Demonspawn Academy: Trial Three

by Annabel Chase

  “And where is Rafe now?” Elder Alastor asked.

  “I sent him home,” I said. “I told him Elder Sam was my responsibility.” My voice seemed to come from elsewhere, as though I were disconnected from my body. I glanced out the window at Spire 10 in the distance. Right now, all I wanted was to crawl into bed and forget this day ever happened.

  “Cassia, go to your room to shower and rest,” Elder Bahaira said. “We’ll take care of Sam.”

  “He didn’t have to die,” I whispered.

  Elder Asago placed two hands on my shoulders. “Cassia, we all have to die.”

  “Yes, but do we all have to do it because of me?” I wriggled from his grasp and sprinted so fast that the world around me blurred. I flew to Spire 10 and was relieved to find my roommates already asleep. I wasn’t ready to relive the day’s events. I quickly showered and scrubbed all traces of New Hope from my body. By the time I crawled into bed, I was near exhaustion and fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.

  Sapphire tendrils curled through the air. They wafted around me, and I reached forward to poke one of the tendrils. My finger cut straight through it.

  “An apparition?” It was possible. I felt no heat. No pain. Only a strange comfort as I stood in its center, as though I somehow belonged here.

  “Cassia?” someone called.

  My ears pricked at the sound. I didn’t recognize the voice. Soft and feminine with a lilt. “Who’s there?” I seemed to be alone in this fiery cocoon.

  “Do not fear the flame for it is yours,” the voice said.

  I sliced a hand through the fire and inspected my hand. Not a mark. “My non-weapon weapon?”

  “Your birthright,” came the reply.

  I frowned at the blue flames as they licked me. Elder Bahaira had said it wasn’t bestowed on the shakti demons by the gods. I didn’t think she’d told an outright lie, more like withholding the truth.

  I lifted my shirt and examined the birthmark on my stomach, the telltale symbol of the Nether royal family. There were some lesser demons that would bow down to me if I commanded it, based purely on the existence of this mark. It was powerful in its own right, no weapon required.

  “Cassia, you are in danger,” the voice said.

  “What else is new?” I shot back. I peered through the flames in an effort to identify the source of the words. I spotted a flash of white wings. “Who are you?”

  “The flame is yours,” she said. “Use it well.”

  I concentrated on the magical fire surrounding me. I chose one spot to focus on and envisioned the tendrils sliding to the ground and crawling toward the disembodied voice. Blue flames rippled across the ground, away from me.

  “Cassia, stop. It’s me.”

  I froze. “Elder Sam?” His face was illuminated by the flames. I drew them away from him as quickly as I could. “You sounded…”

  “Dead?” he asked with an amused smile.

  “Don’t say that.” I bit my cheek to keep from crying. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to be sorry. It was my choice, from the beginning.”

  “What does that mean?” I tried to see him more clearly but he began to fade. “Sam, come back!”

  But he was gone.

  I woke up with a start, my breathing heavy. Sweat dripped from my forehead. I wiped it away with my sleeve and returned my head to the pillow.

  “Go back to sleep,” I told myself. “Tomorrow is a new day.”

  A new chapter.

  Gods above, without Elder Sam, it would be a whole new book.

  I curled into a ball and cried myself to sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling, unable—no—unwilling to move. My body was stiff and my mind hazy. I wasn’t convinced that I’d fall back asleep after my nightmare, but apparently, I did. And now I was waking up to another.

  Elder Sam was gone.

  “Cassia, are you up?” Rylan asked.

  I mumbled an unintelligible response.

  Sage chucked a pillow at Rylan’s head. “Why would you disturb her?”

  “We’re sorry about Elder Sam,” Rylan whispered.

  I didn’t bother to ask which Elder delivered the news. It didn’t matter.

  Reluctantly, I dragged myself to a seated position. “Happy birthday to me, right?”

  The cambions gaped at me. “It’s your birthday?” Sage asked. “As in the date of your birth?”

  I rewarded her ridiculous question with a bland smile. “Yes, Sage. I’m eighteen today. I mean, I guess the Elders don’t know the exact day, but this is the birthdate they wrote in the Book of Admissions when I was first brought to the academy.”

