Free Invincible by Dawn Metcalf Page A

Monica’s eyes. It took Joy a moment to realize that the Bailiwick had prostrated himself obligingly against the floor, all four arms spread-eagled in meek submission. She was obscenely grateful that he was willing to play along. She’d forgotten to tell him that she’d given her best friend the Sight.
    â€œIt’s okay,” she said aloud, to herself and Monica and Graus Claude. “Everybody calm down.”
    â€œWhat is it?!” Monica shouted.
    â€œ It is wondering if anyone bothers to dust beneath the furniture,” Graus Claude said. “The filth is appalling.” He sneezed. The explosive shudder shook his massive body and flopped his burly arms. His head swiveled to glare at the two of them in the doorway. Monica’s breath hitched at the sight of his baleful, blue eyes. “Am I permitted to get up without further incident?”
    His ire was like cold syrup. Joy nodded. Monica, too.
    â€œYeah,” her friend said weakly. “Yeah. Sure.”
    The Bailiwick very slowly got to his feet, unfolding his impressive height like a magician’s trick. He straightened out his stout limbs and the long, winding chain of his spine, settling himself into his usual, impressive hunch—his scoliosis hump stood seven feet at the shoulder. His head retained its palsy shake as two hands straightened what was left of his suit shirt and the other two tugged at the four stained and crumpled cuffs. His gaze never left Monica, exuding his usual impression that he was a grand and noble amphibian, the infamous Bailiwick, comptroller between worlds, and no one to trifle with.
    A few droplets of sponge water pattered against the tarp.
    Monica stood rigid, terrified. Joy sighed. This was not the best first impression in the world.
    â€œMonica, this is my mentor and friend, the Bailiwick, Graus Claude,” she said smoothly. “Graus Claude, may I present my best friend, Monica Reid.”
    The icy blue glare never wavered. “Miss Malone has spoken highly of your friendship.”
    â€œY-yeah,” Monica stammered. “Thanks. She’s the best.” Monica grabbed Joy’s biceps. “Will you please excuse us for a moment?” She dragged Joy back into the hall. Graus Claude watched them go, intense as a cat.
    â€œIndeed,” he rumbled as they fled into Joy’s room. Joy just managed to get inside the door as Monica slammed it shut.
    â€œHolyMaryMotherofGod,” Monica spat. “You never said there was something in here!”
    Joy winced. She hadn’t. “To be fair, I never told him that you could see him, either,” she said as she glanced back at her door. “He’s got to be pretty freaked out.”
    â€œ He’s freaked out?” Monica squeaked. “I nearly swallowed my tongue back there!” She dropped the pen and the letter opener on the desk and fussed with her hair. She’d gotten extensions, long, dark waves like chocolate curls. Her hands trembled.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Joy said. “Really. I’d hoped to introduce you under better circumstances.” Although she had to admit, any circumstances would have been better than these. “I thought you two would really get along.”
    â€œI’m taken, thanks,” Monica said with a hint of her usual smarm. Some of the umber color was coming back to her cheeks. “What is it?”
    â€œA giant frog, I think,” Joy said. “Maybe a toad? I confuse the two.”
    â€œI mean is it...” Monica sat on the edge of the computer desk. “Is it a demon ?”
    â€œWhat? No! He’s the Bailiwick,” Joy said. “And he is one of the most powerful people in the Twixt. He’s a member of the ruling Council—or, at least, he was before his arrest—or maybe that doesn’t matter now that the King and Queen are about to Return... if they agree to Return...which I now seriously doubt.” She dropped onto her