by Holly Hook
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
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VILE Magic
Abnormals Underground #4
By Holly Hook
Copyright 2017 by Holly Hook
Chapter One
I really hated the Elder War Mages.
They were the most pompous, ego-filled people in the world with the possible exception of Normal politicians. Every time they got together, they puffed out their chests and acted all-important. That was probably because they ruled over most other Abnormals and had some of the most powerful magic in the world.
This meeting that Xavier and I were spying on was no different.
We were hiding out on a dark balcony in Xavier's underground mansion, which was where the Elders liked to hang out in style. A normal meeting hall wasn't good enough for them, Xavier said. They always had to meet at each others' grand estates. I suspected it was because they didn't want other Abnormals—even other Mages—to see how they really lived. Xavier's family sported a fancy meeting hall complete with chandeliers, an indoor waterfall and classical music playing out of ceiling speakers. It was especially loud up here on the balcony, but there was no other way we'd be able to listen without getting caught. Below, twelve purple-robed Elders sat at a long table, enjoying an equally fancy dinner. What was this? A luxury cruise?
Next to me, I sensed Xavier shaking his head in disgust. This sort of thing made him ashamed to be a War Mage but we had to see what they were going to decide next. Everything depended on it.
It was only a few days since my last encounter with Thoreau and since I had been forced to bite the Leon/Thoreau hybrid in front of my mother, forever freaking her out and closing her off from me. It had only been a few days since a piece of Death, my distant ancestor, had woken up inside of me, leaving me with some kind of new power that I hadn't even discovered yet. It had done its job of protecting Xavier from becoming a Shadow Wraith and that was good enough. If I didn't ever learn any more about the power that came from Death, or kept it suppressed somehow, I would be happy.
The problem was, I couldn't keep things suppressed forever.
Not my thirst for blood and not my new fire magic, which made some types of Abnormals burn from the inside out when I stabbed them.
I had the fear that my new death magic would be like that or worse.
And worst of all, during these last few days, Xavier and I had failed to convince anyone that Leon was back to life, now merged with Thoreau. We both knew what a danger this was. Thoreau now had access to War Magic, the only type that could kill demons. He still had his full demon baron powers. He had died once and come back. With Death herself at his side, it seemed like nothing could kill him.
Now that Leon was merged with him, Thoreau might know where the Underground was located and how to get here.
Anyway, the meeting.
It was as if Thanksgiving was happening today. Three different turkeys rested on the table along with all the staples. I could smell the food as the Elders all absorbed it into their blood. It mixed in with the wood smoke scent that all War Mages gave off. My stomach growled and I feared that even the Mages with their human hearing would detect it. But we were hidden up here in the dark. Earlier that day, I had overheard the Elders talking about keeping all entrances locked to their meeting so that us kids couldn't get in and interrupt again, thinking we were all wise and stuff. Liliana, Xavier's younger sister, had placed a penny in the lock of the balcony door for us so we could get in. It allowed us easy, silent entry at the start of the meeting.
The talking didn't start for a while. The Elders took their time enjoying their five-star meal. We waited and waited as the blood of the Elders smelled stronger and stronger. I wanted to leap down there and bite one of them, any of them, even if they all looked old and frail. The youngest must be about seventy, a woman who had come from Nigeria during Leon's funeral and stayed here in Cumberland when the danger of Thoreau escalated. I had some respect for her. She had made fun of Leon during his funeral which was something he deserved.
Today, the Elders would decide for sure who would be the new leader of Cumberland and Xavier's Aunt Primrose was hoping to get the spot. She was Leon's favorite daughter, after all, and also didn't believe us about Leon coming back. To her, Xavier was just a pest.
Aunt Primose sat in the chair at the side of the room, tucked into a corner like she was a sack of potatoes that everyone had forgotten about. She hadn't even gotten any food. Nora, the Lovellis' Normal maid, picked up used plates and shuffled in and out of the room with them, going through the main double doors. She had bags under her eyes. Aunt Primose had been working her to death lately.
One of the Elders, Thurton, was eating very slowly and making everyone wait on him. He was a hunched old man with severe wrinkles and a glare that rivaled Leon's. He was the scariest Elder down there and everyone knew.
He had also nearly roasted Xavier and I when we interrupted the last meeting.
Worse, he was also secretly working with Thoreau, trying to betray the Underground in exchange for lengthening his own life. His plan hadn't worked thanks to us, but the danger wasn't over. It was this reason that Xavier and I were keeping a close eye on him. We had to do something about him before he really did succeed in betraying the Underground. Elder War Mages were all close to death and they knew. The worst ones were willing to do anything to stay alive and in power.
“They make me ashamed to be a War Mage,” Xavier whispered. Thankfully, we were pretty high up.
I sniffed again. Xavier carried the scent of wood smoke like always, but it was weaker than normal. Since he'd been cured of Shadow Sickness, he vowed that I should never bite him after all—I would become much closer to what Thoreau wanted if I did—and he had taken on a new disturbing habit of not eating when he was going to be around me. A human who hadn't eaten in a while had very little scent in their blood and was less tempting. Xavier knew that if he didn't smell good to me, it was less likely that I would lose control and bite him. I had almost done so more than once.
