned back to Aaron, about to speak when a tall man donning a crisp, white suit, black shirt and tie clapped his hands loudly at the bottom of an ivory spiral staircase. His dark, parted hair was plastered to his head with product, and his plastic appearance made Aaron do a double take. He quickly clasped his hand shut, hiding the light of his rune.

“Officer Jones! Pleasure to meet you. Castor Ellington, at your service.” He gripped Aaron’s hand with an energetic shake as Morgan stood from his seat, glowering. Ellington spun around with a raised brow. “And Mister Fell! I honestly never thought we’d get you to step onto the premises! The board has been very eager to speak with you. I’ll let them know you’re here, shall I?”

“Not here for the board,” Morgan snapped, ignoring Ellington’s outstretched hand, “I’m here to make sure your people-”

Aaron shot him a pleading look over Ellington’s shoulder.

“To ask for your company’s assistance in Officer Jones’s investigation. I was the one who located him.”

Oh. Wow. That actually worked. Noted.

Morgan reluctantly took the man’s hand for a single shake.

“Well, you can never be too optimistic,” Ellington said with a terse nod, “I do encourage you to give them a chance. They’ll make you an offer you won’t want to refuse.”

“Or won’t be allowed to,” Morgan snarled under his breath as Ellington turned to lead them up the staircase.

“What do they want with you?” Aaron spoke low so that only they could hear.

Morgan shrugged. “My power. My allegiance. My freedom. You name it. One of the reasons I’m giving in and forming an official coven. They can’t keep pestering me under the legal protections of the OC.”

“A coven? You?” Aaron raised his eyebrows. A large part of the reason Morgan was considered such a menace within the city was his outright refusal to register, making him a constant unknown in the eyes of the local government. If the rumors about him were to be believed, doing so may cause an even bigger uproar.

Morgan shook his head as if to say not now.

Ellington pushed through another pair of glass doors, motioning toward a set of chairs beside a glass-top desk. “Now.” Ellington sat, crossing his legs in a white leather chair. “What can I do for you, gentlemen? I’m sorry. Is that how you prefer to be addressed?”

They each nodded, taking their seats and stealing a glance at one another before Aaron tapped his temple with a flick. The information Daphne had provided appeared on a large display mounted on the wall, along with a blurred image of a hooded man.

“Our source-” Aaron side-eyed Morgan, hoping Daphne had at least mentioned she’d looped him in. “Believes that this man, a Doctor Edward Abernathy, may have been responsible for my abduction, along with at least fourteen other victims that were experimented on before their lives were taken. We found journal entries containing some very disturbing footage at the scene. The files were stored on a heavily encrypted drive with modifications performed by a cipher in the North District. When our source recognized the mod work, they were able to obtain transaction records that led us to Doctor Abernathy.”

“I see,” Ellington hummed, “And what does this have to do with Esotech?”

Morgan growled in his throat, already losing his patience. “He worked for you, Ellington.”

Ellington turned to him with an arched brow.

“Not you specifically,” Aaron added quickly, attempting to counter Morgan’s ire, “But we know he held a research position within the company several years ago before he was terminated. We fear he may be attempting to continue his research in a dangerously reckless manner.”

“Reckless enough that the Occult Council may have to involve themselves if he’s left unchecked,” Morgan hissed.

Aaron’s gut clenched at the underlying threat, knowing that taking this to the Council would not end well.

Ellington cleared his throat. “And do you speak for the Council, Mister Fell?”

Morgan’s stare turned livid. “I speak for the witches. Abernathy’s research is a direct violation of the Common-Occult Ordinance. Research that began here, under this company’s funding. If Esotech is unwilling to cooperate in the finding and capture of this man, I will have to assume that they knowingly allowed this and are now trying to cover it up.”

Ellington released a sigh. “As it happens, we are aware that Doctor Abernathy—and I use his title lightly, as the man was positively unhinged by the end of his career with us—has been attempting to further his research. As for the casualties at his hands, I must admit that we had no idea how far he had taken it. His position here was merely theoretical, you see. The board believed that given the secrecy surrounding the matter of soul-based studies, there may have been valuable information that the Occult Community withheld at the time the ordinance was declared.

“I can assure you that these theories were strictly forbidden from being put into practice by our researchers. However, Doctor Abernathy, after an unfortunate incident that required him to be temporarily institutionalized, began crossing boundaries. His staff promptly reported him, and he was immediately released.”

Morgan leaned forward in his seat. “What kind of unfortunate incident?”

Ellington shook his head. “That, I’m afraid, I’m not permitted to discuss.”

“And you didn’t think this was something you should’ve brought to the attention of the Council?” Morgan spat.

