Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Sebastian found himself standing outside Gray Electrical. He couldn't face going back to James's house alone and was going to use checking how things went with Hazel as an excuse to pop in on James at work.

It wasn't like he would cling to James all day. He wanted to, but he'd drawn the line at that kind of codependence. He'd leave James and Hazel in peace after a quick hello and go to the library. He just couldn't make himself go to the library yet.

Sebastian was hoping to steal a hug from James. He needed a positive moment. Yes, he was being hopelessly needy and becoming addicted to James caring for him, but he didn't want to push what he could deal with after the store incident.

He probably needed to look into some therapy sooner rather than later if this was how everything was going to feel. But again, he couldn't quite find the energy to face doing it immediately.

The electrical shop's bell jingled as he opened the door.

James jumped up from a desk at the far end of the open-plan room. "Sebastian!" He beamed as if nothing pleased him more than seeing the man he'd barely had space from for weeks on end .

Hazel sat at a desk next to James. She got up more cautiously. "Hey, Sebastian, nice to see you."

James came around the counter to greet him. Sebastian got his hug and melted into James like he never wanted to part from him. Damn, it felt good.

Hazel leaned against the counter, watching them. She wore a flannel long-sleeve top over a T-shirt and well-worn jeans, her brown hair in a ponytail.

Sebastian pulled back from his hug reluctantly, glancing between Hazel and James. "Did you two talk already?"

Hazel raised a brow. "About the curse and you being a prisoner of that creepy-ass house? Yeah, we talked."

"Eventually." Concern stole the smile from James's lips. "My tongue was rebound."

Sebastian's heart sank. "But Parker broke the binding last night, and you haven't been trapped again. You went to the house and left."

James gave a grim laugh. "I still couldn't tell Hazel anything without flapping around, doing charades, and forcing The Magical Tales on her after looking them up on my phone. We had to do the ritual again."

"How is it possible the secret-binding is still in place?" Sebastian didn't actually expect either of them to have an answer. "You shouldn't have to break it for each person you tell."

James shook his head.

"Yeah, no idea." Hazel crossed her arms. "This all sounds like bad news."

Sebastian didn't know what it meant that they couldn't truly break the secret-binding spell. Away from the curse, he didn't see how it could keep retriggering.

"What happened there?" Hazel pointed to the bandage on Sebastian's wrist.

"Oh, um—" Sebastian's words failed as all the issues going to the diner had caused filled his mind. The mouthy shade seemed like the least of his worries. If he returned to the diner, would he be able to manage better, or would he still want to run away?

"A shade attacked in the park last night," James explained, detailing the unusual incident and how the shades resisted the light.

"Nope, I don't like any of this." Hazel scowled, her expression identical to the one Sebastian had often seen on James. "Night before last, a group of shades attacked a family in their car. They were fine. No one left the vehicle and the shades couldn't get in, but they could have crashed. And I heard there was some trouble on the east side of town last night."

"Were those shades unaffected by light?" Sebastian asked.

Hazel shrugged. "I'm not sure. But whatever's going on, it seems to be getting worse."

Sebastian glanced at James. He knew the veins riled up the shades on his property. Was it possible they affected the beasts in town? Maybe, maybe not. The shade that attacked him had been different. He'd never seen such a large, aggressive one at Storm House. Maybe it wasn't related to the veins. No amount of riling up could change a shade's nature or make it immune to light.

"We should report what happened last night," James said. "And I was thinking we should report the power imbalance at Storm House too, but that's going to be hard to do if the secret-binding keeps retying my tongue."

Sebastian rubbed his eyes. "You're right. We can't break the binding with someone over the phone. And it's going to be impossible to get an official to come out here and take a look at the property otherwise."

"I can call and report it," Hazel offered. "I shouldn't be prevented from telling people about Storm House. The curse couldn't have spread to me. Not when you two already broke free and can come and go from Storm House. So I don't see how it could bind my tongue if the two are connected like you said. "

Relief loosened James's posture. "You're right. That would be great."

