Under His Spell

29. Regrets of A Magician

Strings of Deception

The air was thick with tension as Eno faced Den, who towered over him like a looming shadow, eyes flickering with a mixture of madness and desire. The twisted tea chatter they had shared had left with determination to turn the tables.

"Den," he began, his voice smooth and deliberate, "you know I'm just trying to understand you. You're powerful, and your magic is incredible. But maybe it's time to show the world how truly great you are without all this... darkness."

Den's eyes widened, the remnants of his earlier intensity flickering with curiosity. "What do you mean? I thought you wanted to escape."

"I did, but then I realized something." Eno took a step closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if I could help you channel your magic? What if we could work together? You could be a great magician, and I could be your partner, your confidant. This what you've always wanted after all.

Den's expression shifted, his expression softening momentarily, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "But what about those who threaten us? What about Detective Tar, Ret and Aty?"

"That's the beauty of it, Den," Eno replied, keeping his tone soothing and inviting. "If you promise to protect me from them, I will stay. I'll be here, by your side, and we can create something extraordinary together. But it means no more threats. No more danger to anyone else."

Den's eyes narrowed, suspicion lurking beneath the surface. "And why would I agree to that? Why would I stop being the magician who can make everything disappear?"

"Because," Eno said, stepping closer, "the greatest magic is creating something that lasts. Think of the legacy you could leave behind. Think of how people would remember you—not as a monster, but as a brilliant performer. They'd be captivated by you, not terrified."

A flicker of intrigue danced in Den's eyes. "You think I can do that?"

"I know you can," Eno assured him, forcing a confident smile. "We can be unstoppable together. You just have to promise me one thing: you will never endanger another life. No more threats, no more madness. Only magic."

Den's demeanor shifted again, the tumult of his emotions playing across his face. "And if I do that, you'll stay with me?"

"Yes," Eno said, lowering his voice to an almost pleading tone. "You won't have to worry about losing me. You can have everything you want. Just keep this promise ."

After a long, heavy pause, Den's expression began to soften, confusion giving way to something else entirely. An invidious smile broke across his face, replaced by a look of utter surrender. "I promise," he said slowly, almost reverently, as if the words were an incantation. "I'll do anything for you, Eno."

"Good," Eno whispered, feeling a surge of triumph. "Because I'm counting on you."

As Den nodded, the tension that had previously filled the room began to dissolve, and the air felt lighter, as if a spell had been broken. The twisted magician now stood before Eno, eyes wide with willingness and devotion, a puppet in his own right.

"Show me what to do," Den said, his voice filled with a strange new hope. "I'll be your puppet, your magician. Whatever you want."

Eno fought the urge to smile too broadly, the rush of victory pulsing through him. He had managed to manipulate Den, bending his will to align with his own. It was a dangerous game, but now he held the strings.

"Then let's start with something simple," Eno suggested, stepping back to survey the room. "First, you need to clean up this place. Let's get rid of all this... clutter."

Den nodded eagerly, the look of surrender still plastered across his face. "Of course! Anything for you!"

As he began to move around the room, Eno watched, his heart racing. It was both exhilarating and terrifying to see Den—once a master manipulator—now willingly embracing a subordinate role.

With every command Eno issued, he felt more powerful, more in control. He had turned the tables, and now Den was bound to his will.

"Now, let's talk about your next performance," Eno said, weaving a vision in his mind that was beginning to take shape. "I want to showcase your talents, but we need to make sure everyone understands that you're a changed man. You need to show them the magic of compassion, manipulation illusion."

"Compassion," Den echoed, as if tasting the word. "I can do that. I want to make you proud, Eno. However, everyone thinks of me as a man of compassion already."

A wave of satisfaction washed over Eno as he realized how effectively he had turned the tide. "Then let's get started on completing eliminating the murder rumours by championing that compassion. See! You still have the upper hand amongst people."

"I don't care what people think of me, only you."

"Don't you want me to like you more? Without magic manipulation? Haven't you noticed that my mind is always clearer whenever we are close together?"

"My magic... for some reason has never fully consumed you I must confess. You've always been defiant. And that is why I fell in love with you."

As they worked side by side, Eno felt a mix of exhilaration and trepidation. Den, once a source of fear, was now his willing puppet. But deep down, Eno couldn't shake the lingering doubt about the darkness that still simmered beneath the surface of Den's charm.

Would this fragile truce hold? Could he truly tame the darkness that lurked within the man he had so carefully manipulated?

With Den at his side, Eno couldn't help but wonder if he had simply exchanged one kind of control for another. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but for now, he reveled in the power he had claimed, determined to shape their future together.

Den was cooperating, and he liked it.