“I didn’t see Cade all day. You guys are not allowed to leave school grounds, or you could be dismissed.”
“I’m not going to repeat myself. Think what you want.” I brushed past her and walked down to Liam’s office.
I had never gone to his office, but I knocked on the door. I spotted Bethanny hanging out in the hallway and I rolled my eyes and walked inside the office. Closing the door behind me, I saw his massive desk. It was the most beautiful desk that I have ever seen. The hard carving on it looked like it represented the spiritual animals of the universes.
“Mr. Moretti are you in here?” I passed by the desk and stepped down into the study. On one wall there was a huge bookshelf built into the wall. Books were my favorite things to do. The world was a treacherous place, but you could navigate it safely in books.
Walking over to the bookshelf I touched the black leather book. Each book looked brand new. What wouldn’t I do for an opportunity to curl up in a chair and read all these books?
“Ms. Deeds what are you doing in here?” Liam seemed to appear out of nowhere.
“I wanted to talk to you.” I shifted from one foot to the next. Liam towered over me, and he was very frightening.
“I was just coming to talk to you. Where is Kyra?” asked Liam.
“I don’t know where Kyra is?”
“If you will not tell me where your sister is then you cannot help me,” said Liam.
The intercom came on, and a male voice spoke loudly. “Sir, Kyra has been detained, trying to leave school grounds, she is being brought to your office now,” he said.
“Brandon was she alone?” asked Liam. He walked over and sat at his desk. Once he flipped the light on, he stared at his door.
“We didn’t find anyone else,” said Brandon.
Oh man. I hope Trevor doesn’t come here. Kyra is a handful and I can’t imagine what she’s up to but I know she has something up her sleeve. She thinks she can hide from Trevor, and he’s crazy enough to storm up here.
“Have you heard from Cade?”
“No sir and the search party haven’t had any luck locating him.”
Where is Cade? Liam sent a search party after him, and they can’t find him. Could he be in danger?
“Keep looking. They are not to return here without him,” said Liam.
The intercom shut off.
“I came to tell you, I tried to catch my sister and bring her to you, but she is pregnant, and ran. I discovered her diary, and there is an address to her demon boyfriend Trevor.”
“What makes you think I trust you?”
“It doesn’t matter if you do or don’t. What you believe won’t change the truth. I warned you and if you fail to heed the warning then it is on you.” I tossed Kyra’s diary on his desk.
“What did you hope to accomplish by bringing this here?” He picked it up and laid it down again.
“I thought to save my friends and give you a chance to not be taken off guard, but I see I did the right thing. I gave the information to the werewolves, so at least they will prepare to do what needs to be done when you don’t.”
I’ve had all I can take of his nasty attitude. All my life, I’ve been judged for Kyra’s actions and I’m tired of it. He is wasting my time. I need to get back to Claire, and I’m late all for nothing.
“Arianna, where do you think you are going?”
“You are blind, and that blindness is going to get us all killed. I’m done talking to you.”
“What did you say to me?” Liam stood up and walked from around the desk.
The door swung open. Kyra was drug inside by a man on each arm and several men behind them. She looked defeated. I know her. She has something up her sleeve.
“Kyra, did you really think you could run from me?” He leaned against his desk with his arms across his chest.
“I wasn’t running from you. Chasity and I were attacked by vampires,” said Kyra.
“Chasity has been sneaking you in here for weeks, and you thought I didn’t know about it. Foolish little girl.”
“If you knew, why didn’t you stop it?”
“Tell me where I can find Trevor. He isn’t at this address; where is he?” Liam held up Kyra’s diary.
“Give that back. It’s mine.” Kyra jerked against the men that held her.
“Tell me where he is.”
“He’s going to kill you. He’s going to kill all of you. He loves me, and the baby. You’ve messed with the wrong one now.” Looking at me, her eyes narrowed. “You. You gave him my diary. I wish Trevor had killed you when he had the chance. He won’t spare your life a second time. These tile floors will run red with your blood,” said Kyra.
“You actually think Trevor wants you? He used you to get what grows in your stomach. You have given up everything and gained nothing because you will die, but he will take your child. Your child will never know you even existed.”
“Take her to the lab. I’ll be there in a minute to examine her and the fetus,” said Liam.
They dragged her out of the office and shut the door behind them. The office door slammed shut behind them.
“It does look like you have told me some things that were true, but I don’t trust you. You will be confined to your room.”
“Why are you treating me like a prisoner. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Cade is missing and you are not. If something has happened to him because of you, then you will forfeit your life.” He snapped his fingers and two men walked in, grabbed me and dragged me to my room.
Once the guards turned the corner, one opened my door and slammed me in the wall before tossing me in my room.
“I’d like to see you try that when my hands are free.” Running my hands through my hair I closed my eyes for patience.
They closed the doors and the locks slid in place.
How was I going to escape and get to Claire when I’m locked in my room? Pacing in the middle of the floor helped me feel a little better.
Ring.
Running to the desk I scatter everything around like a scavenger hunt looking for the phone. Dashing to the bed I lifted the cover.
