Barris idly flipped through the pages of a book entitled A History of Demons in the West: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. “I’m ambivalent.”
“I would think you’d be excited,” Sage said. “Think about all the incredible things you can do in a place of your own.” A mischievous smile spread across her face. “No rules. No one looking over your shoulder.” She winked. “Unless you want them to.”
Barris visibly gulped. “I think about it more than I probably should. In fact, I’m thinking about it right now when I need to focus on this research.” He slammed the book closed, prompting a sultry laugh from Sage.
The front door swung open and Rafe appeared with a small demon at his feet.
“Jiffy!” I scrambled from the table and went to greet the dweller demon with the big eyes and the tail like a witch’s broom. He was the cutest, scariest dweller demon that ever lived.
“He must’ve followed me on my errands,” Rafe said. “I didn’t notice until I was halfway back here.”
I crouched closer to the ground and patted his head. “You’d rather chase Rafe than hang here with us?”
Rafe stuffed his hand in his pocket. “I think I know what might have tempted him.” He produced a packet of peanut butter crackers. “I grabbed them as a snack in case I got hungry while I was out.”
I took the packet from his hand and tore open the wrapper. “Is that what you were desperate for, Jiffy?” I broke a cracker in half and gave him a piece.
He crunched it with his razor-sharp teeth and waited for more.
“How’s progress? Has anyone found a potential culprit yet?” Rafe asked. He approached the table with an expectant smile and I returned to my seat.
“I’m keeping a list of possibilities,” I said, “but it’s pretty short so far.”
Rafe moved to peer over my shoulder. “Can I see?”
I held up the paper for his inspection. “None of these hits the mark exactly.”
“What about if they worked together?” Rafe asked. “Would they hit the mark as a group?”
He made a good point. The theory was a group of rogue demons, not a single powerful one.
Liesel gave the paper a cursory glance. “Three of those types of demons working as a team might be able to achieve that level of ruination.”
I placed the list back in front of me. “We’re pretty much flying blind. It’s not going to be a quick process.”
“It’s a fool’s errand,” Rylan said. She made her way back to the table to scratch Jiffy under the chin.
“Do you have a better idea?” I asked. “Because if we decide it isn’t this Great Marquis, we’re not left with many options.”
“I’m still not convinced we should rule out the king,” Liesel said. She avoided my sharp look. “Why are we trusting the word of one of his own lackeys anyway? Of course, he’s going to say his boss is innocent.”
I rolled my shoulders and tried to stave off the rising tension in my body. “Because what Crest said makes sense. I think we’re wasting our time if we only focus on the king and we don’t have time to waste.”
“Crest fed you the story about the Great Marquis,” Liesel said. “It could be intended as misdirection.”
I groaned in exasperation. “Rafe, I think we should have included Liesel in that meeting.” Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell Liesel that I trusted Crest because of his history with Elder Alastor.
“Liesel’s busy with her own investigation,” Rafe said. “How’s that going, by the way?”
Liesel narrowed her eyes. “I told you this is more important.”
“And I told you that we owe it to Jessup to keep digging,” Rafe said.
She huffed. “I have a lead, thanks for asking.”
Rafe took the empty seat beside me. “Is that so? Do tell.”
Liesel made a noise at the back of her throat. It was the same noise I used as a stalling tactic whenever Elder Alastor asked me a question I didn’t have an answer for. I’d like to say I only used that tactic as a child, but I knew for a fact that I’d employed it last week.
“I’ve put feelers out in Dominion,” the Watcher said.
Rafe kept his eyes trained on her. “And?”
“And, according to a source there, there’s a magic mark that’s been seen in the Silver City that resembles the one on Jessup,” Liesel said. “According to her, it was found on two informants.”
“Informants?” I echoed. “They were probably under surveillance like Jessup.”
“Were you able to talk to the informants?” Rafe asked. “Find out how they got the marks?”
Liesel wagged a finger at him. “Right. Forgot an important adjective in that statement. The mark was found on two dead informants.”
