The woman looked ready to reach across the counter and throttle me. “I don’t make the rules.”
“Apparently, nobody did because that rule isn’t here.” I waved the ticket at her. “Why don’t we just bring Rudolph with us and let the Devourer decided whether he stays or goes?”
The woman folded her arms across her chest and huffed. “Fine, but if anyone asks, you snuck that thing in. I didn’t see a thing.”
“Deal,” I replied.
There were rows of folding chairs set up in the tent. A familiar strawberry blond head drew my attention to the front row.
“Dani?” I called.
She turned and her face lit up at the sight of us. Robin and Mia were in the chairs beside her. They jumped to their feet and ran to greet us. Our bodies quickly became tangled in hugs. Only after we disentangled did the realization hit them.
“Beth?” Mia whispered.
“Great Goddess of the Moon,” Dani exclaimed. “Beth!”
They hugged her fiercely. Fat tears wet Beth’s cheeks.
“You have to tell us everything,” Dani said.
“When I’ve had a little time to recuperate,” Beth promised.
A trio of heads barked, and Dani laughed. “And you’ve made a new friend?”
“This is Rudolph,” I said. “He loves moonlit walks and the crunch of a golden apple.”
Rudolph wagged his single tail in agreement.
“How did you end up here?” I asked.
Robin stepped forward. “It turns out they have a very civilized system here for dealing with interlopers.”
“Vessels,” Mia corrected him.
“The flying hellbeasts took us to a holding cell,” Dani explained.
“We had to wait for our turn in front of the border justice,” Robin said. “It was a fascinating experience.”
Dani rolled her eyes. “And we’ve had to listen to the fascinating details for this entire trip. I’ve nearly slipped into a coma multiple times. Voluntarily.”
“If it weren’t for Robin’s interest, the justice might have been less lenient,” Mia pointed out. “I feel like they bonded.”
Robin produced a business card from his pocket. “He gave me his contact details. Should I be interested in discussing the career with him, he’d be happy to meet me for coffee in our world.”
“Why do you need to go through this whole rigmarole with the Devourer if you were released on your own recognizance?” I asked.
Robin raised a finger. “Because there are rules that must be followed.”
“Wow. You were really were tailor-made for that job,” I said.
A voice echoed inside the tent. “Numbers 52312, 52313, and 52314.”
Robin rubbed his hands together. “That’s us. Showtime, witches.”
Mia kissed my cheek. “Good luck.”
“You, too.”
“See you on the other side,” Dani said with a wave.
The voice echoed inside the tent. “Numbers 52315, 52316, 52317, and 52318. Please enter through the red door.”
I hesitated. What if the Devourer found my heart wanting because of my father? Or because of the underworld creatures I killed? What about Gray? He already lacked a soul. What would she decide about him?
I set aside my fears, and we entered through the red door. The room was empty except for a woman behind a table. She wore a long, flowing green robe held together with a thick belt. Her curly red hair was chin-length and only served to accentuate her masculine jaw. I was surprised to see that her pale skin was dusted with freckles.
“Come in, kids. We don’t have all day.” She motioned us forward. “Which one of you wants to go first? I’m open to suggestions.”
On the table in front of her were a golden scale, a single white feather, and an empty jar.
“Here’s how it works, kids. This feather is from the cloak of the goddess of truth,” the Devourer said. “I place the feather on one end of the scale, and your heart in this jar on the other.”
“So, you’re like Ammit,” Cerys said.
“Who’s Ammit?” I queried.
“Do I look like I have the head of a crocodile, the forelimbs of a lion, and the hind limbs of a big-ass hippo?” the Devourer demanded. She shook her derriere, revealing a short reptilian green tail that jutted out from the back of her robe. “Anyhoo, where do you think they got the idea for Ammit in the first place? Those Egyptians were always borrowing ideas and passing them off as their own.”
I raised my hand. “Excuse me. How do you weigh our hearts when we’re not actually dead?”
