But you did it, my darling. I knew you could. You have no idea how proud I am of you. Who would’ve thought that my daughter would be a fairy slayer? The only person in history to have ever killed one.
Thanks. Emma started to beam but the smile quickly fell from her face as her mom stood up and pressed a kiss into her dark straight hair. Mom, what are you doing? Please don’t go. Not again. You need to stay here with me.
Her mom turned back with a sad smile. Emma, my love, it’s not me who is going, it’s you. This is not where you’re meant to be, but don’t worry, I’ll always be here waiting, watching, loving. Now just close your eyes, sweetie, and everything will be fine. . . .
“Emma, don’t freak out, but you’re in the infirmary,” a voice said from somewhere nearby, and Emma forced her eyes open. She noticed that a familiar hand was entwined with hers and that the room smelled of vanilla cookies.
“Curtis?” She turned her head and saw that he was lying in the bed next to her, an angry bruise making its mark under his left eye. However, whatever pain it was causing him didn’t stop him from shooting her a lopsided grin. She immediately felt better.
“I’m right here. You’re okay.”
“But how? The darkhel scratched me. I felt it. And why don’t I feel woozy? I always feel woozy when I’m in a hospital.”
“It’s probably because you’ve just spent the last eighteen hours sleeping,” Curtis said as she wriggled into a sitting position. “It tends to stop all wooziness.”
“Where’s my dad and Olivia? Are they okay?”
“They’re fine, just very tired. In fact, it took the doctor about fourteen hours to convince them you were okay and that they should go get some sleep. Even then they didn’t go willingly. I think they’ll be back soon,” he assured her, and for one perfect moment Emma let herself bask in the warmth of his golden smile before the vision of his ruined glasses, lying crushed and useless on the ground, forced its way back into her mind. Of Curtis’s devastated face as he looked at them. His future destroyed. Destroyed by her.
“I didn’t save you, though, did I?” she asked in a desolate voice just as a dull sound of static rang in her ears. She glanced up to see Rupert, Gilbert, and Trevor darting into the ward with what looked liked bunches of plastic flowers in their tiny hands. She hated to think what LEGO set or Barbie doll they’d stolen them from.
She ignored them as the guilt continued to well up in her like a fountain.
“Emma—”
“No, Curtis.” She folded her arms to let him know that he couldn’t dismiss her so easily. “You might not want to talk about it, but I do. I just want you to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to convince Principal Kessler not to send you home.” As she spoke the fairies continued to hover around the ceiling, shooting her impatient glares.
“Emma—”
“I’m serious. Maybe I could go out with you and be your eyes or something? We worked pretty well together, so he might go for it. Or—”
Rupert let out a small cough, and Emma turned her attention toward the ceiling.
“Yes?” she said in a testy voice. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate their help, but their timing right now wasn’t the best.
“We just wanted to check that you were okay.” Trevor flew toward her, holding out the bright pink plastic flowers. “And to say thank you for everything you did for us.”
“Speak for yourself.” Rupert poked his chin into the air and didn’t move from his spot by the ceiling. He looked very rock-and-roll. “I’m not saying thank you. Did you see how liberal she was with those Sour Skittles? Powder was flying everywhere. I could’ve been killed!”
“And you would’ve been if our dark brother had had his way.” Gilbert flew back up to his friend, his wings flapping in an angry whirl around his neat plaid shirt. “We’ve discussed this. The slayer-girl actually saved your life, remember? And if Trevor and I can forgive her for the Sour Skittle incident, you can as well.”
“Okay, so I guess technically you’re right,” Rupert reluctantly acknowledged before darting down and hovering just in front of Emma’s face. “Well done, slayer. Though next time just be a little more careful with where you spray the candy. That stuff’s dangerous.”