Page 42 of Misfit Monsters
“I’m sure we can look after ourselves well enough to get ahandle on the situation,” Jonah says. His voice stays calm, but I taste an undercurrent of anxiety with a metallic tang.
He’s not even shadowkind, and he’s getting stuck watching over four of us who’ve done enough harm to nearly get kicked out of the academy. I guess he can work his sorcery if we get too unruly, but from what I’ve seen so far, he wouldn’t enjoy having to enforce order with his magic.
That’s why Rollick is sending him, though. He’s the only one whocouldcontrol us if we’re acting out—other than by tackling us with physical force.
I’ll take mind control over being shredded to a pulp, thank you.
Rollick nods to Jonah. “The five of you will fly up in one of my jets, and I’ll have a camper van waiting for you—large enough that you can use it as a base of operations. It’ll be stocked with plenty of food and other supplies. The more you can steer clear of the human settlements up there, the better. They’ve already gotten more glimpses of shadowkind than I like.”
Hail grimaces. “Is this really a test or just another type of banishment? Or a punishment, having to deal with them?” He flicks his fingers toward the rest of us.
“What about us having to deal with you?” Raze snarls.
Mirage laughs and whips himself around in a graceful twirl. “The games are already beginning.”
Shanty stands with a scrape of her chair legs loud enough that all three of the men go still and silent.
She eyes each of them with a stern expression. “I’m only going to remind you once. Rollickismaking a very generous offer, but it’s limited to one chance. You’re going to have to figure out how to work together rather than tearing each other’s heads off, or you’ll all be banished.”
I swallow thickly. I’d like to vote for heads staying on.
Rollick rubs his hands together. “I’m going to arrangeyour vehicle and that briefing. I can see you four had better stay in here and practice your ‘getting along’.”
As he saunters out, another shadowkind appears at the doorway. She murmurs to Pearl, who leans over to speak with her colleagues.
Shanty turns to me. “You have a friend who’s noticed your absence and asked permission to say goodbye. Would you like to reassure her that you’re not banished from this plane of existence just yet?”
My heart leaps with a pang of affection. “Fen?” The siren inclines her head. “Yes, please and thank you.”
As she ushers me to the doorway, Hail lets out a haughty sigh that I ignore. Where’s his fan club gone? Do they even know he nearly got banished?
Do Raze and Mirage have any friends? I’ve never seen Raze talk to… anyone, really. People like to laugh at Mirage’s antics, but I’m not sure I’ve noticed him having an actual conversation either.
Should that make me sad or scared?
Shanty stays with me in the hall. In a matter of minutes, Fen comes hustling toward us. Her face brightens when she sees me.
I open my arms, and she accepts the hug, even though she has to lean over me with our height difference.
When she steps back, her fingers are dripping a murky puddle onto the floor. “I was so worried when I heard they put you in isolation.”
I pat her reassuringly before she needs to go on. “It’s okay. I’m not being banished. I’m doing like an extra credit project to hone my self-control, so I’ll be able to fit in better when I get back.”
That seems like a reasonable way of framing the mission. I glance at Shanty, and she gives me a shrug of casual approval.
“That’s great!” Fen beams. “I’ll miss you, but it won’t be so bad if I know you’ll be back.”
I give her arm another squeeze. “Don’t let the harsher beings get you down. I’ll see you soon.”
I hope.
16
Raze
In the shadows in the back of the camper van, I barely notice the movement of the vehicle. From the way the rest of my “team” rocks where they’re sitting on the padded seats, the road must be bumpy. My patch of darkness remains peacefully still.
Which is good, because I can’t say there’s anything peaceful inside me. How the fuck did I get roped into this insane mission?
