Page 31 of Chosen Spirits (The Bartender Mage #4)

Rahul and Tucker had eaten a number of the goodies, but Leif didn't have much of an appetite. Between the late night, the early morning hectic potion making, and all the recent conflict—both physical, and social—he was feeling pretty drained. A nap would be welcome.

All the efforts were worth it, though, he decided. Mina was smiling brightly, and her affected Brooklyn accent didn't seem forced, but sprightly.

Rahul set down his tea cup and saucer. "So you just tossed the bell into the lake every year or two?"

"That's right, dear," I'ari said. "The timeless prison for Sh'gor'el isn't a hundred percent efficient, so days still pass for her. Once the waters turned red, I knew it was time for her to give birth. I had intended to hold off on unbindings entirely, but theirs wasn't one that could wait."

"He looks like a healthy baby boy!" Leif said. "Have you decided on a name? Or did Shuh, um, Shoe-Gorilla give him a name?"

"Sh'gor'el," I'ari corrected, and Leif silently practiced it a few more times until he was sure he got it. "She did, but his star name is a secret known only to the two of them. She encouraged me to give him a second name, and I've decided on Weslen."

"Means 'morning flower,'" Mina said. "That's a lovely name, mom."

"Thank you, Talam—"

A loud thunderclap rolled through the sitting room, and flashes of light caused Leif to squint his eyes shut.

"Mina," I'ari said, correcting herself. "Thank you, dearest. I'll get it soon, I promise."

Mina leaned over the back of the couch, kissing her mom on the cheek. "I know you will."

"So what now, Lady?" Rahul asked, leaning back on the couch with his hand over Leif's shoulder.

Beside them, Tucker appeared to be trying—and failing—to resist the temptation to grab another delectable.

"I surely hope that you aren't intending to strap the child to your back while you go on your crusade! "

Mina scoffed. "Rahul, my new brother might look like an adorable toddler, but he's really a star child. I think he could survive the heat death of the universe."

"Yeah, but then he would miss out on school, naps, and cartoons!"

"I appreciate your concern," I'ari said, "but do not worry. I expect that, for now, I'll be staying here at the lake until Weslen is old enough to be on his own, which might take a couple of decades. Perhaps I'll go back to teaching."

"Yeah, I interviewed a number of parents in Michigan, most of 'em said you were a fantastic teacher, if brutally honest. I think your change of careers would set the mythic council at ease, too."

I'ari nodded. "I won't apologize for the things I've done.

The Order of Arbiters… I wouldn't say that they're unchecked, as they do many good things.

Even their bindings are done justly and with all caution, especially considering the alternatives.

However, their practices are guided by those whose lifespans are measured in centuries or longer, and they haven't quite caught up to the morals of the twenty-first century.

There are any number of other beings like Manoreth and Sh'gor'el who are overdue for appeal, and I feel for them.

But, I am sorry that the three of you have had to handle the aftermaths.

Especially today! Mina tells me that you had a whole day planned out with guests, which my summoning inadvertently interrupted.

For that, I declare that I owe you each a boon, on top of the great debt that I have for all of Leif's efforts. "

Tucker finished licking jam off of his fingers. "You know, Lady, I figure we could call in one of those favors right now, settle your worries, and help you make a real difference all at once. "

Rahul looked over at Tucker. "Does this have to do with all your messages to Fang?"

Tucker nodded. "Lady I'ari. My boss, Executive Director Fang Wu of the Minneapolis branch of DOMA, would like to speak with you about a work opportunity. She's already nearly here, and I would ask that, as my boon, you offer her hospitality and hear her out with an open mind."

◆◆◆

At one o'clock, after waving a distracted farewell to I'ari and her new child, Leif climbed into the back seat of Rahul's car. Mina was mounting her bike and preparing to leave as well, respecting her mother's wish for some time alone.Director Wu, always efficient, had already come and gone.

Leif needed to express his thoughts, and by the time that they hit the main road back to Minneapolis, Mina following behind them, he'd managed to do so.

"Um."

Well, at least I succeeded in speaking out loud. That's a start.

"Something on your mind, cub?"

"I reckon he's a bit tongue-tied. He certainly smells like it."

"I mean, what? Just… what?"

Better! Those were almost complete sentences.

"What do you think he's trying to say, pup? Maybe he's thinking about how he spent several hours conversing with a noble First Elf and managed not to barter away his name?"

"Naw, surely it's because Lady I'ari agreed to cease her vigilante activities in favor of being an administrative contact for DOMA. "

"It could be him witnessing the birth of a cute little eldritch horror. Or maybe how he once again saved the day? His last few potions definitely turned the tide."

"True, babe. Plus, he did it this time without any breaking and entering at all!"

Leif laughed, then reached out to poke his boyfriends.

"You're both goobers," he said fondly.

Tucker reached back over the seat, grabbing his hand and giving him a smile.

"So what do you think? Are you going to accept Wu's offer?"

"Honestly? Yeah. I mean, I'll think it over, and we should all discuss it together…"

"Nah, cub," Rahul said, and Tucker nodded. "What you want is what matters right now."

"Then yeah, I think it would be a dream come true."

Rahul grinned at him in the rear-view mirror. "Operative Leif Beckon of DOMA, spiritmancer and field therapist!"

"Oh, geez. I'm not—"

"We know, darlin', not a professional yet. But you'll get there."

Leif nodded, sitting back in his seat.

Fang had shown up, made polite small talk after being invited into I'ari's home, then laid out her spiel.

Apparently, after the truth had come out about why I'ari was releasing bindings, Wu had begun taking steps to address the problem. Earlier in the week, her months of lobbying efforts had finally paid off.

Minnesota's DOMA branch was going to open a new trial division, staffed by mental health professionals like psychiatrists and therapists, who could respond to incidents that didn't require damage control, detective work, or plain old magical solutions.

Professionals that could find sapients like the Faerie lantern, who mostly needed someone to talk to.

Other cities had managed some success with employing social workers as first responders, so there was precedent that it would work.

The problem, though, was that most licensed professionals were academics, and most of DOMA's problems either had added difficulties like its patients being dangerous to be around, or else the subjects were far out in the mythic wilderness.

That's where Leif and others like him came in, as assorted technicians. His magic would allow him to go into the field and approach clients, and he could then do the equivalent of mental health triage while he tried to establish a line of care.

I'ari was pleased to share all the arbiter information that she knew, and had made suggestions as to which bound spirits might benefit from being evaluated first.

Leif was going to be part of this pilot test program, visiting these others and making initial contact.

If the program succeeded, which might take a couple of years to gather data, Leif could end up with a career where he'd do innocuous field missions, where his varied alchemical magic would be an invaluable asset to establish communication, and where he'd get to use his psychology knowledge to help others.

Really help them! And if the pilot program worked, and Leif kept up his studies, maybe one day he'd even have his own master's or doctoral degree, and handle the patients himself as an actual licensed therapist.

It was something to look forward to. Leif blew a kiss to Tucker, then settled back in his seat, closed his eyes, and gave himself his promised nap.