  They looked at each other. “Maybe we should ask the Elders not to perform the service today,” Sage said. “I’m sure they would understand.”

  I shook my head. “Elder Sam deserves to be honored in death far more than I deserve to be honored in life.”

  “Cassia, don’t say that,” Rylan said. “It isn’t true.”

  I pinned her with a hard look. “I think we can all agree that saving me was the worst mistake he ever made. I only ever brought him pain and suffering.” And now death. Whatever was the opposite of a lucky charm, that was me.

  “You couldn’t have known what would happen,” Rylan said.

  “Because there wasn’t a prophecy?” I snapped. Rylan winced at my sharp tone, but I didn’t care. “I guess this is where belief in free will becomes convenient. Then I can absolve myself of any guilt by saying that Elder Sam chose to protect me. Chose to shadow me through life at his own expense with all that free will of his.”

  “But he did choose,” Rylan said in a quiet voice, her eyes downcast. “For whatever reason, he chose to make you his priority.”

  I was seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame. I’d taken Elder Sam for granted the same way I’d taken Mariska for granted. I didn’t deserve their devotion. I was spoiled and stupid.

  Sage sat on the edge of her bed, swinging her legs back and forth. “We’re sorry about Elder Sam. Everyone at the academy is going to miss him.”

  “He should have focused on you,” I said. “Or on the cambions in the lower spires.”

  Rylan launched to her feet and jammed a finger in my face. “Stop! Stop it right now or I’m going to use my powers on you.”

  I blinked at her finger. “You’re a succubus. What are you going to do—kiss me to death?”

  Sage appeared thoughtful. “All in all, not a bad way to go.”

  I laughed despite my bleak mood. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

  Rylan lurched forward and threw her arms around me. “Please don’t apologize. We know how awful you must be feeling.” She paused. “Well, we can imagine.”

  “Elder Bahaira said for you to come to the main spire once you were awake,” Sage said. “They want to discuss the arrangements with you.”

  It was the last thing I felt like doing, but I knew I had to. It was the very least I could do for Elder Sam. I glanced down at the shorts and T-shirt I’d slept in. They were presentable enough. It wasn’t as though the Elders weren’t accustomed to seeing me wander around in a variety of disheveled states.

  “I’ll be back in a bit,” I said. I left the room and flew to the main spire. The discussion was already well underway when I entered the kitchen.

  “I’m sure we can find a proper burial spot for him,” Elder Asago said. “Perhaps that prominent one in the city.”

  They were contemplating a burial? “He was a seraph,” I interrupted. My tongue was laced with heat. “We owe him the funeral of his kind, not yours. Just because he lived among you in life doesn’t mean he wants to be with you all in death.”

  Elder Alastor broke the stunned silence that followed my outburst. “I’m afraid we’re ill-equipped to organize a seraph funeral. Perhaps you can ask your Watcher friends to assist us.”

  Yes, Liesel would know what to do and Rafe…By the devil, I really
needed to see Rafe right now—to tell me everything would be okay. The desire rolled over me like a tidal wave, drowning me in desperation.

  “I’ll handle it,” Elder Kali said. “Cassia should stay here and rest.” The sound of her anemic voice tugged at my heartstrings. I’d gotten Elder Sam killed and I’d broken Elder Kali. Apparently, I was as powerful as they’d feared. Of course, it wasn’t my abilities that hurt them. It was my mere existence.

  “I’m not tired,” I lied. “Whatever needs to be done, I’ll do it.”

  “What you need to do is celebrate your birthday,” Aldo said. The cook held up a plate with a chocolate cake and eighteen purple candles.

  I stared at the confection in confusion. “I thought Elder Alastor always said birthday cakes were too mundane for us.”

  “Elder Sam persuaded me to reconsider, given that it was your eighteenth and final birthday at the academy,” Elder Alastor said.

  “It began with Mariska,” Elder Asago added. “She waged a campaign after you’d seen a movie on television.” He snapped his fingers. “The title escapes me.”