The Devourer peered at us. “None of you?” She locked on Gray. “Well, you certainly are.” She frowned. “Sort of.” She waved a hand airily. “No matter. We can still proceed. If you’re good to go, then you pass through to the overworld, no problem. If there’s an issue…” She paused. “I guess we’ll cross that River Styx when we come to it, huh?”
Beth stepped forward. “I’ll go first.”
“Awesome, you look in desperate need of a bath, so let’s get you out of here.” The Devourer approached Beth, and placed her palm flat against Beth’s chest, over her heart.
“You’re not going to rip it out, are you?” I asked.
The Devourer fixed me with an annoyed stare. “I’m not a monster.” Her hand became transparent and Beth stood motionless as the Devourer reached into Beth’s chest cavity and removed her heart. Beth remained standing, albeit in an unconscious state.
The Devourer plopped the heart onto one side of the scale, and then gingerly placed the feather on the other.
“No surprise,” the Devourer said. “When you’ve done this as long as I have, you get a sense of these things.” She plucked the heart from the scale and plunged it back into Beth’s body. Then she gave Beth an affectionate pat on the cheek. “You passed, honey. You’re free to go through. Make sure it’s the green door. Trust me, you don’t want to accidentally walk through the orange one, if you’re meant to go there.”
Beth turned to look at us. “Can I wait for my friends?”
The Devourer gave her a sympathetic look. “Death doesn’t work that way. Each living creature dies alone. Such is the nature of life.”
Beth smiled at us. “Thank you for rescuing me. I’ll wait for you on the other side.” She disappeared through the green door.
“You go next, Cerys,” I said. I didn’t want Cerys to be here if anything went wrong for me. She’d been through enough recently.
Cerys pressed her lips together. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Don’t wait for us. When you find Beth, head back to the academy and tell the chancellor everything.”
“Okay, I will.” Cerys approached the table, and the Devourer followed the same procedure.
“Another gold star,” the Devourer said. “Congratulations, not that I had a shred of doubt. Your entire aura screams goodness. It’s actually mildly nauseating.”
Cerys reluctantly stepped across the threshold of the green door.
“Which of one you is next?” the Devourer asked, glancing from Gray to me.
“Rudolph,” I said.
The Devourer frowned at the hellhound. “He wants to leave?”
Three heads nodded in unison.
The Devourer shrugged. “Okey dokey. Step right up. At least you only share one heart.” She did her thing, and directed Rudolph through the green door.
Now it was our turn.
“You go,” Gray urged.
I clasped his hand. “No. You have to go next.” If something went wrong, I needed to be here to help him.
Gray seemed to read my thoughts. “There won’t be anything you can do, Morrow. Your magic is strong, but it isn’t invincible.”
“Time is of the essence, little ones,” the Devourer said, tapping her foot impatiently. “Let’s see how this plays out, huh?”
I froze. For all my supposed good deeds, it was still my father’s blood that pumped through my veins. Maybe Volans Moldark had
started with good intentions, too. I would never know.
“Tick tock, jellybean,” the Devourer said.
“I’ll go,” I said, my pulse racing. As I started forward, Gray grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him. His mouth fastened on mine, and I tasted the desperation in his kiss. He was afraid.
So was I.
“I’ll see you across the border,” he whispered, and kissed my forehead.
My gut twisted as I approached the table. The Devourer’s hand returned to its transparent state as she reached for my heart.
“Calm that thing, Morrow, before it slips out of her hand,” Gray teased.
Although I heard him, I couldn’t reply. My body was rendered immobile by the Devourer’s magic. She placed the heart on the scale, and then the lone feather. She rolled her eyes.
“Thought so.” She plucked the heart from the scale and thrust it back into my chest. “Not sure what you were so worried about, honey. You’ve got to do a lot more than slay a few monsters in self-defense before you can be found wanting.”
“But what about the darkness in my soul?” I queried.
She cocked her head. “What darkness would that be? If it got any lighter in there, your heart would need sunglasses.”
