Scourge of the Nephilim

By Orren Merton

Half-human, half-Seduman Firebird Alex has fought hard to build a family and a team of heroes in two universes:
the material universe, and the spirit universe of Sediin. Now the Cult of the Watchers and their inhuman Nephilim
threaten everything she has worked so hard to create, and everyone she loves and champions.

Collecting books 4-6 in The Sedumen Chronicles, this boxed set includes:

Stinger and Bow: Thirteen-year-old Rachel, known as the Seduman Stinger, needs a new crossbow. After the
shock and trauma she's suffered, she also needs a vacation from being a heroine, so she can just be a teenager. Can she manage both?

Watcher and Firebird: Alex had never heard of the Nephilim until they started stalking her soul sister, Rachel.
Now they're trying to murder everyone she loves. Firebird Alex has to find out who they are and stop them
before they destroy everyone and everything she cares about.

Firebird Champion: The opposite of life isn't death; it's lifelessness. Given a second chance to live, Firebird Alex is tasked with being
life's champion and eliminating the Nephilim before they eliminate the very life force of the world.

Also featured in this collection: a glossary of terms and characters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orren Merton
• Release date: Dec 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532393907

Orren Merton

Orren Merton started writing fantasy and science fiction at an embarrassingly young age. In high school, he picked up guitar and start playing up and down California in a few bands. During that time, magazines, developers, and corporations began to pay him to write and edit music software related articles, manuals, and books. Since then he has written the urban fantasy novel The Deviant and the science fiction novel Skye Entity before working on his current series of YA novels. He lives in Southern California with his family, pets, collection of sci-fi/fantasy memorabilia, and curiously large stuffed animal collection.

Book preview

1

I know it’s my fault, but dammit, she’s such a bitch! I mean, I should feel terrible—and I do, kinda. The thing is, I’d know I messed up even if I wasn’t sitting in the principal’s office with Linda Kelley, my foster mom; Alex, my real Seduman aunt; Principal Gorne; Tiffany Orson; and her mom.

Do you see that? Mrs. Orson screams at us, pointing at the square bandage taped to her daughter’s left cheek. Tiffany pulls her perfectly highlighted blond hair away from her face to make it even more obvious. You can just make out the blackened skin hidden underneath the dressing. Do you see it?

Of course we see it, geez. It’s impossible to miss. The bandage takes up most of the left side of her face. Use my powers for good, Alex told me. And she’s right. We’re the heroes of the story. I blew it.

What kind of a horrible, depraved monster is this—this— She can’t even give me a name; she can only point and spit at me. This isn’t just a schoolyard attack! This—this is terrorism! That’s right, terrorism! This girl is a terrorist!

Tiffany nods to me, a smug, righteous look on her stupid face.

Come on! A terrorist?

I turn to Principal Gorne, and I’m happy to see she’s rolling her eyes. Nice to know my principal doesn’t think I’m a terrorist, at least.

How can you live with a terrorist like this in your house? Mrs. Orson shouts at Mrs. Kelley.

Hey, Mrs. Kelley says, getting defensive. Rachel isn’t—

She’s using weapons! Mrs. Orson yells her down. That’s a terrorist! That’s terrorism!

Now, now, Principal Gorne begins. I think—

You have to do something about her! Mrs. Orson keeps shouting. You need to punish her! Saturday work study? Suspension? She deserves jail! She should be put away!

Maybe Tiffany deserved it, Alex turns to Mrs. Orson, slowly and calmly, like she’s the coolest movie star in the world. Alex stares through her sunglasses and blue cap. I know my Rachel, and she wouldn’t do this unless it was warranted.

I don’t even try to hide the huge grin on my face.

Warranted? Who are you? Why are you even here? You look barely older than she is! Are you part of her terrorist ring? Mrs. Orson sneers.

Who am I? Alex rises, the anger in her voice plain for everyone to hear. She throws off her cap and glasses, her hair and eyes igniting with orange flames. "I’m Firebird Alex. And if my shield maiden stings a girl, I know that she had it coming."

Mrs. Orson sinks deeper into her chair.

Do you have a problem with me, too? Alex taunts, slowly walking over toward Mrs. Orson. Tiffany shakes and grabs onto her mother’s arm, like that could save her.

"Do you?" Alex inhales, the flames inside her mouth beginning to form…

2

…but that’s not going to happen, no matter how much I dream of it happening that way. Alex isn’t like that. She wouldn’t hurt a human being if she didn’t have to. Not like I did. Sometimes I really suck.

I’m still just sitting out in the main office, in one of the small plastic chairs next to the principal’s office, waiting to be called in. I’ve been sitting here since the bus dropped off the thirty of us who went to visit Rebecca’s House Eating Disorder Treatment Program about ten or fifteen miles away down in Lake Forest. It was our field trip for health class. We were supposed focus on the teenagers with eating disorders and how they are being treated. I would have been—Alex and I have a friend there, Klara Bagrov. She was kidnapped, taken to Sediin, and sexually abused—and ended up there. I’m sure not everyone there has the same story, but I’m sure they each have their own pain. I would have liked to hear their stories. I would have loved to have been able to say hello to Klara, to show her my support on a day other than just visiting day. But then everything went to hell. And now I’m here.

My phone buzzes. Mrs. Kelley isn’t here yet. So I figure that I can get away with texting if I’m sorta sneaky about it. I try to not be obvious when I look around to see if the coast is clear, and then I pull my phone out of my pocket to see who messaged.

It’s from Josh.

hey nerd. good luck. don’t beat yrself up. thinking about u.

I smile. Josh Harman can be a dork sometimes, but he also knows how to make me smile. And I know he cares—I care about him, too. He’s a year older than me, fourteen and in eighth grade. We’ve known each other through Hebrew school and our synagogue since we were small, but we became close once Alex fell in love with his older brother, Jake.

The door opens. Mrs. Kelley comes in and walks to the reception desk. I guess everything is about to start. I quickly respond to Josh.

thanks goober. going in.

I shove my phone back into my pocket. I can feel the vibration of another message arrive. I’ll have to check it later. I keep my eyes locked on Mrs. Kelley. The receptionist gets up and leads her toward me. I try to give her a thankful and apologetic smile. I probably just look like an idiot. My main feeling is guilt that she’s been called away from her Pilates studio to sit in the principal’s office with me and be told how horrible I am.

