Prologue
Author note: This story is part of the Magical Flashpoint Side Story series. It follows "At the Intersection of Magic and Technology" and comes before "Nobody Said Anything About Magic". This story is set before "Scorpio" (Flashpoint Pilot), so, sorry, Sam fans, but no Samtastic in this one.
Although all original characters belong to me, I do not own Flashpoint, Harry Potter, Narnia, or Merlin.
I'm posting this Side Story in honor of my first day at my new job on this 14th of August, Anno Domini 2017.
Jules kept her attention on the sink, hoping her young guest would relax with Jules' attention apparently elsewhere. The young girl was so meek and shy, cringing at the smallest things and horribly afraid of 'breaking the rules'. Jules didn't know little Lucy's back story, but she was filling in most of the important details effortlessly.
"Can I help?"
Jules was careful not to react with more than a turned head and a smile for the little girl. "You want to help me wash the dishes?" she asked, a kindly note in her voice.
A solemn nod, from a face with eyes that were far too old for such a tiny girl.
The petite brunette considered. There wasn't enough room for them both at the sink and she didn't have a child-sized stool for Lucy to stand on anyway. But… "Okay, how about this," Jules began, crouching down so that she and Lucy were on the same level. "I'll wash the silverware and let you dry it. Does that sound good?"
Lucy studied her, searching for what, Jules wasn't sure. "Plates?"
The constable took a tiny risk and gently flicked Lucy's nose. "Have to leave something for me to do," she teased. "I'll handle the plates."
Lucy rubbed at her nose, surprise on her face. The surprise was swiftly buried and Lucy gave Jules another nod. "Okay, ma'am."
"It's Jules," Jules corrected gently.
"Yes, ma'am."
"We'll work on that," Jules decided, lifting the clean, but wet spoons out of the sink. "Get started on the spoons and I'll give you the forks when you're done."
"Yes, ma'am." Jules watched Lucy out of the corner of her eye as she washed and dried the first plate, moving slower than usual to allow the small girl to keep pace. When Lucy was done with the spoons, she bundled them to the side and looked up. "I'm done, ma'am."
"All right, give me a second and I'll give you the forks." Jules lifted the plate she'd been 'washing' for the past several minutes and turned around so she could set it down on the table. Just as Jules was reaching out, the plate slipped, tumbling down towards the floor.
An instant later, it froze in midair. Jules, in middle of a frantic snatch, stopped, blinking at the frozen plate. She slid one hand under the plate and grasped it, feeling the weight against her palm as she lifted it, as effortless as if she'd just picked it up off a counter. Quickly, Jules set the plate on the table and turned towards a petrified Lucy.
"Lucy?"
Frightened eyes lifted to Jules. "I broke the rules," Lucy sobbed. "Not supposed to, not supposed to use demon power."
Demon power?
"No, Lucy, you didn't," Jules countered at once, kneeling down next to the chair Lucy was sitting on. "You did great, you did really great. I promise you, you did not use demon power. I promise."
Lucy stared at her, sniffling. "You don't know. Momma says only demons can do what I do, so I must be a devil child."
Jules reached out to comfort the girl, only to feel something lock her in place. She strained against the force holding her motionless, but it was futile. Lucy's eyes widened in fear and she bolted. The force vanished. "Lucy!" Jules called, twisting around. "Lucy!"
