by Mel Todd
I react too much, always worried about crap. About bugging people. I really should stop it.
"She okay?" It was a valid question, the OMO office was attached to the hospital for a reason.
"Think so. Looks like a strong Order mage if the transformation effect is any indication."
"Good for her. I bet Marisol is delighted. How are you?"
I didn't look at her, but I pulled up my lying face. "Fine. My best friend just won the lottery in magic. High rank, college paid for. I'm excited for her. I can't wait to see what she does next."
"Leave you? Like your parents did?"
Any other time I might have snarked back, done anything to deflect the attention. Tonight, it just didn't matter. "That was always going to happen. Now she can get a degree and have an incredible life. I'll be fine. I'll get my degree, pass the tests. I'll get a good job. If I'm lucky we'll stay in touch."
"I think you might be underestimating Josefa Guzman. She loves you. She won't walk away or let you go."
"I'm not gay. She'll find someone else."
"I didn't say she was in love with you. That girl is a spark of fire. But she loves you and she'll remind you of it." Laurel sighed. "There are days I could beat your parents for what they did to you. But turning you over to Child Protective Services would have been worse. I wish I could have changed how they treated you."
My jaw dropped open as I stared at her. I had no idea what to say or how to respond. I knew the Guzman's hadn't been happy, but Chief Amosen?
"We're here. Cori, if you need something call. You've earned a lot of credit over the years. You've got a smart mouth, don't think things through, and charge into situations always looking for something. I don't know what you're looking for, but people care about you. You're a hard person to get close to. But if you need something, ask."
I didn't know how to respond to that, so I didn't. "Thanks for the ride, Chief." I got out of the car and climbed the steps, my breath steaming in the cold. She didn't drive away until after I shut the door behind me.
Chapter 13
The tales of Baba Yaga existed before magic was recorded, but in the steppes of Russia, planar rips could have gone unnoticed for years. The witch's recorded magic, granted all via stories and old folk tales, align directly with a Chaos mage strong in Fire. She disappeared from the records in the late 1800s, but it is possible she decided not to mess with people anymore as more and more were coming forward with magic in their own right. Unless someone finds her famous hut, she is recorded as probable mage, rank unknown. ~ A Study of Magic throughout History
When I get a job as a paramedic, I'm taking swing or graveyard. I hate mornings.
Staring at my coffee pot didn't make it brew any faster. I finally pulled away and finished doing a bit of cleaning while I waited. I couldn't set the auto time because it failed, sometimes with spectacular results. Which meant watching it to make sure it didn't do anything unrecoverable. Having the cheapest and simplest coffee maker in the world helped. And I had two spares, important in my life. When they died it was never worth the money to fix them.
I thought about what Jo had changed my clothes into. The shirt, originally a thick cotton button up over a tank top still had the same style, except now it was a brilliant green silk. If I'd bought it in a store it would have cost me a fortune. I'd made sure it had no stains and hung it up in the closet towards the back. At least if I ever had a date, I'd have something to wear. The tank top had changed to a lacy material that obscured nothing. That I left stuffed into the back of my drawers. I couldn't think of anyplace, or anyone, I'd wear it for.
Occasionally I wondered about the fact that I didn't go ga-ga over anyone, male or female. But mostly I chalked it up to stress and trying to keep everything juggled. I'd have more time to pay attention to people when I had a steady job and didn't have to always wonder what next? Though the idea of my weirdness following me gave me nightmares. Mostly I just planned around it. Always have extras, allow extra time, and don't overreact to anything.
The beep of the coffee maker rescued it from being reduced to basic components. I poured it into my travel mug, the largest Grind Down carried, doctored it with some heavy cream, cinnamon syrup, and a touch of ginger. It was weird, but it really did taste good. Smooth, not super sweet, and caffeinated like crazy. I only bought coffee from work with our discount. I'd miss that.
All packed up and ready, I headed out the door by six-thirty.
