“You mean his murder,” Darius clarifies, leaning forward over his desk.
“You can’t think—” Bella breaks off and looks between us, her nostrils flaring with indignation. “You think I killed Mr. Stephens?”
“Why don’t you tell us what you know,” Darius says. “And don’t worry about what we think.”
“Look, I didn’t kill anyone,” Bella says. “I’m not a killer. And if I was, I certainly wouldn’t do it in such a disgusting manner. I hear his blood was, like, painted on the walls.”
“The hair was the worst part,” I say with a shudder. “It was stuck to the blood…”
“Jade,” Darius warns, giving me a dark look.
“Oh my god,” Bella says, her face going slightly green. She covers her mouth like she’s trying to hold back vomit. Yeah, this bitch may be a sadistic fuck when it comes to drama and head games, but she’s not spreading someone’s entrails around their apartment any time soon.
“When was it that Mr. Stephens told you these things?” Darius asks. “Or were you saying that to blackmail Jade into a false confession that fits your narrative?”
“No,” Bella says quickly, straightening in her chair. “He did say that. He knew you two were hooking up. He told Dirk.”
“When?”
“I don’t know,” Bella wails, breaking down. “I just wanted to get something on Jade to make her give up Thorn, so I told Dirk to ask him. And he said Topher confessed.”
“When?” Darius presses again.
“The—the night before… Before you found him,” Bella stammers, staring down at her hands.
“And what did Dirk do to get this information?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” Bella says. “He didn’t say. But he didn’t hurt him. I know he wouldn’t! They’re the same.”
I catch Darius’s eye as his brows raise.
“He’s a telepath?” I ask.
Bella shakes her head. “No,” she whispers. “But he wouldn’t hurt anyone. He promised.”
“Dirk is a demon?” Darius asks.
“But he just got information for me,” Bella says in a rush. “That’s it, I swear.”
“You hate demons,” I point out. “You were saying how disgusting it was that Brunette Bella slept with one. That Darius even let one on campus.”
“Don’t judge me,” Bella snaps. “It was all for show. He’s been cheating on me with your weirdo friend all semester, and I didn’t even care. My family found out about him last summer, and we were going to turn him in, but he said he could help us if we kept his secret.”
“But… He’s a warlock,” I say. A cute, emo, gay warlock who my friend is sleeping with. Oh my god. Is that the real reason Asher wouldn’t tell me? Fuck. Is Asher in danger?
“My family put a suppression spell on his magic and gave him a bunch of theirs so he could pass for having their magic—warlock magic—during the Unleashing,” Bella says. “He’s not a warlock.”
“Miss Goodwin,” Darius says, looking tense. “You realize what a serious allegation this is. You and your family have risked every student on this campus.”
“You already had a demon here!” Bella says. “If you’d allow one, why can’t we allow one? Only you get to pick and choose?”
“Topher was vetted extremely carefully,” Darius says. “He showed us complete records of his past doings, even his previous incarnations. We know nothing about this demon you brought here.”
“And the dark magic,” I say. “Demons have tons of magic, right? So two demons together could attract the ogres…”
“Which is how Dirk got away with only a scratch,” Thorn says, now standing in the doorway instead of his post outside.
“And that’s why there haven’t been any attacks since Topher died,” I say. “Because now there’s only one demon.”
“It does give Dirk a motive for getting rid of Topher,” Darius says. “He must have known why the ogres were coming, and he knew it wouldn’t stop. He had to get rid of one of the demons, and he wasn’t leaving.”
“Dirk wouldn’t do that,” Bella wails. “He was just here to spy for me!”
“So, he made Topher disappear,” I whisper.
“Is the way he was murdered consistent with a demon’s methods?” Thorn asks.
“It’s not out of the realm of possibility,” Darius says.
“I did it all for you,” Bella wails, jumping up and turning to face Thorn. “Don’t you see that, Thorn? I did it all for you. I’ve always wanted you, and I always will. You’re the only one worthy of me, the only one my family will be happy with.”
