8. Gabe

8

GABE

I don’t know how long we stare into the horizon watching the clouds change colors and the sun go down, but I’m glad for the peace of it all. I never got that before when I lived with humans. Never could just… stop. Humans are always go go go, even making their hobbies a show of how much they can do. It was exhausting. But here, in Hex, I can breathe. I can enjoy my plants and not feel like I have to have the best ones to enter into a contest or anything. I don’t have to sell them anymore to keep up with life costs. There’s no hustling. I can just be Gabe.

Van’s hand is hot in mine, but doesn’t make me sweat. His tail gets restless before he does and makes me laugh when it slithers up my calf.

I cough into my free hand. “Your tail seems to have a mind of its own right now.”

“Oh. No. That’s me.” Van gives me a cheeky grin and tightens his tail before releasing me.

“It’s okay.” I squeeze his hand and he seems to relax even more.

The barest hint of music floats towards us, and I take the lead to the community garden. It’s one of my favorite places in all of Hex.

We cross the street and walk down the sidewalk past all the old houses owned by the Speller coven, with one slot noticeably empty.

“Have you ever heard a wood nymph’s song?” I ask.

The sidewalk makes way to a dirt path.

“Never even met a wood nymph,” Van says.

“You’re in for a real treat, then. Oh, and you know how The Magic Shop is bigger once you go inside? The garden is like that, too. Actually, a lot of places in Hex are like that.”

“Good to know. Flutter and Fangs just seems like a normal building.”

I shrug. “F and F is a normal building. As in, it’s not bigger on the inside, but there is magic.”

Van swallows. “Do you think Pike’s mad at me?”

I shake my head even before I know what to say. “I think he’s relieved to have you back. No one knew where you were. Wick is…”

“Oh, Wick is definitely pissed at me.”

I shake my head again. “I don’t think he is. Disappointed? Sure. But pissed? No. I know he’s happy to have you back. Wick doesn’t seem the type to get pissed. At least not the version Wick puts on in front of me, anyway. He’s got a lot going on in his head.”

“He does.” Van releases my hand and I miss his heat, but let him go.

“I heard the conversation you had with him at my apartment.”

“I know.” He rubs his hand over his face and sighs.

“Why was he punished at fifteen for you?” I’m too curious not to ask, though it’s probably rude.

“I pissed Poe off.”

“But what happened?” I urge. Perhaps everything has always been a misunderstanding.

Van lets out a dramatic sigh. “Why not? I was twenty. Pike was twenty-two. He always forgets he’s actually older than me.” Van chuckles at his memory. “The two of us got drunk, but I got summoned, taking him with me. He’d had his own crossroads since he was fifteen, also because of me and a prank gone wrong.” Van swipes his hand across his face again. “What the fuck is this humidity about? The Hell realm isn’t even like this.”

“Don’t get distracted.” I take his hand again and he lets out a contented sigh.

“I may have gone against the rules and done a deal for free. I made Pike hide the fact, and since he was wasted off his ass, he didn’t even remember he was there when he sobered up. But Poe knew. Somehow Poe knew everything.”

“Why’d you do it, though?”

“Because the girl shouldn’t have had to pay for the deal.”

My brows scrunch as I think. “Why not?”

Van crosses his arms, and his tail wiggles like a snake ready to strike. “She was assaulted and her violater was never caught. Not until me.” He thumps a hand to his chest and winces when it hits the device. “She wanted justice, and I agreed. I plucked the image of the man from her memory and when I realized what he’d done to her, I refused payment. I found the guy, brought him to her, and ripped his fucking head off.”

“And Poe was upset with this?” I’ve met Poe a handful of times when he stops off at Flutter and Fangs for a bit of HellFire, but he always came across as a good guy. Though maybe I shouldn’t, maybe I should remember demons aren’t human and don’t have human morals.

Van’s arms drop and his tail droops. “I ran away. I knew Poe would find fault in my reasoning, but?—”

I hold up my free hand. “Do you always run away?”

“Yes.” Van scratches at his elbow and refuses to look at me. “It’s easier than facing the music.” His lips twitch. “Speaking of music…”

“We’re almost there,” I say as cornstalks get closer. When I stop at the gate, Van cocks his brow at me.

“Why are we in the middle of a cornfield?” He looks around as I squat to press my hand to the ground to gain access.

Stone rumbles against stone as the gate flickers into view and parts for us. Van stumbles back and I grab his hand before he can fall. “Welcome to the Hex community garden.” I tug him through the gate.

“I was not expecting all of this.” His tail wiggles and his head’s on a swivel.

People rush around tending to their plots or setting up a spot to enjoy the wood nymph’s performance from a distance. Chimes tinkle somewhere I can never place. Everyone always helps to keep the pathways clear of vegetation.

A few witches hunch over a plot and whisper enchantments over their herbs. A cat shifter snuggles down into a plot of catnip. I can’t tell if it’s Sparkle, one of the former dancers from Flutter and Fangs. He’s a bartender with me now when he’s not pole dancing or giving pole dancing classes.