I needed to get a new phone, more money I didn't have or at least I couldn't afford to spend. But it was my lifeline and sanity. Luckily Androids could be found relatively cheap. I made my way to the bus stop. It was cold enough that I moved fast, but I just missed the bus.
I resisted the urge to cuss. It never made a difference. Even getting up early I still seemed to miss the bus more often than not. With a resigned sigh I huddled in the small bus shelter and focused on my coffee.
Its heat helped ward off the chill. That, and this time I was dressed appropriately. Wearing actual jeans with a pair of long johns under them helped a lot. I couldn't decide if the destruction of my phone was a good or bad thing. Bad, because Jo couldn't get a hold of me. Good, because this way I didn't have proof Jo hadn't gotten a hold of me. I pushed it away. This was her time and she deserved the joy. I wasn't about to ruin it with my moping. I focused on my to do list. School, bookstore, class, discuss schedule, then phone. I was worried I hadn't seen a schedule in my email and without a phone I couldn't check during the day. But knowing Bruce, he'd have copies to go over with us, so I wasn't going to stress over things I couldn't control.
The rumble of a diesel engine pulled me out of my fog and I looked up to see the bus coming. I was usually the only other person at this stop, so I was a bit surprised as someone came walking up quickly to me. He was bundled up, so I couldn't see anything about him, but he came to a stop a few feet from me, obviously glaring.
"Of all the people, why you? Why does the Murphy link to me so hard? Whomever fucking cursed you must have had it in for you. I swear, I'm moving to Atlanta just to avoid the ripples you create by existing." It all came out in a muttered rush, and I didn't have to see one hair on his head, or the merlin symbol at his temple to know who it was.
"Oh Shay. You missed me so much you got up early just to ride the bus with me? How sweet. Come on, you can sit with me and tell me all about what you have planned for today." I said it in my super sweet voice, making sure I smiled wide.
He grumbled and stomped onto the bus and I followed, fighting laughter. I didn't know if I'd ever figure out what Shay's problem was with me, but he kept me from getting bored. Besides, snarking at him had become a mandatory response.
Shay found a seat on the all but empty bus. Rather than sitting beside him, though I was tempted, I plopped into the seat in front of him and turned around, smiling at him. "Tell me Shay, what's on your agenda? And since when do you take the bus? Or did you decide you couldn't live without me another minute?"
He had pulled down the scarf that had wrapped around his face. His hat was still low covering the red hair and tattoo. I might actually miss him. That thought caused my mood to sour, but I had a role to fill, and I wouldn't want to let my audience down.
"So, what do you do all day? You're an Earth merlin, with strengths in Time and Order. So how does that relate to a career?" Part of me was curious, most of me was being a pain.
Shay glowered at me from under his brows, though they were black not red. I just smiled wider. If nothing else, he was a distraction from my thoughts.
"I'm a geophysicist. I run computations for earthquake risks in the Ring of Fire. I did my ten years with the USGA." He rattled it off as if it was a common question that he found terribly boring.
I hated being boring, so I narrowed my eyes, trying to think of something that people didn't usually ask him. My eyes drifted to the lower part of his tattoo. Pale in Transform.
"So how much energy does it take to transform something from plasti
c to petrified wood?"
He blinked and I smirked. "What? You thought I'd ask if you'd ever caused or stopped an earthquake? Pfft, like I care. So spill. How much sacrifice would it take?"
"Body parts. That is high rank and you'd have to rearrange the entire thing from the molecular level. That isn't a simple transformation."
I felt the blood drain from my face and went over everything in my head again. She'd had all her fingers and her hair, but what about her toes. I'd never wanted my phone to work so bad in my life. I'd thrown it in my pocket, thinking maybe I could get a discount when I showed them what happened. Couldn't hurt to try.
But his words had me scrambling to tug it out of my pocket. My fingers were stiff with my worry and it took forever for me to grab it so I could pull it out. I shoved it in his face. "Body parts, for this? She turned a table and food petrified too. I didn't see anything missing." My voice shook and I realized my hand was shaking too.
