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“I was almost a higher-up, if not for my lovely family kicking me to the curb. But yes, my many connections gave me early access to the Underground, but I can’t say I’m welcome there anymore.”
“Why not?”
“As a part of my familial exile, I’ve been barred from visiting the Underground until further notice.”
“That’s why you were nervous earlier.”
“They can’t do much to me if I’m caught,” he said. “They’ll make my life a little more difficult, is all.”
“How?”
He shrugged. “It’s family. They get creative.”
The words he chose were careful. Just enough to explain without revealing anything specific. Was he lying or just avoiding the topic?
He added, “I would have brought you here sooner or later. You’re not someone I’d lie to about the Underground.”
“Because I’m technically a nobody.”
“Because you have a unique, caring view about the world. Because you like helping people, even if you’re clumsy as fuck about it. Hide that bleeding heart all you like, but I distinctly remember you rescuing a turtle beneath a pile of trash while a crazy man stalked you.”
I snorted. “Says the crazy man.”
“Hey.” He leaned forward. “I’m serious, though. I’d planned on bringing you here after you solved the full mystery and found the killer. I worried this would be distracting to you. It’s a lot to take in at first.”
“I believe you,” I said honestly. “Thanks. And yeah, it’s a bit much. Wait, why couldn’t you take me to a normal healer, though?”
“Oh, Olive uses an illegal type of experimental magic that expedites healing. Gray? Gray, don’t get all pale like that. It’s not that serious. It’s because she includes mage magic in it too, and no one up top is willing to experiment like she does. Damn, that didn’t sound right. You’re safe, okay?”
I shook out my shudders. “Okay, okay. Just don’t use the word ‘experiment’ again, asshole.”
The train began to slow. Razai and I stood as a dim, mop-water-gray light filtered through the windows. When the doors slid open, I stared at the scene of a janitor’s closet.
“What the actual fuck?”
“Cool, right? The Link is such a quirky little bitch, isn’t she?” He gave a loving pat to the side of the steam monorail, which defied all physics and managed to fit itself into the cramped closet.
“Uh huh,” I mumbled, stepping out and then waving as the train rumbled away. As the end of Link passed by us, the room faded into itself once more, and we were alone. “And no one’s going to hear that?”
“Nope!”
“Of course not. Makes perfect sense.”
“She likes to drop people off in uninhabited public spaces, for your information. You can try to request your room, since destination is all about intention, but she’ll probably park in a bathroom stall before crossing into your room. Privacy is very important to her.”
The walls looked normal. Not at all affected by the train occupation. “How do you call her back?”
“She’ll come to you as long as you’re alone. As long as she knows you and your intentions don’t endanger her or the Underground, she’ll find you.”
“Holy shit.” I’ve never, ever encountered magic like this before. This type of stuff didn’t exist. Sentient magic that could sense you and answer your call? Just no fucking way.
Razai peeked out the window. “Looks like the hallway is clear. Come on now.”
My right thigh ached as we walked quickly down the hall and out into the open air. The campus was starting to wake up, with a few students lined up at the coffee kiosk and classroom lights brightening the windows. We walked together toward Betty, but I kept going toward the faculty housing so I could change into something that made sense for work.
Razai followed me, to my surprise. All the way to my room. Key poised before the handle, I asked, “Is there something you needed?”
Hands in his pockets, he grinned. “I’ll be keeping a closer eye on you until the month is over. Is that okay with you?”