Van’s eyes grow wide. “It’s amazing in here.”

“I know. Come on, it gets better.” We scramble past a dragon shifter wrapping themselves around a clutch of eggs. I’ve discovered dragon shifters are subtly different in their human forms than demons.

While they both have horns, dragons don’t have the wily tails and they have scales that run up their arms most of the time. They have to talk with the council before they shift if they want to fly, since the council needs to make sure the wards extend to enough of the sky for the dragon to get the best flight. Most dragons just go to another realm, but sometimes they want to fly in Hex.

I love the scent of earth and the various vegetation around. We have fruit trees in their own area, too, and I love walking through the citrus trees just to breathe them in.

“It’s like… I don’t even know. Wait, is that—” Van squints.

“A small winery? Yep. The Speller Coven takes care of it. They have dozens of different types of wine with magic infused into them.”

“Spellers.” Van grinds his teeth and his mood sours.

“Van, Hex is thriving since Drake’s been gone. His mother took over the coven, and the leadership has been phenomenal. I may not have been here all that long, but even I know the effect Drake had on this place. He was evil. Even his own mother condemned him.”

“She did?”

“Yes, I had to learn the history of Hex to get the permit to live here and believe me. He was a dark cloud.”

“I hated him. As soon as I could do something about him, I did.”

“I know and I hate…” I nibble my bottom lip and look away. “I hate that you ran away before you could see all the good. So I’m glad you’re here now.”

Van stops to stare at me. “You’re so…”

It’s my turn to tense up. Strange. He’s going to say strange. That’s what everyone thinks.

“Sweet.”

My cheeks burn as his finger traces my jaw.

“I’m just me. Plain ol’ Gabriel. And most people think I’m offputting.”

“Those people are wrong. Lark is sweet, but I think you have him beat.” His thumb grazes my bottom lip. It takes everything in me not to open my mouth and suck him in. What is this demon doing to me?

“Uh, come on, this way, we’re almost there.” I break the haze that seemed to fall over us and he shakes his head as if trying to clear it.

We walk in silence the next several blocks worth of garden. Not that the garden is silent, not in the least. There’s an empty field to our left where no one’s claimed a spot and a few kids play with a ball.

“What the ever loving fuck?” comes from Van when he sees the small outdoor amphitheater. Decades ago the Speller coven rose the ground to form seats and a stage. It used to be for more sinister gatherings, but since the 90s and community garden got started, it’s used for art performances. Or so my Hex literature assures me.

Magic glows like fireflies all around us. Just little globes lighting the way and we follow the path.

“I like sitting up front, but we don’t have to,” I say as I start for my favorite spot, front and center.

“I’m good wherever, angel. Lead the way.”

We’re on a slope and it takes a bit of work to not clomp all the way down the packed dirt stairs. It’s not crowded tonight, thank goodness.

“If you ever can’t sleep, there are hammocks set up over there.” I gesture to the section to our left, where about two dozen net hammocks wait for people. “They’re really comfy.”

“I’ll take that into consideration.”

“I’m not kicking you out,” I blurt. “You’re still welcome to stay at my house. It’s more comfy if you ask me.” I wave to the boxes in front of the stage. “And if you need food, there is always communal food to eat while you’re here. Or to take. It doesn’t really matter.” I shrug and realize the food problem won’t really be a food problem now that I think of it. “Actually?—”

“I’ll still pitch in for food. Demons can’t live off of just salad and meat is expensive.”

“Fair enough.” I find my favorite spot and Van laughs behind me.

“How often do you come here? There’s a perfect Gabe ass shaped indention in this dirt.”

My cheeks heat again. “A lot, and I’m not ashamed of it.”

“Gabe!” Nef hops off the stage and wraps me in their limbs before their feet hit the ground. Actual tree limbs. Their willowy arms pet my shoulders and a few yellow leaves fall from atop their head from among their long deep brown hair. “I hoped you’d come tonight. I have a new set and I think you’ll love it.” Their green eyes gleam in the magical light.

“Can’t wait.” I laugh as their leaves tickle my face. Slowly, their limbs let me back down on my own two feet.

“I assume this is the wood nymph?” Van asks, jaw clenched. His tail snaps behind him as it whooshes from side to side so fast it’s a blur.

Nef chuckles. “Oh, I’ve seen that look before. Don’t be jealous, we’re just friends and will stay only friends. I’m not one for romance. Ever.” They shiver and stick their tongue out. “I’m Nef, they/them.”

Van introduces himself. “Sorry for… the growling.”

Nef lifts a shoulder. “Used to it. But I’m not about to steal your man. Unless it’s for a night of music making. Literal music making, not a euphemism for sex. Ew.” Nef shivers again and shakes out their hands.

Van’s eyes go wide. “I can not imagine a life without sex.”

“I get that a lot, too.” Nef laughs and more leaves shake from their hair.

“Wait.” Van turns to me. “You—” he waves his hand between me and Nef. “Play music together?”

