Free Reckoning by Laury Falter Page B

part won.
    As I rolled over to stare across my room towards the balcony doors, I was certain of one thing: I would continue killing Fallen Ones regardless of the obstacles, even if they came from the side I was defending.
     

 
    CHAPTER FIVE : François Gerard
     
    The following morning was a challenge.
    After reviewing the next Fallen One’s summary in the book of dossiers, I realized all I’d done is tease myself. I had to sit through breakfast and then through the ride to school with a nagging irritation. It felt as if very muscle in my body remained taut, impatiently waiting for tonight and the opportunity to hunt the next Fallen One.
    After Eran pulled the bike into the parking lot, found a spot, and shut off the engine, I begrudgingly slid to the ground and headed for our first class.
    My only consolation was that Eran was beside me and Ms. Beedinwigg taught our first period. Even though Eran noticed my mood, he didn’t say a word about it. He knew me too well to bring up the subject. Although his presence gave me a small amount of solace, the salve to my wound, my mood didn’t go unnoticed by Ms. Beedinwigg. At the end of first period, she called me to her desk as students filtered out into the hallway.
    “ I couldn’t help but notice you were preoccupied this morning,” she said quiet, her tone edged with suspicion. “You also missed training last night…And that can only mean one thing. You’re hunting again.”
    “ Yes.”
    Her eyebrows lifted as she waited for me to elaborate.
    “ Last night was spontaneous. Tonight is planned.”
    She nodded thoughtfully. “Last night was Fernando Vega?” she asked, recalling my mention of where I’d left off in the book of dossiers.
    “ That’s right.”
    “ The one known for his homemade weaponry…Given you are standing before me without noticeable injuries, I can see who won.”
    “ Eran fought him, actually. I didn’t get the chance,” I replied, consciously excluding from my tone the disappointment I felt.
    At that declaration, her eyes darted towards the door, inspecting him from top to bottom. I half-smiled then, realizing she cared about him just as much as she did me. It was comforting to know.
    Seeing no reason for concern, she redirected her attention back to me. “Well…you attended my class this morning and yet you’ve returned to hunting. That must mean…”
    “ Yes, I’m staying here…in New Orleans,” I confirmed.
    “ You understand,” she said pointedly, “your life is about to become more demanding?”
    If she was hinting at reducing my trainings, I met her head on with that decision. “That’s why I feel my trainings will need to be scaled down.”
    “ Maggie, let’s be honest. You’ve cornered me the last several sessions, have given poor Alfred nightmares with your swordsmanship…Don’t you think it’s about time you let us off the hook?”
    A smile crept up in both of us then.
    The relief was overwhelming. “I didn’t know how to tell you…” I admitted, having been unable to find the words to explain to someone so dedicated to her craft that I no longer felt it was necessary.
    She was now shaking her head at me. “Never hold back with me. I have fairly thick skin.”
    I rolled my eyes at that understatement.
    Then she grew serious. “Maggie, at this point, the most help I can be to you is to assist you in your hunting. If you should need me…ever…I’m here.”
    While I knew that would never be the case, I replied, “Thanks for the offer.”
    “ Now,” she said, glancing at the clock over the door. “You’re late for your next class.”
    I was, so late in fact that I didn’t get a chance to tell Eran of our decision until lunchtime.
    When that hour came, I couldn’t have been more eager. He met me outside my last class just before we headed for the cafeteria and we remained agonizingly silent until seated at a table in the far corner.
    After I whispered the details of my conversation with Ms.