She sees me. She doesn’t look mad, just disappointed. Honestly, that makes me feel even worse.

Mrs. Kelley looks down at me. She holds out her hand. You okay?

I nod. I take her hand, then look down.

Some field trip, Mrs. Kelley sighs, her face glum.

Yeah, I answer. I messed it all up.

That cut and dry, is it?

Well, no, I shrug. But I…I’ll get in worse trouble if I don’t just apologize, right?

Always apologize when you’ve done wrong—and mean it. But also give a complete accounting. Your reasons may not justify whatever you did, but they at least will give context.

I understand, I say. And yeah, there was definitely a context. And I think she’s already inside.

The receptionist knocks on the door.

Please go in and take a seat, the receptionist says.

We walk into the brown and green cluttered office. Pictures of students and teachers and awards cover pretty much every wall and surface. There are three chairs set up to the left of the huge brown desk. The receptionist points at those chairs. We sit in two of them. Across from us, on the other side of the desk, there are three more chairs; Tiffany Orson, her star witness Julie Seeks, and Tiffany’s mom are already seated. And glaring.

Maybe it’s wrong, but I feel worst about Julie being there. I mean, yeah, Tiffany and her mom, I totally get. But Julie…well, Tiffany treats her like baggage. She watched the whole thing, backed Tiffany up, but she just sort of had a vaguely nauseated look, like she wasn’t really in favor of what Tiffany was doing. But whatever. Tiffany probably told Julie to jump, and Julie asked how high.

I’ll let Ms. Gold in when she arrives, the receptionist tells Principal Gorne and softly closes the door.

I feel like sighing, but I keep quiet. I wish I could just sink into the chair and become invisible. I wish Alex were here.

Since your primary guardian has arrived, we can begin, Principal Gorne begins.

Here goes…

3

As you know, Rachel, Tustin Middle School has a zero-tolerance policy for violence—

And acid! Mrs. Orson practically shouts. I’m sure there’s a zero-tolerance policy about sneaking weapons like acid onto campus, too!

Tiffany nods smugly.

Principal Gorne clearly isn’t happy being interrupted. She tries to continue as if she wasn’t. And a zero-tolerance policy for the use of any kind of weapon or harmful agent as well. On or off campus. Now, I don’t know what happened during the field trip or the reason behind your altercation. But I do know that you used a caustic agent against Tiffany, which is completely unacceptable.

She spit it at me! The freak! Tiffany nearly yells.

How much can I tell them? I’ve never admitted to my principal or the other students that I’m a Seduman—half human, half spirit being from the universe of Sediin. But I am, and that gives me powers that plain old humans don’t have. Like spitting out acid-laced stingers.

Mrs. Kelley stares at me with alarm. She knows who I am and what I can do. God, if this makes her afraid of me—that would be the worst.

I didn’t sneak anything, I nearly whisper.

Oh, so your spit just burns like acid? Tiffany taunts.

In a way, yeah…

You’re not the first student to bring contraband of some kind of a field trip, Principal Gorne jumps in. Trust me, I’ve seen it all in my fifteen years as a principal. I’ve seen students spit all kinds of crazy substances out of straws and worse. And remember, when you’re off campus, you are representing our school. You were visiting a rehabilitation center for troubled teens. Instead of showing sensitivity, your altercation showed disrespect and may even have caused undo stress on the residents in treatment.

But she didn’t use a straw! Tiffany insists. She just spit! She’s a monster!

That’s enough, Principal Gorne is clearly getting sick of Tiffany.

I tighten my jaw so I don’t smile. I’m also grateful that our principal seems to be satisfied that I spit through a straw and is leaving it at that, at least for now.

I have a friend there, I say meekly. Klara Bagarov. She’s been there for months and will be coming home soon.

So? Tiffany says. Do you want a medal? If she’s a friend of yours, no wonder she’s in treatment!

Tiffany’s mother smacks her on the shoulder and glares at her to shut up.

This is why it’s so hard for me to feel as sorry as I know I probably should.

I just meant that I respect Rebecca’s House. They do great things. That’s why when Tiffany—

Three quick knocks on the heavy brown door interrupt me. The receptionist pokes her head in. Excuse me, but Alexandra Gold, Rachel’s aunt, has arrived.

Principal Gorne nods. The receptionist opens the door wider and directs Alex to the chair next to me.

I can’t see Alex’s eyes through her glasses, but her lips are curled in a sympathetic but exasperated expression. I feel relieved. I mean, I’m sorry that she had to come here and all, but I know that she’s always on my side. We’re soul sisters, we’re both Sedumen of the House of Keroz, and I know she’s got my back. She sits next to me.

I’m sorry I’m late, she says. When the school called about this meeting I wasn’t at my phone, so it took me a while to get the message and get over here. What’s going on?

You weren’t that late; we’d just begun, Principal Gorne says. You were called because you are listed on Rachel’s emergency card as one of her guardians, and she is in very serious trouble. We’re trying to get to the bottom of what happened right now. It happened off campus, during a seventh-grade field trip to Rebecca’s House down in Lake Forest. They’re an eating disorder treatment facility.

Alex turns to me. I can tell by the way she tilts her head that she’s wondering if this has something to do with our friend Klara.

There was an altercation that ended with Rachel spitting some kind of acid or chemical on Tiffany Orson’s left cheek.

Is it true? Mrs. Kelley asks me.

There’s a split second where I wonder if I could get away with a lie. But I’d never do it. There are no lies in the House of Keroz is our motto. Our House takes not telling lies so seriously that when Keroz, my Sedu grandfather, sacrificed his life to save Alex, he was reborn as the Greater Sedu of Honesty. I mean, that’s hardcore. So I inhale slowly, to give myself another moment to gather my thoughts. I’ve only got one chance to get this out right.

I promise, I didn’t mean to. I was just going to tell her off. As soon as I spit the acid stinger in her cheek, I pulled it out immediately asked for help. Mrs. Harold, our health teacher, was with another group from our class, but a volunteer—I think Raya was her name—was in the room with us. I shouted to her, and she ran over and directed me to the duty nurse. I ran Tiffany to the nurse’s office to clean it out. I tried to make it right.

Raya? Alex whispers to me.

I nod. Do you know her?

Mrs. Kelley turns to Principal Gorne. The nurse bandaged Tiffany? Will there be any scarring?

