“Do you think we don’t have ways of securing your kind?” he asked. “Plenty of demons and their spawn have wings, my precious. We’ve learned to combat that advantage.”
I still held the sword. If he took another step toward me, I’d be ready. My forehead started to throb and inwardly I cursed myself. If I ever made it back to Domus, the Elders were going to have to teach me to control my stress in battle before it became my undoing.
He pushed his hands through the air and a wall of wind slammed into me, knocking me backward. I landed on my tailbone and pain shot up my spine. The Whistler made a twisting motion with his hand and the river began to gurgle. Water rose up in his shape. My palms began to itch and burn. What was he doing to me?
Before I could jump to my feet, seaweed darted from the river and across the bank and coiled around my wrists and ankles. I struggled to free myself, dropping my sword in the process.
“Give up, little demonspawn,” the Whistler said. “You have no power strong enough to defeat me.” He flicked his fingers and the water-shaped Whistler advanced toward me.
Energy began to thrum around me and I realized it was coming from my hands. I wriggled my wrists so that I could rub my palms in the dirt to offset the burning sensation. Light glowed like a white glove around both hands.
“What on earth is that?” Sturg bent forward to examine the light.
I seized the moment and wrenched my wrists free of the seaweed. I threw up my hands and energy blasted from my palms, blowing the Whistler about thirty feet away. He slid along the path on his back and his body twitched from shock. The seaweed slithered off my ankles and the water figure splashed to the ground.
I grabbed my sword and scrambled to my feet. When I glanced to where the Whistler had fallen, he was gone.
“Cassia!”
I inhaled sharply and whirled around to confront my attacker. Elder Sam stood in the grass. I tossed my sword to the ground and ran to him, throwing my arms around his shoulders and clinging to him the way I did as a child. He pressed his hands against my wings.
“I’m so relieved to find you,” he said.
“How did you?” I asked. I leaned my cheek against his chest.
“I had Elder Asago use a tracking spell,” he said.
I tipped back my head to look at him. “But why?”
“Because I was worried,” he said. “I was asleep and woke up in a cold sweat.”
I smiled. “Now you have the gift of prophecy?”
“Mariska always said I had a sixth sense when it comes to you.”
“I bet Elder Asago was thrilled to be woken up for that.”
Elder Sam chuckled. “He’ll survive.”
“Did you see him?” I asked.
Elder Sam blinked. “Asago? Of course.”
“No, the Whistler. He was just here. I fought him off.”
His face paled. “Moloch?”
“His name was Sturg. I defended myself and he disappeared.”
Elder Sam released his hold on me. “You fought back and he retreated?”
I nodded. “I did something…I don’t know what.” I stared at my hands. “There was a white light.”
Elder Sam audibly swallowed. “You must have imagined it.”
“I didn’t,” I said. “It blasted him all the way to that tree.” I pointed. “By the time I recovered, he was gone.”
Elder Sam held out his hand. “Come back to the academy. I’ll speak to Alastor. I’m sure I can persuade him to be reasonable.”
“The way you did when he cast me out?” I asked. I sheathed my sword.
Elder Sam dipped his head. “I’m sorry the way things ended, but I’m prepared to challenge him…It’s too dangerous for you here alone.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not going back. Not yet.”
“Why risk your life?” Elder Sam asked. “He could have killed you.”
“But he didn’t,” I said. “I took care of myself.” Exactly how, I still wasn’t sure. “I’m close to finding Mariska’s killer. That was the deal and I intend to keep my end of it.”
“There’s something you should know,” he said. “Whoever did this—they have the ability to create portals. All this time we thought they’d accessed the external portal and then gone downstairs to the archives room. That they ran into Mariska in the corridor on their way back out again.”
“But they didn’t?”
He shook his head. “We studied the external portal to see if we could find any clues and it became clear that the portal hadn’t been activated during the relevant timeframe at all. The killer created their own portal directly into the archives room. We found traces of residual magic there.”
“Then how does that explain Mariska?” I asked.
“It doesn’t.” As he started to say more, he was interrupted by another familiar voice.
“Cassia, is that you?”
I whipped around to see Rafe hurrying toward us, a look of concern etched into his handsome features. He saw my face—which must have looked as shell-shocked as I felt after my run-in with the Whistler—and directed his ire at Elder Sam. His sword seemed to appear out of thin air and he slashed at the Elder. Thankfully Elder Sam was gifted with fast reflexes like me and blocked the blade with his own.
“Rafe, stop!”
The Watcher’s arm jerked to his side. “I thought you were in trouble.”
“I was but not anymore.” I tilted my head. “This is Elder Sam.”
Rafe balked. “From the academy?”
Elder Sam gaped at me. “You told him?”
“He’s a friend,” I insisted. I hoped.
“He’s a Watcher,” Elder Sam shot back.
“And you’re a seraph,” Rafe said, and I detected the note of surprise. He took in the Elder’s wingless and scarred form. “Cassia didn’t mention that.”
“My situation is somewhat unique,” Elder Sam said.
