71. Planning

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Opening my eyes, I found myself back on the roof of the skyscraper. This place seems to be close to my hotel.

In general, the whole scene from yesterday's dream was repeated. The same beginning eclipse, the same Hex with the Keystone, on the neighboring building. And Hope is standing in front of me.

The only difference was that Hope used to be about ten paces away from me, now she's six paces away. I wonder if there is some hidden meaning in this?

Seeing me, Hope just exploded with embarrassment and her whole face turned bright red. It feels like a little more and steam will go out of her head.

- Hope? - I asked, looking at her with a questioning expression on my face.

- Ah… - Hope squeaked, while looking into my eyes for a few seconds, after which she turned away even more embarrassed.

- Are you okay? - I asked again.

Apparently, Hope finally realized how strange her behavior seemed, as she clenched her fists, after which she panted heavily and seemed to come to her senses.

Finally, when she managed to control herself, she said:

- Yes Yes. I'm fine, Lex. Do not worry.

I decided not to pay attention to her behavior for the time being, so I first asked the question that worried me:

- So, did you find out why you and I share a dream?

Upon hearing my question, Hope returned to her embarrassed state and blushed again.

I have to give her credit, she recovered quite quickly this time.

- Yes. I found out. - Hope said softly.

- And? - I raised an eyebrow in anticipation of an answer.

- I can't tell you about it now. Only when we meet in reality. The only thing I can tell you is that all these dreams are preparations for our meeting. - Hope said calming down again.

- And the reason why you're acting so strange right now is because of what's going to happen when we meet? - I asked, considering her words and behavior.

Looks like I got to the point. Hope again went into the astral from embarrassment and seems to be even going to faint. To save the situation and somehow come to the point, I continued the conversation.

- So let's meet right now. I'm already in Las Vegas, in that hotel over there. - I said pointing at the hotel building.

- I can't now. I am in the desert and, on my uncle's orders, I must help him escape from prison in a few hours. - Hope said.

Wow, she smells so sad and unwilling. Strange combination.

- So, you want to help Hex? - I asked, frowning slightly.

- No no. In fact, I don't want it at all. In my opinion, it would be better if he rotted there. But I don't have a choice. - Hope said, waving her arms vigorously.

- Listen, I understand that he is your uncle and you are grateful to him for teaching, but you should not do this. Even if you think it's your duty, Hex doesn't deserve it. - in a soothing tone, I said.

- I don't care about him. I would have run away from Hex a long time ago. After all, he can teach me nothing more. At least he stopped teaching me a year ago. He doesn't reveal his secrets to me. But I can't leave. - Hope said, with anger in her voice.

- Why? - I asked, tilting my head to the side. Nothing like that, I don't remember from the cartoon.

- When I was twelve, in order to keep me under some kind of control, my uncle performed a ritual and tied my magic to one locket. Using this locket, he can always find me or, worst of all, take away my magic. Maybe not forever, but for years to come. For me, it's worse than death. - Hope said, clutching the sleeves of her robe angrily.

HM. It certainly wasn't in the original. But it's perfectly acceptable. For example, after this story with the Keystone, when Hex lost most of his powers, Hope could return this locket. Sounds logical. Once again I am convinced that the cartoon is one thing, and the reality is completely different. Much could not be described or softened for children. Like now.

- And of course, this locket is in Hex's hands now. - I said as I thought about the whole situation.

- Yes. Also, he has something that I need. The key to the safe. Of course, this safe is magical and this key is needed to open it. It won't work otherwise. - Shaking her head, the Charmcaster said.

- And what do you want in this safe? - I asked.

- There are things that belonged to my parents. This is all that's left of them, and my uncle has locked them in a safe and won't let me even see them. - with a snarl, Hope said.

- So, using the locket and your parent's things, Hex controls you and keeps you with him so that in the right situations, you help him. - I concluded.

- Right. - Hope nodded her head several times.

- And what does he want from you this time, besides the obvious help in escaping? - I asked.

- Do you know what a Keystone is? - Hope asked. Apparently she decided that first she should find out the level of my awareness.

- The Keystone was created by Bezel. The Stone itself is able to increase the user's natural characteristics ten times. And in conjunction with Bezel's Charms, dozens of times. Also, using the Keystone, you can recreate the Charms themselves if they were destroyed. In this case, you need a solar eclipse and the highest point of the area. In general, what is happening around us. - I said, swiping my hand to show the picture that was frozen, right next to us.

When she heard me, Hope opened her eyes wide and even slightly parted her mouth. Apparently, I did not expect that I knew so much.

After a few seconds, Hope came to her senses and said in amazement:

- Amazing level of awareness. I thought you said you were new to magic. This information is not easy to find.

- The Archamada Book of Spells is now in my possession. - With a sly smirk, I said.

- So you took her? Will you let me read it? - Hope asked with delight in her voice.

- Maybe later. Now, let's get back to our business. - I said, trying to get the girl back on topic.

- What? Oh yes, you're right. So, as you probably understood, Hex wants me to help him escape from prison, after which, with the help of spells written out from the Archamada Book, which I accidentally found from one junk dealer, first find the Keystone, and only then with his help and ritual to restore Bezel's Charms you destroyed. Using them, Hex gains even more power. - Hope said solemnly. She clearly knows how to escalate the situation.

