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He was four years old when he first properly learned about the Coven Day Parade.
Hunter looked out of his window curiously when he saw the coven scouts busying transporting things in and out of the castle with different decorations and banners.
There was a knock on the door. “Kid, you decent?” That was Sebastian.
He smiled and turned away from the window. “Yeah!”
Sebastian came in with a tray of breakfast, eggs and a glass of spider milk. “Morning, kid,” he greeted cheerfully. “We got eggs today and… oh, you’re already dressed.”
Hunter smiled brightly, nodding. “Uh, huh.” He tugged on his pale purple shirt that was tucked into his trousers. All his clothes had been put on the right way round. “I got dressed all by myself like a big boy!”
“Oh…” Sebastian sounded lost for a second. “Well, look at that.” He placed the tray on the side. “You’re growing fast.” He ruffled his hair. “Sooner or later you won’t need me, huh?”
Hunter frowned a bit, wondering why the scout sounded so sad. “Uncle says I’m a big boy now… so I have to do stuff by myself.”
“Yeah, I know…” Sebastian said quietly, placing a hand on his head. “I guess it’s just happening so fast…” He gave a strained laugh. “I must be getting old.”
Hunter’s frown faded as he grinned. “You are old!”
“Ouch.” Sebastian chuckled, but then the laughter stopped when he saw Hunter’s wrist where there was a bruise. “Hey, how’d that happen?”
Hunter’s grin dimmed, hiding his arm behind his back. “Nothing…”
“It doesn’t look like nothing.” Sebastian bent down and gently held his wrist. “Come on, you know you can tell me, buddy.”
Hunter stayed quiet, keeping his gaze low. “…I was bad,” he said quietly, feeling his stomach knot up. “So, uncle was angry.”
“…Oh.” Sebastian went still, staring at the bruise. “That’s…” He sounded like he couldn’t focus. “How about I put some healing salve on it then?” He looked up, voice returning to normal. “Then we can steal some cake from the kitchen.”
Hunter started to smile again. “Really?”
“Boop.” Sebastian tapped his nose. “Of course.” He straightened up, holding his hand out. “Come on, since you’re all ready, if you get your breakfast finished we can go for a walk around the castle before your lessons afterwards, okay?”
Hunter’s gaze lit up, nodding. “Okay!”
Hunter held Sebastian’s hand while they toured the castle which seemed busier than normal.
“Is everyone going to the parade?” he asked, looking up. “Teacher, told me about it yesterday.” His smile was glowing. “Is uncle going to be at the parade?”
“Not this one,” Sebastian replied, sounding hesitant. “But Ms Lilith and Kikimora will be attending.”
Hunter hummed and was tempted to ask if he could go, but the burn on his upper arm tingled, reminding him of what happened the last time he had tried to go outside of the castle. He had to be good and stay inside where it was safe.
He held Sebastian’s hand tighter, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. “…I wish I could go.”
Sebastian paused near a window, squeezing his hand tight. “I know…” He sighed, not looking at him. “But, how about I make sure Mara and Keith buy you lots of presents from the parade?” He bent down to his level. “Like candy floss.”
Hunter’s eyes widened. “What’s that?”
Sebastian chuckled. “Just wait and see, you’ll love it. It’s like eating clouds.”
How was that possible?
“Really?” He smiled brightly. “Can they bring some for uncle?”
The scout’s shoulders seemed to tense. “I don’t think the emperor’s a cotton candy kind of guy…” He stood up. “In fact, we probably shouldn’t tell him about the candy.”
“Oh…” Hunter’s smile faded. “Is eating cotton candy bad?” He wrung his hands. “Will the Titan be angry?”
“No, it’s not that,” Sebastian replied quickly. “I’m sure the Titan loves cotton candy… probably.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just think it’s best we don’t talk about it.”
