Orrin had landed them in the same general spot he had left Madi and Brandt but neither were nearby. They ended up leaving Ira with a guard who snapped a salute at the Dragoon member and hurried him off on the back of a small cart.

“Come find what’s left of us in a few days,” Ira said as they pulled away. He waved and the metal mage disappeared around a corner.

“Let’s get back to Madi’s house,” Daniel demanded. He’d continued to fidget and turn towards the Pass, but after Orrin had shared the information from Sof, namely that heroes had a natural urge to fight demons, he seemed to be able to fight it better.

“I’m not going back yet.” Orrin shook his head and took a step away. “I’m going to go back to Tony’s.”

Daniel stepped with Orrin, keeping without grabbing distance. “No, you don’t. I can keep watch over you and clean up your throw-up. It won’t be the first time. Remember when we got into my dad’s rum?”

Orrin wanted to vomit at the memory. Left alone to play video games all weekend while Daniel’s parents were out of town, the two fifteen-year-olds had decided to try liquor for the first time. Orrin had yet to try it again.

“It’s more than just keeping me hydrated,” Orrin argued. “I have more questions for him too.”

“I’ll come,” Daniel said. “Show the way.”

“He can read minds. I’m not sure how much he already knows,” Orrin argued again. “What if he can tell you’re a [Hero]?”

Daniel shrugged. “You already told Sof. He probably told the rest of the team. It’s only a matter of time before everyone in town knows too. Why don’t you want me to go?”

Orrin was asking himself the same question. He was keeping Daniel away from Tony. It might actually be easier for Tony if he had some help over the next few days.

Why do I have the feeling it is a bad idea?

“I don’t really know,” Orrin admitted. “I just don’t think you and Tony would get along much.”

“From what you told me, nobody would get along with him.”

Orrin watched Daniel’s eyes drift back to the Wall. “Maybe we should get you back to Madi and Brandt before you do something stupid again.”

“Don’t change the subject.” Daniel’s head snapped back to Orrin. “I can control it now that I know what it is. It’s like an itch. No...That’s not right. You know when you take a free throw and you just know it’s going in as it leaves your hands? Every time I turn toward where I know he is...the Fogbinder...I get that feeling. Like this is the perfect and right thing to do.” His eyes glazed as he looked back to the Wall. “I bet I would have found him eventually.”

“And he would have killed you,” Orrin said and slapped the side of his head. “That’s why we should drop you off and then I’ll go get better.”

Daniel dragged his head away from the direction of Dragoon team and sighed. “We’re both really fucked up, huh?”

“Of course we are.” Orrin grinned. “Now should we walk or [Teleport]?”

“Walk. Stop being stupid. No more mana use for you,” Daniel said and gestured down the street.

Orrin turned and began walking. Something hit him in the back of the head. He stooped and turned in one motion, pulling his sword free.

Daniel was laughing, holding one hand out. “Now we’re even.”

Getting Daniel to let him leave again after finding their way back to the Catanzano house ended up being easier than he thought. As soon as they got within sight of the house, the single guard at the front door ducked inside and Madi appeared like a storm.

She told Daniel off for risking himself and not trusting them, before pulling him into a hug. Madi turned and stepped towards Orrin as well, but he shook his head and took a step back. She smiled and gave him a knowing nod.

“Now get inside before I have Brandt come out here and make you.”

Daniel seemed willing to take his lumps. Orrin, however, had other plans.

“I’ll meet you both back here in a few days. Madi, keep an eye on him. I guess something in the-“ Orrin stopped and noticed the guard standing nearby. “-something in Daniel’s class makes him seek out dangerous opponents. He’ll tell you all about it.”

Madi’s scowl let him know he wasn’t out of the woods. “And where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going to go be sick for a while. All the magic I did really didn’t sit well with my stomach. Bye.” Orrin tried to turn and get out of the anti-[Teleport] spell’s range but Madi was getting quicker at noticing the two boys’ tricks. She grabbed his arm and pulled.

“No. I risked my neck for you. Twice. We can help you here or send for whatever you need. Please. Trust us a little.”

Orrin looked at her hand on his arm. “It’s hard to trust someone when it’s demanded.”

Madi let go and stepped back. “Sorry. Habit.” She put her hands in her pockets. “No more grabbing. No demands. Will you at least tell me where you are going?”

Orrin thought about telling her. With [Mind Bastion] up, he was even able to do it mostly with the rational part of his brain. The problem was even rationally, telling her where he would be, while at his weakest and most vulnerable, seemed like a terrible idea.

“He’s going to a mind mage named Tony’s place,” Daniel said, ratting him out.

“Come on, D,” Orrin said with irritation in his voice. “If I wanted everyone to know-“

Orrin stopped at the look on Madi’s face. He’d seen her look angry, scared, haughty, and joyful. Terrified and shaking was new.

“Quiet Anthony?” Madi’s voice was a whisper.

“I mean, he doesn’t talk normally, but I definitely wouldn’t call him quiet.”

