Quick as a Bunny

Quick as a Bunny

Gregg Schwartzkopf

Published by Gregg Schwartzkopf at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Gregg Schwartzkopf

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this e-book with others, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to your favorite e-book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction with all persons, places and situations represented originating in the mind of the author or fictional representations of real locations. Any resemblance to real persons, places or events is strictly coincidental.

Acknowledgements

As I continue on this writer’s journey, I’d like to thank the people who help make it possible. Megs, Sarah K., Mimi R., Chris F and Rachel C all reviewed early versions of this manuscript and offered valuable critiques of the characters and plot. No author should proceed without trusted beta readers, and I trust all of them. Rachel even saved a character from death.

Thanks are also due to the Backspace Writers Forum for providing a safe place for aspiring authors, like me, to get feedback and encouragement.

Kathie Middlemiss, of Kat’s Eye Editing, has become a reliable partner in catching errors, not only in grammar, but also in tone and continuity. I’m very appreciative of her services.

The cover is again the work of JH Illustration’s Jeanine Henning, who miraculously takes the picture in my head and converts it to digital reality.

Last, but far from least, thanks go to my wife, daughters and in-laws for accepting my desire to write fiction and encouraging me to take steps toward getting it published

CHAPTER ONE

It’s unfortunate how an attempted assassination can reorder your existence. An operative of our enemy managed to penetrate our inner sanctum with an exploding amulet. Thus, the Elder Council forced relocation on us to a more secure outpost. As leader of the Darkmoon Wardens, Overwatch Spire was now my new headquarters to command, except for the uppermost level, which was completely off limits. That chamber housed the Eye of the Sun, an ancient artifact used for remote viewing. Until I succeeded in badgering the Council into giving me access, my trusty crystal ball had to suffice. It was no ancient artifact, but it got the job done.

I am the Interloper, and I had an unsuspecting protégé in the Realm of Mortals who required a lot of watching, so the crystal was in near-constant use.

Caswel Esmar, former Knight of Whiteleaf, flowed down the school corridor as if he was stalking prey. Even though he was now a petite human female called Cassandra Forest, he still walked like a warrior. This was frustrating to his new cohort, Joan Richards. Joan was not aware of Caswel’s true origins, which complicated this friendship. Joan wasn’t used to having any friends, so keeping up with Cassandra socially was hard enough. Joan had even less hope of matching Cassandra’s physical speed with a cast on one foot and crutches.

Cass stopped suddenly, forcing Joan to adjust her course and speed. What’s the matter Cass?

Do you know what sucks about menstruation?

Joan was starting to adapt to out of nowhere observations from Cass. I’m going to guess… everything, she responded. It’s messy, disruptive and uncomfortable, all made more annoying by the fact that I never intend to reproduce.

Cass shook his head. I hate the water weight gain.

That figures. The tiny girl worries about getting fat.

Don’t be silly, Joan. I never look fat… puffy maybe, but not fat. Besides, it’s when I stop bloating that I have a problem.

Joan cocked her head. Do they sell a Cassandra to English dictionary? I think I need one.

Cass pointed at the girls’ bathroom. I have to pee again. It’s the third time this morning.

Joan resumed walking while tossing off a sarcastic I forgot just how infuriating peeing can be. I’ll see you in homeroom.

A little over a month before, Cass had been Alfaran. The noblest members of the Fae have remarkably efficient metabolisms so they rarely perspire and they eliminate waste only once per day. Thus, frequent urination was vexing to Cass, as it was one more indignity forced on him by his exile to the Mortal Realm.

I continued to focus on Joan’s slow progress, not wishing to observe Cass while he used the facilities. Then I spotted Amanda Lipton advancing on the girls’ bathroom with two of her followers. The new girls, one African-American and one Asian-American, stationed themselves on either side of the door, ensuring that Amanda would not be disturbed while doing whatever she intended to do. I presumed the school’s reigning alpha female knew Cass was in the lavatory.

This was a conundrum. I needed to overhear any conversation between Amanda and Cass, but my prior attempts to view Amanda remotely usually set off alarm bells in the senior girl’s head. Amanda was an unacknowledged latent empath capable of sensing my telepathic spying. My option, however, was to invade Cass’ privacy. It seemed that the longer I functioned as head of the Darkmoon Wardens, the more I felt like a creepy stalker. I counted to fifty and refocused on Cass.

He was just adjusting his skirt and flushing when I established contact without him being aware. He opened the stall and saw Amanda waiting for him.

Hello there, Pixie, we need to have a word.

Cass took a careful step forward. May I wash my hands first, or are you going to dunk me in a toilet?

Amanda rolled her eyes. What am I, a boy? As if I’d risk breaking a nail giving you a swirly. I just wanted to thank you for taming Peter. He’s been an absolute lamb since returning from his suspension.

I’m confused. I though you and Peter hung out together.

