With Cross & Charm

by D.L. Miles

  Chapter 10

  Monday morning school is boring, and I can’t focus. I’m like a zombie as I wander through the halls, people talking to me but the words just roll in one ear and out the other. If there is an assignment due, or given, I haven’t heard about it. Beth and Delilah try to cheer me up, but I’m not sure what’s wrong.

  Besides everything.

  Dad thinks I’m acting out, or maybe he suspects I need to be put on medication. I finally decided to rejoin the volleyball team only to get into an accident and ensure I can’t do anything. Before I step into history class I debate if I want to talk to Coach and beg forgiveness. At the very least I could be on the team when my wrist is healed.

  “In or out, Willa,” Ms. Coyne says. “Class is about to start.”

  I nod absently and find my seat, dropping my bag to the floor with a heavy thump. Outside is a bright September day, filled with sunshine and warmth, and yet I can’t glean any joy from it. I lick my lips and shake my head as the bell rings.

  When the class settles down Ms. Coyne starts to talk about religion in Hollow’s Point, and how it’s developed over the past hundred years. She’s interrupted when Cain comes running into the room, shouting, “I’m here!” He shoots the teacher an apologetic look. “Still learning how to get around.”

  Ms. Coyne grinds her teeth but instructs Cain to sit without any scolding. He moves to the other side of the room and barely gives me a passing glance. I feel invisible and nervous, and my temples begin to beat.

  “As I was saying,” Ms. Coyne continues, “this week we’ll be going over world religion, with a focus on Hollow’s Point. Miss Steele has suggested that we take a trip to Hollow’s Church, the oldest church in town, and I think it would be a splendid idea.”

  I swallow audibly. Hollow’s Church? I can’t go, literally. I won’t be able to step inside. My eyes slide towards Cain, and he quickly looks away from me, his cheeks reddening. Did they plan this? Is this a test?

  Ms. Coyne continues to explain our learning outcomes, but I feel I’ve just been marked for death.

  Next Friday is the day I won’t be able to hide anymore.

  “You’re just paranoid,” Beth says at lunch. “And it’s just a coincidence. You’re in history class, learning about religion and it’s affects on history. Nico teaches history. Nico goes to church. Therefore she arranges for a field trip to her church so you can learn about local religion. See?” She holds her hands out. “Coincidence.”

  I hate that she makes sense. “They haven’t said anything about me?”

  “Nope, you’re good,” Beth says, but her smile feels fake. “They haven’t been doing any sort of demon hunting lately. I think they want to retire.”

  “You’re just saying that,” I prod.

  She winces. “Okay, yes, I am. But that’s only because you’re freaking out over everything lately. I know it’s scary, but hunters don’t hunt at home. Hollow’s Point is considered a safe zone.”

  “You never mentioned that before,” Delilah says with suspicion. “Does this mean you’re on board with Operation King?”

  Beth rolls her eyes and takes a bite of her sandwich. “I’m on board with Operation Save-Willa-From-A-Demon.”

  “Shh!” I hiss, looking around. “Not so loud.” We are completely alone on the bench outside, the nearest people being a group of freshman playing baseball across the field. I feel ridiculous. “Okay, I’m willing to admit that it could just be a coincidence.”

  “Thank you,” Beth says. “And I’m willing to admit that something is weird about Cain.”

  Delilah groans. “Ugh, it’s called love, you heathens. It makes things weird.”

  “I’m still going to do some research on him,” Beth announces after taking another bite. “There’s a lot of holes in his past that I just can’t figure out. His family is being pretty tight-lipped, and nobody will tell me anything.”

  I sigh at the thought of Cain. Ithinara does the same, but for a very different reason. “Can we talk about something normal?” I ask.

  “Talking about boys is normal,” Delilah argues.

  “Not when those boys are demon hunters,” I snipe. “Sorry—I just mean…can we talk about school? College, future, the mall, that sort of thing?”

  I know they tend to avoid talking about the future for my sake, but now I want to discuss it. I want to dream about not having a demon in my head, and about going to college and becoming—something.

  “I guess I should start thinking of that, huh?” Delilah jokes. Beth and I know she isn’t as far behind as she claims.

  “What are you guys doing for your essays?” I ask. “I can’t think of anything.”

  “You have to write one that’s creative, right?” Beth asks.

  “A short story and something about myself.” I roll my eyes. “I was looking forward to it, but now I’m drawing a blank.”

  “Why don’t you go to the animal shelter later,” Delilah suggests. “Hasn’t it been like a month since you’ve gone?”

  I debate on it. “That might work; maybe I just need to stop thinking for a while.” And what better way to spend my time and look normal than to do what I normally do? Volunteering to feed cats downtown always makes me feel…right.

  I hate that place, Ithinara moans. It reeks of urine.

  “Give me a ride?” I ask Beth.

  “Of course,” she agrees with a smile. I think both of us are elated to talk about anything other than the Steele’s and Ithinara.

  “Can I come?” Delilah asks. “I need to get in a few more hours to graduate.”

  “I guess,” I say. “If you want to keep going though you need to get vaccinated and stuff. And fill out a mountain of forms.”

  She shoots me with her fingers. “Gotcha. Now, onto more fun topics. The dance! It’s coming up.”

  “It’s like three weeks away,” Beth argues. “We have plenty of time.”

  You don’t, Ithinara mentions. If you don’t hurry you’ll never make it to college.

  Beth and Delilah begin to argue, but I’m paying attention to Ithinara. I’m not going to kill anyone.

  Hm, Ithinara is far too cool now. Is that what you think? Have you not wondered about your accident on Friday? His behaviour is quite odd—he’s trying to make you admit what you are.

  What you are, I correct.

  What we are, she says.

  “Beth,” I say.

  “Yes?”

  “Can I borrow a book on demons? Or possession?” I ask.

  Beth is quiet, but soon she nods. “I can get you my…manual, I guess. Are you sure?”

  I’ve always avoided learning more about Ithinara, mainly because I never knew where to look for help. The last time Beth helped me gave me scars up my arm, and also made me break my nose slamming into an invisible wall. It made me decide to just live with Ithinara. But maybe there was a better way; maybe Cain was that way.

  He isn’t, Ithinara states. Get over him already.

  Beth had said herself that she thought Cain was different from the other hunters. I look over my shoulder, feeling a pair of eyes on my back. Two stories up, sitting in a window is Cain; our eyes meet, and he doesn’t look away this time. Instead he grins.

  He is a mystery to me, and I can’t figure him out. I can’t even figure out my own feelings. He’s charming and terrifying, kind but cruel.

  He’s my only hope at ridding myself of Ithinara.

  She hisses at my thoughts, as if knowing that is the truth.