I cut a quick glance at Rafe. “That actually is a lead.”
“I’m as shocked as you are,” he said.
Liesel folded her arms. “I know how to do my job.”
“I thought you were going to focus on New Hope,” I said.
“I want to, Rafe persuaded me that if we’re trying to keep Dominion out of it, I need to keep up appearances,” she said. “They already knew I was investigating Jessup’s death.”
“Okay, so the mark’s been used in the Silver City, which ties it to seraphim,” Rafe said. “How long ago? Who has access to that kind of magic now?”
Liesel shrugged. “Still working on it, Sir Asks A Lot.” She angled her head.
“What’s this magical mark you’re talking about?” Rylan asked. “That sounds cool.” She shimmied to the stacks on the other side with Jiffy ambling behind her.
“It’s basically a tattoo that was used to monitor someone’s actions and possibly kill him to prevent him from saying too much,” I said. “Pretty much the opposite of cool.”
“Cold-hearted though,” Liesel said.
“Sounds like you’re looking for a sociopath,” Barris said. “Sage, maybe you can give them some tips.”
The rakshasa demon punched his arm. “Keep it up. Let’s see how cold I can get.”
He inched his chair away from her. “Do you have another setting aside from violent?”
Sage cast a long look in his direction. “I think you know the answer to that.”
“Here’s a prospect,” Zeph blurted. “These demons like to keep their victims in cocoons.” He continued to read. “Oh, until they devour them.” He glanced up at us. “Any chance we think the demons were planning to come back and snack on them later?”
Sage scrunched her nose. “Who wants the taste of ash in their food? That’s disgusting.”
“Yes, that’s the disgusting part,” Barris said. “Eating the ash.” He shook his head. “I’m still voting for sociopath.” He yelped as Sage kicked him under the table.
I thumbed through another index. “This book has a section on fire demons that might be helpful.”
“Lots of creatures have the ability to control fire though,” Liesel said. “Even Whistlers.”
The cambions in the room froze. “Can we not say that word out loud?” Barris asked.
“It’s not like you summon one by saying the word,” Liesel said.
“Care to test that theory?” Zeph asked. “Because I don’t.”
“Maybe the Elders should think about keeping you for another year or two,” Liesel mumbled. “I might’ve jumped the gun when I referred to you as adults.”
“It’s easy to be dismissive of Whistlers when you haven’t been hunted by them,” I said.
Liesel’s expression softened. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Cassia. Sometimes I forget how privileged we are as half seraphim.”
“In our experience, we’re the lowly ones,” Rafe added. “Not good enough for Dominion but too different from our human counterparts to quite fit in here.”
I placed my hand over his. “You’re more than good enough.”
He surprised me by leaning over and kissing my cheek. “Right back at you.”
“Whoa,” Barris thundered. “Try to co
ntain yourselves. There are children present.” He pointed to Jiffy, now busy sniffing under Rafe’s chair.
“You’re such a prude,” Sage said. “It’s not like he mauled her on the table.”
“Only because he’s not a vampire,” Barris shot back.
Rafe squinted at me. “Do you think that’s true?”
I patted his hand. “I know it’s true. You’re not a vampire.”
He chuckled and squeezed my hand.
“How about we focus on the task at hand?” Rylan said. She emerged from the stacks with multiple pencils tucked into her messy bun.
“Yes, I can see how focused you are,” Zeph said.
“We seem to be stuck on one option,” Rylan said. “Maybe we should think outside the box.”
“You’re just saying that as an excuse not to read,” Zeph said.
“I am not. I love to read.” Rylan pulled the pencils out one at a time and her hair fell back to her shoulders. “Just not about destructive demons.”
“What’s your suggestion then?” Liesel asked.
Rylan resumed her dance moves and disappeared between the bookcases. “What about dragons?” came the muffled reply.
“Dragons?” Sage’s dark eyes widened. “Like the ones we rode in the Nether?”
