“Then I guess we’d better hurry,” I said.
Rafe flew in headfirst and I gave Liesel a thumbs up before going in after him. The museum was eerily dark and silent.
“We should have looked at a map first,” I whispered. I didn’t want to waste time traipsing through the entire museum to find one stone.
“We’ll manage,” Rafe said. “Why are you whispering?”
“Because there might be a security guard on duty,” I said. I laughed quietly. “You don’t break and enter very often, do you?”
He stared at me. “And you do?”
“I’m more of the break and exit variety,” I said, thinking of the first time I snuck out of the academy—when I met Rafe.
Thankfully, we found the mineral vault exhibit without too much effort. There were only four display cases, which made our search even easier.
“Here it is,” I said excitedly. I knew it was the Hasedin Stone before I even read the description. The green stone practically glowed with otherworldly vibrancy, putting the rest of the collection to shame. I leaned against the display case, relieved to see that the stone was still here.
Rafe joined me and pulled out the small black stone. “Stand back. We don’t want you falling into the exhibit and disturbing the other rocks.”
“This won’t set off any alarms?” I asked.
“It shouldn’t, but if it does, Liesel will handle it,” he said. “The display case will return…”
“In an hour, got it.” I looked over and smiled at him.
Rafe placed the enchanted stone on the display case until the glass dissolved. He scooped the other Dragon’s Eye from the exhibit and held it up to admire it.
He frowned as my smile melted away. “What’s wrong?”
“Looks like we have company,” I said.
Rafe whipped around and followed my gaze to the scrawny man now blocking the exit. He wore a pale blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans. His thin arms poked out of the sleeves like two chopsticks.
“I told you there might be a security guard,” I said.
“I think you should probably hand that over now to avoid any unpleasantness.” The man flashed a grin to reveal a set of pointy teeth that made my heart skip a beat. Not a security guard then.
“Demon,” I said.
The demon hissed and lunged at the same time. The sound carried through the air like a train whistle as it bypassed a station. Rafe unsheathed his sword, but he was too slow. The demon slammed into him and the brilliant green rock went skidding across the wooden floor. I scrambled after it. The demon leaped over me and landed nimbly on his feet directly in front of me. He bent over to retrieve the stone and I shoved the point of my dagger into the back of his calf. He howled and tried to reach behind him to pull it out, but it was too awkwardly placed. I took the opportunity to reach between his feet and snatch the rock. I turned and tossed it to Rafe before spinning back to the demon to yank out my dagger. I wasn’t about to leave it embedded in the demon’s leg. It was my favorite dagger.
The demon grunted as the blade slid from his flesh. Thick black liquid bubbled from the wound and a pungent smell filled my nostrils. Gross.
“Give me the Dragon’s Eye,” he seethed. He bolted for Rafe, who had his sword at the ready. I was surprised that the demon came for the stone without weapons. He clearly didn’t expect to encounter any obstacles.
“I don’t want to kill you,” Rafe said.
“Too bad for you I don’t feel the same.” The demon lashed out and tried to bite Rafe’s arm. The Watcher twisted away in the nick of time.
I flew across the room and grabbed the demon by the back of the collar, lifting him off the floor. He kicked in the air and tried to swivel and grab me. My maneuver gave Rafe enough time to get back in front of the demon. I dropped him to the floor and Rafe pressed the blade of his sword against the demon’s neck. I landed back on the floor beside Rafe.
“Are you the thief that stole the Palasu Stone?” I demanded.
The demon kept his lips pressed tightly together. His body shuddered with fear.
“Who do you work for?” Rafe asked.
I looked at him askance. “What makes you think he works for someone?”
“Look at him.” Rafe motioned to the scrawny figure. “He’s obviously a minion.”
The demon opened his mouth to object but then seemed to think better of it.
Rafe moved the blade to the demon’s cheek and pressed harder so that more thick, black liquid oozed from the tiny cut. “Tell us what we want to know and we won’t kill you.”
