Sadly, he gave me no such opportunity. I cornered Kanesha at lunch.

“We need to talk. I need your help. It might be dangerous.”

“Dangerous in what sense?”

“Cayenne in desserts.”

She laughed. “I like those brownies.”

“Why do you think I’m asking you?” I let out a breath. “I want to prank Mr. Otter.”

“That is dangerous. He’ll retaliate.”

“Well, yes.” I stretched a bit. “But I think it will be non-harmful retaliation. He likes you, remember.”

She grinned. “Yeah, but I don’t want to end up in the reflecting pool.”

“He’s the one who got pushed in the pool. Of course, Otters swim,” I quipped. I hadn’t seen anything of Thor since then.

Probably either busy or above showing his face on Midgard without what he considered a good reason. Or maybe avoiding Thruor. Relatives did that, after all.

“True. They do. So…any ideas on how to get him?”

“I’m still thinking about it. I’m open to suggestions.” I didn’t tell her what this was about. Let her think I was just a little bit bored.

Then Martin walked up to the table.

“Go away,” we said in near-perfect unison. It wouldn’t have been any better if we’d practiced it.

“You know, you’d be better off with me than some I could mention.”

I glared at him. “And if I see you off school grounds, I’ll…push you in the reflecting pool.”

Demons could probably swim too, but it was a threat that wouldn’t be taken too seriously and would probably not get me zero toleranced. He wouldn’t repeat it anyway…me being suspended would ruin his plan.

“Oh, come on.”

“Martin. I’m not interested. I’m never going to be interested. You’re wasting your time.” It would probably have come over as more serious if I’d been able to take my eyes off of him. This was thoroughly embarrassing.

He sat down anyway. Kanesha leaned over and whispered to me, “Maybe if we…”

“…it would turn him on.” I didn’t need to ask what the question she wasn’t asking was, but I certainly knew the answer.

With no choice but to put up with him, the rest of lunch passed in silence and the bell was a relief.