by Nicole Grane
Chapter 14
“Hold it, lovebirds!”
“Lovebirds?” I wish.
Antonio gripped my hand tighter.
“Would someone like to tell me how the hell that piece of crap got into this school?” Gunny, slightly out of breath, was still able to bellow loud enough for all to hear. His attention, fixed on the two of us, was pointing at Roland—the “piece of crap.”
“I don’t know, Sir.” Antonio stepped closer to Gunny, taking me along with him. “Evie appears to have been the target. Her father suspected an attack. That’s why he sent her, and me here as well. He felt she’d be better protected.”
I looked at Antonio in disbelief. “My father sent you to protect me?”
He managed a nod.
“Humph! I knew there was a reason you asked to train her. Why didn’t you tell me George made you her Guardian?” Antonio was my Guardian? Gunny eyed Antonio carefully, his stare dropping to our hands locked together. I shifted uncomfortably, but Antonio tightened his grip. He was completely unaffected by Gunny’s disapproving look.
“I wasn’t supposed to alert anyone to the real reason I was here,” Antonio explained. “My job was to protect Evie, if the need arose. It was my vow to her father.” His vow?
Gunny nodded his head in understanding. It was probably some sort of Slayer lingo I wasn’t in on yet.
“George always knew who to put his faith in,” Gunny stated. “Good thing to. I’ll have to dispatch a search party to find my . . .” Gunny fake coughed, “ . . . Slayers.”
I didn’t envy his “Slayers.” Not one bit. Gunny looked ready to kick some serious butt. I was just glad it wasn’t mine.
“What has happened here?” Ms. Leech had arrived on scene, standing over what used to be Roland Vandenberg—although the beast showed no outward signs of the blonde, blue-eyed hunk that had once dominated the hot-o- meter.
Ms. Leech’s face looked fierce as ever. “Such a pity.” She reached down and caressed the side of the gargoyle’s face with the back of her hand. “Roland was such an accomplished young man, so many prospects.” Her narrow eyes fixed on me. “You seem to wreak havoc wherever you go Miss Hollyander.”
I was so grossed out by her touching the scaly beast that I said the first thing that came to mind: “Perhaps we can overlook this?” I smiled hopefully, remembering her earlier leniency with the sprinklers.
“Hardly,” she growled. “Now that a demon from the Underworld has successfully infiltrated our midst, drastic steps must be taken. No one will be above suspicion.” She shot me another sharp look.
“Well hell, I didn’t let the gargoyle in!” Wait! How did she know that was Roland? It looked nothing like him. I didn’t even remember seeing her in the gym when the gargoyle attacked in the first place . . .
Say nothing, Antonio warned.
I gave him a startled look. I’d forgotten he could speak to me this way. He hadn’t done so since that day on the track field when I’d first learned he could hear my thoughts. I remained quiet, as he’d suggested.
“I’ll take over the first line of interrogations.” Gunny stepped forward, rubbing his hands together eagerly, apparently not noticing Ms. Leech’s affection toward gargoyle-Roland.
“That will have to wait. Our first priority is to repair the gym. We’ll deal with this . . .” she motioned to the carcass, “. . . after the awards ceremony. I’ll have one of the janitors take him away.”
That was her first priority? Was she kidding? Did she forget there was a dead gargoyle, decaying beside her as we spoke?
“You poor dear, you must have been so scared.” Ms. Leech smiled at me. Smiled? Who was this woman and what had she done with Ms. Leech? And why did that smile make me want to scratch off the first two layers of my skin?
“Lucky for you Mr. Vasques was here,” she grinned, although the smile did not touch her eyes—which incidentally were still violet.
I shivered. Why were her eyes the same color as Roland’s had been before he transformed from a babe-magnet to a hideous beast? And how did she know Antonio had killed him? And why did she look as if she could eat us alive at any moment?
Antonio’s grip tightened as he pulled me into his side. I’d forgotten he was still holding my hand. “I’ll take Evie back to her dorm. She’ll be safer there,” he announced.
“Yes, of course. We must keep her safe.” There was a sinister tone in her voice. If it hadn’t been for Antonio’s strong hold on me, I’d have been running after Iris long ago.
Keep quiet, Antonio warned again.
I glanced toward him.