Hunter frowned, growing worried. “But, Uncle says I’m not allowed to keep secrets…”
“It’s not a secret,” Sebastian said quickly, looking around quickly like he was scared someone was listening. “It’s just…” He took a deep breath. “No, you’re right, we should ask for his permission first.” His voice grew subdued, staring out of the window like he was lost again, shoulders slumped. “It’s wrong to keep secrets from the emperor.”
Hunter stared at him, holding his hand again. “Why are you sad?”
He jumped a little. “What?” Then he chuckled. “I’m not sad!” He ruffled his head. “I was just thinking about all the fun t-shirts and stuff we can get you from the market!” He started walking again, steering him down the hallway again. “You know the oracle coven hands out free pens!”
When Keith and Mara returned from the parage they had two bags stuffed to the brim with coven merchandise and colours.
“Wow!” Hunter felt like it was his birthday again as the gifts were presented to him in his room. “Cool!”
Sebastian chuckled. “Wow, you guys really collected a bounty.”
Mara flopped onto Hunter’s bed and shrugged. “Hey, you wouldn’t believe the amount of stuff they were selling, plus the freebies were amazing.”
“So, many free cupcakes,” Keith said, sighing as he sat on the floor with Hunter’s soft toys. “I even saw my old principal.”
“Principal Bump?” Sebastian asked. “He’s still alive?”
Keith chuckled. “Guy’s practically immortal. He still remembers me.”
“What, because you were his worst student?” Mara tossed a purple pen at his head.
“No,” Keith replied. “I was top in my class.”
“Is he your old teacher?” Hunter asked, while staring at an overlarge t-shirt that was too big for him, it had writing on the front saying ‘The Dark Lord was my Ex-boyfriend’. “Also, what’s an ex-boyfriend?”
“Nothing.” Sebastian quickly confiscated the t-shirt while Keith and Mara laughed. “And, yes, Principal Bump was our old teacher, kind of… he’s in charge of Hexside school which is where Keith and I went.”
“Boo! Lame!” Mara booed. “Glandus for the win!”
“Oh, shut up!” Keith tossed a toy lizard at her. “You guys still suck at Grudgby.”
Mara blew raspberries under her mask. “Still can beat your ass at flying though!”
“Guys!” Sebastian quickly intervened while Hunter giggled. “Please, not now.”
“Don’t listen to these dorks, kid.” Mara ruffled Hunter’s hair, and then got off the bed, standing up. “If you went to school, guaranteed you’d be in Glandus. It’s where all the cool kids are.” She conjured a ball of fire. “I was in the potion track back in school.”
“Which is lame.” Keith scoffed. “Back at Hexside I was in the beast keeping track, now that was fun.”
“Cool!” Hunter’s eyes sparkled, smiling. “What track were you in, Sebastian?”
“Oh, um…” Sebastian seemed nervous, rubbing his arm. “I studied illusion.”
“Which is super lame!” Mara teased, nudging the scout. “Good thing you joined this coven or you’d be stuck doing party tricks.”
Sebastian crossed his arms while they laughed. “Haha. Very funny.”
“I like party tricks!” Hunter said brightly. “Is it like the magic stars and fireworks?”
“Uh, yeah, that’s the basic stuff,” Sebastian replied, laughing a little. “But there’s even cooler stuff.—”
“Can I see?” Hunter asked, tugging on his arm. “Please.”
Sebastian gave a small laugh. “Okay, okay…”
“Yeah, come on, dazzle us,” Mara said, waving her hands. “Show him that cool trick you did at the party last year.”
Sebastian sighed. “Just give me a sec.” He drew a large spell circle that glowed the brightest blue Hunter had seen. “Close your eyes.”
Hunter closed his eyes as the light blinded him for a few seconds. “What is it?”
“Open and them and see.” Sebastian sounded amused, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Hunter opened his eyes and jumped back in shock when he saw his room was full to the brim with all types of giant candy that he’d never seen before. Pink fluffy clouds replacing the bed and cushions. There were giant balls of jawbreakers and lollipops tied with ribbons.
