“Yes,” the captain said, releasing me and taking a step back, his confusion still evident. “You killed it. But without us, you probably wouldn’t have, so you’ll only get a fraction of the bonus. The rest will be divided.”
I waved that away. “Divide the whole bonus; I don’t care. I just want it in the books that I got this kill. Over Garret.”
“It will be.” The captain nodded.
“And my name will go in the books as saving Reagan’s life,” Garret said, sliding down the fence and hitting the ground too hard. He staggered and windmilled his hands, just managing to stay on his feet.
Dang.
He stalked over, all swagger and ego. A smug smile graced his pointy face. “You’re welcome.”
“Wait…what?” I asked, cold dripping down my middle.
“Anaswangtransfers its evil by issuing forth a tiny black bird,” the captain explained, writing something in his book. That had better not be Garret’s name under the titleReagan Savior! “That bird nearly made it to you. Had it succeeded, it would’ve forced its way into your mouth or eye and turned you into one of its kind. It’s not a real bird, obviously, but magic. You would’ve transformed, and we would’ve had to kill you. Speaking of”—he pointed at my leg with the jagged end of his pencil—“it didn’t scratch you, did it? I don’t see a hole in your pants.”
“No, it didn’t scratch me.” I shook my head. “I was just about to kill that bird thing with my sword. I wouldn’t have ingested it. That doesn’t count. Garret, of all people, didnotsave my life.”
“Not even a magical sword can cut through that type of magic,” the captain said without inflection.
I opened my mouth to tell him thatmytype of magic,which was stored in the sword, surely wouldhave cut through that bird thing. It could cut through anything, especially dark, underworld-type magic. Iwasunderworld-type magic.
No words came out.
There was absolutely no way I could admit to any of that. Nor could I tell the captain that if the bird thinghadinfected me, its evil wouldn’t have taken root. I’d had plenty of experience casting demons out of my body. It was part of my lineage—a lineage I couldn’t share with anyone unless I wanted to enslave myself to the land below.
No, I couldn’t tell the captain, but I really, reallywanted to. This sucked so hard.
“You were right there without the means to kill it,” Garret said, grinding the point home, standing beside me with his chest puffed out in triumph. “It would’ve turned you into one of its kind. I’ve seen it happen. It’s immediate and not pretty. Face it, I saved your life. And what do I get for saving your life?”
“Don’t be a putz, Garret,” the captain said without inflection.
“That’s right, I get a bonus. And honors. And a write-up in our newsletter.” Garret smiled and hooked his thumbs into his belt loops. “I’m a hero. Hail to the king.”
My hands curled into fists. He had me. And now, inthe eyes of the office, I was indebted to him.
“You’re welcome,” he said, flicking my last nerve with his smug, douchey smile.
Before my mind caught up with my body, my fist hit his nose. Thecrackmade everyone blink in surprise. He staggered back and reached for his face. A moment later, blood gushed over his lips.
“Oops,” I said. I meant it.
“That’s a red flag,” the captain said nonchalantly, not looking up.
I sighed. That fifth red flag had probably been inevitable. I clearly wasn’t cut out for a routine-driven, normal life.
Clarissa hastened up, out of breath and clutching her satchel. “Reagan, are you hurt? Did it scratch you?”
“It scratched her leather pants. It didn’t pierce them.” Captain Lox closed his book and finally looked up. “I’ve half a mind to have everyone wear leather. It’s a good idea.”
“Maybe tum’one s’uld ass her why her face isn’t fried,” Garret said through his fingers, his eyes watering and half closed.
“Why her face isn’t fried?” Clarissa asked, squinting at him. “Is that what you said? Let me see your nose.”
“Reagan got blasted in the face with magical fire when Garret burned theaswang’stransformation bird,” the captain said, looking at the ashes on the ground.
“Oh my gosh!” Clarissa’s hand drifted to her chest. “Oh thank God, Garret. Quick thinking. I didn’t have a chance to tell her about that. She would’ve been a goner for sure. Oh wow, that must’ve been a close one.”
My nails dug into my palms.