“You won’t, but…” The demon’s eyes rolled back until they were solid white. Rafe jerked back the sword and the demon slipped to the floor at our feet.
“What just happened?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Rafe stared at the heap on the floor.
“Was your sword tipped with poison?”
“No, of course not,” he said. He hunched over the demon’s body. “He’s definitely dead.”
I closed my eyes and shook my head as though trying to clear my vision. “This makes no sense. One second he was fighting and making demands. The next second he’s dead on the floor.”
“I’ll see if we can get an autopsy to determine the cause of death.”
“You have Watchers that perform demon autopsies?”
“Not Watchers,” he said. He didn’t offer any details. He continued to scrutinize the demon. “He’s definitely a pey demon.”
“How do you know?”
“Mostly because of his teeth. His mouth is full of fangs rather than just four like vampires have. We use these guys for cleanup sometimes.”
I studied the demon’s unmoving form. “What kind of cleanup?”
“They devour bodies,” Rafe said. “Not all demons are courteous enough to dissolve into dust. For some we need to get creative.”
I cringed. “That’s disgusting.”
He shrugged. “They serve a purpose for us and they get to eat what they like. A win-win.”
“Well, he wasn’t sent here to devour any dead bodies,” I said. “He was sent to steal the stone.” I blinked. “Speaking of which, where is the stone?”
Rafe twisted to show me his back. He’d placed the rock in his sheath, judging from the visible lump. “Safer than a pocket.” He pulled out his phone and typed a text. “We need to go. Liesel isn’t responding.”
I glanced at the demon. “What about him?”
“I’ll arrange for someone to get him within the next half an hour before the window closes.” He didn’t wait to debate the issue further. I could tell his mind was now preoccupied with Liesel’s silence.
We found her unconscious on the rooftop. The demon must’ve taken her by surprise. Rafe patted her cheeks, but she didn’t rouse. Then he checked for a pulse and his body sagged with relief.
“She’ll be okay,” he said, and I released the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Rafe lifted her into his arms.
“It’s almost midnight,” I said.
“Go, we’ll be fine,” he said. “I swear.”
I studied Liesel’s limp form. “Tell her thank you.”
“I will. Now go. I don’t want Elder Sam blaming me if you’re late for your curfew.”
“It’s not a curfew.” I quickly realized he was teasing me. “Take care of the stone.” I walked to the edge of the rooftop and leaped into the air.
“I’ll see you again soon, Cinderella!” he called, and I smiled all the way back to the spires.
Chapter Ten
Three eager faces were waiting for me at the window next to the hatch when I arrived.
“How about some personal space?” I asked, as I climbed inside.
“We were worried about you,” Elder Bahaira said. She twisted the fabric of her cloak into a knot. “It’s nearly midnight.”
“Then I’m not late,” I said.
Elder Sam gave me an expectant look. “And?” he prompted.
“It’s late. Can we discuss it in the morning?” I asked. “I have a lot to tell you.”
“She’s right,” Elder Kali said. “She’s home safe now. We can debrief her in the morning.”
“Try not to wake up your kenzoku,” Elder Bahaira warned.
“Oh, please. Sage is probably waiting on the edge of my bed,” I said.
I was close. She was perched on the edge of her own bed, staring intently at a ball across the floor. She leaped off the bed when she noticed me.
“You’re back!”
“Just in time too,” I said. “That ball looks like it was about to suffer Sage’s wrath.”
Rylan pulled down her covers to speak. “She’s not fighting the ball. She’s trying to use telekinesis on it.”
I squinted at Sage. “But you’re not telekinetic. You’re half rakshasa demon. They don’t have psychic abilities.”
Sage folded her arms. “You said that in your dream, I pulled all those bones to me and created a suit of armor. What else is that if not telekinesis?”
She had a point except—“Sage, it was a dream. It doesn’t mean you can actually do it.”