“Wow!” He felt like his eyes would jump out, staring in wonder.
Keith let out a low whistle. “Huh, not bad.”
Mara poked a bright red lollipop that was bigger than the window. “Pretty realistic.”
“Heh. Thanks.” Sebastian had his arms outstretched, keeping the circle glowing. “Hunter, check this out.” He made a large cloud of pink candy floss change into a unicorn.
Hunter clapped and tried to climb onto it. “Can I eat it!?”
“Probably not the best idea.” Mara chuckled, folding her arms. “But give it a few years and we might be able to get you to taste the real thing.”
Hunter rode the candy floss unicorn happily. “Are candy cloud unicorns real?”
“Can’t say I’ve met any,” Keith replied in amusement.
Hunter jumped off the unicorn and picked up the gumball, and licked it. “It tastes like floor.”
“Probably because it’s really a shoe, kid,” Mara said, laughing.
Sebastian took a deep breath, struggling to keep the spell going. “Okay, gonna have to take a break, kid.” The illusion faded as he let the spell drop, tired.
Hunter watched curiously as the candy all disappeared and his room returned back to normal. He realised he was holding a shoe. “Yucky!” He dropped the shoe and licked his hand to get rid of the taste. “Ew!”
Mara burst out laughing. “Called it.”
Sebastian let out a shaky laugh, sitting on the bed. “Sorry, buddy.”
“You should cast an illusion on his sprouts,” Keith joked. “Then maybe he’d eat them.”
Mara chuckled. “Good plan.”
Hunter scowled. “No!” But that made the three of them laugh more. “Sprouts are icky.” Then his scowl faded, wandering over to Sebastian. “I wanna learn that spell!”
Sebastian seemed to regain his breath and chuckled, seeming happier as he patted Hunter’s head. “Maybe when you’re older.”
“You always say that,” Hunter grumbled, causing the scouts to just laugh.
Later that night, Sebastian conjured up some fireworks for him to watch before bed. The lights appearing on his ceiling.
“Wow!” Hunter stared up in wonder, snuggled in bed.
Sebastian chuckled, sitting at the end of the bed, conjuring the fireworks. “Not bad for an illusionist right?” But then he tensed. “I mean… well, former illusionist.” He gave a strained chuckle. “That was a long time ago.”
Hunter watched him curiously. “Sebastian, did you wanna be an illusionist instead of a scout?” He’d never really thought about what the scouts did before they joined the coven but it seemed like they all had done different things.
“Well, yeah, for a while.” Sebastian ended the show. “I wanted to be the best illusionist in the whole of the Boiling isles.” He gave a weak chuckle. “But…” He shrugged. “Serving the emperor and the Titan just seemed… more important. Like I was actually making a difference.” His tone became less cheery. “And I am…”
Hunter stared at him worriedly. “Serving the Titan’s important,” he mumbled, fiddling with his toy frog.
“Yes, absolutely,” Sebastian replied but it sounded forced, gaze shifting to Hunter’s arm where the scar from the burn was. “…You know…if you could be anything in the world, buddy, what would you be?”
“Hm?” Hunter frowned. “What’d you mean?”
“I just mean… if you could go anywhere and be whatever you want, what would it be?” he asked, looking at him. “It could be anything.”
Hunter stayed quiet. “Um…” He tried to think. “Uncle’s guard?” The question didn’t make sense. “In the castle.”
Sebastian was quiet for a moment, staring at him. “…Is that what you really want?”
Hunter shifted, frowning as he held his toy close. “…Yes. Cause it’s what the Titan wants.”
His uncle always said the Titan had a purpose for him, that the Titan knew what was best for him and everyone else.
His scout stayed silent, looking away from him. “Right…”
“Is something wrong?” Hunter asked quietly, feeling scared by how odd he was acting.
