Ashes of night, p.9
Ashes of Night, page 9
part #5 of Haunted High Series Series
“Of course,” I replied, surprised that he would even ask. “We need to stop Chutka, and I have some classes I’m so behind on you might have to hold me back for my entire life.” I gave Headmistress Wrengold a pleading look. “Unless you have pity on me and grant school credit for killing demons.”
She gave me a half-smile. “I’ll consider it.”
I looked at the professor. “How about credit in Black Cat Philosophies for discovering hundreds of werewolves no one thought existed?”
“How is that related to the class?” Briggs asked.
I lifted a shoulder. “They supposedly didn’t exist and now they do?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think you understand the concept of a philosophy.”
I grinned at him. “I’d have to blame that on my teacher.”
Briggs rolled his eyes.
Before he could reply to my sarcastic comment, the Headmistress surprised me by saying, “Finn, our students are poorly equipped to deal with the demons that are plaguing our school. If you can help us train them in demon defense, I’ll grant you credit as an assistant professor.”
I stared at her. “Really?”
“Really,” she replied.
Professor Briggs stared at her as well, “Assistant professor?”
The Headmistress tapped him on the hand with one of her white gloved-fingers. “Don’t look so surprised, Professor. You weren’t much older than him when you took on a teaching position. Let’s give him a chance.”
Professor Briggs watched me for a moment before he said, “We’re all in trouble.”
I had to agree.
Chapter Eight
The werewolves were much better received at Haunted High than I had expected. I hoped I could take some credit for the lack of fear the other students showed, but it was really because the teenagers who came with me were just grateful to get out of the Den and were thrilled to meet other monsters. It reminded me of how I had felt when I realized I wasn’t alone in the monster world. But as I watched the students mingle and get to know each other that night at dinner in the cafeteria, I felt a pang of sadness.
“What’s wrong?” Dara asked quietly.
“Nothing,” I replied. “I just, well….” I didn’t know how to voice the way I felt. I swallowed the piece of chicken that had gotten lodged in my throat and said, “I guess I thought finding a pack would feel differently.”
Dara gave me a knowing look. “They aren’t your pack, Finn. You know that.”
“We’re your pack,” Brack said from across the table.
I looked up in surprise. I hadn’t realized the huge warlock had been listening. He and Lark had been busy telling about the demons we had captured in Lark’s basement home, but while Lark regaled the younger werewolves with details of my clumsy run through the streets, it seemed Brack’s mind was on other matters.
“We’re your pack,” he repeated. “And we have work to do.”
I nodded. “Chutka’s heart.”
“Yes,” Lyris said from Brack’s other side. “It’s time to destroy it.”
I sat back. “What if I said I had a different idea?”
Dara gave me a wry smile. “I’d say if Vicken were here, he would tell you it was a bad one.”
The thought of my best friend struggling to survive at the vampire mansion made my heart ache. I nodded through the pain. “Yes, he would, and he especially would if he heard it.”
“Well,” Jean, the blue-haired vampire from the defense team, prompted. “Out with it.”
“Yeah,” Lorne, the other vampire on our team said. “Don’t keep us in suspense, Finn.” He closed his black-gloved fingers into fists. “I’m ready to finish this demon lord once and for all.”
“Demon Prince,” Dara corrected.
Lorne rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Prince, lord, he needs to die.”
“We can’t kill him.”
Everyone looked shocked at my statement. I clarified with, “Not yet. Not until we make sure every demon my uncle accidentally released into this world goes with him.”
“I thought you said the Maes are going to start hunting demons,” Alden pointed out.
I nodded at the Grim. “That’s what they said, but I don’t trust Madam Opal one bit. I give them a year to start monster hunting again.”
“Why?” Lyris asked.
I lifted a shoulder. “Monster hunting is easier. They’ve been doing it for years, and those Maes members Vicken didn’t inject with my blood can’t see the demons. They’re still a threat.”
“Great,” Dara grumbled.
I lifted a shoulder. “At least for now they’re helping us fight.” I smiled at Dara. “We’ve made a difference.”
