Witch’s Promise (Shadowguards #3.5)

1. Gabe

Chapter 1

Gabe

G abriel Reed’s muscles ached as he dodged another burst of Lucas's dark blue energy. The training room hummed with magic, the air crackling with potential. He'd lost track of how long they'd been at it, but the sweat dripping down his back suggested it had been a while.

"Come on, Lucas," Gabe taunted, a grin spreading across his face. "That all you got?"

Lucas's eyes narrowed, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. "You wish, witch boy."

A shimmering blue forcefield erupted between them, expanding rapidly. Gabe swore under his breath, impressed despite himself. It was rare to see Lucas really flex his magical muscles like this. As the team's tech genius and hacker, Lucas usually relied on his gadgets and computer skills. But when he did unleash his magic, it was a sight to behold.

Gabe's hands moved instinctively, golden light coalescing around his fingers. He thrust his palms forward, and a wave of white-gold energy slammed into Lucas's barrier. The clash sent sparks flying, momentarily blinding them both.

"Good, but not good enough," came Alex's voice from the sidelines. The Shadowguards' leader had been observing their sparring session, offering critiques and suggestions. "Gabe, your offensive magic is strong, but you're telegraphing your moves. Lucas, that barrier is impressive, but can you maintain it while mounting a counterattack?"

Both men nodded, taking the feedback in stride. Gabe rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen up. He knew Alex was right—he had a tendency to broadcast his intentions, a dangerous habit in real combat situations.

Lucas, for his part, looked determined. His fingers traced glowing sigils in the air, reinforcing his barrier while simultaneously preparing an attack. It was a complex bit of spellwork, and Gabe couldn't help but admire his friend's skill.

"Alright, reset," Alex called out. "This time, I want to see more dynamic movement. Use the whole space. And remember, in a real fight, you won't have time to think. React, adapt, survive."

Gabe and Lucas squared off again, circling each other warily. The air between them seemed to vibrate with magical potential.

This time, Lucas struck first. A volley of blue energy bolts shot towards Gabe, each one splitting into multiple projectiles mid-flight.

"Shit!" Gabe dove to the side, rolling across the training mat. He came up in a crouch, hands already moving to form a protective dome of shimmering gold around himself. The remaining bolts peppered his shield, each impact sending tremors through his body.

"Better reaction time, Gabe," Alex noted. "But don't just defend. Look for openings, create opportunities."

Gritting his teeth, Gabe focused on maintaining his shield while searching for a weak point in Lucas's assault. There—a slight hesitation as Lucas prepared his next attack.

Gabe dropped his shield and thrust both hands forward, channeling his power into the ground. The floor beneath Lucas's feet buckled and shifted, throwing him off balance.

"Nice use of terrain," Alex commented. "Lucas, how do you counter?"

Lucas stumbled but didn't fall. His hands moved in a blur, and suddenly he was hovering a few inches off the ground, negating Gabe's earthen assault.

"Clever bastard," Gabe muttered, already planning his next move.

"Language," Alex chided, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Now, let's see some combination attacks. Magic isn't just about raw power—it's about creativity, adaptability."

Taking the cue, Gabe began weaving a more complex spell. Golden light swirled around him, coalescing into shimmering projectiles. But instead of launching them directly at Lucas, he sent them arcing high into the air.

Lucas eyed the airborne threats warily, his own hands moving to strengthen his defenses. But he'd fallen for Gabe's feint.

With a grunt of effort, Gabe slammed his foot into the ground. A ripple of force shot across the floor, too fast for Lucas to dodge entirely. It caught him on the edge, sending him tumbling.

"Fuck!" Lucas yelped as he hit the mat. But even as he fell, his magic was responding. A wave of blue energy erupted from his body, racing towards Gabe.

Caught off guard by the speed of Lucas's counterattack, Gabe barely had time to throw up a hasty shield. The blue wave crashed against his golden barrier, the conflicting energies setting off a cascade of magical sparks.

"Excellent improvisation, both of you," Alex called out. "But remember, a real enemy won't give you time to recover. Press your advantage, Gabe!"

Nodding, Gabe pushed forward. He poured more power into his shield, turning it from a defensive barrier into a battering ram of golden energy.

Lucas scrambled to his feet, his hands already moving to reinforce his own defenses. But Gabe could see the strain on his friend's face. Despite his impressive showing, Lucas wasn't used to prolonged magical combat like this.

Their energies clashed again, gold and blue light filling the training room. Gabe felt sweat beading on his forehead as he pushed harder, trying to break through Lucas's guard.

For a moment, it seemed like stalemate. Then Lucas's shield began to flicker.