- And yourself, why didn't you try to find this Stone? - I asked.

Clearly embarrassed, Hope replied:

- I tried. But I didn't have enough magical powers to find it. I could only find out that he was in Nevada. And that's it. But this, just, converged with the uncle's plans, because he is in prison, not far from Las Vegas. I arrived here a few days ago to prepare and help him escape. And now, in a few hours, the escape should take place. - Hope said.

- It's clear. And what's your plan? - I asked after a couple of seconds, carefully considering her words.

- In terms of? - Hope tilted her head sweetly.

- I mean, what would you like to do after getting Hex out? I understand that you certainly do not want the person who actually keeps you on a leash to receive powerful powers. - Looking into Hope's eyes, I said.

Hope gave me a bright smile and then said:

- You understood me well. You're right. In general, I would have gladly gone far away from him, as soon as I pulled him out, but, most likely, Hex would not let me leave and drag me with him. According to the plan, I wanted to prevent the ritual from ending. This would hurt Hex very much and he would catch a backlash. This often happens in magic. If it didn't work, I would try to steal the Amulets and fight my uncle. But how do you understand too many 'if'.

- But… - I drawled.

- But you showed up, Lex. I know that you are strong. Most likely very much, since he defeated his uncle almost instantly. And I'm asking for your help. Help me defeat Hex and take the locket and key from him. - with the eyes of a cat from Shrek, Hope said.

- Suddenly. I didn't think you'd ask for my help. We don't even really know each other. - thoughtfully, I said.

- You are the only one I can trust. After all, you are special. For me. - with flushed cheeks, Hope said.

- Does your trust have something to do with all these dreams and this situation? - I asked with narrowed eyes.

Hope didn't answer. But she blushed a little more and nodded her head several times.

- Phew. OK. How can I refuse such a beauty who trusted me. - I said, letting out a sigh and rubbing the bridge of my nose.

At the compliment, Hope blushed bright red again. God, she's on the verge of fainting again.

I never thought that someone like the Charmcaster could behave like this. But she's still a girl, what else to expect.

Discarding unnecessary thoughts, I made a sly grin and said:

- But, do you really think that the one who had the Archamada Book in his hands for a whole month, in which all possible information is written, including about the Keystone, did not take care of it a long time ago?

When she heard me, Hope quickly raised her head down in embarrassment and looked into my eyes and asked:

- So have you taken the Keystone yet? What about a detection spell?

- The stone has been hidden in another space for a long time. In the same place is a fake. And your spell found only a residual trace. - with a smart look, I said.

Actually, of course, I haven't taken the Keystone yet. I planned to do this when I wake up.

But Hope doesn't need to know that. It's not that I don't trust her or think she's cheating on me. Although we only talked twice, I already managed to understand and get to know her enough. In addition, telepathy in this dream, oddly enough, works great.

I didn't read her mind completely. Only superficial and checked whether she was lying to me or not.

Everything Hope said is true. And she was completely honest with me. In all our conversations, she never lied to me.

The only thing that puzzles me is that with the help of telepathy, I was never able to find out about this whole dream situation. All I've learned is that our magic is involved. This is what I understood myself.

And the reason why I lied about the Keystone is pretty trivial. I just wanted to look cooler. I have to show off in front of the beauty.

In truth, in fact, I almost forgot about this pebble. Lately I've been more interested in my new dagger. But it is not important.

- This is good. So Hex won't succeed. What about the locket? - Hope said thoughtfully.

: Follow Hex's plan. When you wake up, help Hex escape and accompany him. When he comes for a fake, he will most likely again do everything noisily and attract attention. The city will quickly stop him. I have heard that the Legion have arrived in the city. Hex won't be free for long. - With a smile, I said.

- Legion... - Hope muttered, then her eyes widened and she looked at me in shock. But before Hope could say anything, I continued.

- But one detail needs to be changed. Before entering the prison, you should disguise yourself. You shouldn't show your face. No matter how powerful you are, you can always be caught. A great example, the same Hex, who has been in prison for a month and is not able to escape without your help.

- But it was you who defeated him. He's in jail because of you. - Hope said pointing her finger at me.

- This is true. But you still don't need the government to know about you. Just extra problems. - I said.

- You're right. Okay, I'll disguise myself. Is there anything else? - Hope asked.

- Not. Just try to keep Hex from causing unnecessary destruction and self-mutilation, please. We don't need this. - Thoughtfully, I added.

- Okay, I'll try, but I can't promise anything. - Hope said with a smile.

When I heard her, I could only roll my eyes. She pretends to be a bad girl, but she herself behaves like a modest girl. Women.

- I wanted to ask, did you really destroy Bezel's Charms? Hex is sure it is, but is it true? - Hope asked after a while.

I didn't answer. He just rolled my eyes and smiled.

Hope didn't seem to be satisfied with my silence, so she was about to ask more questions, but suddenly, our magic went berserk again.

Looks like we'll wake up soon.

Hope decided not to waste her time. She ran up to me and kissed me on the lips.

I did not even have time to enjoy her lips, as the world around collapsed and I opened my eyes already in a Las Vegas hotel.