“No.” Sebastian tucked him in, making sure the soft toys were under the covers where it was warm. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t be scared, I’m fine,” he reassured him quickly. “Just ignore me, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
His frown stayed. “Okay…”
Sebastian nodded, standing up and stroking his head, soothingly. “Don’t worry, everything’s okay. Alright?”
Hunter relaxed a little and nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
“Very good, Hunter,” his uncle praised during their magic lesson, placing his mask on a stone table.
Hunter smiled, conjuring the ball of fire with his training wand. “I did it.”
His uncle chuckled lightly, standing alongside him in the dim training room under the castle. “Yes, you’re learning quite quickly.” He tapped his shoulder. “Fix your posture.”
Hunter quickly changed his stance a little so he wasn’t slouching. “Can I do big spells now?”
“Patience, Hunter,” his uncle chided lightly. “You need to make sure the basics are perfect, and then you can be trusted with bigger spells.”
His brow furrowed, letting the flame extinguish. “Okay…” He thought about Sebastian’s magic. “Can I learn big spells like Sebastian does?” He smiled when he remembered the candy. “He makes illusions!” He looked up at his uncle. “I wanna learn that.”
His uncle raised an eyebrow. “Illusions?”
Hunter nodded, feeling excited. “He can make stars in my room and-and fireworks! And he made giant candy in my room!”
“Did he now?” his uncle replied lightly, smile thin. “He seems to have quite the knack for little tricks then.”
“It was amazing,” Hunter exclaimed, nodding. “I wanna do magic like that.”
“I see,” his uncle commented, tilting his head slightly. “Well, when you join my coven officially you’ll be able to do lots of spells.”
Hunter felt his excitement dampen a little. “But I wanna do tricks first and then learn the other stuff later.” He smiled. “Like everyone else!”
Sebastian, Mara, and Keith had all studied one particular type of magic before joining the emperor’s coven, which sounded cool.
“But you aren’t like everyone else, Hunter.” Uncle’s voice changed, expression growing colder, making Hunter stiffened and shift on the spot. “You’re special, remember? The Titan has a purpose for you.”
He fidgeted, lowering his gaze. “I know.”
“Understanding the different magic in the covens is important,” his uncle said. “But we can’t favour one type of magic over the other.” he lectured. Hunter’s stomach twisted a little, as his uncle lifted his chin up with a sharp metal finger. “Little tricks and illusions can wait for later once you’ve mastered the more important elements. Do you understand?”
Hunter’s shoulders stayed tense as he nodded. “Yes…”
His uncle’s hand cupped his cheek, thumb tracing the outline of his imperfect ear. “The Titan has blessed you with so much, my dear boy. You’ve been given a place in society witches would kill each other for,” his uncle’s voice was gentle but the words made him feel cold. “Your future is decided, a grand purpose that’s a privilege. One you wouldn’t have if I hadn’t taken you in as the Titan asked.”
Hunter nodded slowly along, feeling his stomach drop from guilt. “Sorry…”
His uncle pressed his thumb into his ear too hard, making him wince. “Besides, you already know a basic illusion spell,” he said, changing the subject. “Light is a source of illusion in a way.” He let go of his chin and conjured the ball of light in his hand. “We can’t touch or feel it, any warmth comes from the energy used to create it, but we can see it, and with it, all illusions are made. It can be useful at times.”
Hunter stared at the ball of light in wonder and created his own, smiling. “Like night lights.” His smile grew warm. “Sebastian makes me them for bedtime.”
His uncle arched an eyebrow. “My he is attentive then,” he remarked evenly, crushing the light in his hand until it was gone. “But you only need to conjure light in the dark? It’s useless in the daytime, isn’t it?”
Hunter nodded. “Yeah…” He stared at his ball of light. “It is…”
His uncle placed a metal hand over the small light in Hunter had conjured and extinguished it. “Every spell has a use, just like every coven, but for the chosen few brought to serve the Titan, we need to pay equal attention to all the spells so we can properly serve.”