“You really never change,” I say. “It’s always been about Thorn, hasn’t it?”
“I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to take risks to get it,” Bella snaps, narrowing her eyes and glaring at me. “I will win in the end, Jade, and I don’t care who I destroy on my way. Try standing in my way. See what happens.”
“I’ll tell you what’s going to happen,” Darius says, picking up his phone. “I’m going to call someone to take you into custody, and then we’re going to continue this investigation. Your presence here is no longer needed. I can’t have you threatening another student, and after your confession, I’m afraid you won’t be at the Academy of Sorcery any longer, Bella. Your track record—tampering with another student’s magic, summoning demonlings, just to name a few—is already terrible. I’m afraid we’ve done more harm than good by allowing you some leniency.”
“What? You can’t suspend me!” Bella screeches. “I’m a Goodwin!”
“Thorn,” Darius says. “Please take Bella to be held in campus security until further notice.”
“That’s—that’s jail,” Bella wails. “I can’t go to jail. I’ll die.”
I can’t help but snort. “Are you fucking kidding me? Mr. Stephens actually did die—probably because of you and your demented obsession with Thorn. It’s not like you’re being sent to a hard labor camp. It’s campus security, for fuck’s sake.”
“Get her out of here,” Darius says to Thorn. “Now.”
Thorn makes a face like he’s being forced to clean up vomit as he takes Bella’s arm and drags her out. The second she’s gone, Darius is on his feet. “Jade, this is very serious,” he says. “Everyone on this campus could be in danger, and the moment Dirk finds out we have Bella in custody, he might know we’re on to him. We need proof he’s a demon, and we need protection from him. If he really is a demon, they can be incredibly powerful. It could take all of us to take him down.”
For a second, I just nod like a bobblehead. He stayed so calm while talking to Bella that it seemed like it wasn’t that big a deal. Topher was a demon, after all, and he was our friend. But seeing Darius casting shimmering wards along the windows, the corners, and the walls makes me suddenly a little afraid.
“Call Ryker and Rocco,” Darius orders.
Seconds after I text them, the Steele brothers appear in the doorway.
“Shut the door,” Darius says, then sweeps his hands down, sealing the door with some kind of magic.
“What’s up?” Rocco asks, his brow furrowed with concern as he glances from me to the wards.
“That should make our voices undetectable even to the most determined ear,” Darius says before turning to the guys. “Bella says Dirk is a demon in disguise.”
“She said that?” Rocco asks. “Why?”
“Because she’s a fucking psycho who thought she could somehow leverage his presence into getting Thorn,” I say.
“She may be a psycho, but she’s not an idiot,” Ryker states plainly. “That sort of confession would have major ramifications for her future here and her whole family.”
“Exactly,” Rocco says. “Why the hell would Bella tell you that?”
This is the part that makes me squirm. I don’t want to lie to them, but I can’t tell the truth.
Darius clears his throat. “Bella Goodwin discovered the more… Intimate relations… Jade and I share.”
>
I gape at Darius, but he just shakes his head. “We’re among friends and those who understand,” he says. “And at this point, hiding it puts others at risk, and I’m not willing to do that to keep my job.”
I nod, then peek at the others. Rocco is nodding slowly, as if the final piece of a puzzle has fallen into place. Ryker just stares at us with an infuriatingly inscrutable expression that gives nothing away—not anger, jealousy, hurt, realization… Nothing.
Now is not the time to dwell on that, though.
“I have to make sure Asher’s safe,” I blurt out. “And maybe Elowen. But Asher has been seeing Dirk. I need to warn him. Now!”
“Call him,” Darius says. “Your necromancy friend, too, if you think she’s in danger.”
“She was with Topher,” I say. “Maybe she has some insight into demons. Maybe one of them can tell us for sure about Dirk.”
“It’s safe to assume that a demon with the ability to cloak his magic is not one to take lightly,” Darius continues as I quickly text my friends. “In fact, I’m certain he’s the reason for Mr. Stephens’s demise.”
