Covens and Proxies

14

When Toby finally lets you go, you set to work on dinner. Deciding a nice steak will be best for the three of you, you ask Toby to chop up some herbs while you prepare the potatoes. Zemra makes her way into the kitchen, following the delicious scent of food.

You stop her. "Zemra, I love you and all, but you can't cook for shit. Please take three long steps back and go watch something." You tell her, making her pout.

Toby laughs when you return to the meat. "Jeff bad or...?" He asks.

You nod, eyes wide. "Oh yeah."

He chuckles, pushing the potatoes into the oven.

After setting the meat on the stove, you wait to flip it. Toby is leaning on the counter, his shoulder almost brushing yours. Zemra is engrossed in her virtual conversation and The Boys(R rated but awesome ask your parents if you're not 18+).

"She likes you." You tell him.

With a short laugh, he shakes his head. "I think I'll pass." He mutters, glancing at you.

"Oh yeah?" you ask, "Why's that?"

His smile softens. "I think I'm falling in love with someone." His voice is barely more then a breath.

Your heart sinks to your feet, but you don't let it show. "She must be pretty lucky." You say with a smile, flipping the steaks.

When you turn back, Toby is watching you. His eyes dance with dark flames, a passion so strong your breath catches. He opens his mouth to say something when your roommate calls you. You silently wish every curse you can remember on her. With an apologetic smile, you go to your friend's aid.

"What's up?" You ask.

She holds up her phone, showing a Facebook profile. "What the fuck is this?"

You've never been one to be super active on social medias, but you don't need to look super close to know that the name on their is yours. And from the looks of it, they're popular. The entire page is decked in Wicca and Satanism(not the same thing, but I'm meeting both halfway. Shushy.)

"I have no clue. Who is it?" You ask, taking her phone and scroll through. Nothing about this profile marks any resemblance to you other then the name.

"Are you really gay?" She asks incredulously.

You scoff. "No, of course not. Where did you find this person?" You know, for a fact, that none of the other witches share your name. There are no name doubles in a coven, even if the family isn't still 'blessed with the gift'. It's something done completely intentional for the sake of no one being confused. Which means two things. One of your coven lied, or this person is. The later is most likely. It's hard to lie to a witch.

"I was scrolling through and this popped up for suggestions." She explained.

You roll your eyes, handing the phone to her. "A lot of people have my name. Don't believe everything on the internet. It probably isn't even their real name." You tell her, returning to the sizzling meal.

Toby has his arm crossed, focusing on the tiles until you walk by. "What was that about?" He sounds deeply agitated. Not good.

"Zemra found someone with my name, but nothing else like me on Facebook. She always jumps to conclusions like that." You tell him, dishing everyone's food out.

"You're not worried it's someone trying to get to you?" He restrains a growl that makes you smile a little.

"You know, I can defend myself." You tell him, handing him his plate. "But your concern is comforting." You take Zemra's and your plates to the living room.