  “I remember,” I said, barely audible. Not the title, but the movie. They’d celebrated the main character’s sixteenth birthday with a cake and candles and a round of singing. Gretel had been curled in my lap and I’d wept regretful tears, careful not to let Mariska see me in the darkness of the room. It seemed that she had after all.

  “After her death, Elder Sam picked up that particular torch and carried it,” Elder Bahaira said. “Of course, I’ve always been in favor of birthday cakes for all the cambions, but no one listens to me.”

  I inhaled the sweet aroma of the cake. “Thank you. It looks amazing.”

  “Cake for breakfast, anyone?” Elder Bahaira prompted.

  “I’ll cut you a slice,” Aldo said. He carried the cake to the island and placed it in the center.

  “None for me right now, thanks,” I said. “I’m not hungry.”

  Aldo proceeded to light the candles. “Then we’ll sing.”

  I waved him off. “It isn’t right. Not after everything that’s happened. Today is for Elder Sam.”

  Aldo finished lighting the candles and gave me a withering look. “And for you. Do you think for one second that he would want us to disregard your birthday? To put away the cake after all his efforts?” He tossed the lighter onto the island with a loud thump. “Not on my watch, Cassia. Now get a plate and sit down.”

  I balked at his sharp tone. Aldo had never taken a stand with me, not over my refusal to eat his gazpacho—who ever wanted cold soup?—or my wrinkled nose the many times he’d served me boiled radishes.

  “You cannot force her to enjoy birthday cake,” Elder Kali said. “It sucks the joy out of it.”

  “It’s not like I’m feeling joyful either way,” I said, relenting. “You might as well sing before the wax melts.”

  The Elders and Aldo gathered around the island and began to sing. I was pretty confident they were off-key and that the lyrics were shaky despite their repetition. Even so, I was flooded with conflicting emotions. Grateful for their efforts but sad that Mariska and Elder Sam were no longer here to join the celebration. I felt their absence acutely, no matter how much jubilance Elder Alastor injected into the song.

  I clapped when they finished. “I’ll be honest. I never expected to experience this.”

  Elder Bahaira engulfed me in a warm hug. “We love you, Cassia.” You’re one of us, no matter who else might claim you.” She planted a kiss on my cheek before releasing me.

  Aldo set to work removing the candles and cutting the cake.

  “I’ll contact the Watchers first, then I’ll allow myself a slice,” Elder Kali said.

  “Elder Alastor?” I said.

  “None for me,” he said.

  I thrust my plate into his hands. “It’s my birthday and I insist that you enjoy this cake.” I hesitated. “It was Elder Sam’s idea. You should eat it in his honor.”

  He stared down at the piece of chocolate cake and inhaled deeply. “Yes, I suppose I owe him that much and more. Is there coffee, Aldo?”

  The cook smiled. “I can manage a pot.”

  “None for me,” I said, holding up a hand. “I have enough sleep issues.”

  Elder Bahaira wagged a finger. “No coffee for pupils, Cassia. Even you.”

  “I’m eighteen now,” I said. “Adults can have coffee.”

  “You may indulge in all the caffeinated beverages you like once you graduate,” Elder Asago said. “But not while you’re under this roof.”

  “Spoilsport,” I said. I grabbed another plate with a healthy slice of cake and ate it while standing at the island. It was a surreal moment, enjoying birthday cake with the Elders in the main spire. Even though Mariska and Elder Sam were gone, I felt their loving and protective presence all around us. I let the memory settle so that, no matter what the future held for me, I would have moments like this to sustain me.

  Elder Kali returned to the kitchen a few minutes later with a plate that was scraped clean. “I’ve turned off the ward. They’re on the way.”

  Relief flooded me. Rafe would be here soon. My anchor.

  I flew around the main spire, too impatient to stay inside and wait. The sight of Rafe’s white and silver wings calmed me and I hovered by the hatch in anticipation. He soared straight to me and I melted against him.

  “I’m so sorry, Cassia,” Liesel said. She flew to the ledge and turned to admire the spires. “So, this is the academy, huh? Pretty impressive.”

  “This is the main spire where Elder Sam lived,” I said.