Rylan poked her head around the corner. “Not those particular ones, but it seems to me there might be dragons capable of what happened in New Hope. For all we know, dragons contributed to what happened in Enir too. It’s not like there was an official incident report.”
I stared at the page of the book in front of me. An illustration of a demon stared back at me—one with fire power but not enough power to level an entire town and preserve the victims. Dragons were huge, could breathe fire, and attacked from the air. Rylan’s suggestion wasn’t without merit.
“What kind of dragon can reduce a town to rubble and kill the people without…?” I couldn’t finish the sentence. Truth be told, I didn’t even want to finish the thought.
“I don’t know a lot about dragons off the top of my head, but I have a whole section of books on them.” Liesel sprang from her seat and slipped between the stacks.
“I volunteer to switch to dragon duty,” Zeph said. He closed the book in front of him and slid it to the center of the table.
“That’s fine,” I said. “A couple of you tackle dragons and some of us will keep hunting for demons.”
“Shouldn’t the Elders be able to identify the relevant demons and dragons?” Sage complained. “I mean, they’re all demons, except for Elder Sam, of course. When does that fact finally come in handy for us?”
“I think it came in handy for us when we didn’t die as children because we were brought to the academy,” Barris said.
Sage flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. “Stop using logic. It’s too out of character for you.”
“What about that red and black dragon?” Zeph snapped his fingers. “The name translates to volcano dragon. That would fit with the condition of the bodies.”
“Good memory, Zeph,” I said. “Can someone look up that kind of dragon?”
“On it,” Zeph said. He wasn’t often eager to crack open books, so I was glad for the dragon connection.
“I’m grateful that the Elders let you help us out,” Rafe said. “I don’t want too many Watchers involved because that increases the chances that we’ll draw Dominion’s attention.”
“I want to know who’s responsible as much as you do,” Sage said. “They deserve to be carved into tiny pieces and fed to the lesser demons.”
“You leave the carving of enemies to us,” Rafe said, vaguely amused.
“No way,” Sage said. “Why should you have all the fun? We’re half demon, half mortal. If we don’t belong in that fight, who does?”
“But if demons are to blame, then which side are we on?” Zeph asked.
Sage rounded on him. “How is that even a question? We protect the weak. The demons have no right to invade and kill innocent bounders.”
Barris regarded her. “And do you think bounders would want you alive if they knew what you could do with their corpses?”
“That’s a good idea,” Sage said, ignoring his serious question. “Do you think I could get the victims’ bones to carve weapons from them? It’ll be just punishment for the wicked.”
“The humans will want to mourn and bury their dead,” Zeph said. “They won’t want to give up the bones of their loved ones.”
“No one is stealing any bones,” I said. “We’ll stick to the weapons in the armory.”
“Easy for you to say,” Sage grumbled. “You’re a walking, talking weapon.”
Zeph rubbed his stomach. “All this talk of bones is making me hungry. Anyone else up for a cheesesteak?”
“As tempting as that offer is,” Rafe said, “I think Cassia and I should make our way to the Nether to speak to this Great Marquis. It would be good to rule him in or out.”
“We’ll keep up the research while you’re gone,” Liesel said.
“Can we order food after they leave?” Zeph asked. “My research skills aren’t as finely honed on an empty stomach.”
Liesel patted his hand. “Yes, Zeph. We can order takeout.”
“I hope you get frequent flyer points for these trips to and from the portal,” Barris said. “Maybe earn a nice bone necklace.”
Zeph clutched his stomach. “Dude, stop saying bone.”
Barris waved. “Have fun storming the castle!”
Sage snorted. “He’s a Great Marquis. He doesn’t live in a castle.”
I grabbed Rafe’s hand. “We’re going now.” Jiffy scampered after us and I had to stop him at the front door. “This is too dangerous, buddy. You need to stay here with the others.” I stroked his wiry fur. “They’re ordering food.”