"Consider it done." Hazel patted her pockets like she was looking for her phone. "Why don't you guys take off?"

"What?" James scowled. "No. I've already left you alone too long."

Hazel made an exasperated noise. "But now I understand why. You were trapped, so it's not like you have to feel bad for abandoning the shop."

"But, Hazel?—"

She cut him off. "It's fine. You should take a few days to recoup. There's no need to get straight back to work after what you went through. I'll see you back here on Monday at the earliest, James."

"Fine," he grumbled. "Let me know how reporting the curse goes."

"Will do." She headed back to her desk, finding her phone among some papers. "You guys want to go out for dinner tonight? I've been meeting Eli on Fridays while you were away, but he's working tonight." She sat down and looked between them expectantly.

"Not tonight," James replied without hesitation.

Sebastian's face heated. "You can go to dinner, James."

He turned to Sebastian, his expression soft. "Let's do something quieter than Friday night at the diner. We can go out to dinner with everyone another time or go to Parker's on Sunday if you feel like it."

Sebastian wanted to argue, but Hazel was watching. "Only if you want."

"All right, see you guys later," Hazel said in a clear dismissal.

With a wave to Hazel, James led the way outside. "You doing okay, Sebastian?" he asked once they were alone.

Sebastian stared blankly at the pumps containing Gray Electrical's fuel cells. "Is it obvious that I'm not?" He couldn't stop his gaze from darting back to James, checking his reaction.

James gave him a small smile. "You haven't teased me about anything in almost a day. It's not like you."

Sebastian startled himself with a laugh, his chest warming. "Noted. James likes the teasing." He shot James a sly smile before turning serious and briefly explaining his trip to the store. "I hate this. Everything different catches me off guard, and I don't know what to do. I know I shouldn't expect things to be the same as before, but I can't help it."

James put an arm around Sebastian's shoulders. "Your time at Storm House affected you. That's normal. It had to be a traumatic experience, and of course, you're going to be upset with how being isolated changed you."

Sebastian bit his lip. "I know. I just wish I wasn't affected and that I wasn't upset about it. I want everything to do with Storm House to be over. I want to forget it ever happened." But that wasn't how life worked and wishing wouldn't help anything. "I think it'll be better when I get used to how I've changed. When it's not surprising me, maybe it'll be okay."

James hugged him close. "I think you're right. Not wanting your anxiety to exist doesn't usually help."

"No." Sebastian leaned in. He had to stop comparing himself to how he used to be and focus on his new reality. A task he didn't mind so much when his present included James.

James gave him a gentle kiss. "Anxiety can be managed. You'll get there. You'll figure out what works for you and what your new boundaries are. Just be patient. It's only been one day."

Sebastian appreciated the confidence and tried to let go of some of his frustration.

"Do you still want to go to Apple Valley to buy a phone?" James asked.

Sebastian gave the question the consideration it deserved, not just agreeing to do what he thought he should. "Yeah, let's go. I want to have a way of contacting people. I've missed technology. But if it's busy when we get there, I might stay in the truck."

James gave him another quick squeeze. "Sounds good. I can pop into the store while you wait."

Sebastian wiggled out of James's embrace and opened the truck door. "I'll get my lawyer to reimburse you for the phone, and I should probably arrange for some money to be put in an account so I can get a debit card. You know, rejoin typical modern life."

James walked around to the other side of the truck. "Don't worry about the phone. I owe you for all the new clothes."

Sebastian didn't need to be paid back for the clothing he'd bought James. He liked getting him things. But maybe it was for the best. Sebastian had to stop leaning on this relationship so heavily. It was too easy to let James be supportive and kind. Sebastian craved it but knew James might act differently if he knew what Sebastian was hiding.

Sebastian feared James blaming him for the Grays' deaths, even though part of him knew James was too understanding to blame the Storms completely. The deaths were still an accident, and without ill intent, Sebastian imagined James would be forgiving. That was the kind of guy James was. And while Sebastian could see him reacting that way, he struggled to believe it.

