“Yes sir.” Clayton reluctantly reached for the car phone.

Doors started to open. It was obvious we weren’t your typical group of bus patrons, but Francis was probably too stupid to notice. Edden stuffed his yellow FIB hat into a back pocket. Nick was a thin nobody; he looked like he belonged. But my bruises and sling drew more attention than if I had a bell and a card that said, “Will work for spells.”

“Captain Edden?” I said as he slipped out and stood waiting. “Give me a minute.”

Edden and Nick looked wonderingly back at me as I rummaged in my bag. “Rachel,” Jenks said from Nick’s shoulder. “You’ve got to be kidding. Ten makeup charms couldn’t make you look better right now.”

“Go Turn yourself,” I muttered. “Francis will recognize me. I need an amulet.”

Edden watched with interest. Feeling the press of adrenaline, I awkwardly rummaged with my good hand in my bag for an aging spell. Finally I dumped the bag onto the seat, grabbed the right charm and invoked it. As I set it around my neck, Edden made a sound of disbelief and admiration. His acceptance—no, approval—was gratifying. That he had taken my pain amulet earlier had a lot to do with me agreeing to owing him a favor or two. Whenever a human showed any appreciation for my skills, I got all warm and fuzzy. Sucker.

Jamming everything away in my bag, I creakily eased myself out of the van.

“Ready?” Jenks said sarcastically. “Sure you don’t want to brush your hair?”

“Shove it, Jenks,” I said as Nick offered me a hand. “I can get down by myself,” I added.

Jenks made the jump from Nick to me, settling on my shoulder. “You look like an old woman,” the pixy said. “Act like it.”

“She is.” Edden grabbed my shoulder to keep me from falling as my vamp boots hit the pavement. “She reminds me of my mother.” His eyes scrunched as he made a face and waved his hand before his nose. “She even smells like her.”

“Shut up, all of you,” I said, hesitating as my deep breath made me light-headed. The jarring pain from my landing had gone straight up my spine and into my skull, settling itself for a long stay. Refusing to let my fatigue get a foothold, I jerked away from Edden and hobbled to the doors. The two men followed, three paces behind. I felt like a slob in my fat jeans and that awful plaid shirt. Carrying the illusion of being old didn’t help, either. I tugged at the door, unable to open it. “Someone open this door for me!” I exclaimed, and Jenks laughed.

Nick took my arm as Edden opened the door and a gust of overheated air billowed into us. “Here,” Nick said. “Lean on me. You look more like an old lady that way.”

The pain I could deal with. It was the fatigue that overwhelmed my pride and forced me to accept Nick’s offered arm. It was either that or crawl into the bus station.