They could be everywhere.
They? Who? I stiffened nonetheless.
“You two get out of here. I’ve got a gym to repair and butts to kick. Damn that Vandenberg, getting his ass captured by demons—he was my best student. Bixby!” Gunny strode off, shouting obscenities along the way. I’d hate to be Chad right about now.
Antonio pulled me away, taking advantage of Ms. Leech’s temporary distraction. Stay quiet.
I tried to push my thoughts to Antonio. This was no problem for him, but for me, I had to concentrate very hard. Even with our hands touching, trying to communicate with Antonio like this made my brain hurt. He’d always invaded my mind, hearing my thoughts. I didn't even know if I could speak to him . . . telepathically that is.
Antonio? Is Ms. Leech . . .?
Antonio shot me a surprised look before answering. Yes! She’s a Daimonas.
Ms. Leech was a Daimonas?
“Yes,” Antonio repeated. “That’s how the gargoyle must have gotten into the school. But not even a Daimonas would be powerful enough to break through the magical barriers that protect the students here. Something aided it, something sinister.
I shuddered at the thought of something more sinister then a gargoyle or a demonic principal lurking about. I shuddered even more at the reasons why!
“Antonio, how can you be sure that’s not Ms. Leech?”
Antonio stopped abruptly; his eyes scanned our surroundings before he spoke. “It’s not hard to see when you know what you’re looking for. I’m only sorry I hadn’t detected it sooner. I haven’t seen her in the last few days . . . she could have been taken anytime.”
I could accept that. I thought back to my earlier conversation in Ms. Leech’s office: when she let me off the hook for soaking Stacy with the sprinklers. I’d thought then how odd her behavior was—she was probably a Daimonas. No wonder she was willing to overlook the whole thing, she’d probably done worse!
“But, Gunny is a skilled Slayer. He hadn’t seemed to notice anything odd about Ms. Leech.”
“The Daimonas can easily trick those around them, even someone as seasoned as Gunny.” Antonio’s jaw tightened. “I’m glad I killed him, the gargoyle that is.” His hand reached up, his fingers gently brushing my face. “I’m glad I was there for you.”
My knees wobbled as I melted under his stare once more. “I’m glad you were too. I still can’t believe Roland tried to kill me.”
“No Evie. That wasn’t Roland.”
“But how do you know? Maybe he was always a gargoyle. Maybe he’s been plotting to kill me from the beginning. Maybe—”
Antonio gripped my arms firmly, stopping all other maybes. “I would have known. In class, when he asked to escort you to the awards . . . he was human then. I promise you, Evie. Roland may not have always had the most honorable intentions, but he would never have tried to kill you.”
I thought about that. I couldn’t believe Roland was dead . . . and Ms. Leech . . . my heart ached for them. I suddenly realized that no one was safe from harm. Any one of us could be taken at any moment.
We were climbing the steps to my dorm when Antonio asked me what my room number was.
“You can’t be in my room!” I gasped, completely forgetting what we’d been talking about. “Boy’s aren’t allowed upstairs.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not a boy then.” He grinned.
He was right of course. He was one hundred percent man. And he was still holding my hand—I blushed.
“Don’t worry. No one will even know I’m here,” he assured, smugly.
Yeah. Right. This was all I needed—getting caught sneaking a boy into my room. Ms. Leech or whoever she was would have my head for sure. No way could she overlook that!
We peeked through a small crack in the door. Ms. Spencer, the dorm matron, was sitting on the couch, watching her not-to-be-disturbed hour of Days of Our Lives on the television.
Antonio pulled me along behind him. Dang his hands were soft. He must lotion them every day. I wonder if his whole body is this soft? I wonder if he—
Evelyn! Antonio scolded me mentally, drawing me out of my PRIVATE THOUGHTS! He rolled his eyes at me. “They aren’t private when you’re squealing them. Besides, we have to hurry. The effect will last but there won’t be much time before the others start returning to the dorm. It won’t do us any good for them to find her immobilized,” Weird. I hadn't even heard him utter a spell.
“The elevator’s over here,” I said.
We were outside my door in a matter of minutes. I’d never been more nervous about entering my room than I did at this moment; although I’d never entered my room with a guy before.