He nodded, staring at his training wand. “Because we’re the best.”
“Yes, we are.” His uncle patted his head. “Everyone in the coven is happy to be chosen to serve the Titan.”
Hunter nodded, but then frowned, thinking of Sebastian. “Mm.”
“Is something wrong?” his uncle asked, tilting his head.
“Um…” Hunter wrung his hand, wondering if he should say something. “It’s just, um…” He looked down when he noticed his uncle’s brow furrow. “Sebastian seems really sad…”
“Your scout?” his uncle questioned, curious.
“Yeah.” Hunter nodded, hunching his shoulders up. “He won’t say what’s wrong, and I don’t like seeing him sad.”
“He is normally quite cheerful isn’t he?” his uncle replied. “How odd.”
Hunter grimaced and looked up. “I want him to be happy again…”
“Of course.” His uncle smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure he’s just tired, perhaps he needs a short break, our scouts do sometimes overwork themselves.”
Hunter fidgeted, shifting on the spot. “So, he just needs a nap?”
“It’s nothing you need to worry about.” His uncle chuckled, but his smile seemed strange like there was a joke Hunter had missed. “As emperor, I have a duty to make sure my members are well,” he told him gently, easing some of his worries. “Now, is there anything odd he said at all?”
Hunter’s gaze shifted away. “No…”
“Hunter.” Uncle’s voice grew stern, making him tense. “Family don’t keep secrets, remember?”
Hunter grimaced, withering under his uncle’s gaze. “Well, there were some things…”
Despite his uncle’s reassurance, Hunter still felt queasy, like he’d made a mistake. The feeling only got worse when he and his uncle returned to the castle upper floor and Sebastian and Steve were waiting for them.
Hunter didn’t run to Sebastian straight away, feeling hesitant like the scout would be angry at him.
Sebastian seemed to notice since the grip on his spear tightened and he was looking at Hunter and then the emperor. “…Hunter?”
His uncle placed a hand on his shoulder. “Steve, take back Hunter to his room.” His uncle’s eyes glowed blue under his mask. “I was hoping for a word with Sebastian here.”
Hunter felt a wave of worry when he saw Sebastian’s hands shake a little and clutch the spear even tighter.
“…Yes, of course, emperor,” Sebastian replied quietly, gaze low.
“Aye, aye, emperor!” Steve said cheerfully, saluting and seeming oblivious to the mood. “Come on, little man.”
Hunter frowned, staring at Sebastian worriedly, but his uncle nudged him toward Steve. “Will you read me a story later?” he asked Sebastian quickly, as Steve grabbed his hand.
Sebastian lifted his gaze towards him. “Of course,” he said, trying to sound cheerful. “I’ll be up before you know it.”
Hunter’s frown deepened but he didn’t have time to ask questions, since Steve tugged him away.
“Come on, kid, we can check out the unicorn bushes on the way to your room!” Steve said brightly, pulling him to his side. “The flowers on them are blooming so they look extra purple today!”
Hunter tried to ignore him and kept his gaze on Sebastian who flinched when the emperor touched his shoulder.
Sebastian tried to stay calm, but his heart was beating so fast it was drowning out everything else and his legs felt wobbly, with the emperor’s hand on his shoulder guiding him along the hallways. There were no other scouts in sight. The castle was silent like they were the only ones there.
“Hunter is quite worried about you, Sebastian.” The emperor’s voice was calm. “The poor lad seems to think you’re unhappy.”
“What?” Sebastian tried to stop his hands from shaking. “No, I-I’m not unhappy.” He felt sick. “I’m just tired, that’s all. I haven’t been able to sleep very well.”
“And why is that?” The emperor asked, sounding concerned, but there was something else in his voice. “Has something been troubling you?”
His thoughts flashed to having to change Hunter’s bandages for a month after Belos had burned the boy for daring to run away and explore outside. The burn had left a scar and every time he had to look at it he wanted to vomit.