James seemed like he would understand, but what if he didn't? Most of the time Sebastian felt silly for thinking James could move past something like this.

The car accident never would have happened if the curse hadn't been transferred to Sebastian. He'd never be able to make up for that, and someone as kind as James deserved a partner who was just as good. Someone he didn't need to forgive. Someone he didn't have to choose despite the past.

No one ever picked Sebastian. Not even his own mother. How could he expect James to choose him when he had every reason not to?

They stopped by town hall before heading out.

The mayor of Moonlight Falls had always taken on the responsibility of dealing with shade issues and was tasked with keeping them from negatively impacting residents. The problem at Storm House would need to be reported to the official body of practitioners who helped citizens deal with magic state-wide. It wasn't the mayor's job to solve all magical problems, but keeping the shades a local matter worked best for everyone.

Outsiders had never understood Moonlight Falls, and bringing them in for things locals could deal with was always more trouble than it was worth.

Sebastian had never been inside town hall. James led the way like he knew exactly where to go. The place was quiet, and the administrator at the front desk waved James through without asking why he needed to see the mayor.

They walked down a narrow hall lined with offices. A door stood open at the back.

James knocked on the doorframe. "Eleanor?"

"Come in," called the woman within. She didn't look up from her computer.

Sebastian followed James, keeping a step behind. He hadn't wanted to wait in the truck and was more curious than anxious about being here. This was a side of Moonlight Falls he'd never seen before. Growing up, he'd avoided getting involved in the community as much as possible.

"Oh, James." Eleanor sagged in relief when she glanced up. "And—" She eyed Sebastian.

"This is Sebastian Storm." James put a hand on Sebastian's shoulder as he stepped forward. "Meet Eleanor Ashley."

"Storm?" The mayor's eyebrows rose. "How are things north of town? "

"They could be better," Sebastian admitted. Even if it wasn't the mayor's responsibility to address the imbalance at Storm House, he should probably tell her about it, given the potential for a deadly explosion.

Eleanor frowned like she wasn't pleased to hear Sebastian's complaint. "Why's that?"

Sebastian hesitated, his tongue rebound just as James's had been. They hadn't brought The Magical Tales , and even with the weakened secret-binding, he wouldn't be able to communicate anything useful without breaking the spell again.

"It's complicated," James supplied. He shared a significant glance with Sebastian. It seemed like James was still tongue-tied, even after having the spell broken twice. It really wasn't a good sign.

Eleanor sat up straighter. "Is trouble out at Storm House why you've come to see me?"

"No," James admitted, and together, he and Sebastian recounted the incident with the shade the night before.

The mayor's face hardened as the story went on. "Smart using fire," she said when they'd finished, nodding approvingly to Sebastian. "Glad to know that still works. There've been more than a few incidents lately. The last few nights have been a shitshow, and it's not like it was calm before that. The smashed lights. What happened to Eli not long ago."

Eleanor looked grim. Sebastian had no idea what had happened to Eli, but the scowl on James's face didn't bode well.

"I'm glad you came by, James," Eleanor continued. "I'm calling a meeting tonight to discuss the recent disturbances. I caught up with Hazel this morning, but if you could ask Parker to come along, I'd appreciate it if you were all there."

"Of course." James's agreement was quick. "Anything we can do."

The mayor nodded before turning her attention back to Sebastian. "Are the problems north of town shade related? "

Sebastian shifted under her sharp gaze. "No. But there have been a whole lot more of the beasts at the house than usual."

Eleanor didn't look pleased to hear it. "In that case, you'd better come to the meeting too. I want as much information about shade activity in the area as possible. It's a closed group, not a public session at this stage. I'm hoping we can figure out what the hell is going on before I address everyone. Too many people have been getting hurt to act like this is business as usual. We need a plan of attack."

