Page 21 of Witch's Promise

His father's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You think I don't keep tabs on my own son? My scouts found something very interesting. Or should I say, someone?"

The bottom dropped out of Sean's stomach. No. No, it couldn't be.

"Gabe's back in Salem, isn't he?" His father's voice was soft, almost gentle, but Sean could hear the underlying threat as clearly as if he'd shouted it.

Sean's world tilted on its axis. Gabe. Here. In Salem. How the fuck had he missed that? And more importantly, how the hell did his father know?

"Leave him out of this," Sean growled, taking a step towards his father. His hands shook with the effort of not grabbing the older man by the collar and shaking him. "Gabe has nothing to do with any of this."

His father tsked, shaking his head like Sean was a disappointing child. "Oh, but he does. He has everything to do with this. After all, he's the reason you left, isn't he? The reason you turned your back on your family, on your duty."

Memories flashed through Sean's mind - Gabe's smile, his laugh, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about his magic. The look of betrayal on his face when Sean had walked away, too scared and too stupid to accept the truth of who Gabe was.

"I mean it, Dad," Sean said, his voice low and dangerous. "Stay away from him. You've done enough damage."

His father's eyes hardened. "I've done damage? I've protected this family, given you everything. And this is how you repay me? By throwing it all away for some... magical freak?"

The words hit Sean like a physical blow. He surged forward, grabbing his father by the front of his expensive suit. "Don't you ever talk about him like that," he snarled. "Gabe is twice the man you'll ever be."

For a moment, they stood there, locked in a tableau of fury and resentment. Then, slowly, his father pried Sean's fingers from his jacket.

"You're not thinking clearly, son," he said, his voice maddeningly calm. "Come home. We can sort this out. Together."

Sean stumbled back, shaking his head. "No. No, I'm done. With you, with the organization, with all of it. Just stay the fuck away from me. And stay away from Gabe."

Without waiting for a response, Sean turned and strode towards his bike. His heart pounded in his ears, drowning out whatever his father might have been saying. He swung his leg over the seat, the familiar rumble of the engine offering little comfort as he peeled out of the forest clearing.

The trees blurred past as Sean pushed the bike to its limits, his mind racing even faster than the speedometer. Gabe was here. In Salem. Why hadn't he known? And more importantly, what the fuck was he going to do about it?

Part of him, a part he wasn't proud of, wanted to turn tail and run. To get the hell out of Salem and never look back. It would be safer that way, for both of them. His father knew Gabe was here, which meant Gabe was in danger. Sean's presence would only make that danger worse.

But the thought of leaving without seeing Gabe, without at least trying to make things right... it twisted Sean's gut into knots.

As he hit the outskirts of Salem, Sean eased off the throttle, his mind made up. He had to find Gabe. Had to warn him, protect him if necessary. And maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to apologize for all the hurt he'd caused.

Sean snorted at his own optimism. As if a simple "I'm sorry" could make up for years of pain and betrayal. He'd be lucky if Gabe didn't slam the door in his face. And honestly? Sean wouldn't blame him one bit.

But he had to try. He owed Gabe that much, at least.

Chapter 6

Gabe

They were at The Cauldron, Salem's trendiest magical fusion restaurant, washed over Gabe as he sat across from his siblings. The familiar scent of herbs and spices mingled with the crackling energy of ambient magic, creating a sensory experience that was uniquely Salem. Gabe couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia mixed with a hefty dose of guilt. How long had it been since he'd sat down for a meal with Gino and Giana like this, without the weight of the world on his shoulders?

Gino, ever the foodie, was practically salivating over the menu. "I'm telling you, the dragon-fire grilled salmon here is to die for. Literally, if you're not careful with the spice level."

Giana rolled her eyes, but there was fondness in the gesture. "We get it. Some of us prefer our taste buds intact, thank you very much."

Gabe chuckled, the sound feeling foreign in his throat. When was the last time he'd laughed like this, free from the constant tension of waiting for the next supernatural disaster to strike?

"How about we start with some appetizers?" Gabe suggested, playing the role of peacekeeper as he'd done so many timesin their childhood. "Those levitating mozzarella sticks look interesting."

As they placed their order with a waiter whose name tag proclaimed him to be "Merlo”, the conversation drifted to the reason for their impromptu family dinner.

"So," Giana said, leaning forward conspiratorially, "any ideas for Dad's birthday? I was thinking maybe a surprise party, but you know how he feels about surprises."

Gino snorted. "Yeah, last time we tried that, he nearly hexed half the guests thinking we were under attack."

---