A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan

Ashton remains silent for a moment before responding.

"You are like a terror, a little monster." He declares and I huff in fake indignation.

"You take that back, I'm an angel." I insist.

"If I agree that you are an angel will you let me leave this room with my honour intact?" He asks, with humour in his voice.

"Oh fine, I guess so." I agree airily.

"In that case, I agree that you are like an angel." He says with false sincerity. With a grin, I swing the door open.

"And don't you forget it." I respond then yelp as he grabs my hand, tugs me close to his side and holds on tight. I raise an eyebrow and he grins unrepentantly.

"Come now Angel, I cannot risk letting go. You might leave me behind again." He says, still grinning. I roll my eyes.

"Sure, whatever. Hey can you actually call me Angel, wouldn't that count as a lie since I'm not actually an angel?" I question. Ashton shrugs.

"I am not implying that you are an actual angel but rather I am using it as a name. It is not a lie if it is a name that you recognise and acknowledge, which you did." he explains. "Uh.... Okay." I'm not totally sure that makes sense but I guess it does to him since he can say it.

As I contemplate the technicalities of a society where no one can lie, Ashton's stomach lets out a large grumble and I laugh.

"A little hungry?" I point out and Ashton nods.

“I missed dinner and I did use a lot of energy during that fight. Would it be too much to request something to eat?” He asks politely. I shrug.

"Sure." I begin to tug my hand away to make my way to the kitchen but Ashton holds fast. I don't bother to question it and just drag him along to the kitchen. It's only once I instruct him to take a seat while I make us some pancakes that he finally lets go. I'm not an amazing cook, but pancakes aren't too complicated and I mastered them years ago because dad always requests them on special occasions, like father's day or his birthday. I can feel Ashton's eyes on me as I move about the kitchen and I do my best not to let his attention fluster me. After the last couple days, I'm actually starting to get used to having him watch everything that I do. It's not long later that we are both settled at the table with a stack of pancakes each. Ashton is practically inhaling his so I'm glad I made a lot. After he finishes his I shove the rest of my plate to him. He tilts his head and I shrug.

"I made too much, you still look hungry." I comment. With a smile Ashton nods and starts in on my leftover food.

"So today we have to make another trip to the police station. They weren't too happy that I took you home without providing a full statement, and they'll want your statement too. I'm sure they'll also have questions about what to do with the imp." I add. Ashton nods.

"Very well. Perhaps someone there will have more information which will lead to another of the assassins." He agrees easily. Now that he's rested and fed he seems content and kind of lazy. Maybe lazy isn't the right word... Relaxed? Drowsy? No wait, content. He's more content than I've ever seen him. I guess he's feeling good knowing that he's made progress in capturing the assassins. Ashton yawns loudly. I take it back, he's drowsy too.

"You should take a shower, get cleaned up and go back to bed, sleep for a while longer. I could use some proper sleep too. We can go to the station later. It's still stupidly early." I suggest. Ashton looks like he wants to object, but when I start yawning he caves. He does as I instructed and takes a shower to get the blood and dirt off. I do the same afterwards and change into pyjamas before going to check on him. Ashton is back in his loose sleep pants and is struggling to re-wrap the bandages on his arms.

"I can help with that." I quickly help him get his injuries covered for a second time. Normally I'd say he should keep them dry but there was so much dirt on him that I think it was worth re-bandaging everything.

"Alright, try to get some more rest, I'm going to bed too. I'll set an alarm for mid morning but if you wake up early feel free to come and get me. I won't mind.” I insist. Ashton shakes his head.

"You need to sleep just as much as I do. I can wait." He promises and I reward him with a smile.

"Okay then, I'll see you in a few hours.” With a tired wave I head back to my own room and finally collapse into bed.

I wake up a few minutes before my alarm is due to go off at around quarter to eleven. I feel a million times better and my bed is just about the most comfortable place in existence. I grab my phone and turn off the alarm so I won't have to deal with the obnoxious sound of it when I'm already awake and immediately notice I have several text messages.

Dad- Good morning. When you wake up please come down to the station so we can finish off your paperwork. If you need anything let me know, I can drop everything and come get you.

I quickly respond.

Kat- Thanks dad, we should be down around lunch time. I'll bring you something nice. :)

Okay, so I might be sucking up to dad a little, but he's been good about all this. I mean he has grumbled a little but ultimately he's respected my choices and let me have space. I half expected him to have police following me around everywhere. The next set of messages are from Lucy.

Lucy- Kat! It's all over the internet. People are claiming there were two fae guys having a literal firefight on the street. Do you know anything about it?

Lucy- I read the comments and a lot of people think it's a hoax and that there aren't any fae here. But I know Ashton is here, was he involved? Are there more fae here? Why would they be fighting? Can they really use magic? Lucy- Kaaaaat, call me back!?

And I have no less than four missed calls from Lucy. I roll my eyes and smile at her overenthusiasm. It is a little concerning that videos made it online though.

Kat- Sorry I was asleep. It's really not my place to talk about Ashton's business but yes there was a fight but it's fine now. There was magic involved and you didn't hear this from me but there are more fae. But please keep this to yourself. No telling anyone or posting it online! Can you send me the links to the videos and posts about it all? I wanna see!

Lucy responds immediately promising to keep her mouth shut and with several links. All the videos are blurry and clearly taken through people's windows. I can recognise Ashton in them but if I didn't already know what he looks like I probably wouldn't have been able to tell it's him so that's something at least. You can see fire in the videos but it's unclear where it's coming from so there's no proof of magic either. Honestly she's right that it would be easily discounted as just two guys in costumes. I sigh in relief. You can see me running to join Ashton at the end of the video, but only the back of my head. Sure I have blue hair, but that's not that weird these days. It's not enough to identify me. The last message is from Marcus.

Marcus- Hey Kat. Lucy keeps sending me videos that I think you should see... I'm pretty sure you're in them and your fae guy looked a little worse for wear. Are you both alright?

Kat- Thanks for checking in Marcus. We're both fine, there was a bit of drama but all his injuries are superficial and I'm totally fine. :) Promise.