“What if it’s an untapped power?” she said. “Can’t hurt to try and develop it.” She bumped me with her hip. “How’s your delectable boyfriend? Did you two kiss and make up?”
“We’re fine,” I said vaguely. I changed into pajamas and climbed into bed. Now that I was in my room, I was more exhausted than I’d realized.
“Where did you sleep last night?” Rylan asked.
“In a bed,” I said. I fluffed the pillow and tried to get comfortable.
“And where did Rafe sleep?” Sage asked.
“On the couch,” I said. “He’s a perfect gentleman.”
“No thanks,” Sage said. “That’s too tame for my taste.”
I wanted to make a comment about Barris, but I was too tired.
“I like Liesel,” Rylan said. “She’s pretty awesome.”
“Agreed,” I said, and yawned.
“I think she’s the opposite of too tame for me,” Rylan said.
“You’re probably right.” I rolled onto my side.
“Cassia?” Sage again.
“Yeah?”
“We’re glad you’re back safe,” she said. “We’ve gotten kind of used to you here.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Elder Sam showed up after breakfast to excuse me from lessons so that I could deliver my oral report in the main spire. Zeph complained of special treatment until I told him that I fought a pey demon and saved a magic rock from falling into the wrong hands. He took a sudden interest in the cracks in the floor.
“Would it be okay if I paid a visit to Spire 2 first?” I asked.
Elder Sam frowned. “Why would you want to do that?”
I fidgeted. “Something I saw yesterday reminded me of how important it is for the kids here to feel connected. And it starts in infancy.”
“I’ll go with you,” Elder Sam said.
“You don’t have to chaperone me to Spire 2,” I said. “I think I’ve proven myself.”
He itched one of his scars. “It isn’t for you. It’s for me.”
I burst into a smile. “In that case, I’d like it very much.”
Elder Sam and I used the internal portal to enter Spire 2. I heard the wailing cries of babies before the portal even opened.
“Sounds like an entire spire full of baby Cassias,” I joked.
“That’s why we didn’t need to separate them,” Elder Sam said.
It had been more than a year since I’d last visited the nursery. Over the years, I would accompany Elder Sam or Mariska on occasion to visit the infants. Not the other spires, though. I wasn’t allowed in those until my big move to Spire 10.
“Lovely to see you, Cassia.” Helena was a brownie like Mariska. She took care of the infants during the day shift and another demon came at night to relieve her. Helena lived in a room at the back of the spire and was always close to the infants in case of emergency. In fact, she’d been here the night I arrived with Elder Sam. She’d swaddled me and taken me into her chambers to see if that soothed the savage beast. Apparently not because I was brought to live in the main spire for the next seventeen years.
“We thought we’d give a few cuddles,” I said.
“Cassia thought she’d give a few hugs,” Elder Sam said. “I’ll send affectionate thoughts in their general direction.”
Helena suppressed a smile. “Same old Samuel.”
I looked over Helena’s shoulder at the rows of baskets. “Anyone in particular need?”
“There’s a cambion in the third basket, Ursula. Came to us about a month ago.” Helena glanced at the small angry fists waving in the air above the basket. “It’s too soon to tell, but I think she might be half rakshasa.”
I lit up. “Like Sage.”
“She’s a feisty one,” Helena said. “Cries the loudest and longest.”
“Where did she come from?” I asked.
Helena looked at Elder Sam. “This one knows better than me. I just swaddle, change, and feed ‘em.”
“One of our regulars let us know about her,” Elder Sam said. “She was left in a cemetery about a month ago.”
“Another reason to suspect a rakshasa then,” I said. I bent over the basket and smiled at the screaming infant. Ursula kicked a foot and her sock slipped off.
Helena crossed her arms. “Like I said, feisty.”
I reached down and lifted Ursula from the basket. I held her against my shoulder and rubbed her back while I hummed.
Elder Sam cracked a smile. “That’s what I used to do with you.”