"Adapt, Lucas," Alex instructed. "If one strategy isn't working, try another."

Lucas's eyes narrowed in concentration. Suddenly, his blue energy shield collapsed inward, condensing into a swirling vortex. Before Gabe could react, it shot forward, engulfing his golden battering ram.

Gabe felt his magic being pulled, twisted. With a startled curse, he cut off the flow of power. His golden energy dissipated, leaving him momentarily vulnerable.

Lucas seized the opportunity. A bolt of blue lightning leapt from his fingers, catching Gabe square in the chest. It wasn't strong enough to do real damage, but the impact sent him staggering backward.

"Point to Lucas," Alex declared. "Excellent use of your opponent's momentum against them."

Gabe rubbed his chest, grimacing. "Damn, Lucas. When did you learn that trick?"

Lucas grinned, looking both exhausted and elated. "Been working on it for a while. Never had a chance to test it out properly before."

"Well, consider me officially impressed," Gabe conceded. He turned to Alex. "How'd we do, boss?"

Alex nodded approvingly. "Much better. You're both showing improvement in adapting to unexpected situations. Gabe, your offensive capabilities are top-notch, but don't neglect your defensive skills. And Lucas, excellent work on expanding your magical repertoire. Your tech skills make you a valuable asset, but being able to hold your own in magical combat is crucial."

Both men nodded, absorbing the feedback. Gabe could feel the familiar ache of magical exertion settling into his bones, but there was also a sense of satisfaction. These training sessions were grueling, but necessary. In their line of work, being unprepared could be fatal.

"Alright, take five," Alex said. "Then we'll run through some teamwork drills.”.

Gabe collapsed onto the training mat, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Sweat poured down his face, stinging his eyes and leaving salty trails on his lips. He'd ditched his shirt ages ago, the drenched fabric now lying in a crumpled heap near the wall. Across the room, Lucas wasn't faring much better, his bare torso glistening under the harsh fluorescent lights.

But a five-minute break didn't mean they could truly relax. Not with Alex's piercing gaze fixed on them, cataloging every heaving breath, every trembling muscle. And it wasn't just Alex watching. Gabe could feel the eyes of his teammates boring into him from the sidelines. Eryx, Marcus, Olivia, Emma, Finn—they were all there, observing, assessing.

No pressure or anything.

Gabe pushed himself up onto his elbows, stealing a glance at Lucas. His friend's face was flushed with exertion, dark hair plastered to his forehead. But there was a glint of determination in Lucas's eyes that made something in Gabe's chest tighten with pride.

"Looking good out there, techie," Gabe called out, managing a grin despite his exhaustion. "Your shields are getting tougher to crack."

Lucas snorted, but Gabe could see the pleased smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep you on your toes, witch boy."

The banter was familiar, comfortable. It was easier to focus on their friendship, on the camaraderie that came from countless hours of training together.

"Alright, break's over," Alex's voice cut through Gabe's wandering thoughts. "On your feet. Let's see how you two handle yourselves in a tag-team situation."

Gabe groaned as he pushed himself up, muscles protesting the movement. He was about to stand when a hand appeared in front of his face. He looked up to see Lucas offering him a boost, that same determined glint still in his eyes.

"Come on, partner," Lucas said. "Let's show 'em what we've got."

Gabe clasped Lucas's hand, ignoring the way his heart skipped at the contact. As Lucas pulled him to his feet, Gabe allowed himself a moment to marvel at how far his friend had come. When they'd first joined the Shadowguards, Lucas had relied almost entirely on his tech skills, his magical abilities raw and unfocused. Now, after months of intense training, he was holding his own against Gabe, one of the team's strongest combat mages.

It was impressive as hell, and Gabe couldn't deny the swell of pride he felt. He'd spent countless hours working with Lucas, helping him hone his magical control, pushing him to expand his repertoire beyond defensive spells. Seeing it all pay off—well, it was pretty damn satisfying.

"Earth to Gabe," Alex's voice snapped him back to reality. "You with us?"

"Yeah, boss," Gabe replied, shaking off his momentary distraction. "Ready when you are."

Alex nodded, his expression stern. "Good. Because out in the field, you don't get time to daydream. You need to be alert, focused, ready to react at a moment's notice. Your lives—and the lives of civilians—depend on it."

The reminder sent a familiar jolt of anxiety through Gabe's system. Right. This wasn't just about friendly competition or personal improvement. Every training session, every drill, every drop of sweat—it was all in service of their greater mission. Protecting the city. Saving lives. The weight of that responsibility settled over Gabe like a physical thing, pressing down on his shoulders.

