Page 30 of Destined to Fight

Fabian took his seat next to her and smiled as he sat down. “I am excited to see who you choose.”

“Bullshit, you probably already know who I’ll pick.”

“I do not. My abilities do not work that way.”

She mumbled an “mm hmm” as she started filling her plate with pancakes and bacon.

She was slathering them in butter when the first of the mentors walked in: a thin and wiry middle-aged man with his black hair in a ponytail and wearing a long flowing black robe. There was a permanent crease between his eyebrows that was surely from scowling on a constant basis, although his brows were currently raised high above his rectangle glasses, giving his face an expectant look.

The man stopped in the middle of the dining hall and bowed ever so slightly. “Maxwell, at your service. I understand you are in need of a mentor for a prospective mage?”

Kade answered him, “Aye, ye may speak to Kelly.” He gestured her way. “She will be the one making the decision regarding her mentor.”

Maxwell seemed put off by this. “But sir, a prospect is not to choose their own mentor.”

“This one will,” Kade answered, unfazed by the man’s disagreement.

Forcing himself to turn slightly and face her, Maxwell straightened and began his spiel. “Well then, I am Maxwell Black the Third, certified Warlock and mentor. I have studied both the creation and the practice of spells for over one hundred years, and I have mentored many prospects, including Genevieve Waverly and…”

Kelly blocked him out from there, not caring to hear about his credentials and the numerous talents he had mentored. She focused on her food and tried to enjoy it as he babbled on in his high-pitched voice. After what seemed like an eternity, he cleared his throat.

Kade nudged her with his elbow.

“What?” she asked, clueless.

“The man is waiting for yer decision.”

“Oh right, um, no. Thanks for coming.”

Maxwell raised his finger and took a breath to speak, but Kelly cut him off. “I heard a lot about you and what makes you more qualified than anyone else, but nothing about what you might do for me. We’re not going to mesh.”

Maxwell’s mouth opened again, then closed, and the scowl he surely practiced on a regular basis made its appearance on his face. He turned to leave without a word, speed walking like an old woman in the mall.

Kelly laughed at his attitude, knowing she’d just dodged a bullet.

“That went well,” Fabian said in a sarcastic tone.

“Ye can’y just throw them out like that.” Kade seemed less than happy.

“You told me it was my choice. He’s a pompous ass and there was no point in letting him waste more of his breath when I already know I don’t like him.”

“Ye dinnae have to like them, ye just have to work with them.”

“You’ve been very clear about the fact that I may be spending hours every day with this person. I’m still not sure how much of this I even believe, but I was thrown into it all with no say whatsoever. The least I can ask is to choose someone I like to teach me about a bunch of shit I suddenly have to learn. I thought I was done with the torture of school, and I’m not a masochist, so I’ll forgo any further agony if I can help it.”

Kade had a rebuttal ready, but the next possible mentor saved them both.

“Somebody needs a mentor?” she asked in a strong Southern American accent, not bothering to introduce herself. She looked at the three of them, weighing them. “It sure as hell ain’t the vamp, and the fae has his shit together, so it must be you.” Her eyes met Kelly’s expectantly.

Kelly smiled at her and nodded.

“Use your words, girl.”

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Of course it is. Get up and come over here so I can look at you.”

Kelly got up hesitantly and walked around the table to stand in front of the woman. She couldn’t help but feel awkward as she stood there towering over the older lady.

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