You will do no such thing, Zervos flared. These are all known consorts of the deserter Lisabelle Verlans. We must check where they were and discover their entry point into Public. What if they let that villain onto the grounds?
We did no such thing, said Sip. If we were going to flout authority like that wed be sure to do it in daylight!
Thank you, Sip, helpful as ever, said Dacer, yet more dryly. I could see he was trying and failing to keep his mouth from quirking in amus.e.m.e.nt.
Sure thing, Professor Dacer, said Sip.
If this gets out of hand, said Zervos, waggling a finger at Dacer, Ill hold you personally responsible.
Ill take all the responsibility for anything bad they do, said Dacer, and they may have credit for all the good. He inclined his head at us, and from behind Zervos I mouthed a thank you.
His eyes still glaring angrily, Professor Zervos turned on his heel and stomped away, but he stopped after a few steps. Obviously, he expected Dacer to accompany him.
Dacer smiled at us. I trust you had a successful evening.
I nodded, still feeling stunned. Dacers eyes were intent on my face, and at my nod he smiled. Excellent, he said, rubbing his hands together. I shall see you all shortly. At Zervos angry cough Dacer added, In cla.s.s and such. With a wink, he left.
I didnt sleep that night. Not being able to dream had thrown my nights into an uncomfortable chaos. Sip and Lough both went to sleep, but I stayed awake for most of the night reading. The next morning they went for breakfast, but I refused. Sip, angry that didnt seem to care about eating, went into the kitchen and plunked down a m.u.f.fin with a gla.s.s of orange juice in front of me before storming out.
I just wanted to do something. I now knew who my father had been, but what had happened to him? Where was Dobrov? Was there a way I could talk to Keller?
I went to my cla.s.ses, but I didnt pay any attention when I got there. I had no idea what was said and I took no notes. I was lost in thoughts that just kept going around and around.
After cla.s.s I returned to Astra. I knew my friends would be back soon, so I didnt have long to wait. Id just opened the book Id started reading in the middle of the night, Dances with Fey Elves, to distract myself, when Sip came tumbling into Astra. I was in the living room, sitting as close to the fire as I possibly could without actually sitting in it, which wouldnt have done me much good anyway.
What is it? I demanded. Id been so absorbed in reading about my fathers family (it felt strange to call them mine) that I hadnt even heard her come in.
The demons are attacking everywhere, she whispered. A message came from Carl, before he was cut off. Ricky. . . .
My heart stopped. Time slowed and I felt like I was running in a black tunnel without getting anywhere. My focus pinpointed the purple eyed girl in front of me, and then, without hesitation, I scrambled to my feet and raced to the door. I had never felt so frightened in my life. Sip followed me. This was beyond words.
I knew we had left Ricky at home too long. The demons had finally come for him.
I started to dash out of the house, but Sip caught my arm.
Charlotte, she said desperately. Carl, before he died, said something about black magic and a premier. . . . She choked on her tears. She had just had to tell me that my stepfather had been murdered.
Chapter Forty.
Are there faster ways to travel than flying? I cried to Sip. My heart was beating so fast my chest hurt and talking was hard. Yelling was easier.
The fear in the werewolfs eyes was no comfort.
There are, she said slowly, but Im not sure we should be using them.
We dont have a choice, I yelled. We have to get to Ricky. Now. Demons. Demons!
I couldnt even form coherent sentences. I had just heard for the first time the story of how my parents had separated and given up their lives to protect Ricky and me, and I couldnt let anything happen to him now.
I should have gone to get him, I said, kicking myself uselessly. We never should have left him with Carl. How can a human protect him!
You couldnt have, not really, said Sip evenly. Carl didnt want it, and what would you have done with him?
Left school! Kept him safe! Anything! I cried frantically.
Were flying, said Sip. Ill even get on a broom. We dashed outside. I didnt have the mental faculties at the moment to call brooms, so it was a good thing Sip kept such a level head.
Well ride one, she said. It wasnt a question. She forced me on, despite my reluctance, and then followed. The other ways to travel, Blasts they were called, were very dangerous, basically like a magical cannon that would shoot up through the air. You had to be a very skilled paranormal to guide your landing your speedy flight and make a safe landing. There were all kinds of stories of paranormals blasting before they were ready. They usually ended badly, with a struck tree or a hit bird, a botched landing or no landing at all.
I felt sure that some of the stories were only meant to scare us, but they had succeeded.
I hope you know what youre doing, I said grimly to Sip. She patted my shoulder.
Well get there, she said.
I know, I answered darkly. Im just not sure itll be in time.
Lough dashed out after us. Im coming too, he cried. I could see his ring pulsing as he called another broom.
I didnt look at him. I would need all my energy for the battle ahead.
Fine, I said, but were not waiting for you.
I pushed off, using magic to speed the process. I felt my body jerk back and Sips hands tighten around my waist as our weight shifted, then we were airborne.
It took us only a matter of minutes to get to my quiet house in my quiet town, but it felt like a lifetime. Im pretty sure I held my breath the whole time, with horrible images of my brother being ripped apart dashing through my mind as we flew.
To my relief, Lough kept up. We needed all the help we could get.
Im okay, Ricky gasped, his eyes wide with fear. I didnt know you were a member of a gang, he said. He struggled to sit up. I helped him.
Ricky, I breathed, fighting sobs, Im so sorry. Im just so sorry.
His face was streaked with dirt and his eyes were unfocused. His hair was going every which way, and with a trembling hand I smoothed it flat.
