The theft victim went after another guy, who pulled something that looked like a keychain out of his pocket and waved it in the air. Everyone—including the theft victim—lost the glassy look and most quit trying to kill each other, though the fight had taken on a life of its own and some people were still throwing punches even without the magical trigger. The would-be thieving fairy rolled her eyes and sighed, then slipped out of the train when it stopped at Canal Street.
The guy who’d stopped the fight must have noticed me staring. “This is coming in handy,” he said, holding up the keychain-like thing. “I got it at Spellworks, and it helps counter these influence spells people have been using lately. You should get one.” Spellworks was the rival to MSI, and their spokesman, Phelan Idris, had been Public Enemy No. 1 for MSI until he surrendered the week before. Obviously, losing their spokesman hadn’t slowed them down, but I was surprised that they’d actually sold something that used magic to help or protect people. That wasn’t their usual style, so I smelled a rat. They had to be up to something.
“I’ll look into that,” I said, edging my way toward a door so I could escape at the City Hall stop. Couldn’t he have used his gizmo before someone tried to strangle me?
Once I was safely aboveground, I took a moment to collect my breath. I wasn’t even back at work yet, and I was right in the middle of the magical war. It was a good thing I had a history with the company, I thought as I inventoried the damage to my appearance. I’d have been sunk if this had been a real job interview. My hair had been neatly pinned up, but pieces had come loose around my face and neck. I had a run all the way up one leg of my pantyhose, the sleeve of my blouse was ripped, and I could feel bruises forming on my neck.
Yes, this was exactly the way I wanted to present myself to my former employer and ask for my job back.
With a sigh, I limped across the park and headed toward the castle-like building that was the headquarters of Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc. Each step I took toward the building made my heart beat faster, and I wasn’t sure if I was more excited or nervous. I’d been dreaming about coming back for months, and while I’d been told there’d always be a place for me, I wasn’t sure where that place would be. Would I be starting all over again in the company’s depressing verification department, or would I be able to pick up where I’d left off?
Sam, the gargoyle sitting on the building’s awning, leaned forward when he saw me coming. “What happened to you, doll?” he asked.
“Commuting was even more brutal than I remembered,” I said, giving him what I hoped was a wry smile. Then, more seriously, I added, “I didn’t realize things were so bad here. They’re openly using those dark spells now.”