Buffy’s answer makes me feel two things: first, I want to ask if she’s seen a demon make a hat out of a ribcage and if so, when? Second, I feel ashamed from the way she doesn’t tell Roy he’s wrong about me being dead weight. Huh, I guess it was three questions, not two.
I look at my friend. Does she think I’m dead weight? Is that why she didn’t tell me about the planned patrol tonight? Why she didn’t tell me about the one before Charlie’s house got hit?
Why do I feel like I’m left out in the cold all of a sudden?
For his part, Roy takes Buffy’s demon hat threat seriously and grabs Lyle. The two of them beat a hasty retreat towards Wrath on the opposite end of the room and melt into the crowd a second later.
Buffy sighs and turns to me. “Ignore him. He’s an idiot. If we’re lucky, he’ll die tonight.”
I give her a tight smile. “Yeah.”
“Look, about tonight,” Buffy starts and my heart perks up at the possibility of what she might say, “I want you to stay indoors. It’s not safe.” My cheeks go hot because Roy was right. I am fucking dead weight.
“Buffy…”
She shakes her head. “No, Meadow. I don’t know how nasty this is going to get and I can’t risk you. I already have enough to keep an eye on without worrying about you.” She pauses and looks at Charlie before she points at him too. “And you too. The both of you are to take cover indoors tonight. We’ll debrief tomorrow.”
“Wait. I can help,” I tell her, willing her to understand that I’m not dead weight. I’m a witch now. I’m the backup Charlie conjured for her. She just doesn’t know it but she will. “Things are different now, Buffy. There’s something I have to tell you,” I start. I didn’t want to tell her about my new magical upgrade like this but there’s no turning back now. I have to do it. “I can help. Charlie made me into a-”
Buffy gives me a frown. “Meadow, please. I-”
Nina holds up the map. “Buffy, you need to look over the route. We don’t have much time left if we’re going to pull this off.”
“One sec, okay?” Buffy nods and moves to go to Nina but not before she stops and points at me. “Meadow, I know you want to help but not tonight. It’s too dangerous. Indoors. End of story.” And then my best friend turns her back on me to look at the map Nina has.
I watch them in silence for half a beat before I take in a deep breath. “I’m not dead weight. I’m a BWIT,” I whisper, using Charlie’s acronym. I didn’t like it before but I cling to it now. Anything to get rid of the pit in my stomach at knowing my best friend thinks Roy is more capable than me.
“I’m useful,” I tell myself before I square my shoulders and take a step towards Buffy and Nina, ready to throw down with the news that I’m a witch and thatI can help magically,even if I don’t completely know how just yet.
I don’t even make it halfway there before Sunday pops up in front of me, cutting me off with a manicured finger in my face. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this, little witch. We have much to discuss.”
I stumble back and crash into Charlie. I didn’t realize he was a few steps behind me.“What? Discuss what?”
She wiggles her fingers at me. “You and your magic. You little newb.” Sunday raises an eyebrow and looks me over. “Freshly minted from the smell of you.”
I lift up my armpit and give myself a sniff. “Are you trying to say I smell? I was helping in the bakery today but I washed up, and even used a deodorant made for sports.” It’s true. The package said it was perfect for the outdoors or the athlete on the go. “It’s a new brand because we’re getting different stuff at the store now that Buffy is in charge, so maybe it doesn’t work.”
Sunday rolls her eyes. “Not BO. I’m talking about the arcane.Youreekof magic. You think I don’t know what that means?”
I shake my head. “I don’t-” I start but Charlie grabs my arm and starts dragging me out the side door of the hall.
“I need her. Girl talk!” he yells at Sunday.
I pinwheel my free arm and try to stop him, even Sunday looks surprised but Charlie keeps marching. We’re outside now. It’s a shock after being inside with everyone else. Charlie starts marching in the direction of my house. I look over my shoulder expecting to see Sunday, but I don’t see her.
“Charlie what the hells?” I stumble trying to keep up with my friend but it’s hard with the speed he’s going.
“Move it or lose it. We need to get out of here.”
‘Why?”
“Because we’re going to show them exactly how valuable Charlie Valencourt and Meadow Atlier can be.”
“But how?”
“Easy. I know where those fucking mini-demons who blew my shit up are and I’m going to put my foot up their little demon asses.”
Chapter