“My father…” I hesitated. Did I want her to know? What if she changed her mind? The fine print said she had sole discretion. “He was Volans Moldark.”
The Devourer tapped her finger on her chin. “Moldark. Moldark. That name sounds vaguely familiar. Dark magic guy, huh?”
“Yes, an evil sorcerer from the overworld. Killed without mercy. Succumbed to the darkness within.”
She examined her nails and sighed. “Do you have any idea how many evil sorcerers there’ve been in the overworld since I started here?” She clucked her tongue. “The list is endless. Take it from me, your heart and soul are in excellent shape. Go forth and do good deeds. Don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.”
“Thank you, Devourer,” I said.
“Join your friends now, and I’ll take care of your boyfriend here.” She crooked a finger at Gray.
“Good luck, Gray,” I said. I headed toward the green door, fighting the urge to run back to Gray. What if she made him stay? What if I never saw him again?
“Keep moving, Morrow,” he called, sensing my hesitation.
I opened the green door, and walked through the doorway. My heart was pumping harder than it ever had.
I emerged in a familiar place—a copse of trees right near Mercer Lake. There was no sign of Cerys or Beth. Hopefully, they’d done what I asked and went straight to the chancellor. I paced in a circle, unwilling to leave this spot until I knew for certain that Gray was all right.
The sun was shining, and the birdsong was cheerful, but I couldn’t rest until I knew he was safe.
Thank the gods, a familiar voice said.
“Icarus!”
My familiar flew above my head. He swooped down and perched on the closest branch. Don’t ever disappear like that again. Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?
“I’m sorry,” I said. “We were able to rescue Cerys. And Beth! Do you remember the roommate I replaced? She’d gone missing, and we found her there, too.”
I saw the whole gang, Icarus said. Including a three-headed hellhound. I don’t suppose you know anything about him?
“Rudolph is here? Where?”
He was taken straight to Fonthill.
Phew.
“And where did everyone else go?”
To see the chancellor. Well done, Bryn. Your mother would be proud.
“She would, wouldn’t she?”
Why are you standing around here? Icarus asked. It’s time to go back to the academy and celebrate your safe return.
“Not yet,” I insisted. “I’m waiting for Gray.”
Where is he?
I explained the Devourer’s procedure, and Icarus seemed to grasp the situation immediately.
He’ll make it through, Bryn. I’m not a fan of vampires, as you know, but Gray seems like one of the good ones.
“He is, Icarus. One of the best ones.”
We waited together in relative silence for a few more minutes. Finally, Icarus encouraged me to return to the academy.
The others will worry about you, Icarus said. You should join them before they organize a search party.
I blinked away tears. “You’re right. It isn’t fair. They’ve been through enough.”
Icarus sighed. You all have.
17
The chancellor’s door was closed when I arrived. Hazel spotted me at the other end of the corridor and bustled over, throwing her plump arms around me.
“The gods are smiling upon us,” she said, and promptly released me. “You look a sight better than the last two, I’ll say that much for you. Come in, come in. I know the chancellor will be eager to see you.”
She knocked once and opened the door. “Chancellor, you have another visitor.”
Chancellor Tilkin’s brow lifted when she noticed me. “Great Goddess of the Moon. Come in, child. Let’s have a look at you.”
I entered the room and smiled when I saw Cerys and Beth seated comfortably on a settee. A tray of drinks and food sat on the table in front of them.
“Bryn!” Mia engulfed me in a warm hug, quickly followed by Dani. I’d been so relieved to see Cerys and Beth that I hadn’t even noticed them in the room. Everyone had returned safely. Almost everyone.
“Can you believe Beth is back?” Dani asked. “We’re still shocked.”
“It is a great relief to us all,” the chancellor said. “Her parents are already en route.”
“You won’t stay?” I asked Beth.
Beth shook her head, her legs curled underneath her. “Definitely not. No offense to Spellslingers, Chancellor, it’s just that I don’t belong here.”
“I still would like you to see Alana before you go. All of you,” the chancellor said.