“You think Topher was catching on to Dirk’s ruse?” Rocco asks. “Would he go as far as to murder a professor?”
“If he managed to kill a demon, we’ve got our work cut out for us,” Darius says. “That would speak volumes about his abilities to suppress and disguise his demon magic as well as his strength.”
“And we’re not taking Bella and that freshmen prick out because…?” Ryker asks, brandishing his sword. “I say we take them both down in one fell swoop.”
“We have no proof but suspicion,” Darius says. “And the word of a student who hasn’t exactly proven herself trustworthy.”
“What reason would she have to lie?” Rocco asks.
“Um, maybe because she found out Dirk was cheating on her?” I say. “She’s done worse for less.”
“We need to get proof of Dirk’s magical identity,” Darius says. “And we need it before he finds out what we’re doing.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Just then, a knock sounds and we all jump. Darius grips his staff, and the rest of us draw our weapons as well. For a second, we stare at the door in silence. Then Darius steps forward and pulls it open.
Asher stands in the doorway, looking confused. Elowen stands behind him, gnawing at a hangnail. I’ve never been so relieved to see my friends.
“Come in,” I say, grabbing them and pulling them inside. “I’m so glad you’re both safe.”
“Safe?” Asher asks, glancing around. “Of course we’re safe. What’s going on?”
“Was there another ogre attack?” Elowen asks.
“We have reason to believe that Dirk is a demon,” Darius says bluntly. “Do either of you have any knowledge or information about this?”
“What?” Asher gasps. “No, that’s not possible. Dirk’s… He’s a warlock.”
“We need some way to prove he’s more than that,” Rocco says, frowning at my friends.
“I don’t even know him,” Elowen says, shrinking back from Rocco’s stormy gaze. “I’ve only met him a couple times.”
“I need to sit down,” Asher says, sinking into a chair. I can see the wheels turning in his head.
“Sit down?” Ryker demands incredulously. His searing gaze locks on my BFF. “Are you withholding vital information, sophomore?”
“No,” Asher protests. “I mean… Oh, gods, what did I do?”
Ryker’s sword is immediately in his hands, and just as quick, Cleo is in mine.
“Fucking try me,” I hiss, brandishing my sword. “I dare you. Give me an excuse.”
“Whoa, easy, everyone.” Darius puts his hand on Ryker’s chest, acting as a living shield between me and him. “Ryker, Jade, we are all allies. Put away your weapons, or I’ll be forced to disarm you.”
Ryker glares at me for a second before sheathing his sword and turning back to Asher. “I suggest you start talking—and quickly, boy.”
“This is so messed up,” Asher mutters. “I didn’t know. I didn’t give him more power, did I?”
“We’re not sure of much at this point,” Darius admits. “We need to start by getting proof that he’s a demon. Then we will have more solid evidence that he’s behind Topher’s murder.”
“Oh,” Elowen gasps. “You think…”
Asher looks up to me, eyes reddening as tears form at the corner of his eyes. Elowen wipes at her own tears at the fresh reminder of her former lover’s death. Instead of telling him he might have prevented it, Elowen leans across the chair, her arms wrapping Asher in an embrace.
She whispers something in his ear, and Asher’s eyes go wide.
“Start talking,” Ryker growls.
Elowen pulls away, wiping her face and keeping a reassuring hand on Asher’s shoulder. He looks at each of us, then down at his hands. “I can help prove Dirk’s a demon.”
“How?” I ask. And then I remember something he told me about demons. They have black cum. Of course Elowen would know this little factoid, since she was with Topher for so long. One look at her bright red face tells me I’m right.
“We always did it in the dark,” Asher says, voice trembling a bit. “And he liked to use protection, even though—well, you know. I thought it was a little weird, but I just thought it was something he was into…”
“We can’t risk you getting hurt,” Darius says firmly. “I can’t put any student in danger.”
“Thorn’s got Bella out of the way for now,” Rocco says. “But Dirk might go looking for her, or anyone could have seen us coming here… Anything out of the ordinary could draw his attention.”
