Under His Spell

4. Who Knows A Magician?

The Vanishing Act of Dazzling Den

It had been weeks since Eno had last seen Den.

For someone used to magic, used to illusions and sleight of hand, Eno found the magician's absence more unsettling than any trick he'd ever performed. Den had a way of filling every room he entered, lighting up spaces with a sparkle that wasn't just glitter or sequins—it was something deeper, something that had wound itself into Eno's chest and refused to leave.

But now, that light was gone, and the city seemed dimmer for it.

Eno had tried to reach out—texts, calls, even the occasional cheeky voice messages—but Den was nowhere to be found. No cryptic messages, no playful hints, no dramatic reappearances in a purple puff of smoke. Just silence. It felt like a trick, but not one that made Eno laugh. Den had always been the master of disappearing acts, but this? This felt too real.

The first real clue came when Eno bumped into Kor, one of Den's friends, at a cafe called Yummy Yum. Eno didn't usually go to that side of town, but something had pulled him there. Call it fate, or call it desperation, but as soon as he saw Kor's familiar face, he knew he had to ask.

"Kor, hey," Eno said, trying to sound casual, but his voice betrayed him, his worry evident. "Have you... heard from Den?"

Kor hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Den? I thought you knew."

Eno's heart skipped a beat. "Knew what?"

With a heavy sigh, Kor looked at Eno, sympathy in his eyes. "Den's moving. He's leaving town. Come to think of it, I think he's already gone."

The words hit Eno like a punch to the gut. "Gone? What do you mean gone?"

"He didn't tell you?" Kor asked, looking genuinely surprised. "He got an offer—some big, fancy gig in Magic City. It was last-minute, but... yeah. He's moving out there for good apparently."

Eno blinked, trying to process what he'd just heard. Den was... leaving? Without saying a word? It didn't make sense. Den loved dramatics...and I'd assumed we had something going on too. If he were leaving, wouldn't he make it some kind of grand exit? Wouldn't there have been fireworks, confetti, and at least one over-the-top goodbye show?

"Are you sure?" Eno's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yea," Kor said softly. "He packed up and left last night. There was this small going-away thing, but I just assumed you knew. Of all people, Den has been hovering around you a lot more lately."

Eno felt like the ground had been pulled out from under him. Den—his Den—was gone, without even a hint or a goodbye. It felt like the cruelest trick Den had ever pulled. And for once, Eno didn't know how to get out of it.

Without another word, Eno left Yummy Yum cafe, the noise of the bustling street around him fading into the background. His mind was racing. Den, with his sparkling eyes and infectious laugh, with his impossible charm and endless flair—gone. And worse, Den hadn't even told him. It was as if Eno didn't even matter, as if he were just another audience member in Den's grand show, not the person who had fallen head over heels for him.

For a moment, Eno stood frozen on the sidewalk, the enormity of it all hitting him at once. Den had become such an integral part of his life, and now, without warning, he was just... gone. Like a puff of smoke. Like one of his tricks.

Suddenly, Eno's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his heart leaping as he saw Den's name flash on the screen. A text—finally.

It wasn't long, just three words: Meet me tonight.

Eno stared at the message, his mind spinning. He didn't know what to expect, but he knew one thing for sure—he had to see Den. He had to understand.

That evening, Eno made his way to the old theater where Den had performed so many of his shows. The place was deserted, the stage dim, but as Eno stepped inside, a single spotlight flickered to life.

And there, standing in the center of the stage, was Den. Typical of him to put on a show at a time like this.

He looked the same as always. Poised and elegant... But something was different. His usual playful grin was softer, more subdued. There was a sadness in his eyes that Eno had never seen before.

"Eno," Den said quietly, stepping down from the stage. "I didn't think you'd come."

Eno shook his head, his voice barely controlled. "Of course I came. What in the world, Den? You're just leaving? Without telling me? Without even saying goodbye?"

Den sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I didn't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me? You disappearing hurts more than anything!" Eno's voice cracked, all the emotions he'd been holding back spilling out. "You think you can just vanish like it's one of your tricks, and I'm supposed to be okay with that?"

Den's eyes softened, guilt washing over his face. "I didn't know how to say goodbye to you, Eno. I've never been good at that part. Saying goodbye to people I don't care about? A mare breeze. But you?" He took a shaky breath. "You were different. I didn't know how to leave without breaking both of our hearts."

Eno stared at him, the hurt still raw. "So, instead of breaking our hearts together, you decided to do it alone? That's not fair, Den. You don't get to make that decision for me."

Den looked down, his usual bravado gone. "You're right. I messed up. But I thought... maybe, if I just disappeared, it wouldn't hurt as much."

Eno took a step forward, his voice softer now. "Den, life isn't one of your tricks. You can't just vanish and expect everything to be okay."

Den met his eyes, and for the first time, he didn't have a clever comeback. No quips, no jokes. Just vulnerability. "I know," he whispered. "And I'm sorry."

For a moment, they stood there, the silence heavy between them. Then, finally, Den spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't want to disappear from your life, Eno. Not like this."

Eno's heart ached, but he took a deep breath, stepping closer. "Then don't."