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The techs looked relieved to have some kind of physical evidence to retrieve, so were quick to give me vials. I had a little suction pump for situations like this. Handheld, not exactly quick, but it did the job. I carefully emptied out the blood until there were bare traces of it, then just as carefully removed the basin altogether. It, too, was now inert and safe enough to move about so I handed it off to the techs to bag and tag.

I turned, found that while I’d talked, Lachlan had already brought out box and lead foil. He was truly amazing at anticipating me, it saved so much time and effort. I joined him, pulling on lead lined gloves first, then carefully handling the power column with only the lead foil, quickly wrapping it up in several layers before settling it into the box. The box was bigger than it really needed, but it wasn’t like I needed to stop and shop for a box perfectly the right size.

The second the box was latched shut, several people did a quiet little cheer, bouncing on toes. It probably was nerve wracking even standing nearby watching me. If they hadn’t by necessity needed to record everything I was doing, I was sure they’d have waited well away. Maybe a good mile away. I would have, in their shoes.

But with that, I was very much done. The Order I could type up in about twenty minutes, it was a simple thing to fill out. I’d submit that and my invoice at the same time.

I didn’t breathe fully until I was packed up, out of the house, and standing on the driveway. Only then did I remove my mask, turning to Jon who was right behind me. “I don’t know if I want to celebrate with a good dinner or just return to your house to lay on the floor for a few hours.”

Jon gave me a commiserating look. “I completely understand you. Rough cases do that to me, too. I’ll do you one better, Seiji. How about both? My mother-in-law’s dropping off food for us, and she’s better than a Micheline chef. You can lounge on the couch, eat good food, and get cuddles from kitties.”

“Sold.”

Epilogue

After the insanity of the last eight days, we all chose to sleep in the next day. I needed to head back home soon, but I wanted to try repairing Jon and Abby’s Limiters first.

So, after a Southern breakfast that threatened to put me into a food coma, we called in the apprentices, his and mine. Gwyn came in with a bounce and gave me a hug. I hugged her back, happy to see her as well. We rarely saw each other in person, most of my lessons were done over video chat, as her schedule was as insane as mine.

“Hi, Sensei!” She beamed at me.

Gwyn insisted that was the proper mode of address for me, and honestly, I found it charming. “Hi yourself. Ready to do something that might be history in the making?”

“Ooh, twist my arm.”

The back door opened again, I heard Donovan greet someone, and a lighter, more feminine voice respond. Along with another man’s voice?

I had the answer quickly enough as Abby entered the living room, followed by Skylar and a man I didn’t know. He sort of resembled Abby with the curly dark hair, but he was all dad bod and affable looks.

“Hi there.” He offered a hand. “I’m Abby’s father, Craig.”

“Hello. I’m Seiji Ito.”

“Nice to meet you. Uh, my daughter said something about you being a magician?”

He clearly didn’t know what to think of that title. Most didn’t. “Chaos magician. I’m a type of psychic, Energy Reader to be precise, and licensed, I promise you. You can think of me as an energy worker.”

Jon snorted as he passed me, heading for the couch. “Sure, you’re an energy worker. Like a bicycle is considered a car.”

Lachlan chuckled from his place at the bar.

Seeing Craig’s hesitation, I tried to explain better. “I handle very unique cases, like this one. What I am attempting to do is help both Abby and Jon with their Limiter. Did anyone explain what that is to you?”

“Jon did, yes. I’m not sure if I entirely followed, but what my understanding is, a Limiter is the part of her talent that should be managing her energy flow, but it’s not working correctly?”

“That is the gist.” Good, he was at least semi read in. “Abby’s Limiter is in better shape than Jon’s, fortunately. What I wish to do is use their anchor bonds to help power and reshape their Limiters. It will help their control, take their wild power down a few notches. It should help Abby burn less hot so she can handle electronics better.”

Craig looked very hopeful. “That would be great if this works.”

“Truly. Jon is first, because if I can fix him, Abby’s going to be a cakewalk.”

Jon looked resigned, as if he was used to being the most complicated person in any given room. He likely was. Through no fault of his own, of course.

“That said, let’s get started. I need to return home to deal with the damn power banks, I don’t dare let them sit in an iron box for too long. Jon, Donovan?”

“Yup,” Donovan agreed, already moving where I pointed. “More than ready.”

I had Jon and Donovan sit beside each other. They were barely able to fit on the ottoman, but they could do it, and it gave me the perfect angle to work at.