As Mal scrolled through various different methods to convince Clayton to allow Mal to fuck enough magic out of him after a battle in order to get everyone home, Marshall interrupted his train of thought.
“We’re obviously coming with you. Clayton is one of ours, and we’re not letting him face this alone.” Marshall sounded like he’d been watching too many superhero movies, and when he saw that Clayton was looking at Marshall like he was the solution to all of life’s problems, Mal nearly gagged.
Clayton liked this guy? Why???
Well, he was going to need to get over it because Mal was never going to be like Marshall, and Clayton wasn’t getting rid of him.
Mal stopped trying to open the rift and leaned down to whisper in Clayton’s ear. “You need a new type. This douchebag is ridiculous.”
Claytonhmmphedand elbowed Mal in the ribs before telling Marshall, “We’d love to have you come. The more firepower we have to getour childrenback, the better.”
Mal winced at the phraseour children,because Clayton had used it with the force of a hatchet, and Mal had been its target.
“Message received,” Mal said, rubbing the space on his chest where a heart would have been had he been human.
There had been magic behind those words, and Mal didn’t want to find out if it was something Clayton had done by accident or if he could actually direct the attack at will. In either case, Mal would be smart to tread lightly.
Jack burst out laughing, and everyone but Mal stared at him in confusion. Clearly, Jack could sense a hell of a lot more than Mal wanted him to.
“Go fuck yourself,” Mal growled.
Marshall watched the entire situation with an odd expression. He was like a dreamer trying to wake up, but every time he got close, he went back under again.
Mal flicked another thought at Jack.:You’re going to break your toy if you keep fucking with him like that.:
The joyful light in Jack’s eyes dimmed briefly.:This is the first time I’ve done this to him, and I don’t do it lightly.:
:Finally, he speaks.:Mal sent dryly. He’d been half-certain Jack was going to play out the entire scene like he was exactly who he pretended to be.:Why do it to him at all? I didn’t ask you for help.:
:Because I don’t want to have to choose sides here. It’s either this, or I kill you. I thought you’d prefer this option.:Jack’s rainbow gaze drilled into Mal with breathtaking intensity, and he knew without a doubt that Jack could easily make good on his statement.
:Why not just kill me and save yourself the trouble? We don’t know each other.:
Jack didn’t respond, but his mouth hitched in a knowing smile.
“Are you going to stand here and stare at Jack all day, or are you going to do something?” Clayton said with a touch of cattiness.
Jack blew them both a kiss. “Don’t be jealous, Clayton. Everyone wants to stare at me. It’s only natural.”
Mal rolled his eyes and went back to opening the rift. He didn’t know what Jack had to do to keep Marshall from seeing what Mal truly was, and he didn’t care.
Mal was, however, going to ask him to stop doing it to Clayton as soon as he got a chance. He had a good idea that Clayton would be able to handle the information, as long as Mal played his cards right.
He just needed to time it properly.
Mal poured his essence into the barely healed scar in the fabric of reality, forcing it to bend to his will.:You will give me what I want. You have no choice.:Mal informed it coldly when it fought him longer than he liked. After a beat, reality shivered, and a hole appeared before him.
Mal gestured to Marshall, “After you.” Like hell he was sending Clayton in first. If he did, Clayton would probably be met by a swarm of fire bees or discover that the dimension was nothing but a mountain of old, rotting cabbage. Marshall was the best person to deal with either outcome.
Marshall took him at his word and entered without a second glance, and he heard Jack sigh wearily behind him.
Mal wasn’t surprised when he heard Jack say in his mind,:He’s incredibly difficult to keep alive.:
Mal snorted.:I know the feeling.:
Clayton went in next, and Mal was going to send Jack in behind him, but he stopped when Jack said, “I’ll go last. You save your essence for the fight. I’ll use mine to close the rift behind us. I’ve got plenty to spare.”
For fuck’s sake. Jack could have opened the rift entirely on his own without Mal, but for some unknown reason, he’d let Mal take the lead.