Jiffy’s big eyes grew bigger at the mention of food. He turned back toward the others, his witch’s broom tail sweeping the floor as he moved.
“You have to appreciate his priorities,” Rafe said.
“Honestly, I kind of wish he and I could trade places right now,” I said.
Rafe cocked his head. “You want to stay here?”
“No, I just mean it would be nice not to worry about all this madness.” I glanced at the dweller demon. “Just look forward to good meals and good company.”
Rafe tugged me closer. “Once this is over, it’ll be good meals and good company for as long as you can stand it.”
My eyes met his. “Promise?”
He bent down and leaned his forehead against mine. “Promise.”
Chapter Six
“Thank you for seeing us on short notice, Great Marquis of…the Nether.” I shot Rafe a helpless look. Despite my own royal lineage, I knew I sounded like a novice. My only experience with royalty had been at the palace and I’d been far too distracted by life and death situations to worry about formalities.
Rafe didn’t seem to notice my discomfort. “Lord Renato, it’s an honor to meet you.” Rafe shook the phenex demon’s hand with ease. His face was more human than I expected except for the beak, and his body was covered in flat, brightly colored feathers instead of skin.
“It isn’t every day I get such interesting visitors,” the demon said. “Please, sit.” He gestured to the chairs opposite his desk. The office wasn’t quite like the ones at the academy. Instead of books, the walls were lined with the heads of lesser demons. He noticed me staring at them and smiled, showing off teeth like tiny daggers. “The decor comes courtesy of my enemies, or shall I say former enemies. Do you like them?”
“They’re lesser demons,” I said. “How can they be your enemies?” These particular demons were lacking brain cells—the jellyfish of the Nether.
The Great Marquis didn’t seem to appreciate my question. His beady eyes narrowed. “I’ll have you know that each one put up a valiant fight. They only earn their way onto the wall if they’re worthy in their final hour.”
The type of demon to mount the hea
ds of his enemies on his office wall definitely seemed the sort capable of mass murder.
“Excuse me, my lord.” The secretary poked his head into the room.
The Great Marquis’s expression soured. “What is it, Henlo?”
“So sorry to disturb you, but the family of stolas demons wants to confirm your attendance at their great-grandson’s welcoming ceremony.”
The Great Marquis’s brow creased. “They requested the baptismal fire?”
“Yes, my lord.”
He blew a disapproving breath. “Imagine wanting a baptismal fire in the Nether,” he said, his attention back on us. “I’ll never understand these modern trends.”
“And Dishir would like confirmation that you’re able to be at his workshop by noon tomorrow.”
The Great Marquis rubbed his cheek, thinking. “The shax demon?”
“Yes, my lord. He’s very keen to have you there. I’ve had to field several inquiries.”
The Great Marquis offered an impatient huff. “What do they take me for? I’m not a muse-on-demand.” He looked at us again. “Dishir is one of those temperamental artist demons. He thinks my mere presence will serve as inspiration.”
“It must be nice to be wanted though,” I said. A slayer of enemies and a muse that performed at baptism rituals? Who was this phenex demon?
“You try showing up at all these festivities. Demons have such lofty expectations.” He brushed a red feather from his forehead. “If they want immediate gratification, they need to find a djinni. My methods are slower and more meaningful.”
“My lord?” Henlo pressed.
The Great Marquis shooed him away. “I’ll decide later. I have important guests to attend to.”
Henlo wisely left us alone. Despite his casual air, I got the impression that the Great Marquis wasn’t a demon you wanted to agitate.
The demon slotted his claws together. “Now, what business brings you to my paltry part of the Nether? It can’t be the weather.” He chuckled lightly at his own joke.
I decided to launch right in. “We’re investigating an atrocity in the mortal realm and we’re hoping you might be able to help us.”
“I don’t see how I could help with that,” he said. “I never leave this level of the Nether. I’m waiting patiently for my ascendancy, you see. Don’t want to scupper my chances.”
Demonspawn Academy: Trial Three Page 5
