Fairy Bad Day(12)

“When you’re in the food court fighting fairies,” Glen called out from the back row, and the rest of the class started to laugh. Emma sighed and slunk down in her chair. Obviously her fifteen minutes of fame weren’t quite up yet.

“Good idea, but remember we frown on hurting civilians,” Professor Vanderbilt said in a mild voice—with a hint of sarcasm—before turning his attention back to the rest of the class. “Does anyone else have any ideas?”

Brenda immediately raised her hand, but before she could speak, Principal Kessler appeared in the doorway and nodded for Professor Vanderbilt to join him. Emma felt her mouth go dry as she studied the headmaster. His tanned narrow face was grim, and his straight gray hair was pushed back off the top of his forehead as he talked to Professor Vanderbilt in a low voice.

She turned to Loni and Tyler. “I bet this has something to do with his meeting with the Department yesterday. And maybe it will explain why I couldn’t find him anywhere.”

Loni nodded in agreement, but before she could reply, Principal Kessler finished his conversation and walked up to the podium.

“The Department’s got word that a zombie virus has been released over in the western suburbs,” he said, which instantly caused a murmur of confusion to go racing around the classroom. Even though there was some cross-training between Burtonwood and the other Departmental branches, zombie hunting definitely wasn’t something that any slayer normally did. “However, their efforts to reverse the virus at stage two have been impeded by a clan of nearby crocus demons.”

Ah. Emma and the rest of the room nodded in understanding. Now it made sense, since while some demons were solitary, crocus demons were notorious for hunting in large packs. And they were deadly as well, especially to zombie hunters.

“The Department’s demon slayers are already stretched thin, so they’ve asked everyone at Burtonwood to help,” the principal continued, his voice laden with authority. “The seniors and juniors have already been informed and will be joining us. People, this is serious. It’s code blue.”

Emma turned to Loni in excitement. Code blue meant fighting. Finally something was going her way. She was going to get some real field hours and, more importantly, the chance to prove herself once and for all as a great slayer of things other than fairies. In short, the perfect Plan C had fallen into her lap, and Curtis had better watch out, because soon she would be back in her rightful spot as dragon slayer. The surge of relief she felt was overwhelming.

“So here’s the drill,” Principal Kessler said in a cool voice. “We’ll be pulling out in an hour to launch a preemptive attack on the crocus demons so the Department can get on with their job of containing the zombies. In the meantime, there are agents waiting in the gym to brief you. Questions?”

No one raised their hand, but after the principal had dismissed the class and they all started to pour out the door for their briefing, Curtis finally coughed. “What about me?” he asked as he glanced down at his cast.

“I’m sorry, Curtis, but you know the rules. If you’re injured, you stay here. No exceptions.” Principal Kessler shook his head as he came over to where Curtis was sitting.

Emma got to her feet and shot him a smug look. She normally didn’t delight in other people’s misfortunes, but she couldn’t help but think that karma was starting to work with her on this one. However, before she could follow Loni and Tyler out of the room, Principal Kessler stepped in her way so that only she and Curtis were left in the room.

“Emma, we need to talk.”

“We do?” She frowned. “Is this about the explosion on Saturday? Because I swear it wasn’t my fault, and most importantly, no one was hurt.”

“Except you,” Curtis pointed out in an unhelpful voice from his chair.

“He’s right,” Principal Kessler said. “You’re injured too, which means you have to stay behind. You and Curtis can start work on your assignment.”

Emma felt like she had been hit by a truck. “But that doesn’t make sense. There’s a demon crisis about to unfold and you’d rather that I stay back here and do an assignment? Please, you can’t leave me behind.” With Curtis.

“I’m sorry, Emma, but it’s not open for debate,” Principal Kessler said.

“This is all because of my eye patch, isn’t it?” She reached up and pulled it off her eye. Ouch. “Well, now it’s gone. Does that mean I can go?”

“Just because you’re not wearing the patch doesn’t mean your eye’s better. It’s policy. I’m sorry.”

“But I can help,” Emma pleaded while secretly trying to refocus her left eye, which felt a little fuzzy. Not that Principal Kessler needed to know that.

“That’s right,” the headmaster cut in. “You can help. By doing your schoolwork. These questionnaires are based on field observations, so while neither of you is fit to slay, there is still plenty you can do. In the folders you can see how I want the reports written up, and Mrs. Barnes will issue you the passes. You know this is twenty percent of your grade, right?”

Emma couldn’t believe it.

“Please,” she tried again. “We all know that fairies aren’t exactly the epitome of evil, and as for dragons, well, I think I know better than Curtis how to slay one. I mean—”