Spellcaster series #2: The Acolyte

Family

TRISTAN

Jessie and Wynona arrived shortly after I called for them to the PN-16 precinct. The Commissioner sat behind his desk and read out the proposed changes regarding the curfew for non-humans. I sat in the chair, facing the balding man and calming my inner energy.

"Sir, you have to reconsider, Heidi is not a Vampire! If you do this, you will send the wrong message to the other Spellcasters," Jessie said as soon as he entered the office. Wynona followed after. Her purple hair was short and violet eyes piercing. I had not seen her unhappy in a long time.

She strode forward and extended a pale hand and slapped Heidi's permit onto the commissioner's desk. Her voice was curt, "She has a permit, Commissioner Clarke. You are unjustly arresting one of our Spellcasters and a student to the three Sages. There is no need to interfere with our affairs this way."

Commissioner Clarke lifted his gaze onto Wynona without a word. Then his eyes flickered back to the permit and slid it back to her, "Heidi is not exempted from the rules against the Vampires. She is no better than them—she was raised by them. Who's to say that we can trust her? Our source says that she had likely murdered a police officer."

"You're charging her baselessly, Commissioner. Your rule is to have the Vampires have a permit but you don't accept hers! This is illegal," I snapped. "And with regards to Sergeant Michaels, she has no motive! Besides, the autopsy can tell you all about the proof that Heidi did nothing of that sort."

"You're right, Sir Tristan, but I will not retract my statement. Heidi is still a threat to the Worldly realm. Didn't she lead an army of djinns to the Magic realm to destroy it? If so, my point still stands."

I was raging.

I leaned forward and spoke through gritted teeth, "You are in the business of the Spellcasters. You need us to fulfil your duties here in the PN-16 department. Do you think that being on our bad side would be such a good idea?"

The Commissioner did not budge.

Jessie exhaled and finally said, "If that is your final decision, Commissioner, then so be it. We will still lend a hand to PN-16 but no more interfering with anymore Spellcasters. We have a misunderstanding and it will be resolved one day. Right now we have other priorities. Please release Miss Danielson from custody and we will make sure she does not over-welcome her stay here. This means, we will encourage her to give up her apartment as well."

I narrowed my eyes at the Commissioner. He nodded after some thought, "It's a deal. I don't want anymore non-humans messing up this realm. We want to live in peace, not become the scapegoat of some long-winded war between other beings."

When they released Heidi, Wynona wrapped her arms around her and apologised on everyone's behalf. I restrained myself, having to bask in the slight jealousy that she could embrace Heidi in front of people and not I.

"When you're ready, we need to get you back to your apartment in town. We will explain to you there," Wynona said as they pulled away.

~

Wynona and Jessie sat themselves on the sofa of Heidi's apartment while she sat between them. They spoke to her, in detail, about the deal with Commissioner Clarke. I stood in front of the sofa, leaning against the television cabinet and folded my arms. I could not verbalise my thoughts so I kept them in. I watched Heidi's expressions—from curiosity to hurt to being betrayed. I did not blame her one iota.

"We will help you sell this place. They might want you out immediately," Jessie advised.

Heidi did not oppose—which was uncharacteristic of her—and began packing her bags to move to the Magic realm and live there indefinitely. When Jessie and Wynona began discussing about the deal with Commissioner Clarke and the possible threats to any Spellcasters, I slipped away and followed Heidi to her bedroom.