The Magician
#2 of Writing Prompts
Here is the second prompt for the writing group I am in.
Prompt #2 "First person: You struck a bargain years ago and now you're being asked for a favor to balance the scales and clear your debt."
It is for this group here: https://t.me/joinchat/CPoeZhclggenrOEh0yYwvg
Hope you like it.
The Magician
San Francisco, 1987
Final excerpt from the Journal of Robert Keller
August 10th, 1987
I awoke in the apartment at 7:58, just before the alarm went off. Vince was still sleeping, facing the window, away from me. As the sun began to shine through our window, I admired his form one more time. The crimson fur glowing as the light danced off it. I embraced his nude form, wanting to feel all of him against my body for maybe the last time. He stirred from his sleep, blinking as he adjusted to the new light coming in.
"Hey you.." He said, groggy.
"Didn't mean to wake you." I apologized. I wanted him to sleep in.
He grinned, looking up at me with those shining purple eyes. He turned his body to face me, throwing the blanket down. He looked at the clock just as it turned eight o'clock. Suddenly the room was filled with George Michael's voice. He laughed, leaning towards me to plant a kiss on my lips.
He said, "Well, since we're up.." then kisses my neck and down my chest. There was a part of me that wanted to hold off, make out last moment of intimacy be special. I realized then, that morning in the bed that every moment he was alive was special. It was as he made love for what I prayed wouldn't be the last time that I decided what I needed to do.
I made preparations while he showered and got ready for work. I dusted off some of my old books, hiding them in a box so Vince wouldn't see what I was up to. After he rushed through breakfast, I walked him out of our apartment. I kissed him deeply and told him how much I loved him. He kissed me again and asked if I was alright. I lied, for his sake and told him everything was fine. "I just thought I'd tell you now and again." I said.
He grinned at my and said, "Well, I love you, too, babe." and he made his way down the stairs to the car.
I threw on some clothes, grabbed the box with the reagents and books and headed into the basement. The lock was broken, but there was a spell easy enough to keep the door closed. I drew the circle on the ground, put a binding spell on all the exits and sifted through the book for it's name. Briokel, the demon I summoned before. I still had a vial of the ground up tree had had hung from. It would be more than enough to call him again.
I set the stage and called him forth. He wasted little time to materialize within the circle. The room became dark, disassociated with the rest of the universe. That familiar feeling of dread surrounded me. He took the form of a human, as he once was. He was nude, beautiful and looked at me with a knowing grin.
"Hello, Robert. How have you been?"
"He lives a full life." I demanded.
"We had a deal, Robert." The demon said, sitting on a dusty chair.
"I want to change the terms."
He laughed, "With what? Your soul is mine by rights, already."
"I can bind you to my body. I can be your vessel."
He shook his head, "How many years does you body have, hm? Then what, you die and I'm released back into hell? Fuck that."
I stood there in silence, I didn't understand it. That was all he wanted last time. I tried to think of something to offer but came up empty.
"There is... Something you could do for me." He looked into my eyes.
I looked back into his eyes, "You can't have him."
He grinned, "Oh, no, I can insure he lives to a ripe old age, never knowing what ever happened. Hell, his soul won't even be tainted. No trace."
"What do you want?" I replied.
He looked over to the sealed door, "Just open the door for me."
I shook my head, "No, I would never-"
"Then he dies tonight. Just as God planned for him years ago."
"No, there's-"
He cut me off, "Robert, you are out of bargaining chips. Vincent's death can't be avoided unless you have something good for me."
He sighed, looking at me with concern, "Face it, you know you have nothing to tempt me with."
"I.. There.." I couldn't think of anything to say. But I refused to fall victim to his silver tongue. Never again. Any ultimatum could be defeated with the right counter.
"How long would an angel's feather get him, blurted out.
Briokel raised an eyebrow, "Bartering, Robert? Come on, this is sad."
"You wouldn't understand." I sighed, I was desperate.
He laughed, "Poor little faggot's losing his little fairy toy. You're right, I wouldn't know about that."
I felt the emotion, but stopped myself. He was trying to get to me. I was making progress. I just needed the right offer.
I cleared my throat, "I have things in this room that are valuable in hell. Things demon hunters would kill me for just showing you." I didn't need them anymore anyway.
He crossed his legs, getting comfortable, "Alright, I'll bite. What else do you have?"
I showed him my old trinkets, books and anything of value. He looked over them all with disinterest. Shrugging off every new item with some snide comment.
"I have twelve of these already." He'd say, "How'd you learn to summon me with this garbage."
I had enough, "Come on! Half this stuff is worth a dozen lives on their own!" I yelled.
He only grinned, "But this is Vincent. Surely he's worth a hundred lives to you."
"You're a real piece of shit." I muttered.
He only laughed, "Fine! I have one last offer. If you will indulge me?"
I nodded, "I won't let you free."
"Nah uh uh! Here me out,"
I sighed, "What?"
"Look, you were young. I get it, we all make mistakes. Now you're in over your head. It happens."
"What's your offer?" I spat.
"I will leave you both alone. A clean slate for the two of you. All you have to do is open that door."
I had no reply. I never considered saving myself.
"That's right, Robert. Imagine, the two of you both growing old together. A full life with your soulmate." He made sure to emphasize the word soul.
I said nothing. I tried to shut my mind off. It was too much to think about. There was something about gaining back what I thought I could never have. I cut half my lifetime and gave away my soul, but to get it all back. I just had to unleash this monster onto the world.
Before I even started to weight the options my hand was on the door knob. I breathed deep. I closed my eyes, trying not to listen to my thoughts.
"No more dept, and Vincent lives a full life?" I felt defeated.
He nodded, "Stay out of trouble and you and your yuppie puppy will be just fine."
I looked down at the dirty floor. I opened the door. The room fill with light, the sealing magics worn off. Sounds of life outside continued as if I had never entered the room. Briokel stood there, dressed in a suit, his hair now short. He looked important. He smiled at me as he walked over to me.
As he passed me he looked me in the eyes, "I knew you'd turn around."
"I will come after you."
He leaned in, caressed my face with his warm pale skin, "Good luck." then he walked out into the world. I cleaned up the room and packed my things away, taking it upstairs into our apartment. There was a message on the machine when I sat down to watch TV.
I pressed the button and heard Vince's voice, "Oh god, Robby. I just.. Oh my god, I thought.. Oh, I, there was an accident." His voice was strained, he sounded like he had been crying, "I thought I was dead.. I'm coming home as soon as I can. I just wanted you to know I was okay." There was the sound of a hospital in the background, "I just have to talk to some people. God, it was so close.. I just wanted to say I love you, I'll be home soon."