“Key.” Antonio extended his hand. If he was listening to me, he didn’t let on.
Key? “I don’t have it. I left my bag in the gym.”
Antonio didn’t seem the least bit concerned. He placed his hand on the knob and turned the handle. The door opened.
“You don't need spells, do you?” I grinned at him. “What else can you do?” I instantly blushed at the suggestiveness of my words.
“Never mind.” He ushered me into the room and shut the door. He took me firmly by the shoulders, pinning me with his stare. His face was so close to mine, making my knees weak all over again. “Do you have a backpack?”
“A backpack? Y-yes,” I finally answered disappointed that he hadn’t kissed me.
“Good.” He released me. “You’ll need a change of clothing. Pack light. Only what you can carry. Perhaps an extra pair of socks and shoes if you have them.”
I went to my closet for the bag. My dresser drawer squeaked open behind me.
“Hey!” I leapt across the room, pushed past Antonio, and slammed my underwear drawer shut.
“I’m helping you pack.”
“Not that drawer you’re not.” I could feel the blush returning to my cheeks. There was no way I wanted Antonio seeing my unmentionables.
“Fine.” He backed away, palms up, and took a seat on the edge of my bed. “I hope you have more sensible undergarments than that,” he mumbled under his breath.
“What do you mean by that? What’s wrong with them?” I was more than embarrassed that he’d caught a glimpse of my underwear but insulting them? “I’ll have you know those are very expensive. My father’s assistant had them shipped from Paris. They’re made from the finest silk and la—”
“You shouldn’t even have underwear like that. You’re too young,” he snapped, cutting me off. He grabbed a magazine from the bedside table and pretended to flip through the pages.
“Will you quit saying that? You act like you’re ancient. Besides, not everyone shares your opinion you know. I’m nearly seventeen. Practically the same age as you.”
“Hardly,” he scoffed, leaning back against my pillow now.
“Please. Make yourself comfortable.” My tone was beyond surly.
A light shade of rose colored Antonio’s cheeks. He had my current copy of Beach Volleyball, a magazine loaded with hunky bronze guys, and a few articles. The only reason I bothered subscribing to it at all was because of the cute boys. He peered over the top with raised eyebrows. “We’re kind of on a tight schedule.”
I stomped past him, snatching my bag from the closet. I watched as his eyes danced around my room. He quickly hid a smile behind the magazine.
“What?” I glanced around, looking for the potential comic source.
“Unicorns . . . frilly, pink bedding? Hardly the décor I would have expected for someone so ‘grown up.’” He made little quotes in the air with his fingers.
I sucked in my cheeks. Another slam!
“By the way, Slayers don’t wear lace. You need something that breathes, something that will be more . . . durable.”
“Durable? What am I going to be doing in them, mud wrestling?” Now that might be fun . . . with Antonio of course.
“Evelyn!”
“Why must you keep eavesdropping in on my head?”
“Your head’s not exactly quiet you know. And you’re too young for such thoughts,” he scolded again.
“You keep saying that. Is that for my benefit, or yours?”
He gave me a dry look. “Pack. And leave the lace home.”
Whatever! “It’s all I have. So unless you want me to go bare . . .?” I couldn’t believe I’d said that. Antonio looked as if he’d swallowed his tongue.
I grabbed a few pairs of my most “durable” and chucked them into my bag; along with a shirt, a pair of pants, socks, and an extra pair of running shoes.
“Done. Oh wait!” I grabbed my hairbrush, and my bag of toiletries. Complete with a roll of toilet paper; “just in case the Underworld doesn’t have any.”
An exasperated sigh escaped his lips.
“Hey! You’ll be thanking me when you have to go.” Toilet paper is not a luxury it’s a necessity!
“You realize you’re going to have to carry that bag?”
“I know.” Like that was going to be a problem. “Bag.”
Antonio’s mouth gaped slightly at the sight of my bag hovering beside me.
“No magic! You’ll weaken your powers and you’ll need every bit of it.”
“Humph!” I let the bag drop to the floor with a thud. “I’m leaving the extra shoes.”
He opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.
“What about your bag? I suppose we’ll have to sneak into your room next?” I grinned, wondering what Antonio’s room looked like.
“No need. I have one stashed outside the gates.”