“Gabe has the voice of an angel.” Nef’s lips twitch and I let out a fake exasperated sigh.

“That’s so cliche,” I say as I pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head in jest.

“You still love me.” Nef blows me a kiss and I catch it as they climb back on stage.

“Of course.”

Which causes Van to bristle beside me. I nudge him with my shoulder and hold out my hand as I take my seat. He looks at it, then me, then takes my offering and settles beside me. His tail wraps around my waist, pulling me closer. I don’t mind one bit.

I lean in. “I also play cello, and Nef is kind enough to let me keep Henrietta with them since she’d take up a lot of space in my apartment.”

“You named your cello?—”

“Dear friends, new and old,” Nef starts with a twinkle in their eye. “I welcome you to my beloved arena. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the treat I have for you tonight.” Saplings rise up behind them and I suck in a gasp as I applaud with the rest of the audience. Usually Nef utilizes the magic light balls, but to add another element to their show will truly bring everything to life.

Nef’s long skirt sways as the wind picks up. I’m not sure if it’s their influence or not. Nef’s eyes close and I breathe in the fresh outdoors as I do the same.

Van leans in. “Question. Why’d we have to wait until dark?”

“Nef’s a tree until the sun goes down. The moment the sun doesn’t touch them, they wake up.”

“Ah, okay.” He settles back and scoots just a smidgen closer while Nef starts a beat knocking on their chest.

The sound is hollow and haunting with the rustling of the saplings behind them. The magic lights sway above the stage, illuminating everything. Nef opens their mouth to let out a deep rumbling of song. It’s like the earth bubbles up from them. Sometimes there aren’t any words to Nef’s music and you have to listen for the story within the sounds. Within the thumps of the bark. Within the sway of Nef’s body. I want to close my eyes again, but if I do, I’ll miss half the show.

Roots push through the ground of the stage as Nef raises their arms and limbs to the sky. I swear thunder rumbles around us, but I’m sure it’s part of the show. The magic balls flicker, mimicking lightning and the saplings howl.

This is one of Nef’s best shows since I’ve started coming and I wiggle in my seat with the biggest grin. I can’t take my eyes off the stage as the musical storm makes way for a gentle, soft spring day. Flowers pop up from the ground of the stage, bringing gasps from the audience as Nef’s voice changes into something light and airy, still wordless, but happier nonetheless.

I don’t know how long the show continues for, but we follow through the four seasons until everything appears to shrivel up and die for winter. The sounds and visuals fade until no one can see Nef on stage anymore and a single flower rises from the dirt.

I bounce to my feet, dragging Van with me since we’re still attached by his tail, but I’m not worried because we’re both clapping and hooting so loud Nef starts laughing in the background. I shove my fingers in my mouth and whistle.

“That was amazing!” I shout. It’s like the entire show was catered to me and kept my brain engaged. Sometimes I get distracted during a performance, but not tonight. Tonight was breathtaking.

“Nef… wow,” Van starts.

“I know!” I keep clapping even as the crowd starts to disperse. When the magic light balls brighten, I spring from my seat and hop on the stage to give Nef a hug. “That was your best show yet!”

Nef swings me around and around until we’re both dizzy. Van watches us from the seats. I can’t read his expression, but it doesn’t seem like jealousy this time.

“Join us, Van!” I plop to the ground and wave my arms and legs in the dirt of the stage as if I’m making a snow angel. It helps pack the dirt back in, though I know Nef will do what needs to be done to make the stage properly useable for next time.

Tenativley Van climbs onto the stage. He’s been so sure of himself that his hesitation makes me pause.

“I never knew Hex, or any place, could be like this. Joyful. Happy .” Van looks around and I’m covered in dirt when I pop back to my feet.

“Hex is everything,” I say as I take his hand. Every time I do, he calms, and this time isn’t any different. “And it’s even better because of you.” I squeeze his hand and release him to say my goodbye to Nef.

“I have to work the next few nights, but we’ll be back soon.” I wrap my arms around the wood nymph and they pat my back with their arms and limbs. A yawn escapes me that I try to shake off.

“You need sleep,” Nef laughs as another yawn comes. “See you soon, Gabey.” They rub a limb through my hair, tangling it, yet shaking out all the dirt.

I wave as I lead Van away from the stage.

“Nef seems nice.” There isn’t a hint of jealousy in Van’s voice this time.

“They’re really amazing. We hit it off instantly when we met.”

“I think you hit it off with everyone you meet.” Van laughs and I slightly jab him with my elbow.

“Not everyone. I think your brother hates me or something.”

Van stops in his tracks. “Wick doesn’t hate you. I think the only person, well, people, he hates is whoever is keeping Ethan from him. I wish I knew.” Van sighs and looks to the bright twinkling stars above. “I’d bring that boy back in a heartbeat. Punishment be damned. I’d take out the entire Speller coven if I could just bring Ethan back. But I can’t. They’ve warded every damn Speller house and safe haven in Hex. No demon, crossroads or?—”

I blink back at empty space. He’s gone.