by Kelly Hall
When they arrived, she found Sam and the other trainee in awe at what was before them. A swirling stain of dark magic marred the storage room floor, just like the one she found at the scene of Merik and the others’ murders.
“Back up!” she cautioned. The mark couldn’t be too old since they tended to fade. At least, the other one had. Rebekah wondered how they’d gotten so close to the academy and why.
“Is this not holy ground?” Hildi asked, grabbing Frankie’s arm, and the two shuddered in fear.
Rebekah shook her head. “Parts of it are, but I’m guessing that someone forgot to bless the storage shed and the lawn. We’ll need a priest, Sister Frankie. I’d like you to get on the phone to Father Timms. Tell him he’s needed at the Nevada Academy.” He was the only one she trusted. If she left the decision up to the Church, there would be no telling who they would send, and being a hunter at one time himself, Father Timms was going to be the most understanding of their situation. “I don’t want word of this getting out. Not to the other trainees, not to anyone, are we clear? Tight lips please.”
The others nodded, and she hoped she could trust them.
“Do you want me to clean this up?” Hildi asked. She was too scared to go near it and hoped the answer would be no. The others had backed away when the evil splotch had made them ill.
“No need,” Rebekah said. “I have it on good authority that it will fade in a day or two. It’s mostly harmless at this point, but do not touch it. It will spread, and the last thing we need is an academy of sick trainees.”
Sam and the other trainee stepped back like it was a deadly snake, and Rebekah couldn’t blame them. Magic put her on edge, too, mostly because she’d seen exactly the types of things it could do. She needed to get to the bottom of what happened to Merik and wished she had a crystal ball that could show her the past instead of the future.
Time travel would be a good tool as well, but she didn’t know if Ignis knew the right people. And if he did, did they like him enough to reach out?
Chapter 12
Rebekah returned to the mess hall with more determination than ever to find out who was involved in Merik and the others’ deaths. She needed to call in backup, but with Father Timms on the way and the need to do things her way and not how the Church wanted, she had no choice but to form her own group.
Even though the three weren’t marked and didn’t share her strength, or even the strength of everyday hunters, she knew they were at the top of their class for a reason. With the marking ceremony just days away, their marks would come by the time they were needed. They would train in the field like she had.
The trainees were clearing off their trays and filing into the halls to go back to the training room, so she crossed the mess hall and followed them out the back, passing up Delilah and Jarreth who were standing in the hallway without their sidekick.
“Hey, Rebekah.” Delilah fell into step beside her. “Did something happen?”
“Get your friends and meet me in the training room with the others.” Rebekah wasn’t the young woman who was more like their equal anymore; she was their leader.
“Sure, I’ll see you there.” Delilah turned back to go after Jarreth. When she found him, waiting where they’d been, Canter had finally caught up. “Come on, guys. We have to get to the training room. Rebekah said to meet her there with our squads.”
Canter looked thoughtful. “Okay, so we’re nearly a week from the attack, and the marking ceremony is coming this weekend. I’m sure she’s got a lot on her mind.”
Canter made sense, but Delilah shook her head. “I don’t think that’s it. Whatever Sister Frankie wanted, I have a feeling it’s changed everything. You didn’t see the look in her eyes. She’s pissed.”
When they walked into the training room, Rebekah was standing at the back wall, glaring at her phone.
Jarreth glanced over as Canter whispered, “I wonder if the Church came down on her. Maybe they found out about what happened in the alley with the dark magic?”
Delilah shook her head. You never could tell with the Church. “Or they found out she’s been keeping things from them?”
Forty-six trainees, all of different ranks and ages, formed three lines as Rebekah stepped forward. “I know we’ve been in a state of temporary disarray, and I had wished to keep things as familiar as possible, with all the pressure and heartache you’ve been through, but I’m afraid it’s time we regroup and get things back to normal.”
The trainees remained silent as she paced the floor in front of them. “Canter Jackson. Delilah Miller. Jarreth Barnes. Please step forward and remove your captain pins.”
The three exchanged a look, and Canter cleared his throat. “May I ask why, Commander?”
Rebekah kept a straight face as the trainees all exchanged glances. “Appoint a new leader for your squads.”
Hushed voices sounded around the lines, but Delilah stepped forward without hesitation and turned back to her group. “Sarah Nash.” The girl came forward, and Delilah smiled, handing her the pin. Aware at least a hundred eyes were on her, she refused to appear weak or bitter.
Canter shook his head and looked like the last thing in the whole world he wanted was to give up what he’d earned, but he trusted Rebekah, and he knew they must have gotten in trouble for the outing. He would obey the order. He didn’t want to earn his first demerit, but more than that, he didn’t want to be responsible for Rebekah getting in trouble or losing her position.
Canter turned toward his group and took off his pin. “Joseph Karr.”
The young man stepped forward, and a few people slapped his hands on the way. Joseph was surprised he’d been chosen. “Thanks, man.”
Canter gave him the hunter’s salute of honor and handed him the pin.