“…No, not really,” Sebastian’s voice was small, shifting his shoulders when the emperor’s grip seemed to tighten. “I’ve just been working a lot of shifts and it makes it hard to relax…”
“Ah, I see.” The emperor nodded, letting go of his shoulder. “…Do you enjoy serving the Titan, Sebastian?”
“What?” He looked up, confused, feeling dizzy at the sudden change of conversation. “Y-yes, of course.” He tried not to fidget. “It’s an honour to carry out their will. To make the world a better place.”
The emperor paused near a stained glass window. “Yes, it is,” Emperor Belos replied calmly, staring up at the window which displayed a group of wild witches from the savage ages dancing around a fire. “It requires sacrifice to do what we do every day, and the Titan sees it.” He stared at him, blue gaze chilling him. “Are you having doubts?”
“No,” Sebastian said firmly, feeling a corpse was breathing down his neck. “Never. I believe in the Titan and everything we’re doing.” He drowned out any doubts screaming in his head, terrified they’d be heard. “I believe the Titan and I’m grateful for everything they’ve given me. I’m happy here. I want to be here.”
He was happy here. He wanted to be here. This is where he belonged.
He kept chanting those thoughts like a mantra in his head, a part of him wanting to scream and bang his head against the wall until every whispering doubt was drummed out.
“I’m glad to hear that,” the emperor replied lightly. “Every witch should find their place in a coven. Where they belong and can be protected. Guided.”
Sebastian nodded, clasping his hands in front of him so they’d stop trembling. “Yes, I agree. I’m grateful to be here.”
“But tired?” the emperor questioned, staring at him as if he could see right through him. “Overworked?”
Sebastian’s throat was dry. “I… that’s my fault. I, uh, I just go overboard and don’t take breaks like I should. It’s my fault.”
“You shouldn’t take all the blame,” the emperor’s voice was soothing like ice on a burn. “ “Perhaps I should relinquish some of your duties towards Hunter then. So, you have time to rest—"
“What!?” Sebastian felt his heart stop for a second, stopping in his tracks. “No!” He flinched when he realised he’d raised his voice. “I’m sorry, I just mean…” He felt like he’d pass out as it became harder to breathe like his mask and cloak was suffocating him. “I’m sorry.”
The emperor just stared at him blankly, eyes fixed on him like a spider. “You’ve grown quite attached to him, haven’t you?”
Sebastian’s insides twisted, clenching his hands into fists. “He’s… special. I’m just doing my job and protecting him,” he tried to keep his voice steady. “Please… I love… taking care of him,” His eyes stung, tears threatening to come out as a lump gathered in his throat. “Don’t take him away,” he pleaded quietly, tears blurring up his vision. “Please.”
The emperor remained silent, staring at him like he was morbidly fascinated. “You’ve done well looking after Hunter, and raising him on stories of the Titan, encouraging his obedience. Your faith in the coven is admirable. Which is why it was so odd you weren’t happy, and why you’re crying.”
Sebastian flinched when his mask was removed, feeling a mess and like the last small shield of protection had been removed. His hood falling as his curled hair fell slightly over his face. “I-I am happy.” He tried to wipe away his tears and forced a smile, not looking at the emperor. “All I want is to serve the Titan a-and keep Hunter safe so he…” A sob was threatening to come out, as he grew more desperate. “He can serve the Titan as well.”
“But you still have doubts?” the emperor’s voice was understanding. “You doubt that I know what’s best for the boy?” His voice was soft. “In the Titan’s plan for him?”
Sebastian couldn’t breathe, smile cracking, as he started to crumble. “I…”
The emperor tilted his head, placing a hand on his cheek, the metal freezing his skin. “Am I correct, Sebastian?”
Something in him broke, his fear hacking at his resolve, feeling like a failure. “…Yes.” He closed his eyes tight and flinched after saying it. “I’m sorry.”