“You no longer live in Dominion?” Rafe asked.
Elder Sam’s gaze shifted to me. “Not in the last seventeen years. I’ve had other priorities.”
Rafe offered a hand to the Elder. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“It better be,” Elder Sam said. “Too many lives depend upon it.” He looked at me. “We’ll discuss this later.”
I’d hoped to ask Elder Sam about the sapphire star mark. With Rafe present, it would have to wait.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“I saw the direction you flew and followed your trail,” Rafe said. “I didn’t like the way we parted.”
“Me neither.”
We stared at each other for a long beat and Elder Sam seemed to sense the tension.
“I should be going,” Elder Sam said. “Now that I know you’re all right.”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’ll come back when the task is complete, as agreed.”
Elder Sam glanced from me to Rafe. “Be careful, Cassia.”
“I will. I promise.”
Once he was gone, Rafe turned to me. “I’m sorry I reacted the way I did. I was just so surprised and, to be honest, a little embarrassed.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m a Watcher in this city and you’re telling me there are spires towering over us with an untold number of cambions.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Doesn’t exactly make me feel good at my job.”
“I didn’t really think about it from your point of view.”
“I’m sorry. You trusted me and I blew it. I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot.”
“Good, in that case, will you please come back to the loft?”
I replied with a simple “yes.”
As we flew back side-by-side, I told him about the Whistler. He slowed as though he intended to turn around.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked.
“I’m going to find him and kill him,” Rafe said.
I reached out and grabbed the edge of his wing. “Don’t you da
re. He’s gone now.”
“But not for good.”
“No, never for good. We live in fear of them. Always.”
We landed on the rooftop balcony. Rafe reached for my hand, but I entered the loft without taking it.
“I need a shower,” I said, and flew downstairs.
I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower. I was more aware than ever that this was the same shower Rafe used every day. The water sluiced down my wings, which were tucked tightly against my body. I washed off all evidence of the fight with the Whistler. As I lathered the soap in my hands, I thought of the white light I’d conjured. The itching and burning must have been the energy trying to get out. What was it and why had I never experienced it before? If the Whistler had done something to me, I wanted to know what it was.
I washed my hair last and rinsed it thoroughly before turning off the water. I stood perfectly still for a moment and focused on my breathing. I’d faced a Whistler and I was alive. It was nothing short of a miracle.
I left the shower and wrapped a towel around me. The fearful part of me had wanted to return to the academy with Elder Sam. Now that the Whistler knew I was in the city, I had no doubt that he’d come searching for me again. And this time he’d be ready for my attack. I’d probably stunned him as much as I’d stunned myself.
I changed into a T-shirt and shorts and towel-dried my hair. One look in the mirror told me how exhausted I was. It had been a long day.
Rafe was in the loft when I emerged from the bathroom. His gaze was fixed on the enormous window and the city outside.
“Bathroom is all yours,” I called.
He turned and looked down at me. “Thanks.” He seemed sullen for a guy who didn’t have to face off with a Whistler tonight.
I soared to the loft and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey. Everything okay?”
He flinched at my touch and I wrenched my hand away. “I’ll be fine. It’s been an eventful day is all.”
“No kidding.”
He brushed past me. “You can have the bed again. I’ll take the sofa, although I deserve the gutter—or worse.”
“What do you mean?”
His whole body tensed. “I almost got you killed tonight. If he had killed you, your blood would have been on my hands. That’s not the Watcher way.”
“You didn’t send him after me,” I said. “Besides, he didn’t kill me. I’m right here.”
Rafe met my gaze. His eyes smoldered like two sapphires ready to burst into flames. “Thank the heavens you are.” His hungry lips found mine, sending a jolt through me. “I’m so sorry, Cassia,” he murmured between kisses. “Can you ever forgive me?”
“I already have.” Each kiss was more delicious than the last. “You taste like raspberries.”
He chuckled. “That’s because I had a few while you were in the shower.” He planted another kiss on my lips. “I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to you. When I saw you with that seraph—Elder Sam—I felt sick.”
“I’m fine. I defended myself.”
“Because you were taught well.” Rafe’s fingers brushed my cheek. “Did the seraph teach you?”
I nodded. “He’s handled most of my weapons training. He’s been my sparring partner since I was a little girl.”
Rafe’s lips were soft against my cheek. “Don’t run away again, okay? If we argue, let’s just stomp away about two feet and then make up.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” I asked. “I’m demonspawn, Rafe. I live in a secret academy that harbors children of the enemy. I represent everything you’re supposed to…” I trailed off. I didn’t want to convince him to walk away from me.
“You’re at risk too, as that Whistler proved. My kind—we don’t watch out for demonspawn…for cambions, but maybe we should. After all, you’re half human and we’re here to protect humans.”
“From demons,” I pointed out. “We have abilities that bounders don’t, Rafe. I get it. That makes us a threat.”
“I know you’re not a threat to bounders, Cassia, and neither are your friends.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “I’m so sorry.”
