Free Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway

taking a phone out of his pocket or asking to borrow mine, Jack took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. The koi, which had never stopped hopefully nibbling at the air near our toes, suddenly flashed to the other side of the pool with a splash. I jumped. Before I could ask what happened, Jack opened his eyes.
    “She’s on her way. I think. I mean, well, she does what she likes most of the time, so hopefully she’ll come.”
    I was beginning to think we were talking about a cat rather than a person. Given everything I’d seen today, I thought I’d better ask. “Sarah Jane is…?”
    “My familiar, right,” he said. “While we wait to see if she comes, I should quickly explain the whole natural/unnatural division.”
    I kept my eye on the door to the courtyard, watchful for the slinky movements of a cat. I had to admit I was pretty curious to meet Jack’s familiar, especially since he seemed so certain I should have one. Would she be like something out of a bad TV show about witches, with a fancy, diamond-studded collar and the ability to talk?
    Jack, too, watched the window as he spoke. “About the whole natural and unnatural thing—the distinction is really very straightforward. If you think of power as a river, natural magic uses the existing currents. If you go against the flow, you’re tapping into the unnatural.”
    “So, what, it’s like the Force?”
    His eyes twinkled at my reference. “I suppose in a way,in that the energy itself is neutral and what matters is how you use it. But it’s actually quite possible for a practitioner to use natural magic for evil purposes, and vice versa. That’s why we avoid labels like ‘dark’ or ‘light’ or ‘chaotic’ or ‘order.’ And, er, why we try not to judge a demon until we meet her, as it were.”
    The frightened koi returned tentatively, cautiously. I was about to tell Jack that I had no doubt my stepmom was evil when my eyes caught the flap of large, black-and-white wings outside. A magpie hopped onto the frozen fountain and looked at us expectantly.
    “Oh, there she is.” Jack waved out the window. “Coming, Sarah Jane!”
    The bird fluttered to the courtyard door to meet him as he opened it.
    “Sarah Jane Smith,” he said. “Meet Alex Connor.”
    I had to guess this beautiful black-and-white bird was his familiar. It had a pearly white vest and silky black wings and a long, graceful tail. In the sunlight, some of the dark feathers shimmered almost metallic blue. I waved in what I hoped was a pleasant manner. I didn’t have a lot of experience talking to animals.
    “You named your familiar after a Dr. Who character?” I asked Jack, as he closed the door to keep out the cold.
    “Well”—he smiled sheepishly—“she is my companion.”
    The bird made a noise not unlike a rueful laugh, and then took flight. She closed the distance between us in a flash. Perching on the stone step above me, her presence sent the poor koi skittering across the pond again. She cocked her head, first at the snake on my arm, and then catching my eye. Her beady gaze seemed to see right through me,and I had the very distinct impression of being observed by something highly intelligent. I half expected she would just open her beak and say, “Hello.” But, instead, she dipped her head in greeting.
    “Isn’t she brilliant?” Jack asked, proudly, as he sat back down beside me.
    The bird hopped down and peered at my arm. I held it out for her. She pecked at it softly, and I resisted the urge to pull away.
    “So, what do you think, Sarah Jane?”
    The bird very distinctly shook her head.
    Jack sat back, obviously irritated with her response. “Well, why did you come, then?”
    She made a lot of racket, and the poor fish had apoplexy as she flapped and hopped around.
    Jack took all this in stride. “Well, all right, but you know how I feel about you hanging out with that gang. I don’t think they’re very good for you. The last time I let you talk me into