187
Lucy
The bird’s feathers ruffled, and then, with a triumphant flutter, it stretched its wings and sat up its side. It got to its feet and let out a soft song before taking to the air. Hito’s stern expression softened into a smile as he nodded. Duke leaned forward on the table, wavering on his feet. His chest was heaving from exertion. I wanted to clap.
Hito turned to me with a wry smile. “This would be the time to clap.”
I flushed, but I clapped anyway as the bird continued to fly circles around Duke. “You did well,” Hito said.“I did not expect you to incorporate any alchemy. You must have been practicing.”
Duke flushed.“A-A little”
He poked him in the side.“And that is why Blue is so upset with you. Sit, rest, eat something with your cheerleader. I will get you a potion, but you will still have to deal with Blue’s wrath.”
Duke winced and sank into the seat.
Hito pressed a hand to his shoulder. “For what it is worth, you have the talent, but you must allow yourself the time to recover completely.”
He nodded.“I-I will.”
“I will believe it when I see it.”
Hito swept from the room as the bird landed on the table. I sat beside him. “So, you’re way more advanced than I am,” I marveled, still amazed by the sight of the bird happily sitting on the table.
Duke grinned.“Yeah, andI’m fucking tired now.”
I smiled. You’ve come far.”
He smiled and nodded. “Yeah.”
“Hito seemed impressed.”
Duke’s grin widened. It’s always better to impress Maggie than disappoint him or be just adequate.”
I looked down at the bird.“It looks… different”
He frowned and looked down at the bird. There was something about it that I couldn’t place. The wings glinted like metal now that they weren’t covered in blood.
“That is because it is,” Hito said, returning and giving Duke a vial of glowing liquid. “And very rare, though I am not surprised that it was drawn to the Blood Moon Estate for refuge.”
He conjured a set of chairs and offered me one as he set a plate of food in front of Duke.
He sat as the bird waddled over to Duke.“He has taken a liking to you. That is good.”
I raised an eyebrow.“For what?”
“I’m not much for pets…” Duke said.
Hito scoffed. “A familiar is not a pet.”
Duke’s eyes widened. “But you said it would take years before I would have enough magic to have a familiar.”
Hito lifted a shoulder. “It is often in teaching we must lie to our students.”
“I can’t believe this! What else were you going to lie to me about?”
He smiled. “I suppose you will know in due time.”
He gestured to the bird. “If I had not said that, would you have felt the need to practice the way you have. And if you had not, it really would take you years to be ready to heal a magical magpie.”
I frowned. “Is that the official name?”
“No, just one that is close enough. Where I am from, we would hall them Orotori, gold birds. This one is very young and will be a good companion for you.”
“What’s a familiar?” I asked.
“In the case of witches, they serve as conduits for a witch’s power. They assist in controlling a person’s magic and help with rituals. An Orotori is well-suited for a healer with your talents.”
“That's amazing," I said.
Hito nodded. “He will be a loyal companion well into your next lifetime.”
I couldn't help but smile at the thought. The idea of having a loyal companion that transcended lifetimes sounded so cool.
"You know," I said, a playful glint in my eyes. "You officially have a sidekick."
Duke chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I did.”
“Like a Disney princess.”
He scowled at me. “I’m not a princess.”
“I don’t know,” I said. “All Disney princesses have an animal sidekick… All you’re missing is the dress.”
Duke huffed. “Hush up, Lucy-Cat.”
Duke looked at the bird. “I think I’ll name him… Hunter.”
“An apt name, they are birds of prey.”
His jaw dropped. “This little guy?”
“When he is older, he will be the size of a bald eagle or bigger. More than capable of eating cat if he wanted.” Hito smiled. “And golden. “
“Hunter,” I nodded. “Not really cute enough for a sidekick, but I like it.”
Hunter puffed up his chest and chirped at me. Duke grinned.
“I think his pride is offended.”
Duke finished the potion and the snack before we got up and headed out of the room. Hunter flew along with us as we walked. Duke's exhaustion was palpable, but his smile was radiant. I couldn't help but share in his joy.
"You were amazing, you know?"
Duke's cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “Can’t wait until I can do the kinds of things Hito can do.”
“You’ll get there,” I said and nudged him. “Probably before Hunter is big enough to eat a cat.”
He grimaced. “I promise to tell him you’re off limits.”
He grinned.
"Honestly, all of this is kind of crazy, but I feel… closer to my parents when I’m training and studying. Not the human stuff, but all the magic stuff…” His eyes sparkled. “Lucian… promised he’d give me my Dad’s staff when Hito thinks I’m ready for one.”
“We’ll have to get you a cloak so you’ll have a full witch look.” I smiled. “And… I get it. I can’t say I feel closer to my parents, but I definitely feel closer to something.”
“Hopefully, it’s not that crazy woman.”
We headed back toward the main section of the Estate, walking quietly as I looked around at the decorations. There were photos and paintings of people, I guess, that were related to David. As we reached the main section, I heard footsteps heading our way. We turned the corner, and I froze.
David was walking down the hallway, pulling his tie loose. My whole body felt like it was buzzing. The way his eyes met mine sent a flurry of emotions through me.
His eyes glowed with an otherworldly hue, a shade of purple that spoke of his happiness to see me, or maybe it was because I was at his house? The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. My face heated as he drew closer, smiling at me.
"Hey, Lucy," David said, his voice a mix of surprise and delight. “I… didn’t know you were coming.”
"Hi,” I squeaked. I cleared my throat. My heart was racing as I tried to process his unexpected appearance. “I… It was just impromptu. I came with Duke… and…”
David’s eyes warmed. “For dinner?”
“Oh, well… No, I was—I was here to see what it was like in his training… And…”
“How was it?” He looked at Duke, his eyes still glowing. Then, his eyes darted up. He frowned. “Is that… what I think it is?”
“I… Well, I healed a magical magpie, and now he’s my familiar?”
David’s eyes widened, and his grin spread wide. “Congratulations, Duke! That’s huge.”
“Thanks…” Duke cleared his throat. "I should probably go present myself to be stuffed to bursting before Blue comes to find me. I’m pretty sure she and Maggie are in cahoots. I can trust you to make sure Lucy eats, right, David?”
I glanced at David, then at Duke. I could sense the unspoken understanding between them. My heart wavered for a moment, torn between saying something and letting whatever happened happen.
“Of course,” David said softly.
As Duke was about to make his exit, I felt a sudden rush of panic. I couldn't let him leave, not like this. My heart raced as I searched for words, desperately trying to come up with a reason for him to stay.
"Wait, Duke," I blurted out, my voice a mix of urgency and embarrassment. "You don't have to go. I mean, we were all just about to have dinner together, right?"
“Yeah, totally.” Duke grinned. “But why would you want to have dinner with all those people when you could just have dinner with David?”
Before I could say anything, Duke had already started to make his way out. His exit left me alone with David, an electric charge filling the air between us. David offered the crook of his elbow.
“Shall we?” David asked. “I’m sure dinner is done…”
I bit my lip and nodded. “That… That sounds good.”
I took his arm. My fingers trembling, my heart pounding in my chest. My stomach was in knots, but I walked with him.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." David looked down at me. “I suppose you and Duke had plans?”
I shook my head, still trying to process the sudden change in atmosphere. "No, not at all. I just… happened to be here. Uhm, how was your day?”
“Long, a little irritating, but over,” he grinned. “Much better having seen you…”
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