✽✽✽
When I finally woke and checked the time, I realized that I had only had a few hours of sleep. And even with all that I had been through, I wasn't as tired as what I should have been. In fact, I was more awake and alert than I had been before becoming a Venatrix.
I was actually up before Sera as I made my way into the kitchen. I checked on her, opening up the door that led into her bedroom from the kitchen. She was still out, slightly snoring. I had hoped she would get a good night's sleep. And even though it still felt somewhat wrong, I was grateful that Finn was able to make it happen.
I shut her door and tiptoed back to my end of the house to get ready for school. I was on a mission, so I made my shower short and got ready in record time. I went back into the kitchen, knowing that her alarm would go off soon, I started her coffee for her. It would be one less thing she had to worry about. And by the time I had finished packing my lunch and putting my bookbag together, I heard Sera’s alarm go off.
I went to her door and tapped on it. “Sera?”
I heard some sort of muffled noise that could have been a "what" or a "harrumph." I wasn't too sure. So I opened the door slightly.
She was still in bed, her head in her pillow, and her hand on her alarm clock.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m going to school early to talk with Ms. Hollander.”
She turned her head my way and tried to focus on my face. Her eyebrows knit together. “Text me when you get there please.”
I showed her my phone. “Always.”
She gave a thumbs up and plopped her head back into her pillow.
I closed her door again, grabbed my bag, and headed out. It was time to see a certain German teacher and find out if I had anything to fear.
✽✽✽
When I got to the school, I made sure to remember to text Sera. It was a little arduous remembering that I had a phone. After that, I looked around and noticed that very few people were there, I had worried that I may have been too early. But even if I were there before her, maybe it would be a way to catch her off guard. So, I headed to her classroom, still in the World Language wing, past the library, past the creative writing room, all the way down at the very end of the hallway. I finally understood why her room was tucked away in the corner at the end. I was beginning to learn that the Mundus Noctis shied away from humans unless the situation fit their agenda.
When I entered Ms. Hollander’s room, her skinny, petite frame was standing behind her desk, prim and proper, looking through papers. Her multi-hued blonde and burnt orange hair was tucked neatly into a tight bun, and her demon green eyes were hidden behind glasses. Looking at her now in normal, professional wear, she was not intimidating by any means. There was still an air about her that pulled my attention. Now I knew it for what it was; supernatural succubus pheromones.
After knowing supernatural beings for even just a short while, I knew she had heard me coming into her room; had probably also smelled me down the hall. And yet she refused to glance up. I cleared my throat to get her attention.
“I thought we made it clear to forget about last night,” Ms. Hollander said dispassionately, not even looking up from her desk.
It was true. In the heat of last night, I was on a particular mission, and Ms. Hollander was on her own brand of a mission. There was awkwardness at recognizing each other last night, but my time was running out, and eventually shit was going to hit the fan.
“I don’t want to talk about last night, but I do want to know your intentions.”
Ms. Hollander finally looked up at me, and the predatory, cold look in her green eyes sent a sliver of fear shuttering through my body.
“Shut the door then and take a seat.”
Part of me wanted to take off, running. For the first time, as a fully functioning Venatrix, I was without friends who could help me, and everything within me was telling me that Ms. Hollander was an apex predator. Even as the other part of me wanted to do as she commanded; wished to please her. I was fighting my feelings of fear and being pulled in by her pheromones, as she set herself down in her chair behind her desk.
She lifted her face toward me, amusement glittering her eyes. “Are you going to get the door or not?”
I swallowed my apprehension and shut the thick door. I took the seat closest to Ms. Hollander's desk to establish my own brand of dominance.
“And what do you want to know about my intentions?” The air was thick with her vehemence.
“Do you know who I am?”
The air grew thicker. “Which part, Caden? A Venatrix or the other?”
“Have you always known?”