Jarreth wasn’t bitter. He simply waited his turn and wondered why she was doing this. If she were in trouble, did this mean that they were, too? He took a deep breath and looked to his line where fourteen others waited. The person with the next highest-ranking average was Katie Kelly, but he wasn’t about to give her the position. It wasn’t that she was a woman, but because she was the type to let it go to her head and make the others miserable. The next in line was Kyle Cross, but he was buddies with Grady and Katie.
“Eric Downy,” Jarreth announced.
Delilah and Canter exchanged a look, and Jarreth didn’t miss the harsh look on Katie’s face or Kyle’s. Grady cracked his knuckles and stepped forward. “That’s bullshit, Barnes.”
“Quiet!” Rebekah said. “These are your new squad captains: Eric, Joseph, and Sarah. Captains, please call your squads to training.”
As everyone fell into place, Delilah, Jarreth, and Canter walked up to their commander.
“Please tell me you’re not suspending us for hunting the other night?” Jarreth had a feeling she’d gotten in trouble and was having to make some kind of example out of them.
“No, nobody is in trouble. Canter, I need your help. You know everyone’s ranking, right?”
“Mostly, give or take a few that might have changed in the past few weeks.”
Rebekah nodded. “Good. I need you to rebuild that fourth squad. I want the best, and not just based on ranking, but hunters you’d want beside you in the field. Delilah and Jarreth are automatic because of their rank and their previous involvement, but fill the other spots using your best judgment.”
“Wait, so we’re building a super-squad?” Canter had learned that the squads were always supposed to be pretty equal in the academy so that the strongest could help the weakest.
“Pretty much. We’re going after those bastards, and I need the best we have.” Rebekah turned, leaving them there to figure it out for themselves. She had faith in Canter that he could handle it without her micromanaging. She headed back to the office where Sister Frankie was waiting with Lulu.
Rebekah could tell that the older woman seemed upset. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m sorry,” Frankie said. “Lul
u saw us talking out at the shed, and well, she came to me, asking why. I told her you would have to tell her.”
“If there is funny business going on at the academy, I have a right to know about it, the same as anyone else.” The woman looked like she was ready to take down anyone in her path, and Rebekah couldn’t help but think the woman would have made a pretty damned good huntress in her day.
“You’re right, Lulu. It seems that a dark mage left a stain of magic in the storage shed. Now, I’d like you to keep this information close to your hip. We don’t want to create a panic, and I’m sure you can see why it’s best to keep this a secret while we investigate.”
“I see things as well, you know? But being a silly old cook, nobody listens.” She held her chin out proudly and shrugged.
“What have you seen?” Rebekah asked.
“Well, there was a wolf out by the gate the other night. I was just coming in from bingo when I saw it. Mangy looking thing. Probably full of fleas. I told Sam to set some traps in case it tried to attack anyone. He told me I was seeing things and that there weren’t any wolves that would come that close to camp. That it must have been an old dog or coyote. But I know better. My mind is as sharp as a tack.”
Lulu wasn’t a dramatic person, and if she said she saw a wolf, she saw a wolf. Rebekah believed her, especially considering the dark spot they’d found. “Do you remember when you saw it? The timing is important.”
Lulu put her finger to her pursed lips. “Oh, I’d say about a week ago, give or take a couple of days.”
A scout, maybe? Rebekah knew from experience that wolves often sent scouts to assess an area before the rest of the pack showed up. So, it could have been what they did to find a way into the storage shed.
Sister Frankie clutched the cross she wore around her neck. “I called Father Timms. He’s on his way and should be arriving tomorrow. And the decorations for the ceremony are in the auditorium if you want to check them out before we put them up.”
“Thank you.” Rebekah knew she would have to make time for that. The marking ceremony was important, and there would be family coming to the academy to see the trainees receive their marks.
“Also, I’ve located Merik’s grandmother, Estelle. She was moved from her home to a convalescence center. I have the new address.”
“Well, at least that’s some good news. I’ll be sure to see her soon. Thank you, ladies.” She hoped the woman’s health wasn’t poor, considering her being moved to a home. Hopefully, she just didn’t want to live alone, or perhaps a house required too much upkeep.
With nods, the sister and Lulu left the office. Rebekah prepared to call Father Timms and explain what she needed from him. Once he arrived, she would feel much better.
Before she got him on the phone, her senses picked up static in the air that was pulsing in waves like a warning beacon. “Aziel?”
She jumped from her seat and ran down the hall, around the corner, past the stairs, and to the far end to the training center doors. She could hear the voices of the cadets engaged in an argument, so she peeked in the small window on the door and stayed outside to listen, curious how they would handle the situation.
Grady sneered. “Admit it. You were just jealous of my girl because she’s better than you. That’s why you appointed Eric.” He and his friends were huddled around Jarreth and Canter.
“No,” Jarreth said. “I picked Eric because he was the right man for the job. Unlike you, who never gets picked for anything unless it’s a police line-up.”
The crowd gave a collective chuckle until Grady looked around, his face turning red with anger and embarrassment. But he wasn’t backing down. “The only reason your sorry ass was ever a captain is because Paul stood up for you. That’s the same reason no one else has tried to beat your ass, but guess what, loser? Paul isn’t around to have your back anymore.”
