Page 14 of Izzy
The power coming off Seryn always left Ulises in awe. It was inspiring in some ways because it made Ulises want to work harder at channeling his magic.
Seryn had never had a teacher. What he'd learned, he’d figured out all on his own. Ulises hadn't ever had a mentor either, but it was because he'd been sick his entire life. No one in his coven had bothered to mentor the boy with the lumps. Their reasoning had more to do with the fact his mother was human, but some of it was because they thought he was a dead man walking.
"Picture the dome around you." Seryn whispered from behind him. He stood so close Ulises could feel the heat from his body, which wasn't comfortable at all. Even with the central air cooling the practice room, Ulises was still sweating his balls off.
"I can't think about anything. I'm too hot." His problem was his inability to focus and it had everything to do with the stupid dating app Easton had talked him into.
"That's because all of your magical energy is building inside you with no place to go. It happens to beginners." Seryn musthave stepped back. "Take a break. Get some water and a snack. We'll try again in a few minutes."
Ulises sighed in relief. "I'm sorry. I'm not a very good student."
Seryn patted him on the back. "My only requirement is that you try your best and you've done well up until today. Everyone has off days, Ulises."
How come Ulises had to have an off-life when everyone else just had a few scattered days?
Ulises grabbed a towel from the stack on the cart. As Seryn's housekeeper, he made sure the towels in the practice room were easily accessible. It was a little perk of the job because Seryn hadn't asked Ulises to keep a supply in the practice room. He didn't need them. But Ulises always needed one because he always sweat each time they practiced.
"I feel like I'm not making progress."
"It takes time. Especially if you learn as an adult. And you've perfected fire. You learned that so fast it makes me wonder if maybe you have a natural ability for it."
It took Ulises a second to hear the praise woven in between the words. "Thank you. I thought I was terrible at all of it."
"You've done very well with fire. And you'll learn concealments. Have patience, young grasshopper." Seryn nodded toward the door, indicating he wanted Ulises to follow him. He was good at making sure Ulises took care of himself. He bought Ulises electrolyte packets and had given him a water bottle with his name on it. And he made sure he had a snack.
"Did you just make a joke?" If he did, it would be the first time he'd done so in front of Ulises.
"Not that I'm aware of." Of course, the deadpan way he spoke made it seem as though he were trying to be funny, when he really meant he had no idea why Ulises had thought he joked.
"You called me grasshopper." Ulises thought, by pointing it out, he might help Seryn figure out the term could be construed as teasing.
Seryn shrugged. "If you'd like to think of that as a joke than be my guest."
Ulises chuckled. "I think I will."
A second later Seryn changed the subject. "As I said earlier, you've been more distracted today. I want to know why."
Ulises stopped in the middle of the hallway. When Seryn realized he wasn't following him anymore, he stopped and turned, closing what little distance there was between them. "It's stupid."
"Just tell me. Maybe I can help."
"I don't think you can and it's sort of a good problem. I think." Ulises wrinkled his nose and smiled at the same time. "Easton made a profile for me on a dating app."
"Your doctor? That's above and beyond."
Ulises rolled his eyes. "He's not just my doctor. He's my best friend. And it's not as above and beyond as you mentoring me. I am your housekeeper after all."
Seryn had never frowned before, but Ulises had noticed a change in Seryn since Mitchell had come into his life. He was more expressive with his emotions than before. Ulises was sure it said a lot about Seryn's mental health improving but it was still scary. "We're family."
"You're right. I'm sorry."
Seryn nodded in acceptance of the apology. "What's bothering you about the dating app?"
"Well, beyond the fact my picture is plastered all over the internet." Okay, that was an exaggeration. He had tasteful pictures for his profile. They weren't anywhere else but on the app. But they said things on the internet stayed forever and knowing they were there forever creeped him out.
"You're self-conscious because of the tumor." Seryn stated it in a matter-of-fact way but it still brought heat to Ulises face.
"Always. It's also more than that." Ulises scrunched his face up again. "Two people actually liked my profile and messaged me."
