thing.”
“Omen was there, too. He trained beside his brother, didn’t he? Just because he hasn’t had a chance to show it yet doesn’t mean he hasn’t got what it takes.”
“I think you’re probably biased.”
“Maybe,” Valkyrie said. “But I am who I am today because of doing stupid things in my teenage years.”
“And how’s that working out for you?”
Stunned, Valkyrie turned away.
“Oh, no,” Militsa said. “No, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean that. I didn’t mean it like that, Valkyrie, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s OK.”
“It’s really not.” Militsa grabbed Valkyrie’s hand in both of hers. “Please, I didn’t mean it. It’s just something I blurted out without thinking. It was meant to be smart and arch and it was just … it was cruel.”
“It’s fine,” said Valkyrie. “And you’re right.”
“No, I’m not.”
“I’m not exactly a well-adjusted adult, Militsa. I can’t focus. I can barely use my magic. I don’t even know what my magic is any more. And I’m scared. All the time, I’m scared.”
“But you’re a good person, doing good things.”
“Debatable.”
“You’re a hero, Valkyrie. You were a hero to me when I was a kid, hearing about all those things you were doing. You can’t imagine how much that meant to me, to know that there was someone my age out there, making the kind of difference you were making.”
“It left scars.”
“Everything leaves scars. You just can’t see most of them. I’m really sorry I said what I said. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you. And maybe … maybe you have a unique perspective because of everything you’ve been through. When it comes to Omen and what he can handle, maybe you know best.”
“He only wants to be involved. I think it’s the least I can do.”
The tram stopped outside Corrival Academy, and Militsa stood. “Come on.”
Valkyrie frowned. “I’m heading on to the High Sanctuary.”
“To meet a Teleporter you don’t know? No, no, you’re getting off with me.” Militsa pulled Valkyrie from the tram a moment before it started moving again. “Omen has a friend who is Fletcher’s best student. If you need a Teleporter you know you can trust, Never is the one for you. Providing you can offer me some guarantee regarding the safety of my students …?”
“I can guarantee their safety,” Valkyrie said, “up to a point.”
“That … doesn’t reassure me.”
“They’ll be fine,” Valkyrie said. “I’ll have another adult with me to supervise. We’ll keep them as safe as we can and as far from danger as we can manage. Trust me.”
“We’re going to die,” Never whispered.
“We’re fine,” Omen assured her. “Just act natural.”
“Jenan knows we know. Is he looking over? He’s looking over here.”
“He’s looking at the clock.”
“What does he have in his hand? Is it a knife? Is it a gun?”
“It’s a pen.”
“What’s he doing with a pen?”
“His homework, I think.”
“Quiet down there,” Mr Chou said, not even looking up from the papers he was marking. The study hall was only half full. Whispers carried.
Never lowered her head until her forehead was resting on the desk. “Why did you tell me?” she asked quietly. “Why did you even tell me about the anti-Sanctuary and people trying to kill you? I was happy being ignorant. Why did you tell me?”
“Because you said we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”
“I meant other secrets. Crushes on people, things like that. Regular secrets, Omen. Not actual secrets.”
“I promise you, you’re not in any danger.”
She turned her head, glaring at him. “You don’t know that. I might be putting myself in danger just by talking to you right now.”
“None of the bad guys know who I am.”
“But they saw you. They saw your face. What if one of them is a sketch artist? And he showed the drawing to Jenan, and Jenan said, yeah, I know that guy, he’s an idiot, but he has a cute friend. Let’s kill them both.”
“Never,” Mr Chou said, and Never sat up straight. “Omen. You may not think it, but my ears actually work, you know.”
“Can you make out what we’re saying?” Never asked.
Mr Chou sighed. “No. Your undoubtedly riveting conversation is lost to me. I will take that regret to my grave. But I can hear your murmurings and I can see your lips move. This is study hall. Either study, do homework, or at least work harder at disguising the fact that you’re doing neither.”
“Sorry, sir,” said Omen, and made a point of looking like he was studying his textbook. Chou sighed, and went back to marking.
“There’s so much I have yet to do in this world,” Never whispered. “So much I have yet to experience. I’ve never opened a savings account. I’ve never studied for my driving test.” Her head dropped forward again. “I’ve never filed a tax return.”
“You’re very strange.”
“Don’t judge me.”
“Your life isn’t in danger. I’m pretty sure they’re not going to let me continue doing what I’ve been doing, so you can relax, OK? No one’s going to come looking for us.”
The door opened, and Miss Gnosis stepped in. “Excuse me, Mr Chou,” she said in that distinctive Scottish accent, “could I borrow Omen and Never, please?”
Omen frowned while Never paled.
“Take them,” Chou said, waving a hand. “You have my blessing.”
Miss Gnosis smiled, and motioned them forward. “Come along,” she said. “And bring your things.”
Omen
