Shape Shifter’s Demons in the Mist: Angel Academy

by Thomas, Kiesha

“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.” There 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.”

  “She stays locked in her room. It is for her safety. Kyra will benefit if Arianna is killed and she will become more powerful than she is now,” said Liam.

  “That isn’t right. She shouldn’t have to pay for her sister’s decisions.”

  “You don’t look good and you are paler than Leonardo,” said Liam.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Orion. What happened to him?” asked Liam.

  “Cade was fighting two demons and he tried to save an angel and was stabbed with the vamp virus,” said Orion.

  “How long ago did this happen? You are not fine,” said Liam.

  “Cade will be fine. He has the cure for the vamp virus,” said Orion.

  “You told me that you have not found the cure, but you lied. You intend to take the cure for yourself. Some best friend you turned out to be,” said Leonardo.

  “If there is one cure, as second in command, the cure goes to him. I forbid any other outcome. We still have some time and can find another cure for you,” said Liam.

  “It’s a shame but one day Cade will see that you don’t care about anybody but yourself,” said Leonardo. He stormed out of the office and slammed the door shut.

  “You didn’t have to talk to him that way. You are heartless.” I walked out of the office and slammed the door.

  What about Maximus? I haven’t been able to reach him. Is he here,” asked Orion?

  “Maximus is not here. I called him but he has not called me back,” said Liam

  “How many times has he not answered you?” asked Orion.

  “This is the first time.”

  * * *

  Looking around I didn’t see Leonardo anywhere. Liam has always been blunt. He didn’t have to forbid me to give my best friend the cure. I’m a man of my word. I promised that I would do everything to get the cure and I did. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t know that I would have to die in order to keep my promise. Leonardo would do the same for me.

  He was probably in the enchanted gardens. Ignoring the ache in my chest I flung the door open. Leonardo was sitting on the ledge with his head resting on his knees. He hadn’t looked so desolate since the death of his mother six years ago. I sat down next to him.

  “I can’t believe you lied to me. Why didn’t you make that witch chick give you more than one vial,” asked Leonardo?

  “I didn’t lie to you. I ‘m not Liam. If I say I’m going to do something, then I do it.” Rose didn’t want to help and she wasn’t concerned about the vampires dying because she hates us. I wish she or Zane could do more but it looks like we’re going to have to figure this out on our own.

  I pulled out the syringe. His eyes widened and he grabbed the syringe and injected it in his arm.

  “Where is your shot?” asked Leonardo.

  “I took it already. You feel bad before you start to feel yourself again.” I’m going to check on Arianna. Get some rest and stay on the grounds. Things are crazy around here.’

  I couldn’t stay in the enchanted garden since Melody lost her life there. It will be another issue when the vamp virus runs its course. Heading to Arianna’s room I knocked on the door, then opened it.

  “I’m just checking on you.”

  “If you’re not going to let me out of this room, you can get out,” said Arianna.

  “The headmaster wants to keep you in the room for your safety.”

  “Oh my, is that what he told you. He does want me out there because he doesn’t trust me,” said Arianna.

  “I’ve talked to Liam and he isn’t budging. Just give me time, I’ll work on him.”

  I have never been so happy to see my bedroom. Flopping down on my bed, I feel my strength leave my limbs. I’m not sure how I powered through this day and lived to tell the tale.

  The light poured in from the window. This box was sitting on my desk. I didn’t look at it but now I might not get the chance. Swallowing hard, I lifted the box lid. There was a medallion with a spirit on it. Where did this co
me from? Placing it to the side, I pulled out the photos. Wait. Letoya was pregnant in this photo. Her hair was blonde which meant this was before Derrick’s raping her.

  There were so many photos of Letoya. The water pooled in my eyes as I lifted the last photo. How is Letoya wearing this necklace? Sliding the necklace on my neck I tucked it inside my shirt. The last photo of Letoya showed that she was wearing the medallion and sitting in a cave with colorful drawings on the walls. Why did she go to that cave? She could’ve gone anywhere but she chose that cave.

