At her evasive answer, the dialog was sharply cut off. The silence that followed made me feel extremely uncomfortable.

  "Who's this mage you're going to kill? You talk like it's personal. And why does a 'trash' mage live in such an elite place?" I made up questions on the fly to avoid getting stuck.

  "You correctly understand that status often reflects wellbeing. Most common reasons for low status are crappy origin and birth in a country Magical Federation considers trash. However this girl has special circumstances, we're similar there. You really interested? You probably won't even see her."

  "Don't want to ride in silence. Thought this topic would get you talking."

  Jane looked at me like an idiot but nodded.

  "Well, if it helps... Her name's Caroline Turner, we're the same age. Met when we were 15. She'd been living with low status for two years then and wanted to try the dark sphere, which led her to my organization. While I needed the money, she was just there for kicks. She showed talent from day one, so the boss made us partners—equals in power. We didn't click at first: she looked down on me for being poor, while I mocked her obsession with herself. But after a couple jobs where we would've died without helping each other, the ice broke. At our closest, she told me her parents were from the highest church caste, filthy rich and working behind Vatican scenes. But either they failed the top brass or got caught in political games—they were excommunicated and executed. They left Caroline alone but she lost her high status. That's all she cared about—didn't even try to get her parents' bodies for burial. We made a great team, nailed the toughest jobs. Things fell apart when I took an offer from a more elite organization at 17. That's why she decided to try killing me."

  "Kill? From envy?"

  "No, she only envies her mirror reflection. Basic desire to climb career ladder. Caroline learned my departure severely angered boss and volunteered to take me out herself to not give to competitors. Of course he approved idea."

  "And... How did she do?"

  "As you see, not great," Jane smirked. "I wasn't stupid and prepared for this beforehand since boss considered me one of his key assets. I was surprised Caroline specifically proposed this and became executor since we hadn't fought and weren't planning to break ties."

  "So you beat her in past? Why not finish her then?"

  "Not exactly beat her. Caroline tried killing me with one strike putting almost all power into it. Naturally she missed and after my counterattack used remaining mana to escape. I tried killing her but she's same escape master as me so couldn't catch up. Since then we automatically became enemies and never met. As I know, boss harshly scolded her for failure... and she couldn't take such criticism and point blank shot him right in his office. Since then that organization basically belongs to her."

  The fact that Jane almost killed Caroline once reassures me a bit. I have more faith in her strength.

  "Well, what to say... Is there anything in the magical world besides political games with Vatican, global death games and criminal organizations?"

  "Of course, but not when you have trash status. Trust me, I don't like all this myself and would prefer doing normal things. So, when Game in our city became known, I immediately understood Caroline would participate and she'd need to be killed among first. She definitely hasn't gotten weaker, her nickname is Mad Princess, I regularly hear about crazy stuff she does. Like recently she leveled some magical weapons trading company because someone there joked about her height. Luckily she's not even in top 50 most dangerous mages of North America, so no serious person takes on eliminating her."

  "Got it, completely unhinged person. Jane, you sure you can handle it?"

  "Undoubtedly, I have absolute basic advantage. Her signature weapon is... basically most like a machine gun. Point is it's long range, and I easily close distance. In close combat she poses no threat to me, don't worry."

  "Okay."

  Not waiting for oppressive silence, I continue asking random things:

  "Listen: you're a girl, Caroline's a girl, that Christine too. Only Boar was a guy. Is this coincidence or..."

  "No, among mages women really predominate over men. Shortly, it's about first witch's gene, because of which 8 of 10 children in magical families are girls. Nevertheless, this doesn't affect magical potential at all."

  "Interesting. And all male mages are such—"

  "Don't judge by armored one, usually guys look normal. I know he was heavily using magical stimulants, poor quality ones too, and naturally grew into that."

  What kind of mage would I be? I thought.

  I look at the navigator—seven minutes to the destination. Something inside me tugs at me, but I shake it off.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jane also glanced at navigator and turned gaze to me.

  "Take the pill," she ordered.

  "I thought you said I'd just trail behind," I protest.

  "You think I gave them to you just to carry around? Take the pill and don't argue. I'm giving you maximum protection. The effect will hit in three to five minutes, right when we get there."

  "I definitely won't die? Do you know of any normal person who's taken these?"

  "Not personally, but there are people whose magic has... a slightly different nature than usual. And the pills don't affect them negatively. Besides, they're specially designed to be compatible with the human body. No matter how powerful your magical structure, you can still die from simple alcohol poisoning. Just take it—you will definitely die if you meet another mage without protection."

  I take out the ziploc and place a pill in my palm. Oh God, let me survive this wonderful night.

  Without hesitation, I swallow the pill. A faint lemon aftertaste lingers on my tongue.

  "See, you didn't die," Jane said.

  "Not yet. Aren't you going to take one?"

  "No, I only use them in critical situations."

  "How does this thing hit? The closest thing I've tried before is weed."

  "My explanation won't help. Just relax and enjoy the moment—soon there'll be no time for slacking."

