Chapter Fourteen:

Max's Hero

For a week, Max backed off of both Justin and O'Tom. He needed some time alone to think. So, for quite a few nights, he took off on the magic carpet. While the wind ruffled his hair, he would feel like every part of his body was torn right in half between Justin and O'Tom. His heart being the biggest of importance. Even his hand would question whose skin it liked best.

On the other hand, they both felt wrong to him. Justin was his brother and somewhat tormented his soul. Their beginning wasn't so great. Then there was O'Tom, who Max got choked almost every time he even thought about him. As if magic was telling him to stay away from him.

One night, after being away from both—well, only seeing them in passing (Justin hanging with Bryce more and more and O'Tom having little clue but staying passive)—Max strolled through the park. He stumbled over his feet when he saw a boy in a cape and spandex standing in a hero's pose. Max had always loved heroes. He even had made up Maxie Man once. How fun that had been.

Max caught his balance at the last second. But the hero was already by Max's side ready to catch him. His spandex was mostly blue. There was a sewn-on red, broken heart right where his heart was. And his cape was purple.

Even though Max knew it was O'Tom—those golden eyes didn't allude him—he still asked, "Who are you?"

"Broken-Hearted Boy. Trying to cure the world of my broken heart."

A dark cloud was behind O'Tom. Lightning was coming out of it. Deep emotions were dangerous for young wizards.

"Must have been a dark villain to break a heart as pure as a superhero's heart." Max bit as his lip as he swayed next to O'Tom, feeling that knot of uncertainty in the back of his mind.

"Oh. Ha ha!" He mocked joy. "I am not a superhero. I have no powers. And no. No villain could break this heart." He pointed to his chest. "Only the most honorable and beautiful boy could do that."

Max ignored the no powers statement. That was a load of crock. He stared at his feet. "He isn't honorable." He yanked on the necklace with the key. "While this is around my neck, I am taken by another."

O'Tom's hands clutched at the sides of his purple mask, clawing at his head. When he looked at Max again, he asked very quietly. "Justin?"

Max stood completely still in shock. He had accidently let O'Tom in on his secret life with Justin.

"The ink. It wasn't invisible. I just couldn't read it because I wasn't in on the secret."

They stood there quietly for a long time, until O'Tom broke the silence again. "Justin's your brother, isn't he?"

Max was frightened as he nodded.

O'Tom half-smiled. "Then I have a chance."

Max furrowed his eyebrows and frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Once one of you is no longer a wizard, the spell will break down."

Max looked confused. How did O'Tom know about the spell? He was an only child.

"It is magic that binds you two together because you two entangled romantically with the other. Once one of you is no longer magic the spell will break because magic and non-magic can't exist together." There was hope in O'Tom's voice as he explained.

"And if Alex wins?"

O'Tom pulled on the key. "Then Justin's spell over you will be broken. He wears a lock, correct?"

"Yes..." O'Tom was starting to scare Max a bit.

"The lock wearer is always the one who makes the spell to keep what they think is love going." O'Tom put his hands on Max's shoulders. "Think, Max. Did it really start the way a loving relationship would start?" That's all he offered, then he started to walk away.

"WAIT!" Max rushed to him.

O'Tom slowly turned around.

"You're right." Max pulled O'Tom by his torso into him. In reply, O'Tom pulled the cape around Max's body and held him tightly. Their lips met. Max pushed his tongue into O'Tom's mouth. He wanted to be closer to him than anyone in his life. The eclipse in his heart was starting to descend. He didn't love Justin at all. Magic was clouding it. Their relationship wasn't healthy. The chain sank when Rex did the same thing that Justin had done to Max. Raped him. That isn't love. No, he did not love Justin at all. "I love you, O'Tom."

With those words, the chain pulled hard against Max's throat. He was gasping and gagging for air. He was only getting a little with each gasp. Like a fish out of water.

O'Tom pulled Max in tightly and flew into the air. They zoomed over to Waverly Place.