“Mister Fell…” Ellington folded his hands on the desk. “As you well know, this company and the Occult Council rarely see eye-to-eye. We did what was required of us under the law and we chose to protect the image of our brand, just as you strive to protect the image of the Occult Community.”

Morgan looked away with a grumble. Aaron bit his lip. He wouldn’t accuse Morgan of giving a single shit about his image or the OC’s. If Aaron was being honest, it was part of the reason he admired him so much. It was how he was able to get things done.

“Would you be able to send us any relevant information pertaining to Abernathy’s time here, Mister Ellington?” he chimed, hoping to douse the tension in the room.

Ellington’s face morphed back into a company smile as he turned to Aaron. “Of course, Officer Jones. I’m afraid all images have been long erased from our database—company policy—but I would be happy to forward our remaining records. You have our full cooperation on the matter. Is there anything else I can do for you gentlemen while I have you?”

Aaron looked to Morgan in question, and he gave a defeated shrug. Morgan was undoubtedly hoping for a reason to reduce the entire building to rubble.

Is it wrong if I want to let him? Anything to make my broody witch smile. Oh, shit, don’t call him that. Stop. Abort, Jones. Abort!

“Very well,” Ellington said, shaking Aaron’s hand, “I shall have the files sent to you by the end of the day. I am truly sorry for what you’ve been through, Officer Jones. If there is anything else we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

The man turned to shake Morgan’s hand, only to find that he had already slipped through the doors and was halfway down the stairs.

Aaron shot Ellington an awkward smile, then gave chase. “Morgan! Wait up!”

Morgan spun around on the bottom step with a scowl. “What?”

“You don’t have to be an ass.” Aaron pursed his lips, stopping a few stairs above. “We got what we came for.”

“Yeah. A few files on Abernathy’s theoretical research. That’s all they have to hide.” He turned, stalking through the glass doors and across the lobby floor.

Aaron jogged after him, only closing in as they stepped out onto the sidewalk.

“Would you-” Aaron managed to snatch his wrist, causing him to whip back with a snarl. “Slow down? Just talk to me!”

“Why talk to me?” he snapped, “You’ve got Daphne feeding you all the information you need, don’t you?”

Aaron’s jaw dropped. “I- I wanted to know, Morgan! Wouldn’t you want information on someone that had abducted you? Daphne didn’t want to bother you! You were hurt! The only reason I even reached out to her in the first place was just…”

“Just what?”

Aaron growled in his throat, running his hands through his hair, trying not to rip it out as the scent of leather and lightning hit his nose, pulling him apart between desire and the utmost frustration that this man caused him. “To check on you, you asshat!”

Well, that was a choice. You’re so cool.

Morgan jerked back. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Aaron breathed, jutting his head forward, “I would’ve much rather talked to you, but you kicked me out before I could get your line.”

“I-” Morgan stammered, “I did not kick you-”

Aaron tilted his head downward, lifting his eyes with a knowing smirk. “When big, scary Morgan Fell tells you to go, you go.”

Morgan’s brow clenched. He turned away, biting his lip while his eyes searched the sidewalk. He looked so damn lost. It made Aaron’s chest ache. It made him want to grab the man and pull him close while he found his way back from wherever his mind had whisked him away to.

Sweet gods, have mercy. He’s adorable. Has anyone ever seen him like this before? He’s always hot—sexy as all hells—but this? Who knew Morgan Fell could be cute? You are so very fucked, Jones.

A laugh escaped him suddenly. “Is it hard work being such a stubborn mess, or does it come naturally to you?”

Morgan looked back with a grin. “Yes.”

Aaron beamed. His witch was smiling, no casualties needed. Morgan’s tongue briefly parted his pouty lips, making them glisten in the sunlight. His eyes hadn’t left Aaron’s face, that beautiful smile wasn’t fading, and Aaron swore that the space between them was growing smaller with every passing second. The bustle of the city streets had become nothing but a dull roar somewhere beyond the slab of cement beneath their feet that now seemed an entire universe all its own.

Their shared orbit was to be fleeting, however, as a familiar and increasingly unwelcome tone rang in his ear.

ATTN: ALL AVAILABLE UNITS. ACTIVE RIFT DETECTED IN CD S6.

REPORT TO SITE AND ELIMINATE ALL HOSTILES.

“Shit,” Aaron hissed, washing the glee from Morgan’s face in an instant.

“What is it?” he asked, genuine concern in his eyes.

“A rift. Ten blocks west of here. I’ve gotta go.” Aaron shot him an apologetic smile, reluctantly stepping out of their private world.

A crackle came through his comm, and he stopped in his tracks. “Jones, all other teams are occupied, and our off duties aren’t responding! Move your ass! We’ve got fire-breathers!”