There was an audible sigh. “Knew that you were a Venatrix or preternatural? Not until last night. Supernatural? Yes. We are able to sense each other. You were drawn to Nate, Jesse, Ajax, and Meredith as friends for a reason. Are you just discovering all this now?”
I nodded.
“Well, that’s a rough awakening. You guys usually don’t live long,” she said indifferently. “Many don’t make it through their first challenge.”
This wasn’t too much different from what I had heard, but the brutal honesty of it hit closer to the heart.
“Your emotional scars are deep. Deeper than any Venatrix I have met before.”
“Succubi can see scars?”
"At least one." There was a pause. "Caden, more supernatural creatures and beings go to this school or are out in the world than you, Meredith, Jesse, Ajax, and Nate. I know it feels like you are this powerful being, and don’t get me wrong, you are, but as far as problems go, you are small potatoes in this world. Like I said, many of you don’t live very long.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No. I’m warning you. I don’t know your story. I don’t know how your council never got a hold of you. I don’t know how you have been hidden for so long or have survived this long. And I don’t know if I want you to succeed in your first challenge.”
Ouch. “That’s harsh-”
“You now know what I am. If you didn’t figure it out, I’m sure your little friend, Ajax, would have told you eventually. You came here to find out my intentions, so I’m going to tell you,” she glared frostily at me. “I’m not saying that I like the Mundus Noctis as it is. Most of the Casti are asshats, and the Scelesti just want death, destruction, and power. Each side is always trying to recruit. ‘Join the Casti, receive ultimate glory.’ ‘Join the Scelesti, receive ultimate power.’ And if we chose neither, it’s a death sentence because we are a possible threat. There is no middle ground. I’m used to knowing the rules. Knowing my place. Your upbringing is changing these rules. So, I am warning you to tread carefully. After your first challenge, if you make it, do yourself a favor and disappear.”
“Should I be wary of your side?” I couldn’t identify Ms. Hollander based on smell. I thought perhaps it had something to do with the pheromones Ms. Hollander was throwing off.
“I’m talking to you, aren’t I?”
“That is not an admission of placement, Ms. Hollander.”
“Think about what I am, Caden. What side do you think I follow?”
“I honestly don’t know. I was told that Succubi were tools for the Scelesti. But I’m not sure of anything anymore. After all, my trainer is a vampire who was once part of the Scelesti. His lover may still follow the Scelesti. My friends are outcasts. ‘Weak humans’ that are no threat at all. And I’m half-”
Sharp, red, angry eyes flashed underneath Ms. Hollander’s green. Black veins wriggled underneath her pale skin. That flawless creamy skin was beginning to fade to a scaly blackness.
“Don’t say it aloud. Admittance of being mixed breed is an ultimate death sentence for the Casti and a reason for recruitment for the Scelesti. Don’t ever tell anyone of your heritage. Don’t make me an assassin or messenger. I will have to play by the rules.”
“You still have not told me the rules you follow! How do I know now that I’m not talking to the enemy?�
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“Caden, your brand of problem is low on my shit list. If you ever have to face off against a demon, if you make it past your first challenge, which I am guessing is against vampires because your trainer is one; then I promise to reveal what I have to. But I am no threat to you at this particular moment.”
“You’re not a tool for the Scelesti?”
She gave me a displeased look. "Oh, I am. But it doesn't mean I want to be." Ms. Hollander gave me a half-pitying smile. "Born in the Mundus Noctis as a Succubus, you don't exactly get to choose your side. My species is designed to do a couple things well – seduce and steal souls to give them to higher level demons or Obscurus himself. We don't have the choice that vampires, humans, or werewolves do. And you don't have that choice either as a Venatrix.”
Her face suddenly became fierce with a fury that I didn't understand. “Caden, I’m going to give you some advice. Every creature you meet plays by rules that you don't. Use that to your advantage. Don't play their game their way. You are stronger than you know." She glanced at the clock and cooled her features until she wasn't the frightening creature that I could see underneath her skin.
