Page 87 of Oracles Always Win

“True.”Vanstroked his chin. “Westill have boxes of magical artifacts unaccounted for too.Thevision from yesterday is a problem, because it looks a lot like the trafficking operation you found in the city.Andthe bombers…”Hestumbled over the word.Itwas strange to see the unflappableChiefofPoliceso emotional about what had happened. “Thebombers are in custody.Atleast the scapegoats are.I’mnot sure there is much more we can do about that.”

Gagenodded. “Weneed to get one of those wolves to break and turn onRoborRobbieor whatever you want to call him.Idoubt he’s shared many details with his pack, but they may have noticed something.”

“We’lltalk to them.Seewhat we can do.”Vannodded. “Allright.Let’stouch base when we know more.”

Thenthe group broke apart.

NelsonandIsaacwent to talk toVan, probably to discuss the wolves he’d taken into custody.Ihated that they were going out to the pack again.Ihated to think of any ofGage’steam being in danger.Ashort time later, most of the people had departed.

“Hey,Ifeel likeIdidn’t properly welcome you to the newbie supe club, now that you’re in the know, andIhave so many things to tell you,”Jeremysaid, patting me on my shoulder. “AsIsaid yesterday,Ijust found out about magic too.I’vebeen writing up all my observations, kind of aMagic101 handbook.I’mthinking of calling itTheAmazingBookofSuperSupes, but everything, including the title, is still a work in progress.I’dbe happy to share my notes.Sorry,Ishould have mentioned this yesterday.Mostof the supes around here are aware of it becauseI’vebeen asking to interview them, soIkind of forgot you wouldn’t know about it yet.”

“Uh…Thanks?”

“It’soverwhelming, right?Butso freaking awesome at the same time.”

“Soyou just found out about magic?”

“Yes,”Jeremybeamed and bounced on his toes.Thecreature—Emma—had its four arms wrapped aroundJeremy’sleg now.Itsstrange beigy-greenish fur shimmered in the sunlight. “Justfound out.I’mnot very good at it yet, butAdrian’sbeen practicing with me.Okay.Well.Thetruth is,Isuck at it.Thewhite light in the pub the other night, though, that was me.Yousaw that, right?I’mjust not sure why or how it happened.Everyonesays to give it time, but seriously?Thatis the lamest advice ever.BecauseifIhave magic,Iwant to use it.Allthe time.It’slike my childhood dream come true.”

IwishedIhad that much enthusiasm for my own supernatural awakening.

“Alrighty, then.Ihave so many questions for you,”Jeremysaid, adjusting his notebook and pen so he was ready to write down anythingIsaid. “Ordo you have questions for me first?I’msure there are heaps of things you want to know.Anddon’t be worried about your questions.Youcan ask me anything.Like,I’msure you’ve wondered if you can get pregnant now.Andthe answer is no.Mpregisn’t a thing.”

Iblinked.ShouldIhave worried about that?Evenconsidering everythingI’dquestioned over the last day, pregnancy had not made the list.Atall.

“Second, biting is fun… butI’mguessing you know that already.”Heeyed the fading marks on my neck with a knowing smirk.

“Biting?”Iasked, covering my neck with my hand. “Peoplebite each other.Isthat a good thing?Really?”

“Hmm.”Jeremy’sforehead wrinkled. “Well,I’msureMr.Dimpleswill get around to that.Okay… now this is a personal question, but inquiring minds want to know…Canyou describe his dick?Forresearch.Isthere a knot?Somethingelse?”

“What?”Mymouth dropped open.Icouldn’t have heard him right.

“Jeremy.Don’task him that!”Adrianlooked horrified.Hisface was bright red.

“Fine,”Jeremymuttered. “But?—”

“Easeup on how much information you’re dumping on him, yeah?You’refreaking him out,”Adriansaid. “Noteveryone’s mind works like yours did when you found out about supes.”

Honestly,Isuspected no one’s mind worked the wayJeremy’sdid.Period.

“Oops… right.Gotit.”

“Comeover and meetDavieproperly,”Adriansaid, leading his boyfriend towardDavina.

“Fine, but she better not say anything aboutEmma.”Jeremyscowled.

Thenhe put his hand up to his ear and mouthedcall me, as soon asAdrianglanced away.Thenhe bounded over to the woman, with a huge smile on his face and his notebook ready in his hand.Apparentlyhis concern over her attitude to his bizarre pet didn’t undermine his natural curiosity.Assoon as the introductions were finished, he started bombarding her with questions, as if trying to figure out how her magic worked.

AtleastJeremyhadn’t done that to me.Ihad no idea how my magic worked.Andthat was just one more thingI’dhave to figure out at some point.Iexhaled slowly.AllIwanted to do was go to my room and hide for a while, but the fire department said it was still too dangerous.

Undernormal circumstances, by this time of the day,Iwould have just finished feedingPawsand?—

Shit.WherewasPaws?Ihadn’t seen the cat since…Ididn’t even know when.Iturned toward the inn in horror.

Gagerushed to my side. “What?What’swrong?”

“Thecat…Paws…Ihaven’t seen him.Doyou think…?”