“I know,” I said, sidestepping closer to him. “They're taking forever.”
Far below, Aunt Primrose shifted in her chair again. She was nervous. I could smell the adrenaline in her blood which was always metallic. I could smell fear.
At last, Thurton finished his meal and pushed his plate away. The old man shifted his glare to the double doors of the meeting hall, waiting impatiently for Nora to return. He began to drum his fingers on the table.
“If you ever become like that, I'm biting you after all,” I joked to Xavier.
“I won't,” he promised. “Don't kid about that, please.”
“So now we've reversed places,” I said. Xavier used to joke with me about my condition. Now I was trying to make light of it, mainly because no one else did anymore. It was the only way I could feel even remotely better about it. Xavier's attitude was different since I had cured him of Shadow Sickness. He didn't ask me to bite him anymore now that I was one step closer to becoming Thoreau's Dark Pentagram, the being that was supposed to merge Earth with the Infernal Dimension and help him bring about the end of the world.
And now that he was just as scared of that as I was, he had become more distant. I had tho
ught that clearing the Shadow Sickness would bring us closer together, but I had been wrong. My waking up Death inside of me had only made things worse. Sure, Xavier's bad moods were gone, but there was something distant and gray in their place.
“I am finished,” Thurton said from below, his raspy voice echoing through the room. “Where is the maid?”
Aunt Primrose cleared her throat. I didn't like Xavier's aunt one bit, mainly because she treated him with zero respect and considered him to be the shame of the family. “She is taking care of the other dishes,” she said.
“Take my plate,” Thurton ordered.
Aunt Primrose's cheeks flushed with humiliation. Even the other Elder War Mages shifted with discomfort. I could see why Thoreau had chosen this guy to work with him. They had to be best buds.
“Take my plate,” Thurton repeated, pointing down at some crumbs he had left in the center. He turned to face her and his purple robes whispered as he did so. “Now.”
Aunt Primrose got up and shuffled over, cheeks still burning. She looked down and took Thurton's plate, then left the room with it.
I could see Xavier smiling out of the corner of my vision. “I wish I had a camera,” he said to the air.
“I'll remember it for you,” I said, but Xavier didn't respond.
Aunt Primose returned a few minutes later. She probably had to figure out where the sink was, since a person like her wasn't used to doing anything for herself. She shuffled in without speaking. Thurton didn't look at her. It was clear that he had a very low opinion of everyone who wasn't himself, even other War Mages. I had the feeling this meeting to elect a new leader of Cumberland wasn't going to go well for her. I was surprised she was even allowed to attend.
After Primrose took her place in the corner, Thurton cleared his throat. “I, Thurton Billings, leader of the East Coast Abnormals and head of this meeting, call it to order.”
I rolled my eyes. Elders never missed a chance to be arrogant and puff themselves up. I devised a new nickname for them. Peacocks. I would have to tell Xavier about that later. I was sure he'd get a laugh out of it.
Next to me, Xavier trembled with hunger.
I couldn't help but blame myself for doing this to him.
“We are here today to discuss who will be the new leader of Cumberland's Abnormals Underground,” Thurton said. “As we know, Primrose is still here and is Leon's last remaining magical child. Leon had other children, but four did not inherit his magic and the other who has is currently missing and presumed dead, along with her battle partner.”
Primrose sat up in her chair and did her best to look important. I thought it looked pathetic. She was almost as vile as Leon had been and was more worried about honor than her family. She had even kicked Xavier out of the house when he was the midst of Shadow Sickness. He had to go to Thorne's dojo and lie on the floor on straw like a prisoner. I could never forgive her for that and even Liliana, who loved calling Xavier and idiot, was angry with her.
“I am sure that my sister is dead,” Primrose said.
Yes. She did not deserve anything.
Xavier balled his fists next to me. We both knew that his mother wasn't dead. She and Xavier's Normal father were both in a cursed sleep in the Infernal Dimension. Well, as far as we knew. It had been a bit of time since Thoreau had showed us the vision.
“Silence,” Thurton ordered. “You are rash and you do not think before you speak.”
Primrose tightened her lip. It was already thin with tension. The air in the room was dense both with scents and stress. It was almost unbearable.
“As I was saying,” Thurton continued. “We need someone who is very knowledgeable, compassionate, wise, and brave to lead Cumberland in these dangerous times. This rules out Primrose Lovelli.”
Xavier's grin practically split his face now. I watched Primrose's mouth fall open as her face paled. She began to stand, but Thurton glared at her in a silent order to sit back down.
I had to resist leaning over the balcony for another view. I wished Janine had come in with her phone, but she was back at her second cousin George's house. Besides, her phone had the habit of buzzing every five minutes and wouldn't have done us good here.