Aaron’s whole body tensed. He balled his fists, clenching his teeth. “Fuck!” He turned his head back to Morgan, noting the worry in his stare. “I’m not getting any back up,” he groaned with a pleading look at the witch that could likely handle several rifts at once all by his lonesome, “It’s drakes, Morgan. I hate drakes.”

“Hmm. That sounds dreadful.” The concern vanished from Morgan’s face, replaced by a devious glint as he gazed up to the windows of a nearby building. “Well… good luck, Officer Jones!” A noticeable bounce graced his steps as he sauntered away.

“Please?” Aaron begged after him, “I’ll pay you!”

“You can’t afford me!” he chimed, a slight upward curve on the cheek Aaron could still see.

“The city will pay you!”

“They can’t afford me!” he sang, slowing his pace.

Aaron caught it that time, a wide grin on that gorgeous face. A swell of affection hit him square in the chest, calming his nerves. Morgan was playing with him.

“If I die, Lexi will drive you insane!” he called after him, fighting back a smile.

Morgan stopped in his tracks, releasing an overdramatic sigh before shooting a glare over his shoulder. Aaron broke, smiling so wide it hurt his cheeks.

Victory.

Aaron would likely never admit that the few minutes it had taken to reach the rift were filled not with concern for the task at hand—due largely to the confidence that being accompanied by the most badass witch in the city instilled—but with thoughts of the man speeding ahead of him on his custom built motorcycle, his t-shirt fluttering high enough in the breeze to catch glimpses of the dimples above that perky little butt.

The view came to an abrupt halt, however, as their destination loomed ahead; a large black streak, hanging above the asphalt between a storefront and a brick wall. Morgan leapt from his bike, and Aaron pulled up right behind, jumping out of the car to join him in the middle of the street.

Red, scaly creatures the size of small horses rampaged through the area on all fours, making a mess of the storefront as one set fire to the awning with a snarl of bright orange flames.

“Dear gods, am I glad you were just messing with me back there,” Aaron said, rolling up his sleeve to access his runes, “I’d be so screwed on my own.”

Morgan’s eyes were darting around the area. That intense look on his face—he was in battle mode.

So damn hot. Good gods, man, get your head in the game.

“I count four hostiles,” Morgan growled, “How do you normally handle these things? Average bullets won’t pierce those scales.”

“We bait them!” Aaron shouted over the sound of another burst of flame, “Get them to attack with their fire and hit them in their open mouths!”

“What?” He shot Aaron a horrified stare. “And none of you have been barbecued yet?”

“That’s…” Aaron scratched his head. “Classified.”

Morgan rolled his eyes with a smirk. “The cut spell you used the other day to take off that zombies head-”

“Yeah?”

“Add a force rune. Instead of swiping, thrust your arm forward with your index and middle finger outstretched,” Morgan instructed, mimicking the motion, “That’ll form a piercing attack to sink right through their hides.”

“Seriously?” Aaron’s mouth dropped open. Every rune combination he’d managed so far had been self-taught. Most of the precinct refused to activate more than one spell at a time; some weird superstition that it would make them too close to actual witches.

They wished.

“Magic is all about intent,” Morgan said cooly, stepping forward and shooting him a wink that made his heart skip a beat, “Observe.”

He darted in, cocksure with his eyes aglow. His footsteps immediately caught the attention of the nearest drake, whipping its snout in his direction as smoke curled from its nostrils. Morgan hurled a blast into the brick wall beside the drake, and the beast fixed its attention on the sound. With the turn of its head, it exposed its neck, and Morgan lunged. He thrust his arm forward, making the motion he’d shown Aaron, and a lance of violet light closed the space between him and his prey. The spell went clean through the drake’s neck, its screech split the air, and it burst into a black cloud of dust.

Morgan glanced back over his shoulder, wearing a smug grin just for Aaron as he stood amongst the swirling mist of his fallen enemy. It would be a sight forever burned into memory—a perfect image of his witch’s power and allure that no artist alive could possibly hope to replicate.

“Showoff,” Aaron chuckled, moving to his side.

“Hey, I’m teaching here. That was a demonstration,” Morgan said, laughing.

“Uh huh.”

The remaining three drakes took notice of them as the dust wafted away through the rift, advancing slowly, snapping their razor-sharp teeth.

“I’ll bait the two on the right!” Morgan called, his eyes shining that majestic shade of purple, “Get the other’s attention and take it out!”

Aaron nodded as Morgan cast a set of blasts at the rightmost drakes. The beasts recoiled with a hiss before one of them whipped back with a stream of blistering flames. Morgan dodged gracefully, luring the creatures further away from Aaron and his target.