  “Is his body still in the library?” Rafe asked. I could tell by his expression that it pained him to ask.

  I offered a solemn nod.

  “We’ll prepare him in there,” Liesel said.

  “I’ll show you where it is,” I said. We entered the spire and I directed them down the corridor.

  “You’re not coming?” Liesel asked.

  “I think it would be best if I didn’t,” I said. I couldn’t bear to be in close quarters with his body right now or I’d fall apart. “Do I wear black for the ritual?”

  “White,” Rafe said.

  Of course. “The Elders are here if you need anything.” Emotions whirled inside me. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  Rafe kissed my forehead before ducking into the library. I headed back to the hatch to fly to Spire 10. My kenzoku were seated in a circle with a deck of tarot cards spread across the floor.

  “We all need to wear white,” I announced. “Rafe and Liesel are here and they’re going to help prepare a proper funeral for Elder Sam.”

  Sage hopped to her feet. “I can do white.”

  “You own white clothes?” Barris asked. “Aren’t you worried you’ll stain them with all the blood you intend to spill?”

  “That’s where you come in handy, Mr. Magic Hands.”

  His grin widened. “Magic hands? Me likey this new nickname.”

  Sage groaned. “To remove the stains.”

  “Right.” Barris gave her an exaggerated wink.

  “What time is the service?” Rylan asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I want to be ready.” The last thing I wanted to do was make Elder Sam wait for his own funeral.

  An hour later, the sound of an ancient horn drew the five of us to the window.

  “What was that?” Zeph asked.

  “Sounded like a pack of dying yaks,” Barris said.

  We watched the main spire for signs of activity. I could see the white cloaks of the Elders as they bustled to and fro.

  “Where are Rafe and Liesel?” Rylan asked.

  “I don’t know.” I didn’t see them among the white cloaks.

  Sage sucked in a breath. “What in the Nether…?” She reached for a dagger. “Are we under attack?”

  I followed her gaze skyward to see dozens of wings rippling above the academy.

  “No,” Rylan said. “Look, they’re holding han
ds.” She leaned closer to the glass and squinted. “Wait. They’re cambions.”

  She was right. I recognized them from the lower spires. A little boy with gryphon wings. A preteen harpy hybrid. Another with gargoyle wings. The small cambions formed a circle with their wings fanned out as far as they could extend.

  “The hatch opened,” Zeph said.

  I looked back at the main spire as Liesel and Rafe emerged, flying straight ahead and carrying Elder Sam’s body on a plank. I winced at the sight of him and Rylan reached for my hand. The two nephilim positioned the plank directly below the circle. Then Rafe drew his sword and it blazed with blue light. He touched the plank with the tip of his blade and set it ablaze with celestial fire.

  Sage gasped. “A funeral pyre in the sky?”

  “I think it stems from the belief that they were created from celestial fire, so when they die, they return to the fire and make it stronger,” Rylan said. “Pretty sure I read that somewhere.”

  Rafe and Liesel retreated to the main spire, leaving the burning plank floating unaided. Which demon provided the magic for the flotation, I wasn’t sure. I shifted my attention to the lower spires to see countless faces pressed against the glass. Everyone was watching in honor of Elder Sam. Pride surged through me, knowing how pleased the seraph would be to see this.

  An unexpected sound drew my attention back to the sky as the winged cambions began to sing. The haunting melody stirred my emotions. Although I didn’t recognize the song, it was exactly right for this moment. I leaned my forehead against the glass and watched as the fire reclaimed what was left of the seraph. My tears fell freely. I was too focused on Elder Sam to bother wiping them away. I kept my gaze on the pyre until the last blue ember dissipated.

  “You should go to the main spire and be with the Elders now,” Sage said.

  “And Rafe,” Rylan added.

  I felt torn. “But I should be here with you. You’re my family too.”

  Sage pressed her cheek against mine. “We’ve only had you for a short time. The Elders have had you and Elder Sam for seventeen—eighteen years. You should be with them right now.”

  “We’ll still be here when you get back,” Barris said. “It’s not like we’re going anywhere.”