She didn’t appear amused. “Finn, you’re changing the subject.”
I had hoped she wouldn’t notice, but Dara knew me better than anyone. I toyed with the last piece of chicken on my plate and glanced around at the other monsters in the cafeteria. No one appeared to notice our little meeting. Laughter, loud conversations, and the sound of trays on tables and ringing utensils filled the air. Regardless, I knew we had to be careful. Alden had been possessed and used against us. Anyone at the Academy could potentially be a spy for the Demon Prince.
“Let’s go to the basement,” I said. “I need Professor Briggs and Mercer to weigh in on my plan.” I hesitated, then suggested, “It probably wouldn’t hurt to have the Headmistress there since this could affect the Academy.”
“I’ll get her,” Lyris offered.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“I’ll get Briggs and Mercer,” Alden said.
“And I’ll bring Lark,” Brack told us. He began to laugh, his deep voice echoing off the walls. “I’m funny,” he said with a grin.
I chuckled as Lark burst into laughter. “And I’ll bring Brack,” she replied. They both laughed louder. It was good to see the witch fitting in.
“Alright. Let’s meet downstairs in ten minutes,” I told them.
Brack was right. It didn’t matter how many werewolves filled the Academy. My pack was made up of vampires, witches, a warlock, a Grim, and an empath. But without Vicken, it didn’t feel complete. I vowed to visit him as soon as we were done.
I had gotten into the habit of checking my phone every few hours since rescuing my family. As if on cue, my phone started to ring the instant I stepped into my room.
I hurried to it. No one called since they knew I couldn’t bring it to class. Cellphones weren’t exactly allowed at Haunted High, but so far no one had caught me. I picked up the phone, but the number wasn’t one I recognized. I answered it anyway.
“Hello?”
“Finn?”
“Vicken!” Even weak, his voice was unmistakable.
“Hey, Finn. You okay?”
“You’re asking if I’m okay?” I asked incredulously. “I thought you were going to die, Vick. I didn’t know what to do.”
Vicken grunted. “It was close,” he admitted. He was quiet for a moment, then he said, “Kiyah saved my life.”
“I know,” I replied. “I couldn’t get to you. They wouldn’t let me. I’m so sorry.” The words were hard to say. If it wasn’t for Kiyah, Vicken would have died chained to the round table at the Den.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” I asked.
“Don’t you dare apologize. Kiyah told me what you did. She watched everything. She just finished telling me about it.”
“And he insisted on calling you,” a voice said, her words quieter than Vicken’s as if she was further away.
“I’m having a conversation,” Vicken said. “Werewolves shouldn’t listen in even if they can. It’s rude.”
I grinned. Vicken was definitely feeling better.
“Then vampires shouldn’t talk so loud,” Kiyah replied.
“I like her,” I said.
“You would,” Vicken replied.
I could picture him rolling his eyes. But something to his tone caught my attention. “You like her,” I said in amazement.
“No, I don’t,” Vicken denied.
“You do!” I said, catching the hint of embarrassment in his words.
“Why would I like a werewolf?” Vicken demanded.
I heard Kiyah laugh. “Because I don’t put up with your garbage,” she said.
“You can leave,” Vicken told her.
“I know,” she shot back. “But I won’t. You’re stuck with me until you can walk straight.”
That made me worry. “You’re having trouble walking?”
“Great,” Vicken muttered. He raised his voice and said, “Now you’ve worried Finn. The last thing I want to do is worry him. He’s impulsive and likely to do something rash.”
“I can hear you,” I told him.
“You can’t get mad at everyone who cares about you,” Kiyah said.
“I don’t get mad—”
“Yes, you do,” she replied, cutting him off.
“Stop cutting me—”
“Cutting you off?” she cut him off. “I only do it when you deserve it. You’re worrying your friend and Mr. Ruvine said you need to rest. Now tell Finn goodbye.”
“Bye, Finn,” Vicken said sullenly.
I couldn’t help grinning at how grumpy he sounded.