Alex gives me the slightest tip of her head, then turns to Principal Gorne.

We did speak with Nurse Waverly, the duty nurse at Rebecca’s House. She was able to flush the puncture and bandage her cheek quickly enough that she feels Tiffany should be okay when the remaining acid is absorbed, Principal Gorne says.

Mrs. Kelley exhales with relief.

That’s not the point! Tiffany complains.

That’s right! her mom backs her up. This girl brings acid on a field trip and spits it on another girl. Why would she bring acid darts or spitballs or whatever in the first place? Is this how she takes out all of her enemies? What else is she planning to do? Is a teacher going to be next?

I feel myself getting hot, but I close my eyes and stay quiet. That’s how this whole thing started—me getting hot and angry and losing control.

First, I want to determine what the altercation was about, Principal Gorne answers, keeping her tone even. From there, I intend to determine if this is a long-standing feud—in feuds like this, it’s not unusual for one or both parties to be constantly armed. But I’m going to find out one question at a time.

I wish I had Principal Gorne’s level of calm. If I did, this whole thing wouldn’t have happened. I hope she’s still this calm when I tell her the truth about how I can spit stingers.…

Excuse me, what’s your name?

I open my eyes and see Alex directing a tight, sympathetic look at Julie.

Um…Julie Seeks… she answers, sounding almost sick, like she’s about to throw up.

Tiffany turns to Julie with the kind of look I’d never give a friend of mine, ever.

Julie, could you help me understand something? On my way in, I ran into Emma Kelley. Emma grabbed my arm and said that it’s not Rachel’s fault. But Rachel admitted that she spit acid on Tiffany. So why did Emma tell me that?

Because Emma’s an idiot! Tiffany blurts out.

Principal Gorne picks up on Mrs. Kelley’s body language. Tiffany, that’s enough, she scolds.

I hate Tiffany’s guts so much. Emma’s not just the daughter of my foster parents; she’s my bestie. That’s why when my foster father, Rabbi Norman Hirsch, was murdered, I went to Emma’s house and begged her parents to take me in.

Mrs. Kelley is clearly not happy to hear Tiffany call her daughter an idiot either. And Emma’s super smart. She’s nerdy, but so what? Nerdy is cool. Josh taunts me about being a nerd, but I know he loves it. And he acts all cool because he’s a little bit popular since he plays on the boys’ soccer team, but I know he really loves comics and fantasy and sci-fi like I do and Alex and Jake do and really anyone who is worth spending time with does. He’s just a cute nerd.

Anyway, Emma’s cute too, but she’s not super hot and popular like Tiffany. And Tiffany loves to rub it in everybody’s face when she thinks she can get away with it—and she thought she and her little bitch brigade could get away with it with Emma. Not while I’m around.

Mrs. Orson is smart enough to know that kind of talk isn’t going to help her daughter’s case and swats Tiffany across the arm.

I dunno… Julie says, looking down as Tiffany glares at her. Maybe Rachel got mad because me and Tiffany and a couple others were talking to Emma after she was asking questions of the volunteer who was speaking to us.

What were you all saying? Principal Gorne takes over the conversation.

Oh, you know, just girl stuff, Julie answers.

Like friendly girl stuff or mean girl stuff? Principal Gorne continues.

Friendly, Tiffany insists.

Julie shrugs.

I was talking with Julie, Principal Gorne says sternly. You will not interrupt me again. Do I make myself clear? Tiffany shrinks back into her chair. Her mom swats her again.

What kind of talk, Julie?

I don’t remember, Julie tries to sink into her chair and vanish into the stiff, uncomfortable red fabric.

My turn to talk. Tiffany didn’t care about Rebecca’s House and was just being snarky and dismissive, trying to win points with her little posse of mean girls. But Emma cared. She always cares. Emma asked Raya about how long people stay, their success rate with their residents, and if they take teen volunteers.

Shut up! Tiffany shouts.

You’ll have to ask Tiffany why she decided to start going after Emma after that. Maybe she felt Emma was showing her up, and everything has to be about her. Maybe she just hates anyone who isn’t part of her little clique—

Oh, good god! Tiffany rolls her eyes. You’re so full of it, Rachel!

As soon as Raya moved on and nobody was watching, Tiffany and her gang got right up in Emma’s business. She told Emma that nobody cares and Emma is a kiss-ass and her sister is a dyke—

I didn’t say that! Tiffany pouts.

When Emma stuck up for herself, I continue telling the principal, as if Tiffany isn’t in the room. Tiffany told Emma that she should get an eating disorder herself, since she’s so fat—which she’s totally not—and then Tiffany—

Liar! Tiffany spits.

Rachel doesn’t lie, Alex says, her jaw tight, her voice steady—but with an edge. She turns to Tiffany, and I think even with her sunglasses on I can see a tiny little flare-up of flame under there.

Thanks, Alex!

Tiffany finally shuts up.

Thank you, Rachel, Principal Gorne says. I nod and slump back in my chair.

So you were saying? Principal Gorne presses Julie. Does that version of the story sound about right to you?

That girl would put it all on my daughter; she’s trying to save herself! Mrs. Orson insists.

I understand motivation—Rachel’s, Tiffany’s, and yours, Mrs. Orson. That’s why I’m asking Julie.

Mrs. Orson huffs a little and sits back.

Was it just talk? Principal Gorne presses Julie. Was there any physical contact at all?

Yeah, Rachel spit acid on me! Tiffany huffs.

Tiffany, what did I tell you? Principal Gorne says, steel in her voice.

Tiffany leans back again. The principal continues talking to Julie. Did Tiffany touch Emma?

Afraid to open her mouth, Tiffany shakes her head to deny it.

I want to scream the truth so badly I start fidgeting. But Principal Gorne asked Julie, so I tighten my jaw and wait for her answer.

Julie? Principal Gorne prompts.

It’s okay, Alex says, that sympathetic look back. Just tell the truth.

I’m not sure.… Maybe Emma got pushed a little.… Julie admits.

Now the truth is out. Tiffany bullied Emma with both words and shoves. I love Emma. And I’ll never let anyone bully her.

Tiffany? Principal Gorne raises her voice to Tiffany to let her know this is a pointed question, and if she lies she’s in big trouble.

Well, I didn’t spit acid all over her! Tiffany shoots back.