“Hello.” Frowning I looked down at the number. A sense of relief flooded me when I saw her name on the screen.
“Where have you been? Audrey and I have been worried. Bethanny came over to our table making a nasty scene,” said Ivy.
Jumping off the bed I rushed to the door. I was still locked inside my room but it sounded like everyone was in the hall. The screaming and shouting made me move back from the door.
“Oh my, what is that? Everyone is in the hallways,” said Ivy.
Kyra led Trevor and his men here. He finally lost his mind and attacked the school. Why didn’t Liam listen?
“We’re under attack. Get to the hallway,” said Ivy.
“I’m locked in my room.” The phone went dead.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Cade
We hid outside the main security gates at the capitol building. It was sad how the government abused its power and left the city in chaos. This is how it’s been for many years, yet I long for the days when the government cared about its people. It was chilly tonight and the wind whirled through the trees causing leaves to scatter on top of us.
There were four times as many guards out tonight than usual. We would always be outnumbered but this looked like a suicide mission. One wrong move and it was over.
“Are you sure we can trust your friend? There are enough guards out here to go to war with three countries,” said Fred.
“Yes. I trust him with my life. Do you have a better idea?”
“We didn’t come to fight. If we don’t get caught there’s no problem. If you are caught, we’re dead,” said Orion.
“Not necessarily. If we can get to the basement where they keep mutagens caged like animals, we have a chance to fight and win. They have been dreaming about fighting the people that made them like this,” said Trinity.
; “All of them might not want to fight,” said Fred.
“They will fight. We faced death every day, so death isn’t something that we fear. It was often the one thing we longed for but couldn’t obtain,” said Trinity.
“Do you think this Zane is worth saving? Rose doesn’t want to help us and she doesn’t want anything to do with you since you have the cure,” said Orion.
“We will need the witches in this battle against the corrupt government and the demons. We need all the help we can get.” The world used to be divided by the color of one’s skin, and now were divided by species. If we never learn from the past, then we’re doomed to repeat our failures.
“I hope he isn’t as closed-minded at Rose. I can’t believe she’s blinded by her hatred,” said Trinity.
“Hate is a powerful emotion that can eat at your soul if you let it,” said Fred.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I was getting worried. Leonardo’s cover had been blown.
“Leonardo says we need to meet him at the southside back door and he’ll get us in.” Turning my phone off I slipped it inside my pocket. Running through the trees there was a circular hole in the gate. I’m not sure how he did it but I ducked and crawled through it. I leaned against the wall as I crept to the door.
Standing behind the door, I waved for them to duck under the gas barrels. The barrels were placed all along the perimeter so if the fence was breached, they could detonate the gas barrels. The door swung open. A security guard smoking a cigarette strolled outside.
I grabbed him by the throat, my fingers ripping through his flesh tearing out his windpipe. He fell to the ground and I took out my knife sliding it across his throat like slicing butter. Orion discarded his body inside the dumpster and tossed me the badge.
Swiping the badge, I walked down the hall. The capital was a huge mansion for the corrupt government. These officials lived like kings and queens, while the city was left for destruction. Money was the root of all evil, and this mansion looked like money. The floors were cream marble with gold inlays throughout and the walls had famous paintings on each wall.
Someone headed this way. The boots clicked on the tile. Waving them to the other side of the wall I jumped up, grabbing the steel beam I perched up there. I was in the open but most people didn’t look up. Humans were easily distracted. Leonardo rushed down the hall toward the door. He slowed his pace when he passed by the main hall.
Leonardo looked up. Our eyes locked and he seemed less stressed. He walked to the end and looked to the right where Orion and the others stood.
“We don’t have much time. Zane is in danger,” said Leonardo.
“How do you know that?” asked Trinity.
“He must be psychic because he’s been acting like he’s in danger.” Leonardo rushed down the hall. He yanked the security guards’ badge from my hand and scanned it and the elevator doors opened. Once the doors closed, he punched in a code.
“We’re going to the basement. They must not keep the mutagens down there anymore,” said Trinity.
“They do but the codes change every hour. We probably have thirty minutes max, to get Zane and get out of here,” said Leonardo. The elevator doors opened, and he led us down the hall to the first door on the right.
The fluorescent lights were bright. A scent of bleach and chemicals filled the air. There was no air conditioning down here. Leonardo passed by the multiple cages with people in them.
“Where are the keys to the cage,” asked Trinity.
“I don’t have access to the basement. We don’t have time to free them,” said Leonardo.
Fred stepped back and bent the bars allowing a five-year-old out. “Sweetie your safe with us. What’s your name,” asked Fred?
“Carol Ann,” she said. She ran over to the cage that was next to hers and poked her finger into the lock, and after tinkering with it, the door opened.
“Come Brent,” said Carol Ann. She hugged him before stepping back. He went down the row bending the bars and freeing them.
“Trinity you came back for us,” said Carol Ann.
“I promised you that I would. I always keep my promises, but we must go now.”
