“And obviously it has nothing to do with me,” Gary said quickly. “Because of the albino children. Who I love.”
“All together again,” Tiggy said, smiling broadly. “So happy.”
“Are we finished?” Justin asked. “Because I didn’t just travel for days bringing Gary’s brother here to listen to this. We had a point, which seems to have been put into disarray because of someone’s return.”
I looked around the room, frowning in agreement. “The Prince is right. You are all distracting him from—oh. Right. You were talking about me. I get that now. My bad.”
“I agree,” Terry said, looking at Gary disdainfully. “The Prince has spoken and has asked for your attention. Brother, your perversions are not necessary. Ryan, you should come stand next to me so you can hear better and contribute with my input. Leave Sam where he is. I don’t want fleas.”
“I don’t have fleas,” I growled as I itched my scalp. “I had to bathe in a creek. For months. I’m sorry if I look like a homeless addict. You would too if you’d been through what I have.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Terry said. “I’m an accountant. Which, as everyone knows, is a stable job with health benefits that would extend to any partner I might have.” He stared at Ryan.
“Oh, here we go,” Gary said, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Listen to my brother, everyone! He’s got a job and insurance and a house and responsibilities. He’s so perfect with his mortgage and his imported tile and his horn.”
“I’ve seen the inside of the place you call home,” Terry retorted. “It looks like a hovel belonging to an elderly blind woman who once had impeccable decorating skills but then decided to just slaughter everyone inside a yarn store and leave their parts on the walls and floors.”
“Ooh,” Tiggy and I said.
Glitter started sloughing off Gary. “Bitch, I’ll cut you, bitch. You wanna know what Gary’s gonna do? Gary’s gonna bring the motherfucking pain.”
“I am so conflicted,” Kevin said to me. “On one hand, I feel like I should intervene. On the other hand, I’ve never been more aroused.”
“Is that all you’re going to bring?” Terry asked, sounding bored. “How quaint.”
“Oh, it’s already been brought. In fact, I’ve brought so much, we’re gonna have leftovers.”
“Ooohhh,” Tiggy and I said.
“I’m coming for you,” Gary said, prancing in place. “I’m coming.”
“Me too,” Kevin whispered.
“Gross,” I muttered.
There was a moment when I felt sorry for Terry, even though he obviously wanted to climb on Ryan’s junk. When Gary got a good Unicorn Rage going, the person on the receiving end would most likely be crushed either physically or emotionally. I couldn’t honestly say which was worse.
And while I did feel sorry for Terry, I thought it was probably a good time that he be put in his place. He obviously didn’t understand the pecking order around here, and dominance needed to be established. After Gary crushed him, I would pull Ryan in and mack on his face while Terry watched, just so he knew where he stood. It was harsh but necessary.
So imagine my surprise when Gary screeched his battle cry and charged his brother, only to have Terry’s horn flash brilliantly. The air in the room instantly turned frigid, and a loud crack echoed as a wave of pure magic bowled over me. I had to take a step back at the sheer force of it. But unlike dragon magic or Dark magic, this felt pure and bright, like it was coming from the sun.
The room fell silent as the magic faded.
Then:
“Did you just turn him to ice?” Ryan asked, sounding impressed.
“I can do stuff like that too,” I said with a scowl.
Kevin started growling low and deep in his throat, and Tiggy took a step forward, hands curling into large fists. “Tiggy smash?” he asked in a dangerous voice, staring directly at Terry, who barely flinched.
“How brutish,” he said. “No, you may not smash. I was defending myself. You all saw it. He was coming after me. The gods only know why he’s so quick to anger. I should think there would be some underlying issues that have nothing to do with me that need resolution. I’m sure there are therapists who specialize in his specific form of psychopathy.” He glanced at me. “Or maybe it has to do with those he surrounds himself with.”
Gary was screaming angrily, but it was muffled under the ice.
And that… well.
That didn’t sit right with me.