I didn’t touch Tiffany until she shoved Emma. Hard. Twice.

So you were defending Emma? Principal Gorne asks.

I was, I nod. I swear. I know I overreacted…but I was reacting, I didn’t start it.

Principal Gorne looks at Tiffany.

Oh, yeah, sure. You’re going to believe this burnout? I was just hanging out with my friends and this monster spits acid or whatever on me. I mean, maybe Emma and I exchanged words, but that’s nothing compared to trying to kill someone with acid! Why did she even bring acid?

If I’d been trying to kill you, Tiffany, you’d be long dead.

The question isn’t whether Rachel is in the wrong for the use of acid. She’s admitted to using it. And I’ll find out why, and that will be part of the determination of her punishment. But now I’m determining who else broke school rules on the field trip.

For the first time, Tiffany looks a little worried. Good!

Principal Gorne, if I wasn’t paying close enough attention or I was talking instead of listening, okay. I mean, that wouldn’t have been cool, but I didn’t spit acid at her cheek!

I keep my eyes closed and try to pretend I didn’t hear her. I don’t need to get in anymore trouble, whatever kind of person Tiffany is.

As I said, we have a zero-tolerance policy for violence. That’s why Rachel is here. But we also have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. On campus or off. You know that.

I open my eyes, mostly to see how Tiffany reacts. Tiffany glares at Principal Gorne but is smart enough not to talk back to her.

Let’s not lose sight of the real issue here: Rachel admitted she spit some kind of acid-laced dart—through a straw or her mouth somehow—at my daughter! Mrs. Orson slaps her chair as she leans forward and raises her voice, pointing at me angrily. "Girls will be girls, you know how it is. Sometimes they get a little catty, sometimes they get pushy, but that’s nothing compared to what she’s done! Girls like Rachel are a danger to everyone! She shouldn’t be allowed in school!"

Mrs. Orson’s right, I say. I shouldn’t be allowed in school.

4

You see! Mrs. Orson leans back triumphantly. Even she realizes that she’s not fit for society!

That’s not what she meant, Alex says curtly. We can’t see her eyes behind her glasses, but the tightness of her jaw is enough to shut Mrs. Orson up with an indignant look. Alex turns to me, her face softening.

"What do you mean, Rachel?" she asks.

I’d thought about this a lot recently. Long before I exploded all over Tiffany. I’d thought about asking Mrs. Kelley, but I didn’t know how. I guessed now was my chance. Because…because there’s a lot of Tiffanys out there in middle school, and even more in high school. And for what we do…I think it’s better that I don’t get too close to them, you know?

Alex looks at me. Did I say it right? Did she get it? Slowly, Alex nods. I let out a relieved sigh.

What the hell does that mean? Tiffany demands.

Alex turns to her with a completely flat expression. It means that sometimes it’s best you don’t know whose lives you’re saving. If they’re unpleasant enough, you might change your mind.

Okay, look, Mrs. Kelley breaks in. She’s clearly miffed. I feel bad; I didn’t mean to leave her out or make her mad. I was just trying to explain myself to Alex, because I’m her sidekick. All this talk of Rachel not being at school is pointless. I work days; I am not around to handle her education.

I can, Alex offers. There’s always someone home at my house. She’d never be alone. And I’m already overseeing Klara Bagrov’s online education through Pacific Coast High School—even in Rebecca’s House, I still am in daily touch with her to keep her schooling on track. With your permission, I’m happy to oversee Rachel’s education, too. Rachel could start classes with Pacific Coast in the fall. Don’t worry; I’d make sure she’s on every field trip she can be and that she’d attend all group events. I wouldn’t let her do nothing but sit around my house on the computer all day.

Yes! This may work out better than I’d hoped!

Mrs. Kelley huffs. Not a good sign. Well, PCHS starts at ninth grade, and next year she’ll only be in eighth grade.

Actually, Principal Gorne interrupts, through the Orange County Community Home Education Program, she could take Online Transition courses for eighth graders that would be through PCHS and would prepare her for their high school program.

I promise, I’m not trying to get out of doing stuff, I add. I’ll take my classes as seriously as I do now. I’ll still get A’s and B’s. I’ll read a lot outside of class. I’ll do all those field trips and group things that Alex said. And I’ll keep doing all my Pilates and weekly dance classes with Emma and everything.

I think homeschooling might be an option to consider seriously, Principal Gorne says. It would be difficult—if not impossible—to take her back into this school after her altercation, and it might not make her a good fit for other middle schools either.

Mrs. Kelley closes her eyes and exhales slowly. I know she’s upset. She opens her eyes and turns to the principal, then to Alex, and finally to me. She sighs—but with a slow, slight nod. Yes! I hold in my squee.

Rachel, do you have anything to say to Tiffany? Mrs. Kelley asks.

My turn to sigh. I lower my head and nod. I practiced this while I was sitting in the bus, missing out on the rest of the field trip. I practiced it when I got back to Tustin Middle School and was taken to the office. But that doesn’t make it any easier.

I turn to Tiffany. I’m sorry—truly sorry—for what I did to you. I know that I need to have more control over myself than other girls do, because of who I am. I failed and seriously hurt you. I was wrong. I have to use my powers for good.

What does that mean? Tiffany shoots back, her face curled in confusion. Are you telling me how sorry you are or how awesome you are?

A little of both, really. It isn’t easy to apologize to someone I can’t stand. But apologizing is the right thing to do, even though it sucks. And I meant it. I can’t go around solving every problem with my Sedu power of spitting acid stingers. No matter how much I hate Tiffany for bullying Emma, I’m way more powerful than she is, and I have to be mindful of that. I could have killed Tiffany.

Do… Principal Gorne stammers. Do you mean…

Alex turns to the principal, removes her sunglasses and cap, and nods. I nod too.

What are you guys talking about? Tiffany demands.

I tighten my mouth as hard as I can so I don’t laugh in Tiffany’s face.

Mrs. Orson slaps her daughter on the arm again.

What? Tiffany whines indignantly.

Julie just stares at us.

So…you really did just spit some kind of acid-laced dart right out of your mouth? No blowgun or dart or anything? Principal Gorne’s jaw is practically on the floor.

I promise you, I—we—only use our abilities to help people. That’s why I feel horrible. I blew it, and I shouldn’t have. But yes, that’s one of my powers.

