Warlock Ch 20. A Goodbye
Damian stared at her, his frustration slowly ebbing away, replaced by a mix of confusion and something else—something like empathy.
But still, the doubt lingered. How could he trust someone who kept so much from him?
"I want to trust you," Damian said quietly, his voice calmer now. "I really do. But you have to give me something, Evelyn. I can't just keep walking blindly through this."
Evelyn's fingers tightened around his arm for a brief moment before she let go. Her gaze was steady, though a shadow of guilt flickered in her eyes. "You're right. I owe you more than just promises. But for now, I need you to trust that I'm on your side."
Damian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. I'll try. But you need to know... I'm not going to stop asking questions. I need to figure this out."
Evelyn smiled, though there was still that sadness in her expression. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Damian could feel her words hanging in the air between them. He was still trying to wrap his head around everything—magic, bonds, a world hidden in plain sight. But he knew that this was only the beginning. There were things he didn't understand yet, and Evelyn wasn't going to give him all the answers, not now. Maybe not ever.
After a long pause, Evelyn spoke again, her voice quieter, more thoughtful. "There's someone we need to meet. His name is Cassius Thorn."
Damian blinked, the unfamiliar name pulling him out of his thoughts. "Cassius Thorn? Who's that?"
"He's a warlock," Evelyn explained, her tone careful. "One of the most experienced and strongest in the magical community. He can guide you in ways that I can't."
Damian frowned, confused. "Why can't you guide me? You clearly know your way around magic."
Evelyn let out a soft laugh, smirking slightly. "I'm a witch, Damian, not a warlock. Our magic comes from different sources, and the way we use it is... different. Warlocks and witches aren't the same, even though it might seem like we are from the outside."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying a witch can't teach a warlock?"
"It's not that simple," Evelyn said, her smirk fading as she grew more serious. "I can teach you some things, yes. But there are aspects of your magic that I don't have access to. Warlocks draw their power from bonds, from contracts. You'll need someone like Cassius to help you navigate that."
Damian hesitated, her words sinking in. He hadn't really thought about the fact that witches and warlocks might operate differently. Magic was magic, right? But Evelyn was making it clear that he couldn't rely solely on her for this. If he wanted to survive in this new world, he would need Cassius.
But before they could meet this mysterious warlock, Damian felt a tug—a pull back to the life he'd left behind. There were things he hadn't thought about until now, things he still needed to take care of.
"I need to head back," Damian said, his voice a little strained.
Evelyn tilted her head, puzzled. "Back? We're already in Haven City, Damian."
"No, I mean the real Haven City. The normal part," Damian clarified, running a hand through his hair. "I've still got clothes there, my stuff... and I need to, you know, tie up some loose ends."
Evelyn watched him closely, her expression softening. She didn't say anything for a moment, as if she could sense the internal struggle he was facing.
Damian's thoughts drifted to the pub, the job he'd worked for years. He thought of his friends, the regulars—all the people who had been part of his everyday life, and how they had no idea what was going on with him now.
He would have to leave it all behind. There was no going back to the life he had before. But the thought of just disappearing, without a word, didn't sit right with him.
"I need to resign," Damian said quietly, almost to himself. "I can't just vanish. I need to say goodbye to my friends... and to the bar."
Evelyn's gaze softened even more, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. "You're attached to that life," she said gently. "I get it. But you know things are different now."
"I know," Damian muttered, his voice laced with frustration. "But I can't just walk away without at least closing that chapter. They deserve an explanation... or something. I need to go back, just for a bit."
Evelyn didn't argue. She knew what he was feeling—knew that cutting ties with his old life wouldn't be easy. But she also knew that once he stepped deeper into the magical world, there would be no turning back. The normalcy he craved would be out of reach, replaced by the constant struggle to survive in a world filled with danger and power.
"Alright," she said, her voice soft. "We can go back to the normal city. But you should be quick. Things are already in motion, and you don't want to get caught in the middle of it unprepared."
Damian nodded, appreciating that she wasn't trying to rush him. His decision pressed down harder now. He was standing on the edge of something—something big, something irreversible—and once he crossed that line, there would be no going back. But he needed this, just one last trip to the life he'd known, to say goodbye.
With a deep breath, he straightened up, determination hardening his features. "Let's go. I need to stop by the pub, grab my stuff, and... figure things out."
Evelyn nodded, pushing off the counter. "I'll come with you."
They made their way out of the house, the barrier Evelyn had mentioned earlier dissipating as they stepped through the door.
The morning air hit Damian's face, cool and fresh, but there was an undeniable charge in the atmosphere. The streets of the Magic City, which had been eerily quiet the night before, were now alive with movement.