“Where’s Gray?” Dani asked.
I felt the weight of everyone’s stares. “I’m…not sure.” It took all my strength not to burst into tears.
Mia hugged me again. “Don’t worry, Bryn. If anyone can find his way out of a dire situation, it’s Gray.”
“Bryn?” Robin pushed open the door. “Hazel told me you were here.”
“Join the party, Boy Wonder,” I said, wriggling my fingers.
Robin stretched his long arms around the three of us. “I’m glad you’re back safe.”
“Now that the reunion has taken place, might I say a few words?” Chancellor Tilkin asked.
“I’ve got more drinks and snacks,” Hazel announced, returning to the office with another tray. “No one’s to go hungry on my watch.”
“Perish the thought,” Dani said.
I took a seat directly in front of the chancellor’s desk, where Hestia gave me a cursory glance before returning to her slumber. The chancellor’s familiar seemed able to snooze under any circumstances—that was her superpower.
Hazel handed me a lemon fizz. “Thank you,” I said, and gulped it down. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was until now. I swept up a cookie and gobbled it down hungrily.
“Cerys and Beth gave me an overview,” the chancellor said, braiding her elegant fingers. “I shall have to file an official report, and explain how my pupils ended up in the nether. I won’t be surprised if it results in a reprimand for me.”
“I’m sorry, Chancellor,” I said. “I didn’t mean to get anyone in trouble. I felt responsible for Cerys…”
The chancellor held up a hand. “I know, child. No need to explain to me.” She inhaled deeply. “What I would like you to confirm is that you and Mr. Mappleworth were responsible for the deaths of a number of demons during your time there.”
I swallowed hard, fully aware of the chancellor’s inquisitive gaze on me. “That’s true.”
“You do realize that the Agency of Magical Forces has a no-kill policy for its agents,” Chancellor Tilkin sai
d. “Simply because you were not acting under the auspices of the AMF did not give you license to use deadly force.”
“These were defensive measures,” I argued. “No one went down there with the intention of killing demons. It’s not exactly a sport.”
The chancellor leaned back in her chair and studied me. “No, certainly not.”
Beth tentatively raised her hand. “Technically, I killed Abraxas.”
Chancellor Tilkin’s brow shot up. “You?”
“And I’d do it again, too,” she said. “He didn’t deserve to live.”
Chancellor Tilkin’s features softened. “It is not for us to deliver judgment, but it sounds to me like another case of self-defense.”
“He would have kidnapped another girl,” Beth said. “He was getting bolder. He’d never had two at once before. His servants felt that he was cocky because no one had stopped him. The underworld gods looked the other way, apparently. He paid off officials.”
“And no doubt because they have transgressions of their own to hide,” the chancellor said. “Be that as it may, I’m afraid your unorthodox actions cannot be overlooked, Bryn. The Board of Regents is insisting on repercussions. Given your reputation, I must satisfy their demands.”
“I understand,” I said.
“That’s not fair,” Dani said. “The board should be proud of Bryn. She was able to combine her elemental magic to create a tornado made of earth.”
“And she used blood magic to help defeat Abraxas,” Beth added.
Everyone fell silent. And there was the problem.
“You haven’t made it easy for us, child.” Chancellor Tilkin wore a troubled expression. “I was hopeful for a calmer transition.”
“What do you think they’ll want to do? Kick me out of the academy?” I asked.
“No!” Dani vaulted from her chair. “Absolutely not. If Bryn goes, I go.”
Mia stood. “Me, too.”
“And me,” Cerys added.
Chancellor Tilkin motioned for the girls to sit. “No one is leaving the academy. I have no doubt they’ll decide that a tutor isn’t enough. That she needs a mentor to keep her in check.”
“Who? Armitage?” I asked.
“It’s still to be decided,” the chancellor said. “I have the distinct impression you shall also been assigned to a week cleaning up the hellhound enclosure.”
Outlast: Spellslingers Academy of Magic (Warden of the West Book 3) Page 16