You see! I told you she spit at me! Tiffany declares triumphantly.

Her mother swats her again.

So what will Rachel’s punishment be? Mrs. Kelley asks.

Whatever it is, I’ll do it, I quickly add. I mean, it’s not like I want to be punished, but I didn’t want Principal Gorne to be afraid to punish me now that she knows I’m Stinger. I broke the rules, and I’ll take what’s coming. Still, I hope it’s not really bad.

I inhale nervously.

Yes you will, young lady! Mrs. Orson chastises, but with very little force behind her words now that she knows who I am.

Principal Gorne clears her throat. I’m not going to expel you with only two weeks left in the year, but I do think that this breach demands you no longer be allowed on campus. I am going to suspend you for the remaining two weeks of the school year. You’ll still graduate the seventh grade normally.

I exhale. That’s totally fair and honestly not that bad in my opinion. Alex and Mrs. Kelley both nod. Julie nods. Mrs. Orson nods.

That’s it? Tiffany whines.

For Rachel, yes. Principal Gorne turns to me. Mrs. Kelley, Ms. Gold, thank you both for coming on short notice. Tiffany, Julie, and Mrs. Orson, please stay. We still have unfinished business.

Tiffany’s mother smacks her across the arm again.

5

Mrs. Kelley’s not happy, and it makes me feel all squirmy. We walk out of the Tustin Middle School office and into the parking lot in silence. I thought we’d talk. I glance at Alex and I can see she feels the tension too. I feel like I have to say something—I’m just not sure what.

I’m really sorry you got pulled out of your Pilates studio for this, Mrs. Kelley, I apologize. I let you down.

Mrs. Kelley stops when we get to her car and she turns to me. How do you feel you let me down, Rachel? By spitting on that girl? You were right—you let your love for Emma turn into rage, and you overreacted. But you owned up to it properly, and as much as I wish you hadn’t done it, I don’t feel you let me down. But can you think of any other reason I might be upset?

I feel terrible, but I really, truly can’t.

Um…

Am I just your minder? Do you want me as your foster mother? I felt like a peripheral in that entire meeting, not your authority figure. Do you see Alex more as your foster mother? I know that neither of us is related to you by blood—human blood—but you’re closer to Alex. So what am I to you?

Her words take me by surprise.

Alex swallows and looks away. I can tell she’s totally embarrassed.

"You’re my foster mom! My words come out a lot whinier than I meant for them to. I love you and Mr. Kelley. I love Emma like a sister. I love Jill like a big sister. I’d do anything for you guys. I’m sorry if you didn’t feel involved enough. If there’s anything I did—"

You’ve been living with us as a foster child for nearly the entire school year. I know that’s not a long time, but I would expect that something as important as public or homeschooling would not be something that you would keep to yourself or discuss with Alex and not me. That’s not the kind of decision that should be made on a whim.

Alex starts squirming a lot more violently.

I’m not upset with you, Mrs. Kelley says to Alex. I know you were just trying to make the best of the situation. This originated from Rachel.

I’m still sorry, Aunt Linda, Alex says.

Thank you. And by the way, Rachel, it’s not lost on me that Alex can call me Aunt Linda simply out of affection—I’m not even her guardian. You still call me Mrs. Kelley.

Oh, wow. I totally didn’t see that coming.

My head is a jumble. I want to figure this out, to talk it through. I hate that Mrs. Kelley doesn’t think I love her. I’m grateful for every day with the Kelleys. But I don’t think I can sort it all out right now in the Tustin Middle School parking lot.

I…

I turn to Alex. She’s raising her eyebrows at me. She’s waiting for this answer too.

It’s just…my own mom…

I lower my eyes when I feel them getting hot. I know she’s been gone seven years now, but she still feels so…and Rabbi Hirsch…

Sweetie, I would never try to take the place that your late mother has in your heart. And Steve would never want to replace Rabbi Hirsch, Mrs. Kelley says, this time way more softly and sympathetically. I just need to feel like you don’t just want me around when adult supervision is required by law.

I understand, I say. And I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel that way. I don’t take you for granted or anything, I promise. I mean, I don’t think I do, do I? I’m just…I’m trying to figure it all out. But please know that I love you guys, and I want to be part of your life and your world, just like I want you to be part of my crazy, half-human, half-Sedu life and world.

I’m glad to hear that, Mrs. Kelley says, a very slim, kinda sad smile on her face. But I need you to act like that’s your choice, okay?

I nod. I hate to see Mrs. Kelley sad. I feel horribly guilty that it’s my fault. Way guiltier than I feel about what I did to Tiffany.

I’m going to get Emma. She tips her head sideways, and when I look in the direction of her motion, I see Emma sitting outside the library doing her homework on her tablet. You wait here; I’d like to talk to her for a moment.

Sure, I say, and she heads off to the library.

She’s right, you know, Alex raises her eyebrows. It’s not an insult to your birth mom or to Rabbi Norm to treat the Kelleys as your parents, any more than it was an insult to your Sedu father to treat Rabbi Norm as your dad when he was your foster father.

Yeah, but I didn’t know about my dad or that I was a Seduman when I treated Rabbi Norm as my father, I argue.

Why was I arguing? I knew what Alex meant. Why did I have to be this way?

That’s true, Alex smiles with that understanding smile that says I-love-you-even-though-you’re-being-a-pain-in-my-butt. But it’s also true that you know what I mean.

I do, I say. I wish I had just said that to begin with.

So are you coming to our house for dinner? I ask.

I’m glad you said our house instead of the Kelleys’ house. Because it is your house too; you’re one of them.

I nod.

But I won’t be tonight. I think I might paint the living room of Firebird Manor with Galdyr tonight. Jake’s coming over too.

Ohhhhh, I snicker. "You think you can fool me by calling it ‘painting?’ I’ll bet you can’t wait for Jake to dip his—"

Rachel! Alex scolds, her lips tight to hide her smile, her cheeks turning red.

I still can’t believe that as much as you two love each other, you haven’t—

Hi, Julie, Alex says.

At first I think she’s just trying to change the subject, but I turn toward campus and see that Julie Seeks has meekly stepped about halfway into the parking lot toward us.

It’s okay; you can come up to us, I add.

Oh my God, you’re really Firebird Alex and Stinger! she says as she joins us by Mrs. Kelley’s car. I totally love you guys. Lady Firebird, I’ve seen all the videos of you in action; I can’t believe you’re from here!