"I'm afraid our time is up, Miss Walker. First period is about to start, and I have a class to teach."
I looked at the clock myself. Sure enough, I had just enough time to go to my locker; then walk down the hall to Mr. Myles’s first period English class, which was on the other side of the building.
I stood up, grabbed my bag, and prepared to leave her room when she stopped me a final time.
“Miss Walker, for the future, it would probably be best to distance yourself from me. You don’t want to be associated with me by any means.”
I had no response as I walked out of her room and made my way to my locker. It was difficult to come to a conclusion about my meeting with Ms. Hollander. It sounded like I was in the clear until after this challenge. It also seemed like she didn't want to be the one to recruit me or tell on me. Ultimately, Ms. Hollander was a very high-level demon, and I would try to find ways not to piss her off as much as possible. And I was going to heed her warning of keeping away from her. Hopefully, that would be easy.
She gave me advice on how to stay alive after she said not many make it past their first trial. And these were girls who had trained for at least ten years... I wasn’t too sure how to use it. This wasn't good. I was feeling sick with dread. My hands were clammy, and my heart was a lump in my throat.
Focus beyond the fear, Caden, I told myself. Ok, what else did she tell me?
She told me to use my ignorance for my first challenge. That would definitely be easy. The only rule I knew was that it was me against the vampire who challenged me. No outside physical interference.
My attention was caught by the dark sky outside as I neared the Fishbowl. It wasn’t raining, but the sky was still dark. It hadn’t lightened much since I had left the house that morning. Lightning flashed in the background. My time was draining away like sand in an hourglass. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, and it made me antsy. And a tap on my shoulder almost made me jump out of my skin.
“Holy!” I exclaimed with surprise, trying to calm my thumping heart.
“I have been calling your name for five minutes. Where were you?” Meredith asked.
"Sorry. I was deep in thought," I said taking my eyes off the dark and looked over at my friend. She had a mixed expression of hurt and confusion on her face.
“What is the matter?”
“You muted the bond.”
Not this again. I sighed. “We are still linked. You are still aware of me. You know I’m not in danger.”
The hurt didn’t leave her features, and I wanted to be sympathetic. I really did, but I was frustrated.
“You all are jumping into this like it’s some sort of playground. This isn’t fun time. It’s scary and dangerous. My life is on the line every time I’m out there. What happens when I get seriously injured? You’ll feel it, right? You’ll feel my pain? What about if I die? You’ll feel that too, right? You and Nate shouldn’t have linked yourselves to me.”
I was suddenly feeling claustrophobic. My pulse was racing. Time was slowing down. I could see Meredith’s stunned reaction, and I noticed Sera watching us from the library, concerned as usual lately. I had to get out of the school, get away from people. I saw the exit doors from the glass hallway across the Fishbowl and fled outside into the dark.
✽✽✽
At first I thought I was wandering aimlessly, but eventually, I saw where my path was leading. I was walking toward Underhill. Like I couldn't get away from the place. My cell phone was going off constantly. I saw Sera's number, which I ignored, and eventually, after the third time it rang, I turned off my phone. I didn't want to talk to Sera, Meredith, or even Nate. I didn't want their worry or care. But I did start to feel guilty about how I was hurting them because even though I didn't want all those things on my conscience, I had them. So I relaxed my magic that was dulling the bond a little. Meredith and Nate would know where I was, and they could reassure Sera.
Ugh! I wanted to scream. Why were things so complicated?!
I was so lost in my own little world of torment that I missed all the signs that a Scelestus vampire was following me until he intercepted me coming from a bush in my peripheral. I stood there like an idiot, unprepared. My heart beating out of my chest.
Be calm. Be calm, I said to myself.
But instead of attacking me, he stopped in front of me and gave me time to gather my wits and surroundings. I wasn't going to become an easy target again. Weapons… What did I have on me? It wasn't much. I had one silver stake in the inside pocket of the leather jacket from last night that I was wearing. I wasn't going to the school with a full arsenal, of course. But I had a weapon. I would take care of myself. Adrenaline replaced my fear.