“Expecting Roland to turn into a gargoyle, were you?” I frowned at him.
“No. I always have an emergency bag ready; just in case.” Of course he did. Antonio didn’t strike me as the kind of guy that was unprepared—ever!
“You wouldn’t by chance know how we’re going to get to Hell do you?” I couldn’t believe I was even having this conversation.
“I’m working on that. It’s not exactly straightforward. I mean there isn’t exactly a sign pointing the way. No yellow brick road to follow if you know what I mean.”
Hurried knocks reverberated at the door.
My eyes met Antonio’s.
“Evie, I know you’re in there, open up.”
“It’s Iris,” I whispered.
Antonio nodded and motioned for me to open the door.
I went for the doorknob and paused. I glanced back at him. “Is she . . .?”
“No,” Antonio said. “She's not a Daimonas, but there is something else there . . . I can’t quite read it.” He held his staff in his hand again.
With Antonio ready to attack if need be, I nodded nervously, and opened the door.
“I figured you’d be here.” Iris pushed past me, halting abruptly at the sight of Antonio standing by my bed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were—” Iris was beyond embarrassed. Her cheeks were crimson.
“We aren’t!” I glared at Antonio. I knew something like this would happen. If Aubree had been the one to come in, it would have been a matter of seconds before the whole school knew Antonio was in my bedroom.
“The Child of Light has a lover?”
Antonio gasped. “A pixie!”
“What is she doing here?” I snapped, hiding my embarrassment with anger. “And what is she wearing?”
Nestled on Iris’ shoulder was the little pixie from cla
ss. She was thin and in desperate need of a bath. Her short hair, spiky, due to the amount of soot that clung to it was pulled up with a crystal barrette, my crystal barrette. It was lopsided and way too large for her tiny head. She wore a little pink mini skirt and a snowy white cashmere top. The color contrast to her dirty skin was shocking.
“We were playing dress up,” Iris admitted shyly. “She liked my Barbie’s outfit.”
I stared at the little pixie open-mouthed.
“She’s here to help you,” Iris spoke matter-of-factly. “I figured you’d be going after your father.”
“You must be joking.” I couldn’t believe Iris would suggest such a thing. I didn’t know what was crazier. Iris still having Barbie dolls or that this pixie wanted to “help.” Besides, why would I want help from her? She was the enemy! The little creep knew my dad had been captured, and traded the information for a freaking barrette! She was probably in on it!
The pixie snarled as if hearing my thoughts.
“Has she had her shots?” I snarled back at her.
“Evie! Havoc and I are friends.” Iris turned slightly, shielding the little beast from me.
“Havoc? You want me to go into the Underworld with a pixie named Havoc?” There was no question. Iris was completely insane.
Antonio’s hands gently squeezed my shoulders. I shivered at the sudden closeness. “She can get us into Hell,” he announced.
“Handsome and clever!” Havoc batted her eyes at Antonio. “If only you were my type. We could spend eternity together.”
Presumptuous little tart! As if Antonio would give her the time of day. “She’ll probably hand deliver us to Satan himself,” I grumbled under my breath.
Havoc grinned. “Such a price I would receive for such a trade.”
“She admits it!” I pointed excitedly at her, having caught her in a lie.
“Oh, Evie.” Iris waved me off. “She’s just joking.”
Havoc stuck her tongue out at me, and then turned to Iris, smiling angelically.
“You might even begin to like her,” Iris prattled on. Not noticing that the little demon had her thumb on her nose and was wiggling her fingers at me.
”Iris!” She ignored me, while practically cooing at the little beast. Iris had found her very own living play doll, and she clearly adored her.
I threw my hands into the air. In the history of bad ideas, this had to be the worst. Desperate for guidance, I looked over at Antonio. I wish I knew what he was thinking?
I’m thinking we should take her with us. Annoying as she is, we don’t have much time, and she is the quickest way for us to get into the Underworld.
There must be another way? I silently begged.
There isn’t time, and frankly, I can’t think of a better solution.
I scoffed. There had to be a better solution. There was no way I was going to trust that little monster.
Evie, please . . . Antonio beseeched. His hands were still on my shoulders, allowing the silent communication between us.
“Fine!” I stomped my foot. I was not happy about this. Not one bit.
