I guess they’d call it friendship.

But is it?

I’m not so sure.

These are not the kind of people I’d choose to work with. The only other person I’d consider ‘real’ runner material is Zak, and he’s currently in the next room, beating himself up over what happened to Varn. But that’s not a problem, in action, Zak is always in full control of himself, no remorse, no hesitation. It’s only after the run that he lets his feelings out to play, so I guess he won’t crack under pressure.

The others are, in my opinion, in the wrong line of work. Nate and Kat are too young for this. They jave their lives ahead of them, too much too loose. Besides, psychologically,, they both have their weak points, which can be exploited. Their bond with each other, I’ve noticed that one usually knows when the other is about to enter the room, or is in trouble. This devotion to each other is laudable, and in a way, I envy them. I’ve never been that close to anyone, never had anyone who has been there for me like that. Yes, their bond is a good thing, but it could be used against them. There’s other things too, Kat is overconfident, she can’t resist a challenge. Someday, she’ll over reach herself, Nate will rush to help her, and then they’ll both die. I try to warn them. Nate listens, Kat does not. Overconfident.

Varn? He has the right kind of personality for this work, and the skills, but I still have reservations. His girlfriend, Christiene, could be used against him, as Nate and Kat could be against each other. The big problem is Varns physique, he’s just too damn lightly built for our work, can’t take any punishment. Like we say today. Right now, he’s asleep in his bed, whilst Christiene tends him. He lost a lot of blood back there, and will be out for awhile, despite Kats healing spells, which saved his life, apparently.

I leave Christiene to look after him and go back into the living room of Varns neat apartment. Nate and Kat are sitting together on the sofa. Both look tired, almost asleep. Constant use of magic is very draining, they say. I’m glad that power has a price. They look up as I enter. Nate glances at the door that leads into Varns room, then back at me.

‘How is he?’ They look genuinely concerned.

I shrug. ‘Aslrrp, hr’ll live.’

Relief shows on Nates face, Kat sags slightly bows her head. Nate slips an arm around her shoulders, leans close and whispers something to her. She nods.

I glance round the room. ‘Where’s Zak?’

Nate looks back up at me. ‘Went home. Had to go, he said.’

‘Right, I’m gonna make a call.’

I step out into the hall, pull my phone out and dial. It rings twice before a flat, unemotional male voice answers.

‘Yes?’

‘It’s Rich. I wanna talk with Bosslady.’

‘Wait.’

A pause, then a female voice, just as cold as the first.

‘Yes, Richard.’

‘Package delivered, receipt confirmed. Nut we’re gonna want danger money for this, as agreed.’

‘I am aware, the client ahas already agreed. Is there anything else Richard?’

‘Yes.’

A pause. ‘Well?’

‘I want to work with a different team. You know I ain’t too keen on Magic and –‘

‘ “Ain’t top keen”? That’s putting it mildly.’

I start to get angry. ‘Some fragging mage used magic to loose me my last job. I think I gotta right to feel like this.’

‘Richard, that’s bull. And you know it. Magic had nothing to do with you loosing your job. I checked.’

‘Huh?’

‘Still can’t admit it then?’

‘Admit what? They used a compulsion spell and made me –‘

‘I know what you did. I know why you never have any money. You owe it all to your ex-boss. What you’ve got tp realise is that you are tying to deny a very real problem you have. Get it sorted, Richard. You think the others are a liability? I tell you, at the moment, your more of a danger to them. Goodbye.’

The line goes dead. I stare at the phone for a few seconds. Problem? Denial? What the hell is the woman talking about?

I hear a noise and turn; Nate is standing in the doorway, looking uncertain.

‘Rich, My Voice told me to come and talk to you.’

His voice, his Totem. Sometimes I think the kid makes it all up.

‘Yeah? What did it say?’ For some reason, I’m suddenly on my guard.

‘That you have a have a problem. That I should help.’

‘Or you coulda just have listened in on my phone call.’

Nate is momentarily taken aback by my tone.

‘Wha? No! I didn’t you have my word. I was told to help you.’

‘Don’t need help. Not from you, nor your ‘voice’. Don’t never need that kinda help.’

Nate spreads his hands in a placating gesture. ‘I am here as a person, not as a Shaman, I know you dislike magic. That's part of the problem.’

Yeah? Your ‘voice’ tell you that?’ I fold my arms.

'No, it didn’t. Didn’t have to. It’s obvious that magic wigs you out, from the way you become a tower of tense knotted muscles every time you see a spell used.’

‘Yeah? So?’

‘So let me help you. You're blaming magic for something it is not responsible for. I don’t think you can even see what the real problem is. So let me help. I ask it as a friend.’

Friendship? They call it that. Me? I’m more interested in getting the job done and being paid.

‘Sorry to burst your bubble kid, but we are not friends. And I don’t need your help. I know what happened to me.’

I turn and walk away. Nate watches me go. I hear him murmur to himself, sounding almost despondant.

‘I am sorry, I tried. He would not listen. Maybe after his injury, maybe he will listen then.’

Injury? Who’s gonna do it, kid? You and your hocus-pocus? Try it and I’ll skin you

I don’t need or want help from any magic user. And harsh though it may seem, I am not his friend, even though Nate IS likeable.

I risked my neck to save Varn because he’s part of the team that helps me earn money to pay my dept. My dealings with the others are, at heart, business. They are my source of income, and like anyone else, I protect my income.