“They took out my entire team by freezing us,” said Carter. “Is that something you can stop?”
She nodded. “I can make you some charms for that.”
“And a gargoyle with the power to control our inner animals used that on us. That’s how Norris got stuck. And I’m turning into a monster.” Even now, with more time to get used to it, Carter had to force the words out.
He took off his gloves, feeling like he was stripping in public. Fen put a comforting hand on his back, but he still felt a hot wash of shame as he flexed his hand, showing the witch his claws.
They’re masterworks of deadly elegance,hissed a monster.
“Hmph.” Kerenza peered at the claws. “You seem complicated. Let’s de-fish your friend first.”
“I’m not sure he qualifies as a friend,” Carter muttered, but Kerenza was already marching toward the aquarium. She climbed up the ladder, opened the top hatch, and peered down at Norris. He rose to greet her, flapping his fins and twitching his tail.
Carter was expecting a long ritual, complete with sigils drawn on the ground around the tank, mystic hand gestures, and hours of chanting. Probably a bubbling cauldron. Maybe some eye of newt.
With a total lack of ceremony, Kerenza reached into a pocket of her pink velour pants, took out a zip-lock sandwich bag half-full of green powder, and emptied its contents into the tank.
The next moment, a fully-clothed and very human Norris was thrashing around in the water. With a satisfied nod, Kerenza dusted off her hands and descended the ladder. Norris spluttered, then grabbed the ladder, hauled himself out, and followed after her.
“That was amazing,” breathed Fen. Then, turning on Norris, she demanded, “What were you thinking, driving the truck? You could have gotten us all killed!”
With an injured look, Norris protested, “I had to take over. The regular controls were locked out.”
Carter, who had been about to pile on Norris, realized that he was right. Sort of. Hehadbeen turning the steering wheel and stepping on the gas and brake pedals, with no effect whatsoever.
“You should’ve pulled over and stopped,” grumbled Fen.
“You told me to keep going. In Morse code!” Norris gazed at her admiringly. “I learned it in seventh grade, when I was thinking of enlisting in the Navy and trying to get on a submarine crew. When did you learn it?”
“Girl Scouts,” she replied. “But I told you to pull over and stop.”
He banged on the tank with his fist. “Was that supposed to be a dash? I thought it was a dot.”
She banged on the tank with her fist. “That was a dot.” She banged on it with her elbow. “This was a dash.”
Kerenza intervened. “Stop squabbling. I’m already missingThe Bold and the Beautiful, and I don’t want to missThe Young and the Restless.” She stabbed a plump finger at Norris. “You! Fish Boy. I’ve fixed it so you can’t lose control of your shift form again. But I advise you to stay away from wizard-scientists anyway. They’re bad news.”
“I will. Thank you so much.” Earnestly, Norris said, “What do I owe you? Money? A favor? A ride in a Dunkleosteus-driven truck?”
“No!” Fen, Carter, and Kerenza all spoke at once.
“You can owe me a favor,” said Kerenza. “You never know when you might need to summon a big fish.”
Carter eyed her suspiciously, but she seemed completely serious.
“I owe you both a favor, too,” said Norris, turning to Carter and Fen. “Anything. Any time. Er… Could I start by returning the truck? Or do you want to drive it back yourselves? Either way, I’ll cover the rental fee.”
Carter and Fen exchanged resigned glances. Without speaking, they knew exactly how he intended to return it. Carter felt so punch-drunk at that point that he no longer cared if Norris drove the truck back to Georgia as a fish, so long as he didn’t have to be present for it.
“I’d rather rent a car here for the drive back,” said Fen. Giving Carter a smile that made him go weak at the knees, she said, “Get a little alone time.”
“Sounds good to me,” he replied.
They took out their luggage, plus Sugar and Precious. Fen tossed Norris the keys. “Knock yourself out.”
Norris seized them, thanked all three of them again, and eagerly climbed into the truck. Carter opened the carrying suitcase. Precious flew out, and she and Sugar began zooming around the forest.
Kerenza eyed them. “Pesky critters, dragonettes. Never wanted one myself.” She caught Carter’s expression at her criticism of his darling, and added, “Don’t give me that hoity-toity look. I have my own familiar, the same kind my mother had and her mother before her.Muchless trouble.”