Peter and I are both influential, well-connected seniors. That doesn’t mean we like each other. He needed to have a potential victim stand up to him. You showed him what a strong woman can do.

Cass found it odd that he represented the feminine gender so effectively, having only had the body for a month. So you aren’t angry with me?

On the contrary, I’m curious about you. I think you have the potential to be a power player at Our Lady of Abundant Mercy, unless your victory over Peter was just a lucky stab by a crazy person. Are you a crazy person, Pixie?

I’m just Canadian, and please don’t call me Pixie. It’s demeaning.

It was particularly demeaning to an Alfaran who knew what nasty little creatures Pix Fae were, but Cass wasn’t about to explain that to Amanda.

Let me simplify this for you, Forest. I’m inviting you to join the grown-up table on a trial basis. We don’t usually induct sophomores, but I’m letting you try out. I’ll sponsor you for the cheering squad and put you on the blood drive committee. For the next few weeks you can eat with my crew at lunch while we assess whether you’re a kick-ass woman, or just a butt monkey.

I normally eat lunch with Joan and Rodger. I don’t suppose they could…

You must be kidding. This offer is contingent on you shedding your past dweeb associations. Gloomy and Beaker are not part of the package.

Cass blinked. Rodger’s nickname is Beaker?

He’s like the Muppet.

Cass wasn’t sure what Amanda’s reference meant. He knew chemistry lab used beakers and Rodger excelled at science. Muppets, he thought, must be some other kind of lab equipment.

I can’t just abandon them, said Cass. They’ve been good to me ever since I started here.

"They’ve been good to you, but are they good for you? They’re holding you back."

I sensed a certain desperation coming from Amanda that her haughty stance did not reflect. Cass was beginning to notice also. Look, Amanda, I appreciate your offer, but I’ll have to think it over. I exposed Peter’s mischief to keep him from stomping on freshman and sophomore girls while hiding behind his power and popularity. I wasn’t looking to replace him. I wanted to neutralize him. Having more of a voice and position around here sounds nice, but not if it means hurting people I like.

The late bell rang and Cass uttered an expletive while bolting from the restroom. Amanda sauntered out to rejoin her associates. The Asian-American girl asked, Did she go for it?

Not yet, but we can’t give up. Cassandra Forest is building a following, whether she knows it or not. We have to make her believe we’re guiding her rise in popularity before she figures out she has power.

The other girl waved a hand dismissively. She’s a flash-in-the-pan. The younger students will forget her by the time our next pep rally comes around.

I realized that Amanda, given her ability, knew better. She felt something in Cass that her usual posse lacked; a sense of fairness. If Cassandra Forest ever achieved fame and influence, she’d use it to lift up the geeks, losers and doormats. That would be disastrous for the current popular crowd.

##

Joan, Rodger and Cass were not together again until lunch period. I observed Cass spending the morning contemplating the implications of Amanda’s offer. When he first arrived in the Realm of Mortals, Cass quickly adopted the role of outcast; both to protect his identity and to maximize his apparent misery in the hope the Elders would reduce his punishment. Then he discovered that he enjoyed the company of certain other outcasts at Our Lady of Abundant Mercy. When Peter proved a thorn in the side of several downtrodden female students, Cass stepped in revealing the senior’s plotting. Doing the right thing felt wonderful, but he knew it would be easier from a position of influence. He considered the possibility that Amanda’s way had merit. What Cass failed to anticipate was the reaction Joan would have regarding any attempt at celebrity.

The dour girl was, as usual, the first one seated at the isolated corner table. She rounded on Cass as he and Rodger approached. I have a bone to pick with you.

But I haven’t even said anything yet.

Look at my cast.

They glanced down at the white plaster boot and Rodger was the first to catch on. You’ve added half a dozen signatures.

Why, yes I have. Six freshmen girls accosted me on my way to history. They spotted your signatures on my cast, so they just had to add their names to the list. Apparently, I’m an advertising billboard for you two… and I don’t like it.

Why would they care if we signed your cast? asked Rodger.

You brought Peter’s reign of terror over the younger girls here at OLAM to an end. The two of you are turning into folk heroes, and I’m becoming the plucky sidekick. I will not be plucky. I want no part of it.

Cass smiled. Come on, you thought they were cute. That’s why you let them sign.

I hate cute. They had me outnumbered and in shock. Besides, I’m on crutches, so I couldn’t run.

Rodger was skeptical of his own fame. I’m sure this is temporary, Joan. If Peter behaves himself, he’ll get back into everyone’s good graces. Cass and I will become a footnote in OLAM history.

Is that what we want to happen? said Cass. This is our opportunity to infiltrate the popular group. Maybe we can focus them on something other than fashion, dating and disdain for others. It’s great that we already have a following. It demonstrates that we’re cool.

Joan was puzzled, but she was getting used to that condition. "I thought