Thank you, Alex says, a bit nervously. She’s not comfortable with her fame, which is why she hides herself behind sunglasses and a cap. She’s getting more used to it all the time, but she’s still pretty shy.

Hey, so what ended up happening? I ask.

Oh… Julie’s smile fades. We’re suspended for two days, then we have to do two Saturday work studies. Tiffany also has to go to an anti-bullying workshop over the summer.

"I’m sure Tiffany’ll love that," I snark but immediately look down, realizing I shouldn’t have.

Yeah…hey, I feel bad about being part of that, Julie looks at me with sad eyes, begging for forgiveness. I…I think it’s cool that Emma wanted to know about Rebecca’s House and how it helps people. It takes a really caring person to do that. I’m sorry.

I’m glad you feel that way, but I’m not the one you need to apologize to.

Julie lowers her head and nods.

If I can ask you a question Julie? Alex breaks in. Why do you hang out with Tiffany?

I…I don’t have a lot of friends… Julie shrugs.

Do you think Tiffany is a real friend? Does she do things for you? Is she there when you need her? I ask.

She mostly just lets me hang around her, Julie admits.

You’re worth more than that, Alex tells her. You’re your own person. I just met you, but I can already tell you’re an honest girl. That’s a good start. You don’t have to just hang around to boost Tiffany’s ego.

You should hang out with Emma and me sometime, I say. If you apologize to her, she’ll accept it, trust me. And she won’t hold it against you if you mean it. Then we can all get ice cream or something.

Alex turns to me with that half-smile that says she’s proud of me. Few things in this world make me happier.

Seriously?

Yeah, seriously, I assure her. Emma’s like that.

Julie smiles, and we say our goodbyes.

That was really big of you, Rachel. And I hope that you can end up all getting along.

It would at least make Emma’s middle school life easier, I say.

A worthy goal in itself, Alex says. I should get going too. But since you won’t be coming back to Tustin Middle School, I guess I’ll see you at the Manor tomorrow morning.

Yup, I nod. Say hi to Galdyr for me.

I will, Alex says as she hugs me and gives me a kiss on the forehead.

Give Jake a kiss for me too.

I will, Alex says as she turns to leave.

Anything else you give Jake will be all you, though, I quip.

Alex sighs melodramatically as she leaves for her car.

That’s when I realize I forgot to ask how she knows Raya. No biggie, I’ll ask her later.

I turn to the library. Emma and her mom are heading toward me. I am about to smile when a car pulls between us. As the passenger window rolls down, I hear Tiffany say to her mom, It’ll only be a second.

She pokes out her head with a smug, shit-eating grin. "Well, good riddance, Stinger! We don’t need your kind around here!"

My kind? What does that mean? Jews?

Tiffany looks confused. Jews? No, not Jews! I didn’t even know you were Jewish! I mean monsters! You’re a monster!

I want to go full Sedu and show her just how much of a monster I really am. But this whole mess started when I let her goad me into getting violent. I take a deep, slow breath.

I’m glad you don’t have a problem with Jews, I say. I’ll be having my Bat Mitzvah over the summer. I might invite Julie—

Oh, are you trying to make me jealous? Or mad?

No. I meant it inside when I said I was sorry. I was going to say you could come with her if you want. Maybe we can start over, and since we both get along with Julie, maybe we can all hang out at my Bat Mitzvah. A Bat Mitzvah is—

It’s a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony, I know; I’ve been to one already, Tiffany rolls her eyes. That doesn’t mean I want to go to yours! We’re not even friends!

We’re not, I say, trying super hard not to sound as happy about that fact as I am. I’m trying to be the bigger girl; I have to keep all my snark tucked inside. But it doesn’t always have to be that way.

I don’t spend time with monsters, she says, dripping with bitchiness. And just sidekick monsters at that!

I feel my cheeks getting hot, so I close my eyes. That girl really knows how to push my buttons. I’m proud of being Lady Firebird’s sidekick, Stinger. I’m not just her servant or something; I’m her shield maiden. We ride out to battle together. We both fight. I know that she needs me, so I choose to be Alex’s sidekick; I’m not just a sidekick.

Right?

Besides, if your mom doesn’t ground you the whole summer you’ll be spending all your time with that eighth grader from Park Vista—Josh Harman, right?

Just hearing her say Josh’s name, I can feel my Sedu-self itching to come out, to spit another stinger at her, to tear her to pieces with my Sedu strength…but I take another deep breath and keep my mouth shut.

That is, unless Sarah Randall’s too busy going down on him—

What?

Hey! Tiffany turns after her mother smacks her shoulder and drives away. I think I hear her mom shouting something about being grounded, but they’re moving away from me and I’m only half paying attention.

Tiffany has to be lying. Josh wouldn’t act like he wants to get close to me if he was doing that with another girl. I mean, he’s cute and on the soccer team, and they probably have some sports groupies and all. But he’s not that kind of guy. She was just trying to hit me where it hurts, to punish me for what I did to her.

Wasn’t she?

I turn to watch Tiffany’s mom’s car drive off, trying to shake off what Tiffany said about Josh. When the car turns out of the driveway and I can see across the street, I see the weirdest-looking guy standing across from the school. It’s a really hot, sunny June day but this guy is wearing a black floor-length trench coat, a full ski mask covering his entire head, and what looks like huge night-vision or steampunk goggles or something that cover his eyes and stick out a few inches from his face. I twist my head toward Emma and Mrs. Kelley to see if they’re looking at this guy too, but they’re looking at me. I get their attention and point, but when we all turn toward the direction I pointed, the goggles guy is gone.

6

Thanks for sticking up for me, Emma turns around and whispers from the front seat of her mom’s car. I answer with a tight smile.

Mom told me how it went, Emma says in a louder voice as her mom starts the car. I really…I’m sorry, Rachel.

I shrug. Why should Emma be sorry? She didn’t do anything. She didn’t ask Tiffany to start giving her shit. She didn’t ask Tiffany to push her. And she certainly didn’t ask me—furious that Tiffany was messing with the closest thing I have to a human sister—to reach into my Sedu self, tap into my superhuman strength, grab Tiffany hard enough to pull her off her feet even though she’s about five inches taller than I am, and spit a stinger laced with my Sedu acid into her cheek.

