Elf [Book One of The Elf Chronicles]

The kids - his students - were coming to cheer him up. They didn't need to know how very cheerless he was.
 He smelled it the moment they entered, but his confirmation came in the hastily suppressed giggles, the snickers, the phoney smiles. They were up to something, and they expected him to appreciate the gesture, if not the gift.
 He'd never felt less like joking around, but he donned the expected smile. What's that stink? he asked, wrinkling his nose distastefully.
 His sniffing ability was legend.
 Smells like - Mac sniffed, stuck out his tongue and pretended to gag, then sniffed again. He groaned and looked woeful. Chocolate-coated garlic! He hesitated, his eyes sweeping the group. He sniffed once more, then settled his gaze on Charlie, who was standing inconspicuously at the back. Or is that your roll-on, Charlie?
 He'd done it. Pegged the one holding the loot. I don't get how you do that! Charlie grumbled as the others shoved him forwards. Then he grinned good-naturedly and plunked several packages down on the bed.  You have to eat that one, right away.
 It was a dare. They knew he hated the smell of the stuff. Knew he could sniff out the student who'd had it on a pizza or bread two nights before. He'd always toss them a breath mint and plead for mercy.
 Now, it was payback.
 He undid the wrapping. Garlic ice cream? he verified woefully, giving them the expected pained look. There was a spoon with a big bow taped to the top, and he stared at it in horror.
 Just a few bites, Jake goaded.
 There was nothing for it. It was a joke, but they'd pooled their money on this. He had a feeling the other bottle was garlic wine. Neither one came cheap.
 We know how you like to eat, Samantha coaxed.
 Mac flinched theatrically, pinched his nose, and dug the spoon into the ice cream. He forced a bite, worried that he might disgrace himself. They had absolutely no idea how much he held garlic in aversion. It stood somewhere between a physical repugnance and a gastro-allergic reaction. Quist and Zander had similar responses. Right now, he didn't need any reminders of their similarities, if it was about to see his brother and lifelong friend dead.
 He played it out - held the bite in his mouth, and pretended to swish it around in delight. Yummy! he said loudly.
 And suddenly, he realised it was. He took another bite, and another. This stuff is really good, he said in stunned surprise.
 They stood there and watched him eat. They'd brought chocolates, too, but Mac was absorbed in his ice cream. Great! he kept mumbling.
 His kids thought it was hilarious. At the end, he'd scraped the carton clean, and was waiting only for them to leave so he could lick it.  Thanks! he said, gleefully. He felt better than he had in days.
 Jake made the parting gesture, but Mac knew it was on behalf of the class. He tossed Mac a pack of peppermint gum. Please, Mr. Mac, he said, a little desperately. Before you come back -? he hinted loudly, rolling his eyes.
 Mac threw it at him.
 He could hear their rowdy, raucous laughter till they were halfway down the hall.

***

 Mac didn't waste any time. By the time he'd swigged some of the garlic wine, he'd figured it out. It took him a while longer to come up with the uncut version. When he had the smelly stuff in hand, he went straight to Quist's room. I want you to eat this, he told Quist sternly.
 Quist opened one eye and peered at the garlic clove distastefully.