“Bye, Vick. I’ve got to go anyway. The team is waiting and—”
“What’s your plan?”
I grimaced at the thought of how he would react. “Now who’s cutting someone off?” I asked, stalling.
Vicken’s tone was serious when he said, “Finn, tell me your plan.”
I grimaced. “You’re not going to like it.”
“Sounds like nothing new,” Kiyah said.
“Stay out of this conversation!” Vicken shouted.
Kiyah laughed, sounding as though she wasn’t the least bit perturbed by his outburst.
“Don’t worry,” I told Vicken. “You need to rest. I’m sure things will be just fine.”
“Finn, don’t you dare—”
“Rest, Vicken. Don’t worry. See you soon.” I hung up the phone.
I imagined how angry Vicken was on the other end. It made me glad to be far enough away that I could avoid his wrath. I was sure it wouldn’t be good for his healing process. Hopefully Kiyah would get him to calm down so he could focus on healing, but I doubted it.
The phone rang again. I toyed with the idea of ignoring it, but Vicken was stubborn enough to take one of his limos back to Haunted High to beat some sense into me if I didn’t answer. I sighed and pressed the button.
“Hey.”
“Don’t ‘hey’ like everything’s just fine,” Vicken snapped. “You’re going to a team meeting right now, correct?”
“Yes,” I said cautiously.
“Take me with you.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “That sounds desperate.”
“Finn,” Vicken said in the tone that let me know he was on his last fragment of patience. “Put the phone on speaker and take it with you. I might not be there, but I’m going to participate in this meeting.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I began.
Vicken cut me off. “This isn’t negotiable. I’m a part of the team. I’m breathing—”
“Barely,” Kiyah said.
“And I’m going to attend the meeting in whatever capacity I can,” Vicken concluded, ignoring the werewolf.
“Fine,” I replied. It was easier to agree than wind up with another half hour of arguing with the vampire. I could only imagine how the anger was impeding his healing. With any luck, the cellphone would lose reception in the basement and it would be a moot point.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I ended up setting the phone in the middle of the thick wooden table that took up one end of the dark training room. Mercer eyed the phone, but his stony expression didn’t let me know how he felt about it.
Alden, on the other hand, appeared tickled to have Vicken attend in any form.
“They told me what happened!” Alden said. “When I woke you up, I had no idea you’d go chasing after Finn. That was incredible!”
“Yeah, well, nearly dying didn’t feel so incredible,” Vicken grumbled.
“You’re a hero,” the Grim gushed. “That was so brave!”
I fought back a grin at the thought of Vicken getting shot the moment he pulled me from the car. I was sure somewhere in the back of his angry mind he was grateful I had left that part out.
“Whatever,” Vicken said. “Let’s begin this meeting.”
“Yes,” Headmistress Wrengold agreed from her seat at the top of the table. Her white gloved hands were crossed in front of her, appearing far out of place in the dark, dungeon-like basement. “This is a bit unusual, Finn. Why did you call us all here?”
I looked around at my team members, Professor Briggs, Mercer, and the Headmistress. Uncle Conrad sat next to Mercer looking entirely uncomfortable at the situation in which he found himself. Because he was the reason the gate had been opened in the first place, it was fitting to have him there. But after all he had been through, I was reluctant to involve him, or any of them, for that matter. My next words were going to ask a lot of everyone who sat around the table. I cleared my throat and said, “I don’t think we should destroy Chutka’s heart.”
“What!” Lyris said in surprise.
“Why not?” Brack asked, confusion clear in his deep voice. “Chutka is bad.”
“That’s a stupid idea,” Vicken shouted from the phone.
“Take it easy,” Kiyah told him.
Arguing escalated around the table. I fought back the urge to quiet them with a shout. Everyone deserved to have their voice heard. I had to make them understand. If they didn’t, our trouble was just beginning.
Only Professor Briggs sat quietly at the opposite end of the table from the Headmistress. The head of his cane hung from the table as a reminder of the damage Chutka’s subordinates had already done.
“Why?”
