Whack! I punched one of my oldest friends in the face dead center. Jackson’s head snapped back. Red splattered. Springing back, I crouched into an attack pose.

“Glad to see you, Kennedy,” Jackson said. “How’s tricks?”

Flashing out my combat boot, I tried to sweep out Jackson’s feet from beneath her. Somersaulting backwards, Jackson evaded my attack. My old friend and fighting instructor flung her trowel at my head. I ducked.l

“Let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we? You and I both know we’re not here for small talk,” I said, throwing her bistro chair at her torso.

Body slammed by the chair, Jackson toppled back. I threw myself on her.

“You traitor! You conspired with that idiot Fracas to steal the MacGuffin from Agent Plath. How could you betray the Order!” I screamed and pummeled her face.

“The Order betrayed us when the Headmistress lowered our standards to let in men. I’ll never allow that meathead to keep the talisman, but it was the only way to shake confidence in the Headmistress and her ridiculous ideas. Once we’ve returned to our traditions that AI moron would be toast. Join us.”

Arm cocked back, I hauled Jackson up by her collar. Something was wrong. Jackson wasn’t fighting hard enough. A second too late, I pushed away. Jackson’s magic jolted my chest. My lungs were on fire.

“But I know you are too stupid loyal to break the Order to save it. Like Plath, you’re sheep willing to follow Wheatley to mediocrity,” Jackson said.

I tried to strangle her but my arms were wet noodles. Then I saw Dickens, my page, behind Jackson’s head. With the last of my strength I tried to signal with my eyes for Dickens to run. Standing there, Dickens looked so much like his grandmother, agent Plath.

Darkness leaked onto the edges of my vision. Suddenly there was a blinding white flash. I was thrown aside. When I opened my eyes I saw I was still in Jackson’s garden. I drew in a handful of pain-filled breaths. My ribs blazed. Then I saw Jackson. She was floating ten feet off the ground. Hands raised up, Dickens stood below.

“Tell me what you did to my nana.”