Covens and Proxies

20

Reader's POV

It's been almost a month since the wreck of a date, and no word from Toby. Not that you really expected it. You're the reason it all happened. You shouldn't have gotten so close. And when you left, he was so angry he might've broken the steering wheel.

But you're not worried about that anymore. You're not worried about how the date went.

You're worried about what he was going to say before you left. You're worried about the fact that he hasn't said a damn thing, not to console or break up or apologize or accuse. Nothing. Silence. He's never been silent for so long. You're worried about what it might mean. If he was that mad, he could've lost control and crashed. He could've run the car into some building, killing any number of people. Or worse. He could've killed himself.

The very idea makes your stomach open a pit, swallowing your heart and choking you.

A knock on your door snaps you out of it. "Yeah?"

"My boyfriend wants to know if we can do a double date?" Zemra calls through the door.

Of course, you told her about the date. Except the kiss part. And the being thrown. And the bad terms issue. And that you were in the middle of a forest on the edge of forbidden territory. She also figured out your general schedule for meeting Toby.

"I don't know. I'll ask." You call back, not intending to do so on any level.

"Okay. We'll leave it to you guys to figure out when, kay?"

"Yeah, thanks." You wait for her to leave before picking up your phone. Taking a deep breath, and praying no one else picks up, you click to call.

It rings once before someone answers. It's not Toby. "Who the fuck is this?" A gruff voice demands. Long-time smoker, definitely.

"I could ask the same damn question." You shoot right back, not realizing that this is a serial killer until afterwards.

They chuckle. "You looking for Toby, witch?" They ask. Your stomach drops.

"How did you know?" You ask, straining to keep your voice steady.

He chuckles again. "I'm Masky. Toby's not available right now. He won't be for a while."

"What? Why?! What happened?" You demand, your heart clenching as your fears surface.

"He got into an accident. Flattened a few trees and fucked up my car. Shattered both arms, the front window shredded his shoulders and face, fractured skull and screwed up ribs. If you come down here, he'd be fine in minutes. Right?" He's snarky.

"How much do you know about me?" I ask, pulling out my spellbook.

"I know you're powerful and dangerous. I know you beat Toby. I know you're in love with him. And I know he uses you to fix himself."

The last comment sends a sharp pain through your chest, but you ignore it. "Am I in trouble for any of that?"

He laughs. "Don't worry, I'm the only one that knows. I won't tell anyone as long as he holds up his end of the deal."

Deal? You decide to ask Toby later. "How long will it take him to naturally heal?"

"Smile said about two months before he can move around. No killing for three or four."

Three to four months? Can I fix that?! "That warehouse on Gillespie and Scranton(idfk)?" You ask, knowing he knows the place.

"Yeah, I know. The warehouse Toby had you train in."

"Bring him there tomorrow at ten in the morning. Make sure he's eaten." You instruct, pulling up a defensive spell that will keep Masky from hurting you in case you pass out. Splintered bones and shredded skin. It's gonna be a hard day. You might not wake up for a week, but at least Toby will be okay.

"Alright. Don't be late, witch. And don't try anything. Even if you are his girlfriend, I won't hesitate to kill you." The call is stopped, and you know he isn't bluffing.

You set down your phone and head into the kitchen to start on dinner. You have to stock up on calories tonight, or you won't last ten minutes tomorrow.