"Understood," Gabe said, his voice tight. Beside him, Lucas nodded, his earlier playfulness replaced by serious focus.

"Alright then," Alex said. "Scenario: you're responding to reports of supernatural activity in a crowded shopping mall. Civilians everywhere, limited visibility, high risk of collateral damage. Your objective is to locate and neutralize the threat while minimizing civilian casualties. Eryx, Marcus—you're playing our hostiles. Emma, Olivia—you're on civilian duty. Let's go."

And just like that, they were off. The training room's holographic systems kicked in, transforming the space into a bustling mall environment. Projected civilians milled about, oblivious to the danger. Somewhere in this digital crowd, Eryx and Marcus were lying in wait, ready to spring their trap.

Gabe felt the familiar surge of adrenaline as he and Lucas moved into the fray. This was what they trained for. This was where it all came together.

"I'll take point," Gabe murmured, his hands already glowing with defensive magic. "Cover our six?"

Lucas nodded, falling into step behind him. "On it. I've got some new shielding tech I've been dying to try out."

They moved through the holographic crowd, senses on high alert. Gabe's eyes darted from face to face, searching for any sign of their hidden opponents. The chatter of the projected civilians filled his ears, making it hard to pick out any unusual sounds.

A flash of movement caught Gabe's eye. He spun, magic flaring to life around his hands, only to find himself face-to-face with a startled-looking holographic teenager.

"Shit," Gabe muttered, lowering his hands. False alarm.

"Easy there, trigger finger," Lucas teased from behind him. "Pretty sure vaporizing the civilians is against the rules."

Gabe was about to fire back a retort when he felt it—a subtle shift in the magical atmosphere. His eyes widened. "Lucas, down!"

They both dropped just as a bolt of energy sizzled through the air where their heads had been moments before. The holographic civilians scattered, screaming in panic.

"There!" Lucas shouted, pointing to their left. Gabe caught a glimpse of Eryx's blonde hair before their teammate ducked behind a digital kiosk.

"I've got him," Gabe said, already moving. "Watch for Marcus!"

He darted forward, weaving through the panicked crowd. A part of his mind noted with approval how realistic the civilian AI was—Emma had really outdone herself with this program.

Eryx popped up from behind the kiosk, but Gabe was ready this time. He threw up a shield, absorbing Eryx's attack.

"Nice try, pretty boy," Gabe called out, grinning despite the intensity of the moment. "But you'll have to do better than that."

Eryx's answering smirk was all the warning Gabe got before a second attack came from behind. He whirled, barely managing to deflect Marcus's strike.

Fuck. He'd let himself get pinned between them.

"Lucas!" Gabe shouted, desperately trying to maintain shields on both sides. "Could use some backup here!"

For a heart-stopping moment, there was no response. Then suddenly, a dome of shimmering blue energy enveloped Gabe, reinforcing his faltering defenses.

"I've got you," Lucas's voice came from somewhere to his right. "But we've got civilians in the crossfire. We need to end this quick."

Gabe nodded, mind racing. They needed a plan, something to neutralize both Eryx and Marcus without endangering the holographic bystanders.

An idea struck him. It was risky, but it might just work.

"Lucas," he called out, "remember that combo move we were working on last week?"

There was a pause, then: "The one that nearly blew up the lab? Are you insane?"

"Probably," Gabe admitted. "But you got any better ideas?"

Another pause. Then: "Fuck it. Let's do it."

Gabe grinned. This was why he and Lucas made such a good team. They were always willing to try the crazy plays.

"On three," Gabe said, gathering his power. "One... two..."

On "three," several things happened at once. Lucas dropped his shield, leaving Gabe exposed. But before Eryx or Marcus could capitalize, Gabe slammed his hands into the ground. A wave of golden energy rippled outward, momentarily destabilizing the holographic environment.

In that split second of confusion, Lucas struck. His hands flew through a series of complex gestures, and suddenly the air was filled with swirling motes of blue light. They darted towards Eryx and Marcus, expanding into glowing nets that pinned their teammates in place.

"Gotcha," Lucas crowed triumphantly.

Gabe straightened up, breathing hard but grinning. They'd done it. It hadn't been pretty, and in a real situation, it would have been risky as hell. But they'd neutralized the threat and minimized collateral damage.

The holographic mall flickered and disappeared, leaving them standing in the bare training room once more. Alex strode towards them, his expression unreadable.

"Well," he said after a moment, "that was certainly creative."

Gabe and Lucas exchanged nervous glances. Coming from Alex, that could mean anything.

