Julian Thomas made the unpopular decision to become Beholden and focus his magic only on scrying. Because of it, he’s the best at his job and the top scryer for the Department of Extranormal and Magical Affairs. Which why Investigations Agent Wes Caldwell goes right to Julian for help locating a missing person.<br><br>When Wes needs to use his magic to boost Julian’s, they find a magical resonance between them that quickly leads to more. Julian doesn’t want to move too fast, but Wes knows Julian is it for him. He’s fine with waiting, as long as Julian stays close as they work through it.<br><br>But then Julian falls ill, and it’s clear there’s a magical reason. Wes will stop at nothing to find out what’s plaguing Julian, and when they realize just how deep the plot goes, they have more questions than answers. Magic is increasing in the world, and no one can figure out why. Julian and Wes have found love, but will it be enough to get them through what’s to come?

Beholden

We’d finally drawn enough attention that people sprang into action. Agents poured out of their offices. Cora looked around wildly, then made to sprint for the door. Someone blocked her exit, and she spun again, searching for an escape. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Cyril Merrithew and several other officers running in. Within seconds they had her tackled and cuffed—enchanted cuffs so she couldn’t do magic. I’d heard that if a practitioner tried to cast a spell while wearing them, they gota nasty shock for their trouble. While I was glad she’d been apprehended, I still couldn’t move. I didn’t know if the spell would wear off or had to be undone. At any rate, I was stuck. And starting to panic.


Too much happened for me to properly track, and all the shouting started getting to me. I tried not to struggle, because I knew it wouldn’t do any good, but I couldn’t remain still. I wanted out of the trap.


Cyril suddenly filled my field of vision. “What the hell, Julian?”


Chapter 43