  I lean back in my seat and look out the window, curious yet apprehensive about the effect. In the darkness I clearly see trees rushing by, my gaze automatically focusing on them. I mentally count seconds, wanting to determine the exact personal onset time for possible future uses of the pill.

  1, 2, 3, 4... 46, 47, 48... 156, 157, 158... 385... 437... 569... 843... STOP!

  Time seems to stretch weirdly and freeze. Then it hits me—the number in my head isn't counting seconds anymore, it's automatically tracking every tree I see.

  I turn away from the window and blink several times—dizziness hits, a click in my ears. The world changes rapidly: senses sharpen, I can hear Jane's soft breathing and my own heartbeat perfectly, colors become bright and vivid, reluctance turns into unshakable self-confidence and euphoria. My brain begins to plan attack scenarios independently and with pleasure.

  Soon I'm absolutely certain I can do anything. I don't know if there's a god, but I'm sure that's how they must feel—or would feel.

  "Jesus... This is a billion times stronger than weed. I could jump out of the car and run alongside," I say very quickly. "I changed my mind, I'll kick Caroline's ass with you."

  "Cool it," Jane giggled, "you haven't gained any magical protection, and I don't need cannon fodder. Keep in mind you're still extremely vulnerable, though you can dodge and run well. And don't overdo it—the more body resources you use up, the worse the comedown will be."

  "Magic can't handle such a small thing as avoiding comedowns?"

  "Sadly, magic isn't a fairy tale. Actually, it's possible, but only if you're a powerful healer or paladin, which is often hereditary. Our ancestors were dark shamans for many generations and belonged to a secret cult. I inherited the same magic—it can't properly heal or use regeneration."

  "What about improperly?"

  "I really hope I never have to use that again. Especially on you—there's a 99% chance you'd die from shock. We're arriving, is the plan clear?"

  I see we've entered the suburbs and are flying past luxurious houses that look more like palaces.

  "Stay nearby but don't get in the way. Don't worry, I can definitely handle it now."

  "Good to hear. So they don't have time to understand anything, I'll jump out of the car and rush to attack as soon as I stop. Get out after five seconds and follow the blood trail. Don't fall behind, my attack must be lightning fast."

  "Did you say 'they'? She's not alone? What's this about a blood trail?"

  "The Princess loves collecting subjects. Get a grip on your gun and be ready," she snapped.

  She turns sharply to the right, drives along a garden to the end, and turns toward a tall white stone fence. Above it is a large 4-story building with a dark gray brick roof. In the middle of the fence are golden gates of the same height. Compared to this, everything seen before seems like dirty slums.

  This isn't a typical wealthy person's house, this is literally some royal estate, I thought.

  Suddenly Jane drives past the gates and only starts slowing down closer to the fence corner.

  "How are you planning to get inside?"

  "The gates have a powerful spell. We'll have to destroy the wall, it's less enchanted."

  "But will I be able to get through—"

  "I'm starting, better not look at me. And don't stare at anything really, the sight won't be pleasant."

  Jane shifts into park, jumps out of the car and instantly transforms into that shadow. I immediately feel my vision worsen and lack of oxygen, but incomparably weaker than in the alley.

  The next moment, a scythe appears in Jane's hands and there's a crash—a section of the fence splits in half, the crack exploding with purple sparks. Another crash immediately follows—pieces of stone scatter across the ground, creating a large hole. Shadow rushes in, gunshots and screams immediately ringing out from the estate grounds.

  Rough. Okay, 3, 4, 5. Let's go.

  Finishing my count, I get out of the car and head for the opening. Running three times faster feels like flying over the ground. Not getting lost in the rush, I make it past the fence and look around.

  Sweet mother of God... even with a totally clear head, I can't hold back my disgust. I'm standing on a perfectly trimmed lawn, with a stone path running through rows of bushes and a huge fountain to the mansion's entrance. The whole grounds are already scattered with bodies in suits and fantasy costumes.

  I count thirteen dead total, a mature woman lies right at my feet with her throat slashed. Various weapons lie near each corpse—from firearms to... staffs. The promised blood trail stretches between them, forming an uneven line.

  Seems Jane wasn't exaggerating about her strength, I note either with horror or relief.

  I hear a sharp crack and look toward it—the mansion's doors explode into splinters, a shadow bursts through, and a new round of shots rings out from inside. Suddenly I realize I'm falling way behind, so I jump onto the path and run toward the mansion, trying to avoid stepping in blood.

  I quickly reach the fountain opposite the mansion. From here I can see into its hall—chandeliers illuminate red streaks on the walls and one corpse on the floor.

  I'd already raised my foot to the step leading to the porch when I caught a metallic clang from behind. Enhanced reflexes react instantly—I turn halfway around, extend my arm with the pistol and fire. Lagging behind my own sensory organs, I see the bullet has blown off the head of a man sitting against the fountain wall.

  "Shit!" I curse, realizing the man was dead and the clang came from his dropped shotgun. "Wasted bullet."

  "Agreed. Couldn't find a better word to describe what you've done here," a nasty voice suddenly says from behind.