Razed by Magic

Chapter 4

The houses zipped past Eli as he ran down the empty street. His heavy but even breath, and the music pounding in his ears the only sounds cutting through the silence. This early in the morning no one was out, making it seem as if Eli was the only person around for miles. It was calm, peaceful. Even with the burning in his legs and aching in his lungs from the cold air. He loved it.

Every part of Eli hurt, his body one giant bruise, the gashes from the Bewley's claws stinging from his sweat. The run was helping to loosen him up, but the only reason Eli wasn't huddled in bed unable to move was due to the Void. His connection to the Void rested at the core of his being, where his spark of magic used to reside. While magic invigorated, gave sorcerers life and warmth, the Void endured, it gave Eli the strength to take hits and keep going. It was an aspect of his powers that Eli found himself incredibly grateful for this morning as his breath puffed out white clouds in front of him.

This had been part of his morning routine for years now, and he had found that it helped settle him, get him ready for the day. It was meditation for him, allowing him to release some steam in a healthy way for a change. He had tried lifting weights, yoga, hiking, he had even tried CrossFit, although that only lasted a few days. Eli could only take so much cult-like douchiness. Nothing soothed him like running.

He had received Benjamin's email last night after his talk with Amon, a brusque message repeating the details of their agreement and instructions to arrive at Westmore by 7:30. Eli was an early riser and that gave him plenty of time to go through his morning routine, something he was grateful for. After the intensity of last night, waking up and falling into a familiar pattern helped calm him down. A not small part of him had hoped that last night had just been a horrible nightmare, something his subconscious had whipped up with sadistic glee. Unfortunately, Eli was not that lucky.

He had come to a decision this morning. He was going to go into this job acting like it was the same as any other. He had admittedly never done bodyguard duty before, but it seemed simple enough. Protect your charge and hurt anyone who tries anything. He could do that.

A hot shower and several cups of coffee later and Eli felt ready for the day. There had been some indecision when getting dressed, trying to figure out what to wear. He felt oddly nervous, this was going to be his only chance to make a first impression, but what the fuck did an assistant teacher wear? After deliberating for far too long, Eli shrugged and went with his normal attire: jeans, a dark t-shirt, and his hoodie. Not the most professional outfit but it was comfortable, he could move in it, and he wasn't being paid to dress up. If Benjamin wanted him to do this then Eli was going to do it his way.

Checking the time Eli swore, he was running a little late. Pausing only to grab a Poptart, he rushed out to his car and pulled up directions to the academy. It would be close but as long as the traffic gods were on his side he would make it. This early in the morning the only people on the road would be the unlucky bastards heading into work, hoping to impress their bosses with their work ethic. Eli shivered as he thought about having to head into the same dull office every day, doing the same boring shit. There was no way he could do that.

Which begged the question, what was he going to do when this was over? That pulled him up short, a car honked behind him, pulling him back to the moment and he saw that the light had turned green. It was a good question though. Eli had never given any thought to what would come after if he left Benjamin's employ, he hadn't even given any real thought to leaving until a couple months ago. Eli's entire life had been planned out for him from the moment he had been born. His father had had a plan, a path that he had forced him down from such a young age that he had never questioned it. Knowing what your future is, knowing exactly where you are going to be five, ten, fifteen years down the road. It's comforting.