Page 60 of Jinxed

Do you know how you came to be at the bottom of the ravine? Do you remember anything of the time before I brought you back to life?

All the things I’d wanted toask but hadn’t.

Then the biggest question of all.Do you remember who made you?

>>No, he’d replied, and for the first time his robotic tone was devoid of its usual warmth.But I’m getting close.

Even now, he refuses to explain more. I don’t care. I’m glad just to have Jinx back and everything back to normal.

At the end of the week, I stay back to talk to Mr Baird.

‘It doesn’t seem like anyoneis after Jinx,’ I tell him. ‘I know you think I might be in danger, and I appreciate the warning. But Jinx isn’t what you are looking for. He’s not some rogue baku – he’s just normal. And I also want to let you know that working for Moncha Corp is still my dream. I want that internship more than anything. That hasn’t changed.’

It takes him a moment that seems to stretch into a lifetime. Then,he nods. ‘It doesn’t look like I could change your mind even if I wanted to.’

‘But... I also wanted to let you know that your secret is safe with me.’

Mr Baird’s eyes search my face. ‘I appreciate that.’

I turn to go, but Mr Baird speaks again. ‘You know, Lacey, if that rogue baku did fall into the wrong hands... then there could be more at stake here than a school competition.’

I swallow.‘I understand,’ I say, even though I’m not sure that I do.

When I leave Mr Baird’s classroom, I’m surprised to see Jake waiting for me. He has a friendly smile on his face, which almost breaks my heart. I haven’t seen a friendly face at Profectus Academy this whole week. ‘Just checking you haven’t found some other new rule that means you’re not participating tomorrow? Or if you’re going to befighting with ten bakus instead of just one?’

I shake my head. ‘No tactics, no strategies. I just need to find a way to get through this.’

He raises an eyebrow. ‘Get through? Not to win? Even with a summer internship at Moncha HQ and one-to-one with Monica Chan up for grabs?’

I swallow. He’s read me like an e-book in oversized font.

He laughs at my expression. ‘All my money is on you, by theway.’

‘That seems like a bad bet.’

His eyes twinkle. ‘Well, see, that’s exactly where you’re wrong. Of course I’ll be putting money on you. Money, Monchacoin, heck I’d even take homework passes. You’re on fire. Or, if you maybe need help dodging questions you don’t want to answer, I’ll take a couple ofyourhomework passes to act as a bodyguard. Speaking of bodyguards... Are you sure youcan’t sneak me on the behind-the-scenes Moncha HQ tour?’

I shrug. ‘No dice. Captains only.’

‘Damn. Thought being your only friend left at school might havesomeperks.’

That hurt, and he notices. He squeezes my upper arm. ‘Screw ’em. You have a great baku, you’re a better fighter in your first year than people who have been here for years. You’re on track to go right to the top of Moncha. Justdon’t forget the people who were nice to you on your way up.’ He winks at me.

‘Never,’ I say.

‘Good luck, then!’

‘I hope I can deliver.’ Preparing for the battle hasn’t exactly been at the top of my agenda – not with all my attempts to stay under the radar, worrying about people coming for Jinx.

‘If it were just you, I might be worried. But with that baku by your side? Lacey, you’re unstoppable.’

ISTARE UP THROUGH THE GATES AND AT the entrance to Moncha HQ, Jinx pacing at my feet.

With everything that’s happened, I’ve barely stopped to register where I am. I exhale sharply, my breath streamingout in front of me, a white cloud into the cold air. I’m outside the building I’ve dreamed of working in my entire life. The building where Monica Chan works.

Where bakus are created.

Where the magic happens.

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