Primrose sat. There were very small tears, ones she was holding back, in her eyes. I doubted that a human could spot them, but I could. For a moment, I felt a little sorry for her, but I chased the feeling away. She was the reason Xavier couldn't feel welcome in his own home.
“That is why I would like to nominate myself as the next ruler of Cumberland's Abnormals Underground,” Thurton said.
I exchanged a look of horror with Xavier. I hadn't expected the meeting to take this turn.
The table of Elders went into uproar. It was clear that nominating yourself was a no-no even in the world of big egos, probably because everyone else at the table also had big egos.
“But you are already leader of the East Coast.”
“How can you rule two dominions?”
“No Elder has ruled two dominions before.”
Thurton put his hand up in a silent order to shut up. “I will step down from the East Coast,” he said, “and preside over Cumberland. It is very clear that this is the most dangerous Abnormal hideout in the world right now, with Thoreau ruling right over our heads. We need the most experienced, wise, and honorable Elder to rule the Underground here. It was my judgment, after all, that saved many Abnormals from being snatched by the ATC when the threat of Leon's missing body was looming over our heads. I gave the order for them to return to the Underground and not to believe the scare that Thoreau placed in them.”
I knew the truth. Thoreau had confirmed it. Thurton had been working with the mayor to get everyone back underground so Thoreau could unleash Leon's full energy on the Underground, killing most of his competition and leaving the Normals at his mercy. Thoreau was supposed to do it through Thurton but thanks to Xavier and I, the plan fell through at the last moment.
Now if Thurton got the Underground...
Horrible things would happen.
Thoreau was closing in.
I wanted to jump down there and attack Thurton right now. He and Thoreau were planning something. It was the reason Xavier and I had snuck in on this meeting, after all—to stop him from making things worse. It was one thing on our huge to-do list. But I held back. Instead, I gripped the balcony railing and let out a breath. Thurton had no idea I was up here.
The table went quiet. Thurton's new idea was circulating through minds. I could tell by the way people were looking at each other. His words sounded convincing. Primrose wasn't listening. The only thing preventing me from jumping down there and attacking Thurton was the fact that he was more powerful than Xavier and I both. Xavier and I wouldn't even start to come close to having his level of power until I bit my battle partner. That wasn't going to happen so long as the demon mayor was alive.
“Who do you propose to be the new leader of the East Coast?” an Elder man asked.
Thurton looked at Primrose. “Her, of course. It would be great way for her to learn while she waits to be experienced enough to take on Cumberland.”
Primrose's mouth fell open again, this time with shock.
Xavier did the same.
I knew what was happening. The Lovellis were said to be the most powerful War Mage family in the world. At least, Leon liked to say that. Thurton was trying to get the big dogs out of Cumberland. He was trying to make things easier for the mayor.
“Me?” Primrose asked, suddenly acting all humble.
“Yes,” Thurton told her. He smiled. It was so fake. “You are young and the East Coast is an easier place to rule than Cumberland. It would be a great way for you to gain your necessary leadership experience. You will take my place there within the week. I will order my servants to get ready for the arrival of you and your remaining family.”
I looked at Xavier again. He shook his head.
Yes. Thoreau was trying to get the Lovellis out of here so no one w
ould be here to oppose Thurton, his little minion. I could tell that Xavier wanted nothing to do with that. I wanted to reach out and hold his hand, but I was too afraid. What if he shook my hand out of his or tried to pull away?
“Thank you,” Primrose said, though she was clearly disappointed. The sour look on her face must be visible to even the Elders, most of whom might be nearsighted. Primrose would take this position. It was better than nothing.
But it was allowing the worst to happen.
Cumberland was about to fall to Thoreau's minion.
“What do we do?” Xavier whispered.
I shook my head. I didn't know. A single Elder War Mage was terrifying enough. They hated being questioned. I knew that jumping down there and fighting them would only make things much worse for us—if we survived. I studied the other Elders. I had to find any potential allies among them. The Nigerian woman—I had already forgotten her name—looked as uneasy as I felt. Two of the Elder men also seemed uncomfortable in the way they sat. One man leaned to the side like his back was killing him, but that could just be due to physical pain. The other leveled a glare at Thurton.
The rest of the table was at ease. Aunt Primrose's mood was lifting.
Three potential allies.
Ten potential enemies.
It wasn't a good combination.
“I don't know,” I whispered. “We will have to catch Thurton once he leaves the meeting.”
“I agree,” Xavier said, all business-like. He continued to look down at the meeting below. Thurton was wiping his lip with a napkin that Nora had forgotten to pick up.
“All in favor of elevating Primrose Lovelli to leader of the East Coast Abnormals?” Thurton asked. He raised his hand.
All of the Elders except for the three potential allies raised their hands.
“Then this motion is approved,” Thurton said. He coughed. It was a wet, sick sound. I suspected he had some kind of infection in his lungs. I wondered for a second if that was why he was working with the demon mayor. He could very well be dying and hoping Thoreau and Death would grant him a boon.