Sebastian agreed to come to the meeting. He and James left Eleanor looking stressed, but hopefully, they'd be able to figure out something useful.

"All right, let's get me a phone." Sebastian jumped in a show of overdone excitement when they were outside. The interaction with the mayor pleased him, even though the situation was a downer. His mood had brightened more than he understood.

James's lips twitched. "There's a good burrito place I wouldn't mind stopping at for lunch too."

"Yes, definitely." Sebastian was more excited about the food than the cell phone. He remembered the place James was talking about. Their food was great, maybe not as good as the places he'd gone while living in San Diego for the year and a half of college he'd managed to attend before getting trapped, but he'd take it.

James drove them through town, heading south. Sebastian's mood continued to lift. Things felt more manageable now that he wasn't brooding by himself. He was apprehensive about the mayor's meeting, but he wanted to be there to see just how involved James was in Moonlight Falls. It sounded like James, Hazel, and Parker worked with the mayor often. Sebastian wasn't surprised. They were all typical Moonlighters.

For the first time, Sebastian wondered what it would be like to join them rather than shy away. Before James came to Storm House, Sebastian would have said he'd run far away from Moonlight Falls the second he escaped. That idea no longer had any appeal. The world was too big, and unknown things didn't excite Sebastian like they used to. He wanted a sense of familiarity with the places he went and the people he interacted with. He hoped it'd make his new anxiety easier to manage.

And he liked that the mayor had invited him to the meeting, including him in something important to the town.

He'd always wanted to be part of something bigger than himself, not just sitting on the outside watching. He'd spent his life on the fringes, alone while in Moonlight Falls and set apart from his mom and sister when he was at home. Knowing that he hadn't imagined being pushed away, that his mother had given him life and tolerated him only so he could take on the family curse, made him want to find his own place. With people who wanted him.

He'd never have thought that would happen for him in Moonlight Falls. He'd been so lonely there for so long, but understanding why his childhood had taken the shape it had might allow him to let go of his misplaced hate for the town.

For the first time, he could see potential in Moonlight Falls. Wouldn't it be great to take something he'd associated with pain and sadness and turn it into something good? Being happy here would be more satisfying than running away. He suspected nowhere else would feel quite right or give him a sense of completion and healing. Maybe he did understand what people meant when they said this place called to them.

Could Moonlight Falls turn into something good for Sebastian? Would it last, or would it come to an unfortunate end like everything else? It was a question he didn't want to dwell on. Instead, he chose to hold on to this hopeful feeling he'd found and pretend he didn't know better.

Within minutes, they were past the bulk of the town. The houses grew sparse, replaced by trees.

James drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. "Want to listen to the radio? "

"Are you going to start singing?" Sebastian teased.

"What? No." James took his eyes from the road briefly, glaring in a way that said he would never .

Sebastian laughed. Damn it, he really liked this man. Meaning he needed to get his shit together and talk to him and stop stealing all these sweet moments he hadn't earned.

If he could be hopeful about Moonlight Falls, could he be hopeful about James? He wasn't sure. It felt like pushing his luck, but he wanted to believe he wasn't doomed to be alone, that he wasn't cursed and wouldn't always be cast out.

"Let's get you caught up on the latest hits." James switched on the radio and selected a station.

"Once I learn the lyrics, I'm going to make you sing with me," Sebastian warned.

James pretended not to hear the threat, and Sebastian smiled at his feigned grumpiness.

Taller trees loomed ahead. The road was less windy down this way than up near Storm House, but once you got past the neighborhoods, the forest took over. Sebastian frowned at the music. He couldn't say he liked the song playing and wondered if he was destined to be an old man at heart after living in isolation. People enjoyed listening to this? What had happened while he was away?

A loud bang and the scream of crunching metal drowned out the music. Sebastian lurched forward in his seat, his seatbelt catching him, digging painfully into his neck and chest. His breath whooshed out of his lungs. The airbags deployed, and Sebastian smashed into them.