Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston

Author:B. B. Alston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: 2020-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

20

“CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP SIXTEEN TRAINEES!” says Director Van Helsing, raising a glass of strawberry punch. “And a special congratulations to my son, Dylan, who finished at the top of the rankings. I want all of you to eat, drink, and be merry before our first weekend break. You’ve earned it. On Monday, return to us focused, refreshed, and ready to get back to work! Cheers to you all!”

The trainees gathered in the large conference room let out a cheer. The conference table is completely covered in desserts—tall frosted cakes, huge plates of cookies, steaming pies. Kids gather around, munching and laughing. They’re gathered around Dylan, too, giving him high fives and pats on the back. Even the Junior Agents who put this whole thing together for us tell him good job. Lara makes sure to stand right next to him, soaking in the attention as though she was his partner and not me.

I’m left standing alone by the door, arms crossed, staring down at my feet. None of those same kids come over to congratulate to me. But then I guess Dylan wasn’t the one who showed them up in front of Agent Fiona. Even though that’s not what I was trying to do at all.

It bothers me a little that Dylan is hogging the praise. Because if they knew the truth, that he’s a magician like me, things would be totally different. I almost want to blurt it out to everyone, but I know it’s just me feeling jealous. Plus, I’m so grateful that he bailed me out of the situation with Lara. And that he’s trying to help me with being a magician.

Still, I wish that I could pretend to be something I’m not too. Things would be so much better if nobody knew I was a magician.

Who am I kidding? It’s not like people like me anyway. The Bureau isn’t any different from Jefferson Academy. I’m the outcast here too.

“Is there some terrible threat we don’t know about?” Agent Fiona’s voice comes out of nowhere.

I lift my head to find the Red Lady in front of me. “Huh?”

She smiles. “You’ve been guarding the door all afternoon. Thought maybe ye know something the rest of us don’t.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling embarrassed. “I’m just waiting for this to be over so I can go back to my room.”

Agent Fiona glances over at Dylan, who’s posing for a picture with a pretty Junior Agent girl. “There’s not a name more famous in the supernatural world than Van Helsing.” She sighs. “Ye get used to them getting all the credit. Especially in this department. But dontcha go worrying yourself, those of us who count know who was this morning’s star.”

I give a little smile, and Agent Fiona rubs my shoulder.

“Uh, Amari?” Dylan has come over. He looks awfully fidgety.

“I’ll leave ye two to celebrate,” says Agent Fiona, moving back toward the party. “But Peters, do make sure he remembers who got you two that first place.”

I nod and then frown as I give Dylan my attention.

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