Page 12 of The Last Slayer
I’d joined the firm because, well, it had been unthinkable not to. Jack had given me a home, an education…he’d recognized my talent when I was eight. When he’d offered me a job, I couldn’t turn him down. But that didn’t mean he was going to be able to toss me to some demon for a wad of cash without hearing how I felt about it, even if he maybe had foreseen that everything would turn out okay in the end.
“Fine with me,” Valerie said. “Oh, and be ready to lead a team of ten hunters tomorrow.”
“Lead what?”
“Hunters. A team of ten. We’re going to need to cover a lot of people.”
My head was going to explode. “Are you kidding me? When I joined the firm, I said no group work. Jack agreed. I don’t do team stuff. Hell, I don’t even train new hunters.”
“They’re not new. And they won’t question your authority. It’s not like you’re some junior whatever.”
“Damn it, you’re missing the point! I don’t care about the ‘authority.’ I just don’t want to be responsible for anyone except myself and the client.” And if I could’ve done my job without involving the client, I would have.
The words hung there for a minute. Finally, Valerie sighed. “Ashera…it happened a long time ago,” she said quietly. “It’s about time you move on.”
“Easy for you to say.” Even as the words left my mouth, I knew I wasn’t being fair. Valerie had held me while I’d cried my eyes out after the screw-up that had gotten my first boyfriend killed. It had been the first and last time I’d shed tears after a hunt, and she was the only person to see me so vulnerable.
Her expression cooled, turned blank. “Well, like it or not, it’s been years. You’re a partner now, you’re in charge tomorrow, and that’s final.”
“In charge of keeping ten hunters alive, in addition to the client.” I rubbed my face. “If anything goes wrong, it’s on you. I want to make that clear. Not on me, on you.”
I didn’t wait for her response. There was nothing she could’ve said to make it right. I wasn’t in the best of moods when I returned to the reception area. Andersen & Co.’s chatter stopped, and I gave them a smile. They didn’t need to know I was pissed off, but I was still shaking my head mentally. A tight-assed, brainwashed corporate slave demanding something ludicrous, I could understand. But Jack agreeing to it? And Valerie trying to sell me on the idea that things were fine?
It felt like a betrayal.
Andersen took a step forward. “So are we clear on everything?”
“As clear as we can be.” I moved close to him and lowered my voice until only he could hear me. “Don’t fuck with me like that again, summoner.”
He seemed amused. “Or what?”
I stepped back and raised my eyebrows. Let him wonder what I’d do. The man looked like he needed to exercise his imagination.
“It’s already eleven,” I announced to the group. “If I were you, I’d get some sleep.”
None of them looked very happy. One stared at me as if I were an asylum escapee. “What about getting ready for the dragonlord?”
“He’s coming tomorrow,” Andersen said.
“Uh-huh. That’s precisely why we’re going to get some sleep. What are you going to accomplish by staying up all night? You want to face him half-asleep?” I waved my hand before anyone could say another word. “I’m not going to sit here and argue the point. I’ll be in by six tomorrow morning to help you out, but I’m not staying up all night.”
A scowl carved even deeper lines into Andersen’s forehead. “This is highly unprofessional. Irresponsible.”
I shrugged. “Well, Sammy, you wasted time with your test, and I’m not going to make up for it. You’ve got me, and if I were you, I’d be happy with that.” I wasn’t going to tell him that I needed to go home and consult my collection of books. I’d studied dragons, not demigods, and despite their close affiliation, dragonlords were not dragons. Not by a long shot.
I picked up my hunting gear from the couch and saluted. “See ya.”
“You can’t!” Andersen started to move between me and the door.
“Sure I can. If you don’t like my answer—” I picked up the demon head by its hair, “—talk to the head.” I tossed it at him. He caught it by reflex, then immediately let go, trying to avoid getting goo on his suit. It didn’t work.
I walked out before he—or I—could say anything else. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, authority figures bring out the smart-ass in me, and Andersen looked angry enough already.
Which was strange. Most guys like getting a little head.
***
The drive home was dull, especially given the big event to come tomorrow. The media would be all over the place, shoving mikes at everyone, shouting for comments. I cringed. The media circus was worse than running a gauntlet of wyrms. Valerie, of course, would love the spotlight. She was beautiful, articulate, telegenic and knew how to sell both herself and the firm. I, on the other hand, preferred to blend into the background unless somebody wanted a demon dead.
