Page 56 of Hellfire

“Just a little burn that might get infected.” Bruno grabbed the incident register folder from its place amid the procedure documents along the wall. He dumped it on my desk. “And if it gets infected, you’ll need treatment, and the Guild might deny sick leave or hospital cover if it isn’t documented.”

Forms. Reports. Paperwork. The Guild turned into a corporate fucking nightmare.

I sighed, dabbing the cream on with a tissue, careful not to use my dirty fingers to start said deadly bacterial infection that might cause me to lose my finger. “Fine. I’ll fill it out.”

“Good.” Bruno left me alone and packed up his belongings. “I’m taking a break and getting lunch. Want any?”

“Yes, please,” I said, finishing the application and capping the cream.

“Two servings as usual?” Bruno teased as he moved to the elevator.

He knew me well. “Please.”

He disappeared into the car and ascended to the first floor.

I ran a dirty hand through my hair, scolding myself for not taking better care of my work and my damn hands. They were my tools that made me useful here, and if I fucked up again, it might impact my merit to the Guild.

I couldn’t help it. Beyond the fresh round of hurt and betrayal, my mind went over and over all the crazy shit my mom told me when we spent our Sunday together. Insane things that did and didn’t make sense. She stopped short of telling me who was behind it to protect me if anyone came asking questions. My heart ached, and my belly burned with desperation and desire to get her out of the Guardians, but she told me not to interfere. Not yet. She was on an important case and didn’t want me to jeopardize it.

In one way, I understood why she sought revenge against those who imprisoned her. The other way didn’t understand why she didn’t want to be free and with me. For now, I agreed to lay low despite every instinct in me screaming to get her the hell out of there.

I bandaged my finger and threw out the packaging and got back to work, putting the finishing touches on my latest invention, a collaborative project between my brothers. Blaze wanted it ready by Thursday, and I pushed another project back to get it done on time.

The elevator dinged, and the door scraped open. Bruno wouldn’t be back already unless he forgot something and came back to get it. The two men exiting the car were not my boss. We rarely received visitors, and when we did, they were usually from the headmaster, Gildrons suggesting new technology, or fromTalon and his team. Heavy footsteps welcomed their entrance into the dungeon.

“This it?” Talon ran a palm over the design.

“Sure is.” I soldered the last of the thin copper conduits through the technology to channel magick. “What do you think?”

He circled it, examining it with a critical eye. “Looks good, brother.”

Blaze ran his fingertips along the black creation. “Is it ready to test?”

“Yep.” I patted my new pride and joy. “Who wants to be my test dummy?”

Talon picked it up. “I will.”

He got ready and came back a moment later, armed with the technology for its first official trial. If it demonstrated it executed according to my design parameters, it might be deployed out in the field.

“Go easy.” Talon rubbed his stomach. “I just ate lunch.”

Blaze and I shared a grin.

“Absolutely,” I said, in unison with his, “Sure.”

Talon splayed his arms wide, being a good sport about it. “Hit me with your best shot.”

Magick erupted in the small space, the grains in the stone wall reflecting the light. We shared a few laughs as we experimented with different tests, and my new invention held up well.

Blaze clamped a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “This is brilliant, brother.”

“Thanks.” I clapped him on the back. “You get most of the credit for suggesting the idea.”

He wanted this tech for an upcoming class where he planned to use it.

Talon thumped us both on the shoulder. “Brains and execution.”

I laughed and elbowed him.

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