Page 86 of How To Take Down A Cult At The End Of The World

I look at Charlie to try and reassure him that yes, it’s final battle time if that explosion was anything to go by and that our first stop was going to be the Chamber of Commerce, but it’s inthe looking at him that my finger slips and I cut myself on a piece of glass.

“Mulberries,” I whisper, jerking my hand back.

“What happened?” Jaak grabs my hand and brings it in front of him to look. “Oh no, I do not like this, my heart.”

“It’s just a cut. I’m fine. You’re the one that I need to focus on, you're actually hurt.”

“A single cut on you is one too many. I cannot have this.” Jaak presses his hand over my finger and just like that the cut heals. He brings my hand close to his face to look at it before he gives a satisfactory nod and presses a kiss to it. “Perfect.”

“You’re both so sickeningly sweet and perfect together that I am very aware you’re the product of demonic magic. That’s the only way this is possible.”

I grin and nod. “We are.”

“All marriages should begin with demonic magic to ensure happiness,” Jaak tells Charlie.

“Duly noted,” Charlie says. “So, who are we fighting?”

“The Chamber of Commerce,” I tell Charlie.

He makes a face. “Do we owe delinquent membership fees orrr?”

I roll my eyes. “No, nothing as evil as that. The Chamber of Commerce here is a front. There’s something going on with all the business owners in town. They’re all in on it. They were the mages that summoned Jaak. We’re trying to find the head mage now before they end the world.”

Charlie closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I wish I could say that I’m surprised any of that came out of your mouth, but I’m not.” He opens his eyes and nods. “Fine, let’s fight capitalism for the good of mankind.”

“That’s the spirit. You have a warrior’s heart,” Jaak tells him.

Charlie sits up straighter and nods. “Thank you. It’s about time someone sees it. I’ve been putting in the hours.”

“I see it, Gamemaster. Today we will take to the field of battle. I thought we had more time but no, the mage’s attack was to mark us. Any non-magical beings would not have been affected by that blast.”

“Wait, what?” I put my tongs down. I have an idea about Jaak’s glass. I can’t take picking it out piece by piece. Magic is the only way I’m going to get this done.

Jaak shifts forward in his seat and looks up at me. “The blast was meant for us. I’ve thought about why and what it might be and such a tactic, though crude, is useful when marking specific targets.”

“So you’re saying no one else will know about the blast?”

“Oh no, the physical effects of the blast will be apparent to everyone close by. Some humans were probably injured gravely by it if they were close enough but this,” he points at his back, “the fact that I cannot use my magic to remove the glass or heal would mark me and you for the head mage to see. They intend to identify us by our wounds. I’ve seen this tactic before.”

“Are you saying you aren’t going to heal after this?”

“I’m not sure. I may, but it will be slow. The only way to tell is to finish removing the glass.”

“Right. Okay.” Anger burns bright in me when I look down at Jaak’s back. All the result of some idiot head mage with delusions of grandeur. Who wants to destroy the world? What kind of nut job do you have to be to think that’s productive in any way? What’s in it for this mage? Bragging rights? Who is that idiot going to tell if there’s no world left?

“Uh, Meadow?”

“What?” I snap, looking at Charlie.

“Your hands are glowing.”

I look down and see he’s right. Magic is there and a lot of it. It’s not like before when it was liquid and hard for me to makesense of. It’s light and airy. I move my hand and it follows it. I don’t have to fight to hold it or control it now.

“What the hell were you thinking about?” Charlie asks.

“Vengeance,” I say and then put a light hand on Jaak’s shoulder. “I’m going to try something, okay?”

“Understood.” He nods and puts his hand over mine. “Do as you please, my heart.”