Page 69 of De-Witched

Gabriel curled his toes in his shoes and wished for the armor of his three-piece suit. “Fine.”

“Your uncle indicated you’ve been enjoying their company more.”

There was no accusation in the tone, but Gabriel stood straighter. “As expected, I have made an effort to socialize with humans, yes.”

“And how is that?”

“Fine.”

Will finally slid him a look. “Many fines.”

“This is an aggravating situation for me.”

“Being around humans.”

“Being watched,” Gabriel corrected. “Judged. I have stuck to the terms of the contract and dislike these added amendments.”

“I understand.” Will’s hair moved faintly in the breeze and he shuddered, waving a hand and creating a warm cloud of air around them.

Gabriel envied the amount of magic Will had used in the last five minutes. He appreciated magic more now, had learned to cope without relying on it, but Goddess, he missed it.

“It’s an intrusion,” Will continued, not missing a beat, “but I’ll barely be here. I’ll be as discreet as possible. Only a few questions.”

Gabriel’s pulse skipped. “Questions?”

“To prove you’ve been making an effort. I find it ridiculous but...” Will shrugged. “Don’t worry, I’m not canvassing everyone. A select few only. Emmaline Bluewater, Tia Hightower. The third from the bar.” A notepad poofed into Will’s hand and he flipped a page, reading off it. “Leah Turner.”

The only outward show of Gabriel’s dismay was the tremble in the hands he linked behind him. “There is no need to talk to Leah.”

“I think her the most important. A human witness to prove you’ve gone above and beyond.” Will cocked his head. “Curious that a human who knows nothing of our world should own a third of the bar.” He obviously didn’t consider that anyone would have told Leah; not surprising for someone who adhered so strictly to rules and order in his own life.

Chuck responded to the tension riding Gabriel by pawing at his leg. He received an absent stroke as Gabriel weighed every word. “Family money. She likes her projects.”

“Hmm.” Will seemed to lose interest, asking a few more questions about Gabriel’s experiences the last few weeks.

When they were done, he considered Gabriel. “The board should applaud you for these efforts. Existing with only scraps of magic, forced to work in a job you’re overqualified for, wearing a mask. Knowing the people around you couldn’t handle the real you or our world. I bet you can’t wait to leave them all behind.”

The words hit hard, unexpectedly so. Gabriel managed to murmur something noncommittal, unsure why the truth should so surprise him. Will was right, after all. As much as he liked Mitch, Frankie, Leah, none of them could exist in his real world. They didn’t know the real him. And in the end, he would say goodbye. Return to being alone. Just as he liked it.

As Will cheerfully said he’d be in touch and left, Gabriel lowered himself to the ground and sat there in the yard for a moment longer, Chuck’s head resting loyally on his knee.

16

When Mitch came jogging up to him an hour later, brows tight, Gabriel felt his heart sink.

And he cursed when he followed Mitch out the side of the building where nonsensical phrases and symbols were spray-painted in garish yellow. Considering the paint was well set, it had to have happened the night before, even if they’d only just noticed now.

“Is this normal?” he demanded, waving a hand at the graffiti.

Mitch hunched his shoulders against the cold. “Not so long as I’ve volunteered. We’ve had the odd thing, but this is like we’re being targeted.”

Gabriel crossed his arms in disgust. “I didn’t install a camera here when we put in the new security system. That will be rectified.”

In the meantime, they shoved up their sleeves and got to scraping the paint off as best they could. They were soon joined by Frankie and the three of them carried an easy conversation as they worked, easier than most Gabriel had ever been part of. In fact, Melly had been delighted when he’d mentioned his “friends,” (her words), and had again clamored to visit so she could meet them. He’d stuck with his refusal, still leery about having her around so many humans where she couldn’t defend herself with magic. A dreamscape potion wasn’t created in a day.

Once the wall was as clear as they could get it and their shifts long over, Mitch raised the idea of a drink. Considering the only thing Gabriel had waiting for him was a microwaved casserole and the second part of a documentary he knew Leah would enjoy, he’d agreed. If she was there, he could recommend it, they could talk. Safe, easy.

He’d missed her, damn it.

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