A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 64- Ladies don’t start fights, but they can finish them.

I've never been in a fight before, but I don't pause or hesitate. I step up to the fae woman, grab her arm and yank her away from Ashton as hard as I can. She stumbles backwards and her gorgeous face twists into a snarl. "Who are you and why are you interfering?" She demands. I'm barely paying attention. I'm too busy glancing sideways at Ashton who still looks a little dazed, but at least he isn't attacking me or anything. I think if she had control of him then she would have sent him after me by now. I must be right, because she dismisses me as some jealous fangirl and turns back to Ashton reaching for him again. He still isn't resisting. I grab her again and this time she tries to shove me away. Her claws catch the skin on my arm and I feel a hot sting of pain. Infuriated, I swing at her and my hand connects with her face in a satisfying slap. In fact, I hit her so hard that she actually loses her balance and falls over, landing on her ass and staring up at me with a look of pure shock. Finally, Ashton seems to be coming to his senses because he shakes off the rest of his fans and rushes over to me.

"Kat? Are you okay?" He still seems a little out of it. I nod.

"I'm fine.” I point at the fae woman.

"She's the one you're looking for. I suggest you do something about her before she tries to grab you again." I prompt him. Ashton still seems confused but he doesn't argue. He takes a step towards the woman. I expect her to back away or try to run, but instead her last ditch effort is to try her magic again. Ashton grabs her shoulder and his markings flare as he drains her energy. She grabs his hand but doesn't push it away.

"You do not want to hurt me, you want to let me go." She says in a tone I can only describe as seductive. Ashton blinks, but her magic must not be enough because he doesn't stop. A moment later she slumps over onto the floor unconscious. As he did for the imp, Ashton removes the chain from his neck and places it over hers, and once again his original necklace has not been removed. Ashton struggles to his feet and I rush to help him. Between the two of us, we manage to move him onto one of the barstools. He turns and rests his head on the bar, his eyes falling closed.

"You aren't passing out on me again, are you?" I ask, concerned.

“No. I am just resting. Will you call your father again?” He prompts. I shrug.

"Sure, although I'm sure someone has already called the police." I point out.

“I'll call him, but please don't pass out again. Moving Fin will be hard enough.” I joke.

"Fin will wake soon.” Ashton mutters. Well that's good news at least.

I glance around at our audience. They've all backed up a little bit for now, but I can tell that a few of them are tempted to step forward. They might genuinely be wanting to offer help, but seeing as most of them still have their phones out, I doubt it.

"We're fine. You should all go." I say loudly. A few people leave but most of them just take a few steps back and hover. I try again.

"The police will be here any second." I warn. Finally, the crowd begins to disperse. I'm sure George will be annoyed when he realises he won't be able to get all their witness statements, but it's not like this case is ever going to court so there's really no point. I pull out my phone and realise I have a dozen missed calls. Well damn. I take the chance to call my dad. He answers immediately.

"Kat, I'm about two minutes away. Are you okay?" He demands. I can hear sirens going in the background.

“I'm fine, we're all fine. We caught another fae criminal.” I tell him hopefully. He just grunts in annoyance. I'm about to explain more when someone clearing their throat softly gets my attention. I spin in place to see the bartender standing awkwardly. She's holding a large first aid kit and looks incredibly uncertain.

"Uh, miss? You're bleeding. Would you like me to take a look at that?" She offers. Dad must hear her because he's yelling again.

"Bleeding! Kat, tell me she isn't talking to you. I'm parking now. I'll be there any second." With that he hangs up the phone. I smile at the nervous bartender.

“That would be great, thanks. I think it's just a scratch. Serves me right to get into a catfight in a bar, right?” I joke.

Dad comes literally running towards me. I don't think I've seen him run anywhere since I was a kid so it's sort of surreal to see. Not far behind him is Gorge and what has to be ten other cops. Did half the station come down? Dad grabs me and yanks me into a tight hug.

“I'm fine dad.” I assure him but he doesn't let go. I wave at George who I can see is standing off to the side with his arms crossed over his chest. With his size and current attitude, the few remaining spectators go running, although the bartender is good enough to stay and give a statement. Finally dad releases me.

"Did you have to bring an army? You realise there's only one person to arrest, right?" I point out the fae woman who is still passed out and a couple guys put cuffs on her. George follows them lecturing the cops about not removing her necklace under any circumstances so I guess he recognised it. Dad doesn't look amused by my joke.

"I didn't bring them here. Someone posted a live video of the barfight. These are all the cops who saw it and noticed YOU were involved. They were coming here wether I asked them to or not.” He says pointedly and I blush. I've spent a lot of time at the station, it's like having a huge group or aunts and uncles looking out for me. I shouldn't be so surprised.

"Thanks for checking on me guys." I wave to the rest of the cops who give general nods of acknowledgement or waves and smiles. I look around for Ashton who is still lying face down on the bar.

"One second dad." I step away and reclaim my handbag from where I managed to drop it earlier during the drama. I pull out a few different snack items and drop them on the bar in front of Ashton. It takes him a second to lift his head, but when he does he gives me a grateful smile. He pushes all but one back at me.

"Fin will need these more." He informs me. I shake my head and push them back.

"I bought more. Eat those. We can grab more food on the way home." Ashton relents and I leave him to his snacks. I take the rest of the snacks to Lucy. Fin isn't awake yet but she insists that he is beginning to stir a little.

The next few hours are exhausting as we all give our statements and attempt to help Jeremy Clark who wakes up with a wicked magical hangover and an absoloutely horrified reaction to realising he hasn't called his wife. We suggest that he use the hotel room he paid for as no one really expects her to want to hear from him at this stupid time of the morning and because honestly he doesn't seem like he's totally aware of himself yet. Ashton advises that he should sleep it off. The sun is coming up when we finally head home. Lucy and Fin come in my car. We can pick hers up later. We stop at a drive through for food and when we get back, both Fin and Ashton stumble to their respective beds and pass out.