"Murphy cloaks you. You'd think you had suffered enough," he muttered as he reached out and took the phone from my hands. I wasn't sure what that meant and ignored it as I stare at him, the thoughts of Jo foremost in my mind.
He grunted and handed it back to me. "Emergence?"
My head felt like it bobbled I nodded it so rapidly, then I paused as pain lashed through me.
Stop it. The last thing you need to do is give yourself a concussion.
"Don't worry about it. What happens in emergence may be an indication of a new mages' power. May," he stressed. "But the sacrifice never matches. It's as if during that moment of the magic settling into you, you're a merlin with a familiar and five yards of hair all at once. Very few people ever die during their emergence. More people die when they are accidentally killed by the mage emerging." He shot me a look, sighed. "She's fine. Don't worry about the sacrifice. Really, you need to get your facts straight, especially if you're going to be a paramedic. Jumping to conclusions might get people killed." He reached up and pulled on the next stop cord.
"Don't forget,” he said. "You need to figure out your own path. You've been looking for the wrong thing."
I blinked at him. What did that mean? I was looking for why my brother died. I was looking for a way to make sure no one else died. I was looking for answers to why my parents couldn't love me enough to forgive my failure.
Before I could say anything, he stepped out and disappeared into the trees.
"ARGH!"
The bus driver turned and looked at me. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Alarm and worry coursed through his voice.
"No. I'm fine. He's just annoying." I sulked for the rest of the trip trying to figure out what the heck I was supposed to be doing if not what I was doing. And his comment about jumping to conclusions had a sharpness of truth that stung. I knew better, but it was Jo. I tended to worry over much about losing her.
At the campus I headed to the bookstore, already in a bad mood. I swear Shay was the most annoying person on the face of the earth. There were only two bags left and I felt my heart lurch as two other people headed that way. I sprang towards the bookshelf as someone else grabbed one of the kits. As they reached it, it collapsed and tumbled the second one to my feet. I swooped down and grabbed it, ignoring the look of disappointment of someone that I didn't recognize. I didn't care. This was now my bag and I'd be damned if I'd give it up.
I turned and stalked towards the cashier, ignoring the protest behind me. This was mine. I paid for it and cringed at the mental drop in my bank balance. But whatever. I needed this.
Dragging the heavy pack to class I almost regretted getting it. But I had a suspicion it might have given them a reason to flunk me. And that wasn't ever going to happen. Getting into the classroom I dropped the bag with a sigh. I'd need to work on my stamina and strength if I needed to get around with that hanging off of me. Oh well, I'd have time with my hours getting cut. Maybe start jogging? The idea made me nauseous. I hated running, but joining a gym?
Huh, wait a second. I pay that damn athletic fee every quarter. I can go work out there. Once I get the ride along schedule and the new hours from Molly.
The idea of doing something that might actually be a good thing after all the bad things made me a bit more upbeat. It didn't last long.
"Okay, listen up everyone. We had an issue with the servers last night, which is why no one has their schedules. I have them here. When I call your name come up and get them. Remember we have thirty students total in this program. This is just one class. It took a lot of juggling to work with the groups that were willing to support us and help you get your triple degrees. So I don't want to hear anyone whining about the schedules or anything else. What you have is what you have." He seemed to look at me as he said that, and I glared back defiantly. I wouldn't apologize for trying to save my life. Six months. I could live off ramen if I needed to for six months.
Bruce walked up and down the rows handing out the schedules. Well to be exact he laid each one in front of us face down. I glared at it, halfway expecting it to blow up. People around me were flipping them over and exclaiming or groaning, but I only knew of two of them that were in my boat, working while finishing school, and they were both three years older than me. Ones who never emerged.
I flipped it over and stared at it. Waiting for the text to make sense to my stressed-out mind. When it did, I wanted to cry. But you never ever showed weakness. People used it against you. I folded it up and stuck it in my pocket then directed my attention to the front of the class where Bruce stood.
