X: Valet

(12) Seth decided not to take a risk (if earlier - 8)

We were all somewhat drooping. What to do next is unclear. Magic persuaded Seth to stay, but at that moment it was as pointless as... I don't even know. Everything?

Despite this, I, in a sense, liked the atmosphere that arose in the living room at that time – it was one of those rare moments when we were all together, but not on a mission. Seth was staggering around the hallway, Hunter and I were sitting on the couch, Magic was spread out at this tiny table in front of us, and Letha was just fluttering around.

Magic didn't look nervous, but the way she was biting the tip of her thumb suggested otherwise. She was sitting over this damn plan, clutching her forehead every now and then.

Letha put a mug of tea next to it and put her hand on her shoulder – I knew she would take it away just as quickly. Letha didn't allow herself too much, even though she loved Magic immensely. I don't know if that's the right word.

But something happened that neither I nor Letha expected – Magic grabbed her hand and even threw her a tired fleeting smile, immediately then returned to business. I know that Letha tried desperately to hide her delight – but, believe me, she didn't succeed.

Hunter stared at the sheets on the table – he was also thinking. The upside-down squiggles were enough for him. Seth didn't even need that – the plan was in his head as he paced back and forth.

When there was a knock on the door, each of us started up. It was already too late for the guests, and the gifts that came from Dubois could no longer reach the recipient.

Seth and Magic shared a tense look, and it meant only one thing – they were deciding who should be in front. It's always been Magic. And now she didn't have the force. But... no one but us – and, of course, Barlow – knew about it.

In the end, it was Magic who went to open the door, and we all followed – Seth beckoned with his finger. It was the first time we were allowed to meet guests, and then I knew for sure that things were bad.

Ghost stood on the threshold. And he wasn't alone.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

If people had known that Seth actually considered himself to be Magic's patron, they would have suspected something was amiss at that moment – it was she who should be talking now, not him.

And Seth was standing too close, almost on a par with Magic.

"It seemed to me as if we hadn't finished our last conversation."

Ghost spoke calmly. Almost indifferently.

Magic raised her eyebrows.

"I hope you're joking."

"Of course, this is exactly what you would like."

I knew we were all on our guard. Although most of us hid it perfectly.

Ghost was too confident in himself. Which meant he had an ace up his sleeve.

"Don't play suicide."

Magic said wearily.

Ghost smiled.

"I didn't even think about it."

He threw some white dust in our faces. We all grimaced, and Magic tensed a moment later – and even though I could only see part of her face, it was obvious that we were in trouble.

It took me another second to figure out what was going on – the powder was supposed to affect the witchers. And Magic's lack of reaction made it clear to our opponents that there were no more of them here.