“I assumed as much.” The emperor sighed. “I’m disappointed.”
Sebastian held back a sob, shaking as he expected everything to be ripped away from him. “Don’t take him away,” he whispered, opening his eyes, but his vision was clouded with tears. “I’ll do anything, just don’t—”
“Now why would I do that?” The emperor asked lightly, keeping his hand on his face. “You’re surprisingly competent in regards to child care – a rarity. You’re still useful. Needed.” He tightened his grip a little making Sebastian wince. “This is just a minor lapse, isn’t it?”
Sebastian forced himself to nod, feeling something inside him shrivel up. “…Yes.” It was true. He didn’t think he could stop wanting to believe in the Titan even if he wanted to. He was bound to it. “I still want to serve the Titan.”
“Good.” The hand on his cheek started to feel warm like water beginning to boil. “Then this is just a warning.”
The emperor’s hand glowed red a second before a searing hot pain hit his cheek like an iron.
Hunter couldn’t sleep, feeling sick as he kept his gaze on the door. The room was dark and it felt like the shadows in the room were moving and watching him.
What if he’d made a mistake and Sebastian never came back? What if uncle was mad and sent the scout away?
His eyes stung, tears threatening to come out. He quickly rubbed them and hugged his toy close, burrowing under the covers.
Then, a moment later, there was a faint knock on the door. “Kid?”
Hunter quickly jumped out of bed. “Sebastian!”
The door opened, revealing the familiar scout, looking completely fine without his mask or uniform out of place. “Hey, there, buddy.”
Hunter smiled and hugged his legs. Sebastian’s arms wrapped around him. “I thought you got in trouble?” He looked up at him. “Was uncle mad?”
Sebastian’s grip tightened a fraction before loosening. “No,” he replied. “It was fine. We just talked.” He bent down to his level and held his hands. “Everything’s fine. You don’t need to worry.” He chuckled and conjured a ball of light. “Now, are you still awake enough for a quick bedtime story?”
“Yeah!” Hunter nodded, jumping up and down. “Story.”
“Okay, okay, pick a book.” Sebastian ushered him to the small bookshelf near the bed.
Hunter chose a book on the Good Chicken Demon Jeena, before jumping back into bed. “This one.”
“Okay,” Sebastian replied in amusement, placing the light on the dresser, and then sat down next to him on the bed. “Deep in a forest—”
“Stars!” Hunter tugged his arm, frowning. “You forgot the stars.”
“Oh…” Sebastian seemed to blank for a second. “You’re right, um…” He seemed to struggle for a bit, lowering the book. “Yeah. Stars…um…”
“What’s wrong?” Hunter asked.
“Nothing.” Sebastian drew the spell circle, conjuring fire, then some light, and then finally stars. “There.”
Hunter stared up in wonder, but then his smile wavered when he saw the illusion of stars start to shake.
The spell didn’t seem to hold, and the illusion disappeared.
“Huh?” Hunter looked confused.
“I…” Sebastian stared at his hand like he was trying to focus. “Um…I can’t remember that spell.”
“Why?” Hunter asked, frowning. “You did it yesterday!”
“I know, but…” Sebastian trailed off, touching the side of his mask. “Who… who needs fake stars anyway, right?” he said, suddenly cheerful. “Just look out the window.” He quickly opened the window. “See, the original is always better!”
Hunter’s frown deepened, but then he saw a shooting star and became distracted. “I saw a flying star!”
“You did?” Sebastian chuckled and lifted him, carrying him to the window. “You better make a wish then.”
“Okay.” Hunter smiled and closed his eyes, making a wish, wanting Sebastian to stay his scout forever. “I did it!” He rested his head on his chest, feeling safe. “But I can’t tell or it won’t come true.”
Sebastian held him tight. Arms secure like a cocoon. “That’s okay.” His hand shook a little as he tucked a blond hair behind Hunter’s ear. “I made a wish too.”