“The good news is that Elder Sam came bearing new information,” I said. “Whoever broke in created their own portal. They didn’t use the one already there. We should go see Liesel.”
Rafe kissed me again, more gently this time. “Tomorrow,” he said quietly. “Tonight, you sleep. Your body needs it.”
He was right. My injuries had healed, but I still felt tired. “Thank you for coming to look for me.”
He reached for my hand and squeezed. “There’s no one else I’d rather find.”
Liesel was waiting for us in the atrium of the library when we arrived. She seemed to vibrate with excitement at the sight of us.
“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been given any interesting research tasks? This is the kind of thing that gets me out of bed in the morning.”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Because it takes a lot to get you out of bed voluntarily. We know.”
Liesel crooked a finger. “I’ve taken the liberty of pulling out the foremost authorities on portals in the library.”
“But you don’t even know what our question is yet,” Rafe said. “I only said that we had questions about artificial portals.”
Liesel sauntered to the long wooden table where books were strewn across the top in a haphazard manner. For a custodian of knowledge, she seemed wildly disorganized. Or maybe just wild.
“You said you needed information about portals,” Liesel said. “Whatever you need to know, these books are your best bet.” She perched on the edge of the table and crossed her ankles. “So what’s your question anyway? I’ve been dying to know.”
Rafe picked up a book from the table and began to thumb through it. “We need to know everything about portal creation. Which creatures are capable of that kind of power and how do they do it? What’s involved?”
Liesel rolled her eyes. “Okay, I thought we were looking for something more sophisticated. I know enough to tell you that. Witches, seraphim, fae, even some greater demons.” She squinted at nothing in particular, her expression thoughtful. “Not vampires or shifters. If they wanted a private portal created, they’d have to hire someone capable of the work.”
“Is there a way to narrow it down so that we can identify the type of creature that created a portal?” I asked.
Liesel laughed. “You mean do they sign their portals like a work of art? No.” She lit up. “But we might be able to tell by the traces of energy left behind. It’s not a guarantee, though. As with any magic, there are ways to disguise your trail. If you think the portal might get traced back to you, you might add a layer of magic that makes it appear black, for instance, to throw suspicion on lesser demons. It really depends on how clever you are or how clever you think those investigating will be.”
I flipped open one of the books. “I don’t know that the portal maker would expect anyone to be investigating. I think they realize the precarious position the owners of the stolen object are in.”
I didn’t want to say too much in front of Liesel, but I suspect the thief knew that most of the Elders wouldn’t risk leaving the academy in pursuit of the book. They’d have to hire someone or send Elder Sam. He was the only one that left the spires with any regularity. I was never certain whether it was because he was the most capable or the most expendable. The thought made me sad. Elder Sam had already suffered great trauma being cast out of Dominion. It would have to be difficult to feel that you weren’t truly wanted anywhere.
Liesel piled one book on top of another. “Portals will sometimes reflect the aura of the creature that created it, so red for witches and wizards, green for fae, black for lesser demons. You know them.”
“That only helps if you happen to see the portal,” Rafe said. “No one saw this one and energy traces would be long gone.”
“But we did see the portal at the
burial ground,” I said. My mind flashed back to the glowing headstone. There had been a flash of green just before the second wave of demons appeared. It had been quick enough that I might have missed it, only I didn’t.
“You think whoever’s creating the gray market entrances might also have created the portal to steal the book?” Liesel asked.
“It’s an interesting theory. Artificial portals require a lot of magic.” Rafe scratched his head. “I didn’t notice a color at the burial ground though, did you?”
I closed the book in front of me. “I’m pretty sure I saw green at the burial ground.”
“Are you sure?” Rafe asked. “If we’re dealing with fae…”
Liesel snorted. “And who would be better? Witches? Seraphim? Face it, Rafe. There are no good options here.”
“The color didn’t really register at the time, but I definitely saw green.” My heart began to race. Finally, a solid lead that could lead us to the responsible party. “Do you have any fae contacts in the city?”
Rafe and Liesel exchanged amused glances. “Have you ever met one of them?” Liesel asked.
“No.” Then again, I lived a more isolated existence than either of the Watchers.
“They don’t tend to spend any time in the human world,” Rafe said. “They stick to their own realm like seraphim. They think bounders are beneath them and demons even more so.”
“How do we get into Faerie?” I asked.
Rafe grunted. “We can’t just march into Faerie and demand to know which one of them created a portal for a thief and a murderer.”
“Why not?” I asked.
Liesel and Rafe looked at each other and she smiled. “I don’t know, Rafe. Why not?”
“Because it’s a bad idea.”
“Do you have a better one?” I shot back.
“We can find their emissary,” Rafe said. “Go through the proper channels.”
“Do you really think we have time for that?” I asked.
“Even more importantly, do you really think they’ll admit us once they know the reason why we want to go?” Liesel asked. “Ask for forgiveness, mate, not permission.”
“Exactly!”
Demonspawn Academy: Trial One Page 14