  I climbed out of the window. My body ached but I could rest when I got to the cave. It should be safe there since nobody goes up the mountains and into the caves anymore. If it isn’t safe what do I have to lose?

  Three hours later I reached the cave. I fell to my knees in the entranceway. I was weak and my body didn’t have any strength. Sweat dripped off me, and I couldn’t stay warm despite it being a cool night. The virus was wreaking havoc on my body, and I couldn’t see suffering with it for a month.

  Grabbing the edges of the cave, I stumble to my feet. Using my pocket flashlight, I walked deeper into the cave. Stopping when I see the carvings on the cave. It was a beautiful woman surrounded by many people. The tribe of Zena was something nobody talked about. Why does that sound familiar? Zena was the love of Valcrum’s heart. There hasn’t been much to say about her other than she was Valcrum’s only love.

  All the carving showed that Zena shared her powers with her tribe and that they were indestructible. Sitting next to the carving of Zena I laid my head on the rock to rest my eyes. My temples throbbed and I could hardly keep my eyes open.

  I opened my eyes. A bright star fell from the sky and transformed into a white wolf. Her fur shimmered with golden hair as she ran toward me. Letoya then shifted from a werewolf to her human form. She looked the same, but she didn’t. There was a mature aura around her and she looked the same as she did when she passed away.

  “Beware of those you trust. Things are not as they seem,” said Letoya.

  I jerked awake. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Wiping the sleep from my eyes I looked at my phone. I had twenty missed calls. All from one number.

  Maximus had called me twenty-seven times. He put in his emergency code ten times. Scrambling to my feet I tracked his phone. It was a sneaky thing to do at the time, to place a tracker on his phone, but now I’m glad I did it.

  Arianna

  How can Cade come check on me and still leave me locked in here? I’m not a dog. Punching my pillow, I flop back on the bed. Liam, that jerk, left me locked in here during an attack. I don’t want to be a sitting duck, but I don’t want to be caged like an animal either. There is always strength in numbers.

  When am I going to learn how to use my powers? My bedroom door flew open and Liam walked in.

  “Your sister is pregnant. I have explained it to her, but she refuses to listen. A person having a natural birth without the consent of the government is automatically executed.”

  “The capital doesn’t know and we can keep that to ourselves.”

  “I know she’s your sister, but she does not care about you.” He walked over to the door and leaned against it. He looked around the room before she spoke again.

  “What do you want?” Liam didn’t earn my respect with him blaming me for Kyra’s actions. How dare he stand in my room and calmly talk to me.

  “Try to reach her. You two are twins and twins have a special connection. This Trevor guy isn’t at the location that you gave me.”

  “You should have killed him last night when they attacked. I don’t know how to find him. I can’t help you.”

  “In less than twenty-four hours Kyra’s pregnancy has gone viral. There are videos all over social media, and it’s just a matter of time before the government comes to take her away. I’m asking you to dig deep and think about your niece or nephew. Once the government comes, they will kill Kyra and eventually kill the baby too.”

  “Kyra won’t listen to me, but she may listen to mom.”

  “I’ll send for them to get your mom in an hour.” Liam turned and walked out of the room.

  A second later the lock slid into place. Closing my eyes, I prayed for patience. It wasn’t often that I prayed to Valcrum but it seemed like something that I should get used to. We need you now, Valcrum, more than ever.

  I’ve been calling mom’s phone non-stop. I was starting to think something might have happened to her until I called her job. When we were growing up, she always said don’t call her job unless we were dying. In my eyes, this was an emergency. Never, not once has she called to check on Kyra and me to see if we’re still alive. What kind of mother doesn’t check on her kids?

  This is all Liam’s fault. He had to know that Kyra was trouble. He should never have allowed her to come to the academy. It doesn’t make a difference now. She has brought these demons on all of us and she doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She sure didn’t seem happy about her pregnancy. I can’t imagine Kyra raising a child. The baby had a demon for a father and Kyra for a mother. What chance did the child have at a normal life?

