has three more years of study to go. Besides, Jones, we don’t all have the luxury of being able to do whatever we want around here.”
Emma was taken aback by his sudden change in tone, which almost sounded bitter and frustrated. She was about to protest when she caught the firm set of his jaw, which only served to cause his cheekbones to jut out.
She cleared her throat. “Okay, so since you have an overwhelming desire to do everything Principal Kessler tells you, how about I tell you where to find some fairies while I go and find this dragon?”
“I wouldn’t advise that.”
“Why not?” Emma demanded. “Worried that I’ll get your designation?”
“Actually, I was more concerned with the fact that Professor Vanderbilt’s heading our way, and judging by the look on his face, I’m guessing that Kessler has spoken to him. Which means that your chances of going dragon hunting are slim to none.”
“What—” Emma started to say before she spun around and realized that the old-fashioned armaments professor was bearing down on them with a grim expression on his face. She reluctantly acknowledged that Curtis was right. She could either stay there and get lectured or she could go and do the assignment.
“Fine,” she mumbled as she felt the fight drain out of her. So much for her chance to try to find this dragon and prove to Kessler once and for all how capable she was. She was obviously destined to be a low-grade fairy slayer forever.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Are you sure you really want to trade all this in and become a dragon slayer,” Curtis said as they both ordered a coffee and Emma directed him over to a table at the far end of the popular bookshop café on the second floor of the mall.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She couldn’t quite hide her irritation. They’d already spent two hours looking for fairies, and if they didn’t find any here at the mall, then Emma was going to call it quits. It was humiliating enough having to try to slay them in the first place, but having to spend all day with Curtis tagging along after her certainly wasn’t helping matters any. Especially when they could be back at Burtonwood hunting for an elemental that was actually dangerous.
“It’s just that all the dragons I’ve ever hunted tend to come out at night. Near cold muddy swamps. This seems a lot more civilized: books to read, food to eat, all in a nice temperature-controlled environment. In fact, I’m tempted to put in for a transfer myself.”
“You’re not going to change my mind,” Emma informed him as she stirred some sugar in her coffee. “My mom used to tell me about all her hunting trips, and of course before you decided to ruin my life I did manage a few of my own.”
She knew Loni had told her not to blame Curtis, but why couldn’t he understand that his very presence was a reminder that all her dreams and hopes were dead? As in stone-cold and six feet under, never to see the light of day again. It was bound to make a girl bitter.
She was contemplating whether to suggest they go back to Burtonwood, but before she could say anything, a familiar sound of static started to ring in her ear, which meant fairies were nearby. Emma reluctantly glanced around and caught sight of two of them hovering over by the register, just near a large display of the latest book club selection.
She let out a sigh as she got to her feet. Next to her Curtis stiffened and turned toward the fairies, but instead of saying anything, he just stared blankly into the space where they were hovering. Then he rubbed his eyes. For a moment Emma tried to work out why he was acting so weird before she let out a long groan.
“Crap.” She glanced up just as the fairies sprinkled a fine layer of glittery dust around the room. Well, that would explain why Curtis was looking blankly at the small fairies. “I think you just got glamour powder in your eyes. I should’ve warned you.”
“Glamour powder?” He turned back to her, his dark eyes now red-rimmed. Though somehow it actually made him look better than ever. Not that she cared, of course.
“Yeah, the little beasts use it all the time. As you know, most civilians are sight-blind, but there are a few out there who have the gift, so the fairies use glamour powder when