Havoc grinned. “For a trade.” The little brat was eyeballing my jewelry box.
“A trade? I already gave you a barrette!”
“Oh come on, Evie.”
“You come on, Iris! Why don’t you give the little pixie something?” If she thought I was going to give her a piece of jewelry every time I wanted something, she was sorely mistaken
“I can’t. I’m not the one who needs a favor.” Iris shrugged her shoulders hopelessly. “Besides, I had to give her that outfit just so she’d come with me and talk to you! She’s under the impression you’re rude,” Iris had leaned in and whispered the last bit, as if not wanting to remind the pixie of my potentially ill-mannered behavior.
Damn Iris and her big ideas. Who befriends a Pixie from Hell anyway? And where does she get off calling me rude?
We’re wasting time, Antonio growled from behind.
I huffed, storming over to my jewelry box. I sifted through it for a moment and took out a few items.
“Here.” I handed her a gold-linked bracelet. “You could wear it as a necklace I suppose.”
Her beady little eyes fixed on the shiny object. She ran her hand over the metal.
“Such a pretty necklace.” She placed it over her head. “Hmm, it’s not enough.”
“What? Now you listen here. If you think that for one minute I’m going to give you—”
“It’s very dangerous in Hell. I don’t think I want to go back.” She folded her arms in a pout.
Oh . . . she was going back all right. If I had to kick her little pixie butt the whole way . . . she was going back.
“I want you to promise that you’ll bring me back here with you,” she ordered.
“Oh yes, Evie, please!” Iris clasped her hands together.
“We will do our best,” Antonio spoke over my shoulder. “Now please, we must hurry.”
“Havoc?” Iris smiled at her little friend. “They really will do their best. They wouldn’t lie. Would you, Evie?”
I felt that lump in my throat again. The further Iris was from Havoc the better. It wasn’t good for her to be around such evil. I’d promise her whatever I had to if it meant getting that little beast back into Hell and away from us. How in the world had the pixies gotten into the school in the first place?
That is a good question, Antonio mused.
“We will do our best,” I finally answered Iris, quoting Antonio.
“You’d better put Havoc in your bag Evie, just until you pass through the gates. You don’t want anyone to spot her.”
I took the little burden from Iris and stuffed her into the front pouch, leaving it slightly unzipped for air—Iris insisted that Havoc needed to breathe—whatever.
“Come.” Antonio held his hand out to me.
“Be careful, Iris, and please, don’t tell anyone you saw us.”
“You be careful, and try to bring Havoc back. She really isn’t bad. It’s all show,” Iris mouthed the last part.
I hugged her goodbye and took Antonio’s hand. We snuck past Ms. Spencer and released her from the spell before creeping out the door. We moved in between the trees and bushes until we reached the side yard fence.
“Can you squeeze through?” Antonio motioned to some bars that were hidden by the foliage.
“Why can’t we just walk through the front gates?”
“Because they’ll be under surveillance.” Antonio shot me an exasperated look—like I should have known better than to ask that.
I took off my pack and squeezed it through the bars. I was able to fit my head and shoulders through, but my butt on the other hand was stuck.
“Suck it in,” Antonio hissed.
“I am!” I growled back at him. What did he think I was doing? This was so embarrassing. I pictured myself on the front page of the school paper, and it was not a face shot!
Havoc laughed from her hiding spot. The little—
The shock of feeling Antonio’s hands firmly planted on my butt startled me. “What the—” He shoved me through the bars with such force I landed on my face. I raised my head, spitting dirt from my mouth.
“What a clumsy girl.” Havoc stood beside me, her hands on her hips, laughing. How’d she get out of that bag? “You’re supposed to put your hands out before you hit the ground.”
I was just about to strangle the little witch when Antonio jumped down from the fence.
“And why couldn't I have done that?” I snapped angrily.
“You might have gotten hurt. It’s a long fall.” He held his hand out to me.
I frowned, taking it reluctantly. He probably did that on purpose, I grumped.
“I did not do that on purpose. How was I supposed to know you’d land on your face?”
“You pushed—”
“Children, please!” Havoc cut me off abruptly. She turned her back to us, and a moment later our surroundings turned into a
barren wasteland.
I looked back. The school was gone.