Aaron tapped a rune—lift—whisking a pile of debris from the street to send it crashing into the side of the drake’s face. It screeched, flailing its head, and turned its slitted, yellow eyes on him with a snap of its jaw. He repeated what Morgan had done, blasting the street beside the drake, and it leapt sideways, refusing to look away from Aaron. It stalked closer, the back of its throat glowing hot behind its teeth.

A scream echoed from the alley behind the creature suddenly as two women stepped into view. Their initial shock at stumbling into the battle wore off quickly, and instead of running away, they both reached for their temples, tapping away—taking pictures with their comms.

“Get out of here!” Aaron roared. Their shrieks had drawn the attention of all three drakes, however, and they were no longer interested in him or Morgan.

As the beasts turned, Aaron and Morgan lunged in unison, a lance of shimmering blue and another of bright violet stretching out ahead of them. A set of wails rang out across the street, and two of the drakes turned to dust.

The last creature whipped its head back and forth in a fury, realizing that it stood alone. The women in the alley took the opportunity to run, and the single drake turned on Aaron. It galloped toward him, enraged, fire billowing from the corners of its snout. Morgan cried out, chasing after it. Aaron fumbled at his forearm, attempting to throw up a shield before he was engulfed in flame.

The drake was meters away. Through the swell of heat and panic, Aaron threw out his hand, knowing he had less than seconds to save himself. The rune took effect, a wall of blue spreading from beneath his fingertips—but the shield met no resistance. Beyond the shimmering barrier, the drake was frozen in its tracks, thrashing wildly.

Morgan stood behind with a strange, glassed-over expression on his face. Intense light burned beyond the whites of his eyes. His hands were clenched tightly ahead of him, magically holding the creature in place. He was whispering something, but Aaron couldn’t make it out. He seemed a lifetime away.

“Morgan?” Aaron called.

Morgan returned to himself in an instant. His eyes grew wide, as if taking in the scene for the first time, and a roar left his lips. He threw his arms outward on either side of his body, and the drake screamed. It wailed at the top of its lungs. Aaron’s jaw fell as the creature’s hide cracked, right down the middle, from its neck down to its tail. Its scream reached a crescendo—and it burst. The rift snapped shut.

Morgan stumbled forward, letting go of his magic. Aaron lunged toward him, catching his witch under the arm before he could fall.

“Whoa!” he yelled, letting Morgan’s head drop to his shoulder. That scent, that wonderful smell of him was stronger than ever, making Aaron feel just as light-headed as the other man looked. “How- how did you do that? You fucking ripped it in half!”

“I don’t know,” Morgan panted, “I’ve never- never done anything like that before. There was no command, no spell, barely even a thought, I just…” He shook his head, lifting it from Aaron’s chest to meet his eyes. “I had to save you.”

Aaron’s cheeks lit like fire hotter than anything those drakes could’ve conjured. “Well, damn.”

He helped Morgan to his feet. Something between them had shifted since that moment outside of Esotech Tower. He could feel it in the way Morgan moved, the way he allowed Aaron into his space without hesitation. If he was waiting for his moment, this was it. He fought for the right words while they made their way back to their vehicles, Morgan wafting away debris with careless waves of his hands, restoring the street and the storefront as if nothing had happened.

“So…” Aaron began, leaning against the hood of his car and crossing his arms over his chest, “I don’t really have authorization to offer a paycheck to a mercenary. Technically, I shouldn’t have even brought you along. No civvies.”

“Etna City’s whitest of knights, breaking the rules?” Morgan belted a laugh, holding a hand to his chest to feign shock. “Be still my heart.”

“Yeah…” Aaron chuckled, turning a bit red as he forced the question to come. “But I was thinking, maybe I could… take you to dinner to make it up to you?”

Morgan narrowed his eyes at him from over his shoulder as he mounted his bike, grinning. “A meal will hardly cover the cost of my services, Officer Jones.”

Dude, take the hint.

“Not… just a meal,” Aaron fumbled, sweating from his palms and blushing profusely, “A date.”

Morgan’s head snapped back to him, eyes blown wide. He searched his face as if he had misheard him—and he laughed. A little too hard, in fact, hitting Aaron like a punch to the gut. “I don’t date.”

“Oh, come on!” Aaron groaned, trying not to let his growing disappointment show, “You went full-blown super witch for me! You know you want to!”

Morgan shook his head, still chuckling. “Try to stay out of trouble, Officer Jones. I can’t always be around to save your ass.”

The motorcycle engine roared, Morgan let out another laugh, and he sped out of sight. Aaron stared after him, still entranced despite the ache the man had left in his chest.

Don’t date, huh? That’s twice you’ve broken for me, hot shot. We’ll see.