‘The two from yesterday. The mercenaries.’

  My flight instinct immediately rose to the surface and visions of the flames from yesterday crowded around me. I felt my breath audibly quickening and my chest began to heave with exertion. A more civilized part of my mind noted that anyone looking from behind might call the teachers on me.

  “What? How? Why?” Talking helped. It gave me the illusion that I was doing something productive.

  “You already know the answer to that." Wol said from my feet.

  I answered my own question. “The money. Because they’re greedy.”

  The reason why they were here didn’t have some magical reason. They were here for the bounty on my head; a whopping six hundred thousand dollars. Half a million dollars. I wondered briefly if they had to pay taxes on that.

  ‘They are speaking to the gatekeeper.’

  It took me a moment to understand what Hwari was saying. “The security guard.”

  “If they find us, and they will, they will act.”

  “I know.” I replied.

  Mina and Victor? The two were willing to play along with this facade of me pretending to be a student, obeying the societal rules set in place by a school setting.

  The two from yesterday gave off a distinctly different feeling than Mina and Victor had. More wild, and willing to take on more risks. Like people whose backs had been driven to a corner. Maybe they wouldn’t use fire and wolf immediately. But they’d be more heavy-handed than the two heirs had been.

  “Running is an option,” Wol said suddenly.

  I looked down at him. “I thought you said it’s not.”

  “I said hiding is not an option. Running is.”

  I was instantly suspicious. “How come you didn’t offer this solution when Victor and Mina came?”

  “Because I did not fully understand the situation,” Wol cocked his head. “I did not realize how many distractions there were at this place. Also the two seemed as if they were here to talk.”

  My chest rang hollow. “Distractions?”

  “Bodies. Children. Mortals without sight.” Wol elaborated matter-of-factly, “When the bell rings and they crowd the hallways, we could use them as a distraction.”

  Wol said it so nonchalantly that I almost bought it. Not a single change in expression, nor tone. He said it just like he was describing the magical theories from earlier. Evenly, poised, and somewhat haughtily like he thought me dumb for not knowing what was so obvious.

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  The memory of my familiar vows reverberated through my chest. ‘To uphold balance? Slaughtering the innocents and saving the vile, when the need arises?’

  Holy shit.

  “Hell no. God, no. That’s…” I struggled, “That’s fucked up. Why would you even suggest that?”

  “Because if we don't, they will.” Wol gave me a feline yawn, “I'll give you this, Jain. You are young and this land you are in... it's a nice one. It's plentiful. You do not lack or want. You are blessed to be born here.”

  Wol’s shadow started to stretch. Longer, rougher, more predator and less of the Felis Catus which had been domesticated for nearly a millennia.

  “But the man from yesterday, he's different from you, my Practitioner. He was most likely born into circumstances considerably less favorable than yours, to say the least. Perhaps he was born in a war torn land. Maybe there was a famine and he saw his siblings sold off.” Wol cast his gaze at all the highschoolers around us, “Now, he's here. In this land of peace. Against you, who has not seen true conflict. Believe me, Jain. He will do many, many things you won't."

  I looked around. Most of the kids were gone now, heading off to classes. Soon, the bell would ring. The ones who did stay were snickering because seemingly I was whispering to my locker in the middle of the hallway with no phone in my hand.

  I hated them so much.

  God, not a single one of them had been nice to me in the last fucking four years I attended this school. Someone, anyone, could’ve been a decent soul and reached out. Just a good-morning instead of laughing behind my back when they thought I was far enough. First day of school, one of the less popular kids could’ve invited me to sit with them at lunch so I didn’t have to eat in the bathroom and hide like a fucking animal.

  Not a single one of these guys were actually decent people. At least to me.

  Hwari floated up to me. ‘The choice is yours.’

  Wol said nothing, just waiting.

  “You really think they’ll do that? Take hostages? Hurt them?” There was a bitter taste in my mouth.

  Wol flicked his tail. "Oh, yes. I was there during the Korean War. That man has the eyes of someone who has seen conflict.”

  “Jesus,” I swore, "It never rains."

  “Well, either way, this should be entertaining." Then he gave a sigh, "But I will stand with you."

  ‘As will I. Now and forever.’ Hwari echoed.

  “Inspiring.” I said, and I meant it. But it just came out tired.

  I wanted to rest.

  At the end of the day, it had been my choice. I could’ve gone anywhere. But my stupid brain couldn’t see two steps into the future to predict this outcome. To be fair, not many could. Or maybe I’m being magnanimous by saying that to myself. Maybe people smarter, wiser than me foresaw this.

  The wardstones were still warm in my pocket. The norigae was in my backpack.

  I looked around the mostly empty hallway and my throat tightened.

  Not a single 'Hi, how are you, Jain' in four years. Four years.

  But there was a weight on my shoulders that I didn't know I had. And I don't think I knew how to get it off.

  And if I turned around now...

  I took a deep breath.

  Victor Valentine. Mina Baek. The two mercenaries. All of their familiars.

  Against Wol, Hwari, and Me. My magic pebbles and the norigae.

  “Ok, I think I might have a plan."