Page 79 of Mistaken Magic

Brackenjust chuckled. "Ifyou truly want to be my teaching assistant next year, consider this your first student assignment.I'mthinking of your future."

"Andhers,"Keirsaid.

Brackenlifted one shoulder like he was almost dismissing that. "Needto get her caught up to the others.It'sa good excuse."

Keirpatted the man's shoulder. "Yep, it is.Soyou know,I'mwalkingRainback to the dorms."

Ifollowed beside him until we were out ofBracken'shearing. "Oh, you're just taking that onto yourself, huh?BecauseImight not make it back on my own?"

Hegrunted, clearly unimpressed. "SoBrackendoesn't try to make me help clean.I'musing you,Rain.Getused to it."

"Goodto know,"Iteased, grabbing my coat.

Weeach got dressed against the winter in silence.Keirlooked back twice, checking onBracken, and then we left.Yetthe moment we were outside, he moved to walk at my shoulder again.

"SoundslikeBrackenthinks you have potential, you know," he pointed out.

"Mhm."Ihad a feeling the man was just being nice. "Soundslike you plan on becoming the teacher's pet.Tryingto get an easyAor something?"

"No," he assured me. "I'mhonestly hoping to become a weapons instructor one day.Thegym could hold twice as many classes, but most people focus on the magic instead of the combat.Whoneeds a sword in this modern world of yours,right?Whowants to take a gym class?Andyet, theHuntkeeps coming back.Somethings aren't scared of human police or lead bullets.Wefae brought things into your world that someone has to stop."

"Howoften does theHuntcome?"Iasked.

"Toooften," he said. "Usuallyabout once each - "Thenhe ducked. "Fuckingbird!"

Iturned to see a crow land just on the other side of him.Thistime, however, the bird didn't caw.ForallIknew, it was the same one as last time, and it seemed to like picking onKeir.Ibit my lips, trying hard not to laugh.

"Didyou piss off the crows?"Iteased. "Youknow they recognize faces, right?Upsetone and all the rest will make your life hell."

"Ididn't do a damned thing to - "

"Jack!" the bird croaked.

Myheart stopped in my chest, andIgave the bird my complete attention. "What?Hey, birdy...Didyou just caw at us?"

"Jack!" it said again, hopping toward me. "Jack,Jack,JackJack!"

"Itfucking talks?"Keirasked.

Iglanced back at him, then to the crow again. "So, that's not just a normal crow sound?"

"You'rethe fucking crow expert,Rain," he reminded me. "Howthe fuck doIknow?Butit sure sounds like the damned thing thinks its name isJack."

"Jack!" the crow said again, taking to the air to come right at me.

Iwent to throw my arms before my face, but the crow wasn't trying to attack me.Instead,Ifelt its little feet close on a spot just above my wrist, and thenJackfolded his wings and simply let me hold him.Hewas actually kinda heavy.Andbig.Andblack.Notto mention right in front of my face.

"There'sno way you're the same crow from my foster home,"Isaid softly, daring to reach up and pet the thing's back.

Thebird made a clacking noise and leaned into my caress.Hislittle eyelids closed, andIwas convinced the bird looked happy.WhenIstopped, it ruffled its feathers and leaned toward me just a bit more.

"Jack," it croaked, making it sound like an order.

"Isthat your name, bud?"Iasked.Whenthe bird nodded its head quickly,Ialmost dropped my arm. "AndI'mguessing you're a 'he' huh?"

Jacknodded again, although that probably wasn't the right word.Itwas more that he slung his bill up and down as fast as he could.Still, he got the point across - or it was a great coincidence.Idecided to test it.

"Areyou just here trying to scare me,Jack?"Iasked.

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