Madi gave a signal and the guard went inside. She looked up and down the street before gesturing for Orrin and Daniel to step closer. “Anthony was a mind mage. A real one. The kind that even the Lords of Dey couldn’t control. Even my father is wary of him. They say he can make you do anything he wants. He just walks right into your body and can make you kill yourself if you look at him wrong.”

Orrin wanted to laugh. Sure, Tony was a little rough and maybe he had walked right into his body... but he was a good guy. He’d helped Orrin. Plus, Madi’s story didn’t line up with Tony’s own story about his past.

“Have you met him? He seemed nice enough to me. He helped me get through some skill backlash.”

Madi shook her head. “When I was younger, my father would scare me with stories of what Anthony would do if I ever went too close to his house. People don’t go to him for help.”

Orrin distinctly remembered Tony calling himself the boogeyman. What a lonely existence if even kids are taught to fear you.

“Well, that’s where I’ll be if your dad wants to try taking me out,” Orrin said flippantly. It wasn’t really fair to Madi. She actually had been trying lately. But Madi’s attitude toward the man who had helped him was eliciting feelings Orrin had thought he’d left behind.

She just doesn’t know him. She wouldn’t be scared of him if she just took the time to talk with him. The thoughts tumbled through his mind and Orrin realized he’d had the same thoughts a hundred times...targeted toward himself. Madi was like all the other kids who ignored him and thought he was a freak for being quiet and a little different.

Madi’s eyes were wide at Orrin’s accusation and her mouth opened and closed as she tried to find the words.

“That’s not fair, Orrin,” Daniel said, coming to her rescue. “They’ve kept their word. Silas hasn’t given you any-“

“Any reason to doubt he’d try sticking another sword in me?” Orrin said. This is getting out of hand fast. I don’t want to have this conversation. “I’ll admit Madi has been on her best behavior. She’s been a great teammate and really stepped up, especially yesterday. But I didn’t think you’d forget who we work for so easily.”

Madi had tears in her eyes, but Orrin could see they were angry tears. She was pissed. “Will you never forgive us for that? They went too far. You were only to be roughed up until Daniel used a skill or two. There was to be no actual danger and we did have a healer nearby in case of-“

“A healer? You saw exactly how much good they are. You took a gamble, Madi. You both did. You’ve given me some reason to trust you...to a degree. But your dad?” Orrin laughed and shook his head. “If I don’t come back in a few days, you’ll know for sure. Try not to let him know I’m staying at Tony’s. He might try to kill two problems with one well-placed assassin.”

Orrin turned and walked away, using [Teleport] as soon as he could.

Orrin meant to land outside Tony’s house. He meant to walk up to the front door and knock.

Instead, he found himself coming to from unconsciousness on the street a block over.

“Sorry,” Tony’s voice in his head actually sounded a bit relieved. “It’s been a long few days and I’m a bit jumpy.”

Orrin looked around. He was alone. “Tony?”

“Shut it,” Tony’s voice in his head yelled. “I knocked you out with a proximity spell. Most people know not to [Teleport] so near my house.”

Orrin guessed it made sense. A mind mage spook who was worried about being killed probably had some defenses set up against attacks.

“Get up. I didn’t hit your mind that hard.”

Orrin scrambled to his feet and made his way around the corner. He found Tony’s house and went to knock.

Madi’s stories filled his head and he hesitated.

“Oh. Scared of me now?”

Orrin didn’t know if he actually heard the hurt and fear of rejection in that voice in his head or if he projected it there himself. Either way, he knocked.

“Now? You’re a terrifying dude. I’ve been scared since you made me walk into your house the first time,” Orrin answered the air.

A chuckle turned into a full laugh as Tony opened the door and stepped to the side of his narrow house. “What brings you back?”

Orrin grimaced as he entered. “You can’t tell?”

Tony’s laughter cut and he stared at Orrin closely. “You fool. At least it’s not as bad as last time.”

“Not as bad? I’ve used more mana in the last two days than-“

Tony waved a hand in Orrin’s face and turned to walk back inside. “Not as bad, but still unpleasant. You’ve increased your levels and if I’m not mistaken, your Will? That was smart.”

Orrin followed. “That makes a difference?”

Tony grunted. How does he grunt in my mind?

“So, you’ll help me again?”

Tony started making tea. “Of course. One gold a night. Same as always. Although, I’d love to hear why you went out and did something so stupid. You didn’t try and fight the Fogbinder did you?”

Orrin clenched his teeth at the thought of how close Daniel had gotten to his objective. If the Dragoon team hadn’t stopped him... Why did the [Hero] class draw the person to demons?

“I was kidding. You did? What’s this about the Dragoon team?”

“Hey. I thought you promised to stay out,” Orrin said, clamping down on his thoughts.

“That was last time. Besides, you’re basically screaming. Angry, mixed-up feelings, betrayal. The emotions are always there. I can only get a few pieces of the thoughts underneath. But I’ll stay out as much as I can.”

Orrin frowned as Tony poured the tea into two cups. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

Tony smirked as he took a sip of his tea. “Well, you could always start with why the [Hero] went after the demon?”