"The good news is, you achieved your primary objective," Alex continued. "You neutralized the threats and kept civilian casualties to a minimum. Your teamwork was solid, and you showed good adaptability in a high-pressure situation."

Gabe felt a flutter of pride in his chest. But he knew better than to relax just yet. There was always a "but" with Alex.

"However," Alex said, right on cue, "that final move was incredibly risky. In a real combat situation, you might not have had the luxury of such a wide margin for error. And Gabe, you let yourself get cornered early on. In the field, that kind of mistake could be fatal."

And there it was. The pride in Gabe's chest deflated, replaced by a familiar knot of anxiety. He'd screwed up. Again. No matter how hard he trained, how much he pushed himself, it never seemed to be enough.

"We'll work on it, boss," Gabe said, trying to keep the dejection out of his voice.

Alex's expression softened slightly. "Hey, I'm not saying it was all bad. You two work well together, and that counts for a lot. Just remember, out there, the stakes are real. We can't afford to take unnecessary risks."

Gabe nodded, the weight of Alex's words settling heavily on his shoulders. It was a reminder he didn't really need—the responsibility of their job, the lives that depended on them, it was something Gabe carried with him always. Sometimes, it felt like it might crush him.

"Alright, hit the showers," Alex said. "We'll debrief fully tomorrow. Good work today, everyone."

As the team started to disperse, Gabe felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Lucas watching him with concern.

"Hey," Lucas said softly. "You okay? You've got that look."

Gabe tried to smile, but it felt forced. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, you know?"

Lucas didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. Instead, he squeezed Gabe's shoulder gently. "Well, come on then. Nothing a hot shower can't fix, right?"

Gabe nodded, grateful for his friend's understanding. Together, they made their way to the locker room, the rest of the team already filing in ahead of them.

The locker room was filled with steam and the sound of running water as Gabe made his way to his locker. He grabbed his towel, trying to ignore the way his muscles protested every movement. Around him, the banter and laughter of his teammates echoed off the tiled walls.

"Yo, Gabe!" Eryx called out from one of the shower stalls. "Nice moves out there. Though I gotta say, your hair game is seriously suffering. Ever heard of conditioner?"

Gabe snorted, running a hand through his admittedly unruly hair. "Some of us can't all be blessed with Apollo's perfect locks, pretty boy."

"Excuses, excuses," Eryx shot back, grinning.

"Leave him alone, Eryx," Marcus chimed in. "Not everyone can spend three hours on their hair every morning."

"It does not take me three hours!"

"You're right," Alex deadpanned from his spot by the sinks. "It's more like four."

The locker room erupted in laughter, and Gabe found himself grinning despite his earlier mood. This was what he loved about the team—no matter how intense things got, no matter how much pressure they were under, they could always find moments like this. Moments of lightness, of camaraderie.

As the others continued to rib each other, Gabe stepped into an empty shower stall. He turned the water on as hot as he could stand it, letting out a small groan of relief as the spray hit his sore muscles.

He stood there for a long moment, letting the water wash away the sweat and tension of the training session. But as the physical discomfort faded, the weight of his thoughts settled back in.

Had he really improved at all? Or was he just fooling himself, playing at being a hero when he was really just a liability waiting to happen? What if, when it really counted, he wasn't enough?

Gabe shook his head, trying to dislodge the spiraling thoughts. He couldn't afford to think like that. People were counting on him. The team was counting on him. He had to be better, had to push harder.

By the time Gabe finished his shower, the locker room had mostly cleared out. He took his time getting dressed, meticulously styling his hair and adjusting his clothes. The others often teased him about his "primping," but Gabe couldn't help it. In a world where so much felt out of his control, at least he could control how he presented himself to the world.

As he stood in front of the mirror, Gabe's eyes caught on the silver band adorning his right hand. Unconsciously, his fingers moved to touch it, tracing the familiar contours.

Sean's ring.

A flood of memories washed over him. Sean's laugh, the warmth of his smile, the way his eyes would crinkle at the corners when he was truly happy. But also the arguments, the growing distance, the final, bitter words they'd exchanged. And yet Gabe couldn't bring himself to remove it. It was a reminder—of what he'd lost, of what he was fighting to protect.

The sudden blaring of an alarm jerked Gabe out of his reverie. His head snapped up, body instantly tensing.

Gabe's heart hammered against his ribs as he sprinted down the hallway, nearly colliding with Lucas as they both rounded the corner into the briefing room. The space was already buzzing with activity, screens flickering to life with maps and data streams as the team filed in.

