Fairy Bad Day(84)

“I gather you didn’t get a chance to tell her about it?”

Curtis shook his head. “Besides, I still don’t really understand it myself.”

“Understand what?” Emma stared at them both as Nurse Reynes pulled a large black folder out of her purse.

“Understand the reason behind why you could see the darkhel,” the nurse explained as she flipped open the folder and proceeded to show Emma a series of figures that made no sense at all. “And why in your simulation fights Professor Meyers reported a marked increase in your strength and agility. Not to mention why you didn’t die from the scratch the darkhel gave you, and why you’ve healed so quickly from your injuries.”

Emma automatically wriggled her twisted ankle and realized it didn’t hurt. She pulled back the sheets, but instead of lacerated wounds, she saw only a faint line of pink running down her calf. She looked back up at Principal Kessler and the nurse and frowned.

“I don’t understand. What’s this all about?”

“We have reason to believe it’s because of the accident you had the previous Saturday.”

“You mean when I hurt my eye at the food court?” Emma stared at them both in an effort to figure out what they are talking about.

“That’s right. We think it’s because a small piece of the Gate of Linaria landed in your eye.”

“You’re joking, right?” she asked, but neither of them laughed.

“I don’t think they’re joking,” Curtis unnecessarily added. “Hence the reason why they dubbed you an über-slayer.”

“All because I got something in my eye?” Emma looked to Principal Kessles for confirmation, and he nodded. “So what does it mean exactly?”

“Truth is that we don’t have a clue, but if we want to understand it better, we’ll just have to monitor you.” Nurse Reynes shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Assuming, of course, you turn up for your appointments.”

Emma let it all sink in. From fairy slayer to über-slayer all in a week?

“And, Emma . . . ” Principal Kessler coughed, a guilty flush staining his normally tanned face. “I just wanted to say how sorry I am that I didn’t listen to you. I normally pride myself on having an open mind and an open door to all our students. I guess I failed you.”

“I probably didn’t help matters,” Emma conceded in what she hoped was an appropriately über-slayer manner, “since I was pretty focused on trying to get you to change your mind about Induction. There’s probably a lesson in there somewhere.”

“Yes, no doubt, and speaking of Induction, I want to offer you a dragon-slaying spot. We’ve never had two dragon slayers in one year, but I think you’ve shown that this is an exceptional case. I know how much it means to you to follow in your mom’s footsteps.”

“Thank you. But—” Emma paused. “That won’t be necessary.”

“What?” Curtis spluttered.

“What?” Principal Kessler wasn’t far behind.

“I said it won’t be necessary. Curtis is the best dragon slayer. I mean, he was slaying them when he couldn’t even see them. Besides, I think it’s important for me to continue to be a fairy slayer. After all, what if my dad passes his Pure One genes on to my half brother when he’s born? That’s a pretty sucky inheritance—to find out that you have some wonky gateopening blood flowing through your tiny innocent veins. How can I protect him if I’m not a fairy slayer? And you know what? I think my mom would understand if I’m not a dragon slayer, because she was all about looking after our family.”

“But there’s nothing to suggest that the darkhel will ever be able to break through the Gate of Linaria again.” Principal Kessler ran his hand through his gray hair. “You killed it.”

“Yes, but there might be more darkhels. And by the way, I think there should be a lot more disclosure about how to kill them, so if you don’t mind, I’ll be staying a fairy slayer. Not to hunt the likes of Rupert, Trevor, and Gilbert—who between you and me aren’t exactly as bad as they like to pretend—but so that I can keep an eye on things. Especially that gate. It seems like Sir Francis knew what he was talking about after all, and if his tests think I should be a fairy slayer, then who am I to argue?”

“But—” Principal Kessler started to say, but Nurse Reynes coughed and held up her hand.

“There’s nothing about this conversation that can’t wait until later,” she said as she nodded for Principal Kessler to follow her. Then she turned to Curtis and glared at him. “And I don’t want you talking to Emma for too long. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded and then waited until the two adults were gone before he pushed back the sheets of his bed, awkwardly swung his plastered leg to the floor, and lowered himself into the chair next to Emma. He then used his good hand to pick up hers. The sensation of his touching her made her stomach go gloopy.

“So, are we okay?” she asked in a tentative voice.

“What do you mean?” He wrinkled his nose as he weaved his fingers through hers.

“About me breaking your glasses. I was so worried about you. I kept thinking that you’d have to leave Burtonwood and go back to your dad’s house and it all would’ve been my fault.”