“We should get to him as soon as possible,” Darius says. “Before he catches wind of any of this.”
“You’re going to kill him?” Elowen squeaks.
“There’s nothing else we can do if he’s possessed,” Ryker states coldly, his sword once more in his hand. “I say we bring him to sanctified grounds and deal with him there.”
“Let me help,” Asher insists. “I know I’m not all powerful like y’all, but I have something you don’t—Dirk’s trust.”
“What are you going to do?” I ask. “Seduce him?”
“Exactly,” Asher says, though he gulps and turns a bit pale. “I mean, I’ve done it a hundred times. I’ll just make a booty call, and he’ll come right over. I can even get proof… And then you can jump him.”
“I’m not sure that’s wise,” Darius says, frowning at the thought of someone knowingly putting himself in the path of a demon. But Asher’s been unknowingly doing it for months.
“If nothing tips him off, it’ll be totally ordinary,” Asher says. “I do it all the time. He won’t suspect a thing.”
“What about his tongue?” I ask, glancing uncomfortably at Elowen. “Topher’s tongue was black, too.”
“That’s a sign of an aging host,” Darius says. “Aspects of their demon form start to show themselves.”
“Does anyone have another idea to get him tonight?” I ask. “We can’t exactly call him here without him getting suspicious, even if you said it was to talk about a class or a grade.”
Asher stands from the chair, his face hard with determination. “I can’t live with myself if I helped a demon hurt someone. Intentional or not, I…” His will wavers for a second, but one look at Elowen and guilt writes itself all over his face. She takes his hand and squeezes, and my heart swells for them both. This is their biggest challenge yet, and they’re weathering it together instead of fighting.
“Be careful,” she says.
“I will,” he says, releasing her hand and turning to Darius. “I’m helping. I’ll text him now. Don’t come up until he’s in my room. Then you can meet him outside.”
“When will we know it’s okay to come in?” I ask.
“Unless you’re into us watching,” Rocco says with a grin.
Asher only manages a weak laugh and no flirty comeback, so I know he’s terrified.
This time, I take his hand. “You’re going to be great. Just act normal. You don’t have to do a single thing else. You’re already doing so much.”
“Okay, I need a code word,” Asher says, sounding a bit more normal but still plenty freaked. “How about… Banana hammock?”
I can’t help but laugh. “Something a little more normal that won’t tip him off would be good.”
“What do you say when you want him to leave after sex?” Rocco asks with a knowing smirk.
“Um, not all men are pigs,” I say, giving Asher’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Asher’s not like that.”
“I have a lot of homework,” Asher mutters.
Rocco busts out laughing.
“Asher,” I scold, letting go of his hand to smack his shoulder. “I am surprised at you.”
“What?” he says defensively. “I’m a guy. We all do it.”
“You all do it?” I ask, looking to the others for help. Rocco just laughs harder, and even Ryker cracks a smile. Darius busies himself fixing a folder on his desk.
“Don’t take it personally,” Rocco says. “It’s in our brain chemistry.”
“Okay, I guess all men are pigs,” I say. “So, we’re going with, I have a lot of homework.”
Asher nods. At least the tension has broken a bit.
“The key is to be as normal as possible,” Darius says. “As much as I hate to risk student welfare, I’m afraid you truly are our best chance at catching him. And I don’t want to wait even one more day and risk putting anyone else in danger.”
“And we’ll be right outside the door,” I assure Asher. “Just say the magic words, and we’ll bust in and kick his ass.”
“We’ll kick his ass,” Ryker growls. “You should be hidden somewhere safe, Jade.”
I roll my eyes. “Do you really think I’m going to let my best friend and all my guys risk their lives fighting a demon while I’m locked up in a tower like some sort of damsel from the Middle Ages?”
“She’s right,” Darius says. “Jade is a valuable asset and perfectly capable. There’s no reason she can’t be there. We’ll need all the power we possess if he’s as strong as I suspect.”
Shadow Magic: Year 3 Page 23