Leonardo walked up to the desk in the corner. Yanking the third book and flipping to a page he pushes a button and the back-wall separates revealing a spiral staircase.
Glancing at the clock on the wall we have about eleven minutes before we are trapped down here.
“I hope there’s a way out down here.” I look at Leonardo but he shakes his head.
“I saw the guards go down here to smoke, but they always came back up that way.
“They may not have known there’s a way out down here,” said Fred.
Zane is rummaging through the file cabinet along the wall. He turned and waved his hands and a sword appeared in his hands. “If it’s your life or mine, I choose to live another day,” said Zane.
“We’re trying to help you. There’s no time to explain but you need to come with us if you want to live,” said Leonardo.
“You’ve been following me. Leave or die,” said Zane. He stepped away from the file cabinet and got in his stance.
“Leave him. He’s as stupid as Rose. I’m not dying for either of them. Come on baby, let’s go,” said Trinity. She grabbed Fred’s arm and walked back up the stairs.
“She has a point. We have four minutes. We’re going to have to fight our way out. Our window is gone,” said Orion.
“Let’s go. Leo if he wants to die down here, then so be it.” This hasn’t been a great day. We have picked up some people to fight with us but what chance do we have against this army?
Running up the stairs I followed Trinity and the others out in the hallway.
“Come on there’s another way out,” said Zane.
“What made you believe us?” Has are luck finally turned around? I’ll take it. Today has been the worse day and I need a little ray of hope right now.
“Rose told me she sent you,” said Zane. He turned and walked down the hall. After about five minutes he waved his hands and a wall separated and he walked through it.
“We should’ve left him here to die. He’s unappreciative,” said Fred. He grunted when Trinity elbowed him in the stomach.
“There they are. I have located the intruders,” said the security guard. Him and ten others ran toward us.
I pushed Leonardo through the wall. Fred jumped through the wall.
“Hurry I can’t hold it open much longer,” said Zane. His voice echoed off the walls and faded into the distance. The entrance no longer glowed a bright yellow. The hole had started closing. Trinity opened her mouth and breathed fired on them. Their screams became louder as the air-filled with ash and soot.
“Come Trinity. Live now to fight another day.” Grabbing her arm, I jumped through the hole with Trinity dangling behind me.
We fell to the ground.
Zane had sent Fred and Trinity to their safe house. It was amazing watching Zane do so much with a wave of his hands and speaking. Witches were so different from vampires. I guess I didn’t know about the powers that witches have but I was amazed. All I know is the witches fall from grace. They thirsted for more power and sought to take power from Valcrum and were cast down on earth. On earth witches did not have as much power as they had in Xundar.
“I still don’t get the attraction that Trinity has to Fred. He’s a coward,” said Orion. He shrugged and shook his head.
“You know what they say. Opposites attract.” I think Trinity needs a stronger man, one that’s brave and fearless. I guess she doesn’t think she so. Girls always date the wrong guys. Women pass a hundred good men to find the low life one that doesn’t give a damn about them, and that’s the one they date.
It took five minutes to get back to the academy. Who knew that witches could be that powerful? It disturbed me that Zane could snap his fingers and enter anywhere; including the academy. No one should hold such power.
“Something is wrong.” Th
ere was a fresh bloody trail leading through the enchanted gardens. The door was dented and kicked in. Pulling my sword, I ran to the door but Zane stopped me.
“Derrick couldn’t have done this that quick. I don’t think it was him,” said Leonardo.
“This was done by demons from the spiritual world. I’m not talking about him,” said Zane. He nodded to Fred. He closed his eyes and a green glow surrounded him. After several minutes passed, he opened his eyes.
“What did you see,” asked Trinity?
“The demons that attacked are gone, but they’ll be back again. There are still enemies that lurk in the shadows. Be careful who you trust,” said Zane.
“We won’t tell anyone who you are. Come with me.” I walked through the hallways. The bodies piled up and moved to the side of the wall made bile travel up my throat. These were teenagers who had their whole lives ahead of them, but their lights were snuffed out by demons. I’ll never forget. Stepping over the bodies I rushed to Liam’s office.
Bursting through the door a sense of relief came over me when I saw him stitching up a wound to his abdomen.
“I thought I’d never see a demon attack the academy in my lifetime. We will kill them all,” said Leonardo.
“You should have called and let me know you were safe,” said Liam.
“What did I miss while I was away? The demons attacked us?” Liam’s office looked a mess. The desk was turned upside down and the books were tossed on the floor. This was different for him because Liam is a neat freak.
“Kyra came back here claiming vampires attacked her and Chasity.”
“Man, that girl’s reputation precedes her. Tell me, did the demons rescue her?” asked Orion.
“Nope, she is down in the dungeon. She came here pregnant.”
“She knows that angels can’t taint their bloodline. It is a death sentence to the angels. Why would she do that,” said Orion?
“I have locked up Arianna. She did bring Kyra’s journal, but I am not sure I trust her,” said Liam.
“Kyra and Arianna are like night and day. You can’t punish Arianna because her sister is crooked.”
Academy of Magic Collection Page 163