  I was beginning to think mom didn’t care about me either. How is it possible that I have left thirty-seven messages and she doesn’t call me? I’m so tired of being used and abused. They’re not the only ones that can play that game. I quickly send her one last text stating that the headmaster is sending for her so that they can meet her and give her a cash award for our performance at the academy. A second later she sends me several smiling faces in a text message and confirms that she’ll be there.

  Kyra was right that mom only cares about mom. She doesn’t care about me or anyone else. Tossing my phone on the bed I walked to the bathroom for a quick shower. I guess as soon as I stopped giving her all my check, I no longer mattered to her.

  An hour later, Liam and several men came to the room. It was five minutes until the hour. Liam was many things, but he was punctual.

  “Your mother did not come. When we arrived at her home, she said that she was busy but to leave the money.”

  “Wow.” My mom was a piece of work. I was tired of being embarrassed by them. I have been embarrassed for Kyra’s actions and betrayals, and now mom’s greediness is out in the open. My time at the academy has shown me that I am not responsible for everyone’s actions. I’m tired of being shamed for what others do. I am not my sister’s keeper. So, what if my mother is greedy and only cares about money? I’m sure she isn’t the only parent that lusts for it.

  “I told her why we required her presence and that we did not bring any money. I assume that you told her money was involved to get her here, but it did not work.”

  “It’s just you.” He held the door open. The crestfallen looks of the security guard’s face were a real confidence booster.

  I’ve wanted out of my room ever since they locked me in it. Once we reached the basement, which is hidden, I felt my palms sweat. The space looked soundproof. It wasn’t how I pictured a basement to be. I thought she was in a dungeon, but she was in a bedroom. There was no way that she would be claustrophobic in here. The space was fit for a queen. The bed was draped with silk linen, and the curtains were adorned with huge crystals. A scent of tea rose filled the air from all the fresh yellow and red roses in the six vases throughout the room.

  The room was the size of our house at home. Her feet weren’t shackled to the floor and she didn’t look at all bothered about her situation. She sat at her mirror playing with her hair. Her makeup was still fresh from the days before.

  I cared, more than I would admit, about that life growing inside Kyra. How could I not? This is my niece or my nephew, and I didn’t want Kyra and Trevor ruining the baby.

  Kyra stared at me through the mirror. “Why are you here? I had hoped that he had killed you last night. He can’t do anything right.”

  Liam stepped forward trying to deflect her attack on me. “Have you thought about what we talked about? Trevor doesn’t care about you, j
ust the baby. Demons and angels have been battling for centuries, it is not something that you need to tell him to do. If he wanted to kill Arianna, then she would be dead. She has not even mastered her power, so she is easy prey,” said Liam.

  “You keep trying to convince me that he doesn’t care for me. He does, but that doesn’t matter.”

  Liam pulled out a black remote. He nodded to the security guard to touch the button on the camera. It flashed before coming to the blue screen. Liam pushed the button, and footage from last night’s attack was played.

  Trevor and a handful of demons ran through the halls killing whoever they encountered. A female was with them. She stayed closer to Trevor and watched his back more than she did her own. There were several times she almost died watching out for Trevor.

  “Tramp,” mumbled Kyra.

  “Find Kyra.”

  “If she’s given birth and there is a choice which one do you want me to save?”

  Trevor blocked off an attack and sliced off the head of one of the guys and kicked it out of his way. “The baby.”

  Kyra’s mouth fell open. A single tear slid down her cheek and she turned away from the camera feed. “I’m not telling you where he is. I would never betray him whether we are together or not. You are wasting your time.”

  “Then you and your baby will die for a man who never cared for you. He’s more protective of her than he is of you,” said Liam. He pointed to the girl on the footage standing behind Trevor like a human shield.

  Walking over to her I jerked her around to face me. “The fact that you are pregnant is all over social media. It’s only a matter of time before the government comes and takes you away. At that point, you forfeit your child’s life.”

  “You don’t care about my life.” Kyra snatched free.

  “I’m talking about the life of your child. You made your bed rough now you have to lay in it.”

  “I hate you. You always gloat about being right. You don’t know everything. If they kill my child, so what.”

  “She thinks her pregnancy is normal, and that she’ll survive the birth. Let’s go. I’m done wasting my time on her,” said Liam.