The professor’s quiet voice was a stark contrast to the heated arguing. The vampires were busy siding with Vicken, no surprise there. Lark had slipped her tiny hand into Brack’s huge one for reassurance. The big warlock patted it comfortingly, but didn’t look at all pleased by my words. Dara was arguing with Lyris about my decision, and Alden, Mercer, and the Headmistress appeared to be in the middle of a discussion about my sanity. Uncle Conrad’s gaze was on the table. He refused to participate in any of the conversations or even look at me. It made me hurt to see him so filled with guilt at the situation in which he had placed us.
“Why?” Professor Briggs repeated just loud enough to catch the others’ attention.
Even Vicken stopped talking. Everyone’s focus turned to me.
I put my hands on the table. “Because Chutka isn’t going to stop trying to come here.”
“But if we destroy his heart, he can’t get through,” Lyris said.
“Maybe not right now,” I replied. “But he’ll never stop looking for ways.”
“But if we trap him there, the school will be safe,” Alden said.
“But for how long?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” the Grim replied.
I looked at each of them in turn. “Do you really think Chutka will give up if we destroy a few pieces of his heart?” I shook my head. “He wants this too badly.”
“But if we destroy the pieces, he’ll be out of options,” the Headmistress said with a hint of hope in her voice.
I shook my head. “He may be weaker, but he’ll never give up.” I rose and looked at Uncle Conrad until he met my gaze. “How long until another angry student starts to meddle in dark magic?” When Conrad looked away, I turned my attention to the others at the table. “How long until someone here, either this current generation, or a generation years from now, gets fed up with the way monsters are treated in this world? How long until someone decides they’ve had enough and starts looking for the kind of power they need to make a difference?”
“Is that what Conrad was doing?” Alden asked in surprise.
I nodded. “It was a simple enough desire,” I told my friend. “You’ve seen the way werewolves are treated. It wasn’t much different back then.” I glanced at my uncle. “It’s not easy being part animal. Believe me. I know. But nobody else who hasn’t been there could possibly understand.” My hands clenched into fists. “Chutka thrives on unrest, on the need to make a change, on the want for enough power to make a difference. He’s clever, and we need to remember that. Shutting him out right now isn’t protecting our future or the future of our children.”
Dara touched my hand. My fingers relaxed when hers interlocked with my own. I took a calming breath and told them my plan. “We’re going to bring Chutka the Shambler to Haunted High.”
“That is the stupidest plan you’ve come up with yet, Finn,” Vicken said, his voice tinny over the phone’s speaker.
“Thanks,” I replied drily. “I try.”
At least nobody was arguing. I had apparently stunned them to the point that everyone simply looked at each other and then me in amazement. I took advantage of the silence.
“Chutka is planning to destroy this world beginning with the people I love.”
I looked down at Dara. She squeezed my hand. “How do you know?” she asked quietly.
“I saw it,” I said. I was unable to suppress the shudder that ran down my spine. “Just before we killed the Darkest Warlock, I saw his memories. I saw Chutka give him the piece of his heart to tempt Conrad. I saw the Wiccan Enforcer and the Demon Knight locked in some sort of room. I saw millions of demons waiting to come to our world.”
I let out a breath, then said, “And I heard Chutka’s voice just before the Warlock died. He promised that he would come for those I love and destroy everything I care about.” Dara’s hand trembled slightly in mine. I tightened my hold on her fingers. “And he’s coming. It might not be today or tomorrow, but he will find a way to breach the gate.” I looked at my friends and teachers. “And I would rather it be now when we’re prepared to deal with him rather than some time in the future when students have forgotten the threat demons pose or they have forgotten how to face them.”
Silence filled the room. At least they weren’t arguing against me. I could see the fear my words caused. The thought of Chutka the Shambler threatening the Academy once more made the Headmistress’ face pale. Even Mercer appeared shaken out of his usual stalwart expression to the point that I caught the smallest hint of surprise in his gaze. Briggs gave one shallow nod which lessened the fear I held that they would tell me I was imaging things. At least the professor knew the threat would never leave until we banished it once and for all.