I guess it’s a good thing I don’t have spirit fire like Alex does. That would have been even worse. Not that spirit acid wasn’t bad enough.

In the spirit universe, those spirits that chose to form themselves into Sedu all took different demon-like forms. Some look like classic bull-headed demons. Others formed into crocodile-headed demons, bug demons, coyote demons, all kinds of shapes…usually, but not always, on human-style bodies. Well, my dad, Vetis, was born into the House of Es, a house of insect demons. So that’s me. Alex gets to be all badass and have flaming eyes and hair and breathe fire and be a firebird because her dad was a classic bull-and-human-headed, fire-and-brimstone demon; I’m a bug.

But that’s not to say I can’t kick some major ass. I have amazing hand/eye coordination and hardly ever miss when I throw or shoot anything. I can jump twenty or more feet, like a human grasshopper. And I can call up stingers at will—they’re made from my spirit, just like Alex’s fire, so it’s not like I have a stinger organ or need to worry about running out or anything—and they’re filled with acid. It’s really potent stuff, if I do say so myself; a tiny bit will hurt like hell and blacken skin. Maybe kill someone if I shoot them in the eye or something. I’m not sure; I had never spit a stinger at a human until Tiffany.

As soon as the stinger flew out of my mouth, I knew I shouldn’t have spit at her. I went from blind, hateful angry to feeling guilty instantly. All of that—who I am, how I lost control, how I handled it—was my bad. Emma has nothing to apologize for. She’s my best human friend, I love her, and I’ll always have her back.

The car ride home is totally silent. Not even the stereo is on, which is weird. I want to break the silence, but I have no idea what to say. I just sit in the backseat, feeling tense, until we finally pull into the driveway of their beautiful two-story home in Irvine. When we open the door, their Cairn terrier, Bonnie, barks and run circles around all of us. It’s cute, but nobody’s really in the mood to play with her.

It’ll probably be an hour before dinner, Mrs. Kelley says.

I’m gonna start my homework, Mom, Emma says.

I…I guess I’ll read, I add.

I’ll shout when dinner’s ready. Mrs. Kelley heads to the kitchen.

I trudge behind Emma to our shared room and close the door.

Hey…what’s up, sis? I ask. Are you mad at me?

Emma throws her backpack onto the floor and sits facing me on her bed, her fingers playing with her straight black hair. No. I mean—no. I’m not mad.

Then what?

It’s just… Emma trails off, focusing on her comforter.

Hey…just what? I prod.

I’m totally grateful that you stood up to Tiffany for me—

And I always will, I insist. I won’t let anyone bully you, Emma. And you know I can stop them.

Yeah, see, that’s just it, Emma looks up at me almost apologetically. Ever since I found out about the whole Seduman thing, your other House in the spirit world, and all that…it’s a bit freaky, you know?

I sigh, plop down on my bed, and hang my head. How could today get any worse? I completely lose it and nearly give an acid facial to a classmate, I’m thrown out of school for the rest of the year, my foster mother tells me that I’m not behaving like a daughter, and now my bestie tells me that I scare her.

I’m always on your side, Emma, I swing my legs against my bed nervously. You’re my best friend, and I really think of you as my sister. I know I lost control, but nothing in the world could ever make me lose control like that on you or anyone in this family. Even if I were mad at you, I’d never want to hurt you. Please don’t be afraid of me.

Emma looks up with a sad smile. I’m not afraid—I trust you; I know you wouldn’t hurt me.

I never, ever would. Never ever.

Emma’s smile gets less sad.

It’s more that I’m worried we’re drifting apart. You always want to hang out with Alex and your dad and be Stinger and stuff. And I get it—family is super important, and that’s your real family. And you’re, like, this huge big deal, you’re a superhero, you’ve got a whole army behind you. But I’m just this girl…how much do we have in common anymore? And now that you’re not even going to be in my school, you’ll be over at Firebird Manor even more, and we’ll hang out even less.

It hurts to hear her say that—because it’s all true. But that’s why I love Emma so much. She’ll tell me what’s true, even if it’s hard for her to say and hard for me to hear.

I totally understand, I nod. And you’re right. I love that world. Being a part of it is a huge part of who I am. But so are you, and so is being part of the Kelley family here on Earth. That’s why after Rabbi Hirsch died, I hoped that your parents would foster me. I love you and your parents and Jill and being part of your lives. And no matter how much my life has changed and will keep changing, I always will.

Emma smiles again, but this time her smile isn’t sad. I’ll always love you too. That’s why it makes me sad when I feel we’re not part of each other’s lives.

Yeah, your mom got mad at me at school for not…not acting like I want her to be my mom. But I really do. It’s just…there are a bunch of adults in my life now that mean a lot to me—my Sedu dad and Uncle Garz, Alex, your parents, Jill, Detective Godinez.… It’s been so long since I had a living mother, I’m not sure how to act. Or what to call her, even.

Emma leans forwards and nods. I totally get it. And I think she does too. It’s like…when I need help or permission or whatever, I think of my mom and dad first. Do you think of them first?

No, I admitted. I think of Alex or my dad. And I know that’s wacked, because Alex is my aunt and only a few years older than me, and my dad isn’t even human and doesn’t live on Earth.

Maybe think about that? Emma shrugs. It’s not just about if you call her Mom or not.

Yeah, I nod. I’ll work on it. Not just calling her Mom, but making her my main parent. What about Mr.—I mean Steve—Dad—argh! I drop my head into my hands, exaggerating how flustered I am.

I’m sure Dad will be cool with whatever you want to call him, Emma laughs. He’s met Vetis and knows he’s in your life.

And I want you in my life too, I tell Emma, getting serious again. Remember what I said about the gemstone of Azziz? I reach into my pocket and pull out the small red gemstone on an elastic wristband. You can survive in my universe with this. I keep one on me so that if you ever want to come with me to Sediin, I can take you. You can come to my House and see the spirit universe I’m part of. You can meet Garz: Alex’s brother and my uncle. You can hang out with our Mazzikim—sort of the warrior spirits that look like crazy animal mashups—and the Ruhin—the smaller, helper spirits that look like smaller, sillier animal mashups. It would be the weirdest and coolest thing ever! And you know since you’d be with me you’d be an honored guest and totally safe.