Lily, their intel specialist, stood at the front of the room, her fingers dancing across a holographic interface. Her usual calm demeanor was tinged with urgency as she began speaking the moment the last team member crossed the threshold.

"We've got a situation on Fifth Avenue," Lily announced, her voice cutting through the nervous chatter. "Rogue supernatural setting houses on fire. Three residences hit in the last hour, no casualties reported yet, but it's only a matter of time."

Gabe felt his stomach lurch. Fire. Civilians. Christ, this could go south real quick if they didn't move fast.

Alex's eyes swept the room, landing on Gabe. "Reed, you're taking point on this one."

For a moment, Gabe's brain short-circuited. He must have misheard. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard me," Alex said, his tone brooking no argument. "It's a relatively small-scale operation. Perfect opportunity for you to flex those leadership muscles."

Gabe's mouth went dry. Leadership? Him? Sure, he'd led smaller ops before, but this was different. This was real. People's lives were at stake.

Before he could voice his doubts, Eryx's voice cut through the room like a whip crack. "What about me?"

The tension in the room ratcheted up several notches. Gabe's eyes flicked between Eryx and Alex, taking in the rigid set of Eryx's shoulders, the barely contained frustration in his eyes.

Shit. This was about to get messy.

Alex's expression softened almost imperceptibly as he turned to his mate. "Eryx, I think it's best if you sit this one out."

The words hung in the air for a moment, heavy with unspoken meaning. Gabe watched as Eryx's face cycled through a range of emotions – disbelief, anger, hurt – before settling into a mask of cold fury.

"Sit it out?" Eryx's voice was low, dangerous. "In case you've forgotten, dear , I'm still a member of this team."

Alex's jaw clenched. "No one's forgotten that. But without your power-“

"Without my power, what?" Eryx snapped. "I'm useless? A liability?"

The rest of the team shifted uncomfortably, gazes darting anywhere but at the feuding couple. Gabe felt his chest tighten. He knew how much Eryx was struggling since losing his magic to the Order. The anger, the fear, the feeling of being less than he was – Gabe recognized it all too well.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Alex said, his usual commanding tone tinged with frustration and something that sounded suspiciously like guilt. "I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't need your protection!" Eryx shouted, slamming his hand down on the briefing table. The resounding crack made everyone jump. "What I need is for you to trust me. To let me do my fucking job."

For a moment, the room was silent save for Eryx's ragged breathing. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind him.

Alex closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze locked onto Gabe. "You have your orders. I expect a full report when you return."

With that, he strode out of the room, no doubt in pursuit of his mate.

The tension in the room deflated like a punctured balloon, leaving behind a heavy, awkward silence. Gabe's mind raced, trying to process everything that had just happened while simultaneously grappling with the weight of responsibility that had been unexpectedly thrust upon him.

"Well," Lucas's voice broke through the quiet, "that was fun. So, boss man, what's the plan?"

Gabe blinked, realizing everyone was now looking at him expectantly. Right. He was in charge. He had to lead.

Swallowing hard, Gabe pushed down his doubts and uncertainties. There'd be time for that later. Right now, people needed him. His team needed him.

"Okay," he said, surprised at how steady his voice sounded. "Lily, give me everything you've got on the target. Lucas, I want you coordinating comms and running point on containment strategies. Emma, we'll need your shields to protect the civilians and contain the fires. Olivia, you're with me on direct engagement."

As he spoke, Gabe could feel himself slipping into the role, his mind already mapping out tactics and contingencies. But beneath it all, a small voice whispered insistently: Don't fuck this up. You can't afford to fuck this up.

The team sprang into action, prepping gear and reviewing last-minute intel. Gabe found himself stealing glances at the door Alex and Eryx had disappeared through. He couldn't help but wonder how the couple was faring, if they'd be able to work through this latest hurdle.

He knew all too well how powers – or the lack thereof – could come between people. The weight of Sean's ring seemed to burn against his skin, a constant reminder of what he'd lost, of the price of being different.

Shaking off the melancholy thoughts, Gabe refocused on the mission at hand. He couldn't change what had happened to Eryx, couldn't fix the rift between him and Alex. But he could do this. He could lead this team, protect those civilians, stop whatever supernatural asshole was out there playing with fire.

He had to. Because if he couldn't do this, if he wasn't good enough, strong enough, smart enough... then what the hell was he even doing here?

"Alright, team," Gabe called out, pushing down his insecurities with sheer force of will. "Let's move out. We've got fires to put out and asses to kick."

As they filed out of the briefing room, gear in hand and game faces on, Gabe sent up a silent prayer to whatever higher power might be listening.

Please , he thought, just let me be enough .