Free Death Match (A Magic Bullet Novel Book 2) by A. Blythe

salute.
    "You know, your boss is strict and merciless," I told Pinky, using my best stage whisper. "Yet he seems very tolerant of you."
    She grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the elevator before I could embarrass her any further. She may be a powerful mage-in-training, but she was still a teenager.
    The door was still locked and we had to wait for Oscar to reverse the spell. I could feel Pinky's tension as we rode up the elevator together. Despite the outcome, this visit wasn't entirely wasted. At least now I had a firm grasp on what was happening.
    Once we were safely away from their headquarters, I turned to Pinky. "You know he's too old for you, right?"
    She blinked in confusion. "Who?"
    I rolled my eyes. "Don't play dumb blonde with me. Oscar. I can tell you like him."
    "Do not," she said. "He's like my boss."
    "Exactly. You wouldn't be the first girl to develop a crush on her boss." I never had, but I knew a few djinn in the Academy with major crushes on their mentors or group leaders. All resulted in major heartbreaks. I doubted Pinky's situation would turn out differently.
    "I've known Oscar since I was twelve. It's not a crush."
    Twelve. "Is that when you registered?" All mages have to register with their colony's Enclave once their abilities kick in, whether it happens at birth or puberty. If a mage turns eighteen and doesn't register, the mage risks penalty payments. A complete failure to register risks a permanent ban from magic.
    "Yep. My mom brought me. My dad had left detailed instructions on what to do."
    "Your dad sounds like he was a real planner. What was his name?"
    "I don't know his true name, but he was Ansel Edwards to us."
    I didn't even know Pinky's last name was Edwards. Some partner I was.
    "I don't recognize the name," I said. "Was he always in the Mid-Atlantic Colony?"
    She shook her blond ponytail. "He came from Switzerland. He met my mom at a jazz festival during a visit to the U.S."
    "And he didn't go back?"
    "They got married when she found out she was pregnant with me."
    Married. That was unusual. Most male djinn quickly moved on from their human conquests. That was why there was such a high percentage of mages raised by single mothers. Ansel Edwards was a rare Marid, indeed.
    "Did he ever appear at court?" Prince Simdan would have demanded the presence of a powerful djinni in his colony.
    "I don't know. He didn't talk much about being a Marid. Or a djinni for that matter. He and my mom seemed really normal. We went to the movies, took family vacations. We went to DisneyWorld every year until I was seven."
    I hated to ask my next question, but I went ahead anyway. Tact wasn't my strong suit. "How did he die?"
    Pinky stared straight ahead. "Don't know. Mom won't talk about it."
    "She won't tell you how he died?" That seemed a bit cruel, unless the way he died was crueler. The thought wasn't comforting.
    "I've never asked."
    A beloved, deceased father. A handsome, older mentor. Definitely a crush.
    "Well, you can't put your life on the line to get Oscar's attention," I told her. "You're not going to kiss anyone if you're dead."
    "I already have his attention," Pinky replied with a haughty shrug.
    Then it dawned on me. Her involvement with the crime syndicate and now with me. These weren't teen acts of rebellion. And her reluctance to deviate from Oscar's training program. Her agreement to join the team. These were all designed to get and keep Oscar's attention. Misguided tokens of affection.
    I heaved a sigh.
    I didn't need to tell Pinky the old adage that love hurts. She would find that out soon enough on her own.

10
    F or the first time in my life, I dreamed about Jamie. Technically, it was a memory rather than a dream, but I was asleep, which made the entire experience more vivid. We sat in a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. The name escaped me, but the environment was clear as a bell. Loud and crowded with lots of unhealthy food masquerading as American cuisine. Jamie loved a good