Im okay, he said again, but I thought it was just as much to rea.s.sure himself as to comfort me.
I know, I whispered. Im sorry.
Dad. Rickys voice broke as he said it.
I rocked him back and forth, holding him close. Sip and Lough waited for us, and I knew there was no time, but I couldnt bring myself to move him yet.
Charlotte, Sip whispered, we have to go. They never left. They just retreated.
Ricky, Sip said, bending down so that she was at eye level with my brother. I know she wanted to ask what had happened, but she didnt want to upset him even more.
Wow, he said, cool eyes.
Sip gave a small smile. Thank you. Can you tell us what happened, like about who attacked you and how you protected yourself? That might help us get out of here alive.
Rickys eyes widened, and I could tell he was trying to be brave.
I dont know who attacked me, he said. At first I saw a big black dog, then a lot of shadows. They were everywhere. It was hot and they were clawing . . . I came home and Dad was yelling for me to run and then he was screaming. He had his shotgun, but what can a gun do against shadows? I ran upstairs. Ricky swallowed hard. He coughed and covered his mouth.
Im not sure I remember, he whispered. His eyes searched the darkness around us.
I hugged Ricky more tightly. Youre going to be fine now. I promise. Okay? I promise, youre going to be fine. Were there any people? Or was it just . . . things?
Ricky stared at me. You know what they are? The bad things?
Ricky, said Sip, her voice very kind, we cant explain right now, but we need to know what happened, okay? Charlotte promises sh.e.l.l explain letter.
Does Charlotte promise that? Ricky asked, his voice just the slightest bit dry.
You two are definitely siblings, said Sip approvingly, rocking back on her heels.
I grinned and brushed a strand of Rickys hair off his forehead. Sure are.
It was mostly things, but there was someone, she saved me. She came in, all quiet, but she saved me. She was so powerful. he shrugged. I never saw her face. She moved too fast.
The darkness premier, said Sip, her voice filled with fear. She wasnt here to save you. She was here to take you with her. She doesnt want you harmed.
Ricky vehemently shook his head. No, he said. No, she saved me. She wanted to get me away, not give me to the demons. There was something familiar about her.
Ricky, I said, trying to shush him. You dont have to fight anymore. Its over. We know the premier wanted you, but Im glad you got away, whatever the reason.
I know what I saw, Ricky cried. Whyd you ask me if you werent going to believe me?
Come on, I said, urging him to stand. Ricky jumped to his feet, but it was already too late. Underneath us I could feel the house shake. Gasping as pieces of the ceiling started to fall, we darted for the door.
Come on, said Lough. We know the place is surrounded by demons. Lets get out of here.
Just then the floor shook and black smoke shot into the room. I felt the world shake and roll.
Its no use, Lough yelled. Were never getting out in time.
Demons poured up the stairs as our first floor became an inferno. I was knocked backward from the force of the blaze.
Shut the door, Sip yelled.
If we shut it, how will we get out? I yelled back.
How will we live if we dont?
The doors pretty flimsy protection, said Lough, helping me into Rickys bedroom.
Ricky stood behind Sip, already a head taller than the werewolf. I could see the firelight reflected in his gray eyes.
What are those things? he asked.
Demons, I said. Well, and throw in a couple of h.e.l.lhounds.
Sweet, said Ricky, his eyes huge. Thats terrifying.
Just wait until you see a darkness mage.
Is that what Lisabelle was? he asked me curiously.
Yes, I said, glancing at him. What made you think of her? My heart ached even more, wishing she were there.
I think thats who I saw, he said, almost thoughtfully, as if we werent surrounded by monsters and fighting for our lives.
Lisabelle is engineering the paranormals demise from Vampire Locke, I said. She wouldnt be here.
I dont know what most of those words you just said mean, Ricky pointed out. Vampire what?
Sip glanced at me worriedly. As Lough helped Ricky get further away from the door she whispered, Can you figure out a way for us to get out of here alive?
To my horror, the very floor we were standing on was becoming hot. I could see fire through the crack in the door.
Can we survive being burned away? I whispered back, glancing at my brother. I at least had to get Ricky out.
You probably can, said Sip. Youre a fire elemental, after all. Werewolves not so much.
If Ricky is as well, that should also help, I said, taking a deep breath. It might be time to fight fire with fire.
Sip smiled sadly and planted her feet more firmly. I like it. Lets make a last stand.
Sip, for all her knowledge and study of magic, was best in hand to hand, or fur to fur, combat. This was something else entirely, so she stepped behind me and waited for me to blast off the door. In an ordinary fire, opening a door would have been a terrible idea, at least thats what Carl and my mother had always told me when I was little. But this wasnt an ordinary fire, and I wasnt running. I ruled fire, and I longed to teach the demons that they werent the only beings who could make something burn.
My vision went blurry, but I fought to keep my eyes on my brother. I tried to tell Sip to get him out, but my mouth was filled with smoke.
I gasped as the demons closed in, and then there was a h.e.l.lhound standing over me, breathing hot smoke. Its eyes were the color of dead leaves, but its body was ready to spring into action at any sign that I planned to run. I wanted to run desperately, but there was nowhere left for us to go.
I felt a pain deep in the pit of my stomach that I didnt think even breathing easy would erase. I had failed the one person I had never wanted to fail.
Sip crawled over to me. She was covered in dirt and her jaw hung slack.
Im sorry, Charlotte, she whispered. Im so sorry.