Chapter 15: Trouble Brewing

The break seemed too short. Before they knew it, it was time to go back to magic training. As time went on, Wess, Nina, and CJ saw less and less of the man, and they soon forgot about him. They didn’t find out who he was or why he was watching them, but that’s all he did until one day he stopped.

Before they knew it, another two years had passed. Even through their last break, they were so busy that they hardly noticed the passage of time. Now that it was over, they had to stop and wonder where it went. They can’t wait too long, though, because now it’s time to figure out the rest of their lives. However, they do have enough time to celebrate graduation and their birthdays.

Wess, Nina, and CJ won’t be living in the mansion much longer. As explained by Bobby. The mansion is mostly a place of learning, like a school. Soon, they will move to their own houses and start their own lives. Then, their laboratories will be prepared for the next incarnation.

But, for now, it’s time to celebrate. Wess, CJ, and Nina have a lot to celebrate this year. Their graduation, their birthdays, their freedom, and their love. Wess had been thinking a lot about love lately. Whenever there was time, Wess and Nina went on dates. They held hands and even kissed a lot.

However, they both worried about CJ. But it wasn’t just about CJ. They loved her too and wanted her to be there with them. Not in a threesome or a love triangle, but as part of them. As part of a love that transcends normal love, marriage, and even higher forms of relationships. There was no denying that she was a soulmate. They could never be without her!

With Nina’s permission, Wess took CJ on a few dates too. CJ and Nina also had a lady’s night out. They were still best friends, after all. And Wess still didn’t want to choose. He thought about what CJ said. She had a solution, but we had to be at least eighteen for the spell to work? Wess still didn’t know what she had in mind, but they were eighteen now and would soon find out.

There was a knock at the door interrupting Wess’ train of thought. He walked to the door and opened it. Nina was standing there looking distracted. “Come in,” Wess said, “what’s going on? You look lost,”

“I am, sort of,” said Nina with a look of sadness. “You know that I was researching my original soul-bond. Well, I found something.”

“You know who he is?” Now it was Wess’ turn to look sad. He directed Nina to sit down on the bed, then he took her hand as a show of support. “Tell me,” he said gently.

“I had to do a lot of research,” Nina said. “You would be surprised by how little information there is on the subject.”

“Maybe we could do something about that,” he said. “With a lot of research and interviews, we could have another great book. Continue.”

“His name is Bradford Barrington,” She continued. “I barely remember him. All I remember is that he was handsome and smart and very powerful. I think he was obsessed with power. He was always looking for ways to become more powerful.”

“Did you find out what happened to him?”

“No, there’s nothing about his disappearance. And the more I try to remember, the less I can remember. It’s like he’s being erased from existence.”

“It’s possible,” Wess said with a worried look on his face. “But a spell such as that would be beyond dark magic, and only a demon or a god could perform such a spell.”

“Demons have been extinct for over a thousand years,” came a deep voice from near the door. “And the gods feel it’s beneath them to interfere in the affairs of humans or even interact with them.”

“Bobby?” Wess inquired uncertainly, turning to look at the door.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Bobby apologized. “I just came to give you this.” He opened his hand. In the palm of his hand sat a silver ring with a stone so black that looking at it was like trying to stare at the sun. “There are three of them, and they are all that’s left of my three late brothers,” he continued. “Each stone contains one of their souls along with their full power. I already gave CJ hers,” he said, handing Nina an identical ring.

“But, why give them to us?” Nina asked.

“It’s a graduation present,” Bobby said. “It will help protect you. Also, you’re my favorite incarnations so far. If anyone should have them, it’s you.”

“Thank you, Bobby,” Wess said, sliding the ring on the middle finger of his right hand. “I’ll never take it off as long as I live.”

“I appreciate that, Wess,” he said as he turned around and disappeared.

“That was weird,” Nina said, sliding her ring onto her middle finger. “Bobby was very close to his brothers. Why would he give those away?”

“I don’t know, but we should protect them as if they were our own souls,” Wess said, casting a spell on his ring. His ring glowed brightly for a few seconds, then returned to normal. A moment later, Nina’s ring glowed in exactly the same way.

“Thank you,” Nina said.

“For what?”

“For casting a protection spell on my ring too.”

“I didn’t,” Wess said, scratching his head. “They must share the magic. That could be useful.

Just then, the door flew open, and CJ entered the room. “Did you do something to your ring? My ring started to glow, and now I can’t take it off.”

“It’s a protection spell,” Wess said. “The ring can’t be removed by anyone even with magic. The ring’s wearer can’t even remove it unless absolutely necessary. I think the rings share the magic.”

“They do,” CJ said. These are the most legendary artifacts in existence. They are known as the tri Brawd (tr-ee Br-oud) or three brothers. You can also cast a spell through your ring. The spell will be amplified, and the other rings will also cast the spell. If one person wore all three rings, imagine how powerful they would be.”

“Which gives us more reason to protect them!” Wess said.

Hours later, Wess, Nina, and CJ entered the great hall for their eighteenth birthday party. There was a sense of excitement in the air as they made their way to their seats at the head of the table. As the guests of honor took their seats, everyone else sat down. Then Wess stood.

“I would like to think everyone who came here tonight to help celebrate our birthdays, the staff for preparing the food on their day off, And Bobby for being the best teacher and friend we ever had.” There was roaring applause, some shouts of agreement, and a few whistles. When everyone settled down, Wess said, “let’s eat.”

The food seemed to come alive. It was the most spectacular feast anyone had ever seen. Soon, the air was filled with the clatter of silverware as guests served themselves from the cornucopia spilling across the table. Accompanied by the coalescing of a multitude of smells creating the perfect bouquet to accent such a banquet.

Next came the cake. It was a five-tier Masterpiece. It was over eight feet tall, and each layer was a different type of cake. They were all covered with buttercream frosting and decorated with flowers that moved as if being blown by the wind. After the cake was cut and served, they opened their presents.

When the last present was opened, and everyone was dancing and mingling, Wess noticed that the man who had been watching them was there again. Wess tried to sneak up on him, but the man noticed him. He took off towards the door at a full sprint. As he burst through the door, Wess noticed that it didn’t slow him down at all.

Upon making it out the door, Wess saw the man running across the lawn. He threw a stun spell at the man. The spell hit him square in the back, but it didn’t stop him. He shook off the spell and kept running as he fired a spell back at Wess. The spell narrowly missed. Instead, the spell hit a large statue near the bottom of the steps. The statue was blown in half, and the concussion knocked Wess out cold.

Wess opened his eyes. He had been moved inside. He looked around, noticing that he was in the great hall and everyone else was gone. CJ and Nina were standing over him, looking worried. “How long was I out?” he asked.

“Not long,” CJ said. “After the explosion, Everyone ran to their cars and left. Well, everyone except Richard and us. We had to force him to leave, but he didn’t go far.”