Yeah, I know… Emma says, hesitantly. I mean, it’s really sweet how much you want me to go. And thanks, seriously. It’s just that—

My new-message sound goes off in my jeans.

Do you need to check that?

I reach into my pocket and pull my phone out enough to see who messaged me. I shove my phone back into my pocket. It’s cool, keep going. We’re having girl time.

Emma smiles. Okay, well, all the Sedu and Sediin stuff sounds amazing, but it still scares me. Jill told me how those laser-eyed zombie things you called Possessed were out to kill her, and you and Alex had to save her, and I saw you and your spirit army fighting them.… I am so proud of you, Rachel, and everything you do, but it all scares the shit out of me, you know?

Yeah, I get it, I say.

I feel terrible for letting you down, Rachel. I never want to let you down.

You’re not letting me down; don’t worry, I say. Don’t feel bad.

I still kinda do, though.

Oh, I get it. But seriously, Emma, I don’t want you to go just ’cause you don’t want to upset me. I’d feel like a total bitch. I’d rather you go when you decide you’re really up for it.

Thanks, Rachel. That means a lot. And I will one day, I promise. Baby steps.

Well, can I show you something I’ve been working on? I ask. I’ve wanted to share this for a while, but I wasn’t quite sure how to bring it up…

Sure! Whatcha got?

7

I scoot off the bed and step over to my little table. I open the drawer and pull out my sketchbook.

Okay, so when I was fighting the Possessed, I really wanted to shoot out both of their eyes, but that’s a weakness of the crossbow: just one bolt. That and I wanted more power than my little plastic handheld crossbow from South Coast Plaza had. So I came up with this one that’s a little bit fantasy game, but that’s okay; Garz can create materials out of his spirit so they’d be stronger than Earth metals.

I sit down next to Emma on her bed and hand her the book. She takes it and looks at the first picture, then flips the page to see the next one. I point out various features of my drawings as I talk.

You see, it’s a double crossbow, with one bolt actually inside the crossbow mechanism, almost like a pistol that shoots arrows instead of bullets. And it’s not too much bigger than my handheld crossbow, so I could put it across my back. What do you think?

It’s really cool… she says with no enthusiasm and without even looking up.

Did I do something wrong? I ask. I tried to bring her into my world; the last thing I wanted to do was push her farther away. I’m sorry, I just thought—I want you to be part of what I’m doing.

"No, it really is cool. And I’m glad you showed me."

You’re seeing it before Alex or anyone, by the way, I smile.

That’s awesome. It’s just that…we used to spend our time laughing and going on about books and art and movies and TV and games and boys. But we were just silly girls, you know? Now you’re off defending the world; you need a tricked-out weapon because you fight things. You’re a thirteen-year-old spirit-demon girl who slays monsters. I worry about you getting hurt—or worse—every time you’re off being Stinger. But then when you’re back, I’m not sure what we have in common anymore. Is that…did I just bum you out even more?

Well, sorta, I admit. I don’t want to make Emma feel bad for being honest, but I also don’t want to lie. But even when I’ve been happy…real life wasn’t so happy, you know? When I was barely old enough to understand, Mom and I had to leave Chicago because my dad told my mom that we were in danger. Mom was always sick, and then she died when I was six…then Rabbi Norm, my adoptive father, was murdered when I was twelve.…

I know, Emma says, really serious. She’s got that sympathetic, about-to-cry look she gets when she really feels something deeply. I can’t imagine. It would kill me. I’d crawl into a hole and die. You’ve always been super strong, even before you were Stinger.

Thanks, Emma. I wasn’t trying to make you feel sorry for me. I’m just saying, things have always been different for me. I had an awesome mom, and Rabbi Norm was an awesome stepdad, but I always felt different because my life was so different from everyone else’s. So as freaky and weird as all this is, it kinda makes sense to me, since I’ve always felt weird.

Does that…do you want to feel normal?

I don’t even know what that would feel like. Other girls go with their birth parents to try on halter tops at the mall; I’m a twice-orphaned Seduman trying on armor. Other girls are learning to dance, and I’m learning to kill….

Are you okay? Emma asks.

I…what? I stall. I can feel myself getting clammy and sweaty. I try to swallow it back and just focus on Emma. Just think about Emma. Emma is awesome. Just Emma.

My pulse starts racing; I can feel it.

Oh God, not this again.

You went all pale. Like Alex, almost goth-level pale.

I try to smile, but my lips start trembling.

What is it?

It’s…it’s not easy, I swallow, since my mouth is so dry. I can’t forget. I try to…

What do you mean? Do you want to talk about it?

Sometimes…I see their faces. The faces of the Possessed—before they were turned into walking laser zombies, they were people. I know they were already dead, but I killed them again, and I see their faces.…

I close my eyes. The face of a middle-aged woman turned into a Possessed, eyes glowing white and about to blast my head off, rushes in front of me. I see myself take the sharp javelin that I’m holding, and I shove it into her left eye. I feel it go into her head, cut through the squishy inside, and then force its way out the back of her skull. Her head flashes white as the Kaayot spirit leaves her body, and then my javelin is just skewered on the head of a dead middle-aged woman. I drop the javelin and the woman falls to the ground, and I immediately grab another javelin, ready to do it again.

My heart starts racing so fast I grab my chest with my hand. I start shivering uncontrollably. I just need to focus on Emma—just stop thinking about it—but the more I tell myself not to think about it, the more I think about it.

Emma throws her arms around me. She’s awesome like that. I lean my head against her neck when I feel my eyes get hot.

I’ve only ever told Alex and my dad…but sometimes, when I think about it too much, I can’t stop shaking.

Emma kisses my head and holds me, gently rocking me back and forth. Shake all you want, sis. I’m right here. And she starts singing Here’s Comes The Sun by the Beatles. It’s one of Mrs. Kelley’s favorite songs; she sings it to Jill and Emma when they’re sad. I try to clear my mind and just focus on Emma’s singing. Emma has an amazing voice. I focus on the words and her voice and the song and being rocked back and forth. She runs out of words and just starts singing the melody until I stop shaking and sobbing. Eventually, my heart stops racing.

Emma is just so awesome. It’s not fair that she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Or maybe a girlfriend, like her sister—we’ve talked, and so far she’s only liked boys, but she’s completely open. One day, I hope soon, a boy or girl is going to realize that she gives the best hugs in the world and is pure love and totally cute, and that person will