"As this is your final semester and your practicum you will report to the contacts listed and work as an intern for them. They are covering your malpractice insurance and will sign off on your credit hours. Try to impress them. They are the ones you will be turning to for letters of reference after you graduate and take the certification exam. I expect you all to pass with flying colors."
I swear he always seemed to stare at me when he made these pronouncements. But then maybe I was just paranoid at this point. Either way I stared and waited for the next shoe to drop.
"This is our last Tuesday class—as you can see most of you will have a practicum at this time next week. Mondays are the only days you will spend in class and you should expect a full day in class from now on. We will meet weekly to test on material I've given you the week before, then present the new material. Figure the test from nine to ten, then a break. New material presentation from ten-thirty to one, a break of an hour. I do expect you to eat. Then we'll have class discussion and go over what the reading is and an assignment to ask during your internship. I'll try to kick you out by four each day. Any questions?"
I had tons of questions, but no one would care, so I sat mute as he looked at us all, waiting.
"Good. Then get out of here and contact your first rotation. Remember to ask basic questions like what is suitable attire, any supplies you might need, and when you should be there. Remember, even if this is the south, showing up late means you might fail. Keep that in mind. Good luck and you damn well better be shining stars. I want this program to work. Get going."
Everyone streamed out and I hung back, in no major hurry. Besides I had to go get a new phone before I could call anyone. More money. I just closed my eyes and heaved myself to my feet, plotting out my path. Phone store, then Grind Down. Make calls. Talk to Molly and try to hope it all worked out. So damn close I could taste it. I wouldn't fail now.
"Miss Munroe?" I turned to see Bruce looking at me and waving me over.
What now? Isn't there enough going wrong in my life?
I headed towards him. Smiling was more than I could do, but I forced my face into a neutral expression. That much I might be able to pull off.
"I talked with the registrar. They confirmed you are paying on the payment plan and everything seems to come from your own accounts. They refused to confirm, but you have no assistance documents filed?"
I didn't know whether to snarl or cry, so I fell back on my default. Snark. "Do you really
think if I had anyone else supporting me, this is what I would be doing? Not all of us have silver spoons in our mouths to compensate for no magic." The silver spoon was a direct jab at Monique, but it made me look petty.
He flushed but I didn't back down. There wasn't a blasted thing he could do to me. My grades were good, and I would succeed. Everyone else could take a flying leap.
"Point. I made the assumption that…" He trailed off and shook his head. "Never mind. Hopefully I'll learn not to assume. That being. I talked to the sponsors for Police and EMT. They apparently know you?"
At that I snorted. I'd think so. Lord knows I'd called them enough.
Huh, maybe I can be a 911 operator if things get bad. I know most of the steps already and none of the mage gifts help. When you're talking on the phone there isn't much magic can do.
"Yeah. I seem to end up in weird situations. Most of them know me personally at this point."
"I suspect there is a story behind that, but regardless. They seem to have a great deal of confidence in your ability to, and I quote, 'not fuck things up too badly'."
That did cause a laugh and the spurt of amusement helped make the day not quite as frustrating. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"I would. Better than they say about most newbies that have passed the tests. But I mentioned you might be short of funds doing this at the time you were scheduled. Others had childcare issues and they trumped your situation. "
I fought back the lump in my throat and just smirked. "See, you get punished for not sleeping around and getting pregnant."
Bruce made a weird sound in his throat. I chose to pretend he was choking back a laugh. After a minute he continued. "Be that as it may. They agreed you might not be the normal intern, though they did mention a catastrophe quotient, but I wasn't sure what that meant."
From the amount of heat that it felt like my face radiated, I was sure I was the same shade as a Red Hot candy. "Just a thing at home."
Bruce gave me a long look and shrugged. "Either way, they agreed to pay minimum wage while you are working for them. You'll need to fill out W-2's and be in the 'cadet' program. Both people I spoke to didn't seem to think there was an issue with it. "