“No, but I am,” Canter said, stepping up. “I’m not going to sit and listen to you disgrace the fallen.”
Delilah made sure she stood in the way of any others who might think they could get involved.
Aziel was beside her, doing the same. His warning signals, which only Rebekah could sense and were not noticeable to the unmarked hunters, had been what called her down.
Grady lurched at Canter. “Come on, orphan. Let’s see what you’ve got.” He snorted. “You don’t even know who your fucking parents were. Are they black? White? Asian? Mexican?” Grady glanced around, as if everyone would support his prejudice.
Canter puffed up his chest and stepped forward, but Aziel stepped between them.
Rebekah watched from the door, determined to see how they settled this, knowing she would walk in and stop it before any punches were thrown, but she underestimated Jarreth, who stepped up and grabbed his friend by the arm.
“It’s not worth it, man. Come on.”
“That’s what I thought, you pussy.” Grady turned and walked away as Jarreth held Canter back. “You’re about as useless as your crack whore mother.”
Jarreth felt Canter tremble and knew the pain and anger had to be great. He couldn’t let this go.
Rebekah stepped into the room, thinking the fight was over, and was proud of her guys for taking the high road, but then she saw Jarreth reach for his belt, and before she could even blink, his throwing star flew through the air and struck its target.
“Son of a bitch!” Grady fell to his knees and held his ear. Then he looked beside him and picked up the chunk of skin that had been shaved off. Everyone scattered, and Rebekah ran across the room to stop Jarreth who was about to lay waste to the bully.
“I’ve had enough of your fucking mouth,” he shouted across the room to the bleeding cadet.
Canter couldn’t believe it. “Holy shit, man. What did you do?”
Rebekah came up behind him and gave him a shake. “Settle down!” She turned to Aziel. “Take Grady down to see Doc.”
The angel got on it, dragging Grady, who was pale as a ghost, behind him.
Jarreth turned to his commander. He doubted he could charm his way out of this one. “He was asking for it, and I had to do something.”
Canter shook his head. “I can fight my own battles, man.”
“I know you can, but I couldn’t let you ruin your perfect record. I’ve told you a thousand times. I’ve got your back.”
Rebekah clapped her hand on his shoulder and met his eyes. “You ever do anything like that again, and I’ll personally show you to the gate.”
“You wouldn’t stand up for a friend?” Jarreth asked.
“I would. But that’s not why I’m angry. You pulled a weapon inside the training room with innocent people around. You want to fight your peers? That’s fine, but battles between hunters are with fists only.” Someone needed to teach these young hunters a lesson.
Jarreth gripped her hand that was still on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t tell me. Tell Grady, but I’d wait until he calms down. He’s liable to murder you and call it self-defense.” There were ways they handled things as hunters, and while most of the old ways were no longer performed, with the Church being so heavily involved, she was going to see that the old traditions, especially the necessary ones, were taught.
Chapter 13
While the other trainees split up into groups and went to their scheduled stations, Canter called Rebekah over to the side. “I have the names, but there’s just one problem.”
“What’s that?” Rebekah took the list and read the name Grady Gimble. “Never mind, I see.”
She had heard what the guy said about Canter, the horrible insults he’d used against him, and she wondered how the young man felt about sharing a mission with Grady, given what had taken place.
“Yeah, I’m not so sure I want him on my team now.”
“I can’t blame you, but let me ask you this. Do you think he’s a good fighter?”
Canter nodded. “I’m just not sure he’s going to have my back.”
S
he scanned the list and found Aziel Smith listed. “I don’t want the angel involved.”
“Why not? Aside from the obvious reasons we’d want him, he’s one of the strongest we have.”
“And loyal to Michael and his kind first, which is why I’d rather you choose someone else.” She didn’t want to sound like she was being prejudiced, but if Michael found out one of his darlings was being taken out of training to be used on a mission, he’d lose his shit.
“Okay, so what should I do about Grady?”
“Show him that you’re willing to put your concern for the group ahead of yourself, and if there are any missteps, leave him to me.” She placed her hand upon his arm. “Don’t let the things he said get to you.”
“I’m not ashamed of who I am, but I’ve never really told many people here about my parents and why they left me.”
“It’s not anyone’s business, Canter. And you should be proud of who you are. You’re a strong hunter. You’ve worked your way to the top of the ranks. As for your parents, have you ever considered that those two did you a favor? That by letting you go, leaving you, they actually gave you the gift of a better life? Everyone’s parents have to let them go eventually, yours just did it a little earlier is all.”
Canter knew she was right, but it still hurt all the same not to have a normal life like most. No one understood what being a ward of the church was like, and though he looked more like his black father than his white mother, he had always felt like two sides of a coin, never knowing which side was supposed to be up. He wished he didn’t have to be one or the other.
“I guess I’ll keep my list,” he said. “Do you think the ear is going to matter?”
“I’m not sure, unless he starts walking in circles.” She gave him a wink.
Canter laughed. “I meant his healing. Do you think he’ll have to take any time away from training?”
“No, I’m sure he’ll be fine. But you can talk to Doc. I’m sure he’ll have an opinion.”