“You smell like a Venatrix.” He stood very still in his black attire. He was dressed very similarly to one of the vampires from last night in the black leather from head to toe.
I rolled my eyes in disbelief.
“You want to have a conversation?!” I asked incredulously.
“You killed one of my master’s men last night. He wasn’t so happy about that.”
“So that was your friend last night?”
He shrugged. “Not really a friend, but he was vital to my master’s cause.”
“And that is?”
He lifted his lips in a menacing smile, showing off his fangs. "You'll find out soon enough?"
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
“How are you even out here? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” I bantered, trying to calm my sudden nerves.
He looked at the sky and just grinned.
“Still dark, Venatrix. Your time is running out.” He licked his lips. “My master sent me to give you a message. He awaits the night that he will drain you and become a full-fledged Master.”
I hated how my body shivered every time someone else mentioned the challenge. I knew my time was running out, but I didn’t need to hear it from everyone else. It made it feel too real, and I wasn’t that confident in myself. I needed more practice. And then I looked at the vampire before me and realized, I had more practice standing right in front of me.
I ran at him, but he stepped to the side, impossibly quickly, and his fist slammed down on my back, hurling me to the ground.
“I am not allowed to kill you, Venatrix. It goes against the rules.”
I used my legs to propel me up and ran at him again while he was still talking.
“But there’s nothing to say that I can’t hurt you.” He cracked his neck from side to side a couple of times, preparing for the fight ahead.
Instead of making the same mistake, I ducked and made a grab for his legs, sending him onto his back.
“I will take out every single one of you he sends until he comes for me himself,” I cried as I made a grab for the stake from my jacket to end him while I was on his legs.
<
br /> He brought a knee up, hitting my chin hard enough that my head rattled. My stance became unsteady, which made it possible for him to bring his other leg up and kick me off and back. As I was pushed off, I tried to make sure I was still in a seated position instead of supine on the concrete while he somersaulted backward onto his feet.
I needed a minute for my chin to stop aching and to push away the headache that was starting to form in the back of my head, but this wasn’t like fighting Zane, who gave me a second to compose myself after being knocked down. This Scelestus was like a freight train and kept going, not giving me that moment to collect myself.
He tried stomping on me while I was down, a gleeful expression on his face. Fortunately, adrenaline forced me to roll away from him. Far enough away from him that I could stand, even after he kept trying to step on me. Barely, because when I looked for him, he was right in front of me, throwing a punch to my head. I didn't have time to duck, but I brought my arm up to block it. Pain shattered through my forearm. I could feel the sharp pain go all the way to my bone. My form was weak, and I was having a difficult time defending myself. I was doing it, but he was much better.
Just as I blocked his punched, he threw another with his other fist at my midsection. I didn’t block it. I was too slow. But I was able to bunch up my abdomen muscles to take the impact of the blow. Leaving myself open shook my frame, but left my arms free.
I let loose an uppercut with my left, sending his head back, and then kicked him in the chest to create some distance. His face was one of slight shock that I was strong enough to hit him to make an impact and forceful enough to push him back. But his surprise didn't last long as he came at me again, sweeping his leg underneath me.
I jumped at the last minute, just avoiding what would have been a fall, and hit him in the neck on my way back down. I was starting to feel more confident when each hit of mine connected, and his form was beginning to weaken.
With one hand, I grabbed his arm and kicked him again so that he swung with his back facing me. I crunched my foot on the back of his knees, and he fell forward toward the ground. I pulled the stake out of my jacket pocket, prepared to stab him in the back when he turned with a switchblade now in hand and tried to slice through my midsection. I was lucky and jumped back almost in time. It went through the layer of my shirt and just kissed my skin. The blade was cold, but the burn left an annoying paper cut sized depth four inches across my stomach.
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