“I thought you didn’t give hugs,” I said.
“You were an exception,” he replied.
I began to walk along the perimeter of the room, humming as I went. Ursula’s cries weakened and she eventually fell silent. It was only when I returned to the basket that I realized she was asleep.
“You can’t put her down now,” Helena said. “She’ll wake up again.”
“So I’m her prisoner now?” I asked good-naturedly.
“Take one for the team,” Helena said. “Walk around with her a bit longer. Give our ears a rest.”
I complied with her request. After all, I probably owed it to them for being so difficult when I was Ursula’s age. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ursula’s tiny fingers stuffed in her mouth. She was sucking them quietly. I wondered whether Sage ever sucked her fingers like this.
“What prompted you to pay us a visit?” Helena asked. “You haven’t been here in ages.”
“I met someone recently,” I said. “He reminded me how important it is to stay connected to those who need it most.”
Elder Sam cocked an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”
I offered details about the Brothers of Solomon and Ash Acres. He rubbed his jawline as he listened.
“He’s taking in cambions,” he said, more to himself.
“He’s not running an academy,” I said, “but he’s raising them like you all do. Teaching them to take care of themselves. There’s just less of the formal education part. They’re still hidden, albeit in plain sight.”
“They’re vulnerable at that farm,” Elder Sam said.
“It’s warded,” I said. James had been eager to tell us that. Of course we’d made it all the way to the farmhouse before he’d appeared with his gun.
“We can’t be the only safe place for cambions,” Helena said. “We simply don’t have the capacity. Good on the Brothers for doing their part.”
“But what’s their motivation?” Elder Sam asked. “I don’t trust it.”
I rolled my eyes. “You don’t trust when Aldo makes your favorite pie. You assume an ulterior motive. Maybe he just bakes it out of the kindness of his heart.”
“Last time he baked one, he asked to borrow my wings,” Elder Sam said. “He wanted to take them for
a test flight.”
I stifled a laugh at the thought of Aldo flying around the spires with Elder Sam’s artificial wings. “Did you let him?”
“If he has a death wish, he has to figure out another way to make it come true,” Elder Sam said. “It won’t be because of me.”
Gently I patted Ursula’s back. “James seemed sincere. I think he really cares about those cambions. And they seemed happy to be there.”
“You’ll have to share the information with the Elders. Maybe one of us will take a ride out there to follow up.”
“I didn’t tell him about the academy,” I said. “If you go, be prepared for questions you may not want to answer.”
“Duly noted.”
“James mentioned rumblings in the Nether too,” I added. “The Brothers have contacts there.”
This grabbed his attention. “What kind of rumblings?”
“That the king wants to expand his empire, even if that means running roughshod over the mortal realm to do it.”
Elder Sam clenched his hands into fists. “He’s been biding his time, that’s for sure.”
Ursula released a tiny breath and began to relax. “The king?” I asked. My grandfather.
Elder Sam nodded. “He’s always been viewed as ambitious.”
“What about the treaty?” I asked. “The boundaries are clearly defined. Any attempt to exceed them will be seen as an act of aggression.”
Elder Sam closed his eyes, digesting the news. “You’re not wrong.”
“I mean, it’s all horrible, isn’t it?” Helena said. “At least we’re in a protected space. If the demons in the Nether decide to climb to Dominion on the bodies of the bounders, we’ll be safe here.”
It was a terrible thought and one I didn’t care to contemplate. “James seems pretty prepared for a war.”
Elder Sam clapped me on the back. “Good work, Cassia. I’ll talk to the Elders. Maybe we can forge some kind of alliance with the Brothers. If war truly is on the horizon, we’re going to need all the friends we can get.”
I thought of the cambions I’d met at the farm. Nathan, Xan, Kai, and Margaret. They were innocent. They didn’t deserve to be casualties of the king’s greed. No one did.
Demonspawn Academy: Trial Two Page 10