Luna For Hire

Chapter 9 Like it or not, it is in your genes

　　"Make sure to breathe...and concentrate. Free your mind," Iris said as she squatted on the linoleum floor, in front of Ava. Ava watched her teacher quietly.

　　"Now listen to my words," Iris said. She said two phrases out loud- spells- as she flicked her wrist and waved her right arm above her head. A circlet of white light appeared in her palm.

　　Ava steadily watched the light grow in intensity until she had to turn away, the light almost blinding.

　　Iris closed her palm and the light disappeared. Her dark eyes turned to Ava expectantly.

　　"Bravo," Ava said to the middle-aged woman. "But I'm not sure I can pull that off."

　　"You can."

　　Ava gave an annoyed sigh.

　　She was at her magic instructor's place- a wide training room below Iris' apartment where she taught martial arts and combat to students. The agreement between Ava and her was for Ava to come on Sundays when she had no students to train.

　　Iris usually taught Ava how to use her elemental powers as a witch. Iris was a powerful witch who belonged to one of the biggest witch/warlock orders in the country…And Iris was one of the few people who knew Ava had witch powers; who also knew Ava was a hybrid.

　　She had sensed Ava's powers when she first met her at a Council function. Since then, they had become friends somewhat, Iris keeping Ava's secret and helping to train her as she was a very skilled witch.

　　"That is the problem," Iris said quietly. "Self-doubt. After so long, you still fight to convince yourself of your capabilities."

　　Ava watched her quietly. And then she flicked her wrist and whispered some words under her breath and then drew an arc above her head as she sat, her legs folded under her on the floor.

　　Iris watched her. Nothing happened. No white ball of light.

　　"See?" Ava said. She gave a sigh. "I only know how to do that fire trick and earth trick you taught me, after a whole month of training since we met. Thankfully, I did not injure myself with any of those. I want to quit already."

　　Ava stood up.

　　"That night when I met you at the annual meeting of the representatives of the Council, I could sense magic strong inside you. You are a powerful witch, Ava. But you're broken-"

　　"-I am not broken-" Ava snapped.

　　"-No one said you couldn't be fixed," Iris replied. "You are a hybrid- a beautiful blend of a witch and a werewolf and still you act like you're nothing."

　　"I'm not a werewolf," Ava snapped.

　　"Like it or not, it is in your genes," Iris said.

　　"I knew I shouldn't have told you any of that," Ava said.

　　"You cannot hide these things forever," Iris said. "Someone will find out one of these days. That is why you have to belong to an order or a pack- somewhere. You can join one of the strongest witch orders in the country and get the best training as a witch, Ava. You unnecessarily limit yourself-"

　　"-Screw your Orders," Ava said. "Screw your packs! I want none of it. I just want to be alone."

　　Iris was quiet in the sparsely furnished hall as Ava's voice mildly echoed in it, and it was then that Ava realized she had yelled.

　　"I'm sorry," she said then. "I shouldn't have- none of this is your fault- none of what happened before is your fault-"

　　"No," Iris said, getting up. "Neither is it your fault. Learn to forgive yourself."

　　"I just cannot go back to that life," Ava said. "I left it in the past. Even worse: I am a failure. I can only perform a few spells and my wolf....My wolf is gone. I cannot reach her. I never will. Why am I a hybrid?"

　　"Because you can handle it," Iris said, her voice firm. " You just let your self-doubt make it difficult for you to see beyond your failures and weaknesses. Stop doing that." Iris stretched her arms. "Now let's train. Ava, you will train until you're not afraid to be who you are."

　　Ava wanted to say something when Iris' voice stopped her. "No," she said. "Not magic. Let's do something else. Get your katana."

　　A small grin came on Ava's face and she turned towards the arranged swords in their sheaths by a wall.

　　That was something she at least did not suck at doing.

　　Two hours later, Ava had finished with training for the day. She still couldn't cast the bright light spell, but at least, she was in a better mood than she was before, after two hours of exerting herself.

　　She left the apartment building that Iris stayed in and headed for her car. While she fumbled inside her tote bag for her keys, someone came up to her.

　　"Fancy meeting you here, teacher's pet," a voice said.

　　Ava turned to see who and scowled immediately. It was none other than a fellow bounty hunter- a cocky agent named Lance. He was one of the most skilled agents of the RCA and had worked with them longer than she had, despite being just a little older than her.

　　Apparently, Ava was not the only one who was groomed from a very young age to work for the RCA. It seemed the assumed rivalry between Ava and Lance- the competition between them- was enough reason to dislike each other. That, and Lance's self-entitled air and overall haughtiness.

　　"What do you want Lance?" Ava asked him.

　　"What were you doing at the witch's dojo?" Lance asked.

　　"Maybe I wanted some training," Ava replied.

　　"We train at the agency," Lance pointed out.

　　"Maybe I wanted a less charged atmosphere; with less competition and overall expectations," Ava said. "Maybe I wanted more training. When did you become my babysitter?"

　　"Believe it or not, it is for your own good," Lance said. "I know you must think otherwise, but we humans can't be friends with supernaturals. They're dangerous and the rogues among them must be controlled. Befriending one of them will wake up baseless sentiments. I tell you, if Iris Langley becomes a rogue, we will hunt her down."

　　Ava watched Lance quietly.

　　"See?" Lance said. "That is what I was talking about. You're quiet, aren't you?"

　　"Why are you here?" Ava snapped at him. "You've taken to stalking me?"

　　"We have an assignment this Tuesday," Lance said. "You and I."

　　Ava could not believe it.

　　"No," she said.

　　"I know, it's difficult for you to believe it. You will work next to one of the top bounty hunters of the agency. Don't get starstruck," Lance said.

　　Ava rolled her eyes. "So in love with yourself, are you? Why don't you accompany yourself on this assignment?"

　　"It is a team job," Lance said. "We are going to bring in Beatrix Sherwood this week itself. We will leave the city on Tuesday."

　　"No," Ava said. "No,no, no. I have a job. I would miss work for at least two days-depending on how quickly we can get her."

　　"Well you had better put in your best so we can get her quickly then," Lance said unfeelingly. "Don't want more of that query coming your way, huh?"

　　"I will talk to the director. Hopefully, when I've talked to him, you won't have me burdening you on your assignment," Ava said sneering.

　　Lance watched her open her car door and bang it close. It was these things that had Ava envied at the agency. Not only was she one of the best and most skilled at the RCA, but also, she had links with Nathan Elmsworth, who was a friend of the director. And so Ava usually had concessions where most wouldn't have. She was going to get another concession today. This little nobody from nowhere who had only just joined the RCA a few years ago, was quite popular these days, Lance thought.

　　He watched Ava's car drive away, his lips a thin line.