"Please. No more." I closed my book shut as well.
"We could always go out," Elise said.
"I’d say yes, but I'm too tired. That, and we have five more books to go through tonight." I said as I sat up.
"Always the bore. Aster, how do you deal with him?" Elise stretched.
"I'm usually sleeping when he talks." Aster crossed his arms and yawned.
I kicked him under the table, making him laugh. I passed out more books and we set back to reading.
Aster continued to yawn and in turn made me as well. Then, something came over me. "Maybe we are looking for the wrong thing." I stood up and left the library in a hurry. Aster and Elise followed.
"I take it we are going somewhere?" Aster asked following behind.
"Yes, back to our room." I took off at a jog, earning several strange looks from students in the hallways. I didn't care. I’d forgotten the one book in my room that had the answer. One Ian let me borrow. Thankfully, I forgot it at school when I went home.
We made it back to our room and I went straight for the shelf where it was placed. Elise was the last one inside, so she shut the door. I went to sit in the middle of the room and opened the pages looking for the story I remembered. Almost right away, I found what I was looking for.
"Do you remember what the witch said?" I asked as I flipped through the pages.
"Witch part." Aster wagged his brows.
I snorted. "That wasn't funny."
"I agree," Elise added. "Wait... You saw a witch?" She grabbed Aster’s shoulder and turned him around.
I ignored her and kept talking. "The part she said about the answer. She said it was located here at the school. Not that it was in a book." I turned to the part of the story where a man summons a demon and makes a deal for information.
"Absolutely not!" Aster yelled.
"It's the fastest way," I replied.
"And the foolhardiest. Do you want to die or get arrested?" Aster asked, pacing the room.
Elise bit her bottom lip. "I don't see another way, and it would be the fastest."
Aster threw his hands up. "What do you even have to offer?"
I frowned. "I don’t know."
He was right. Maybe this plan was foolish.
"What if it was a class one demon? Like a small creature of some kind?" Elise asked.
Aster started pacing again.
"I suppose it wouldn’t be hard to kill, if need be." Aster said to himself.
I started to feel hope again.
"But, it's forbidden," Aster said, pausing in front of us.
"So?" Elise shrugged.
"So... I don't know," he said, probably considering all the other trouble we could get into. Finally, he sighed and sat back down. "Why not? I'm going to die someday, might as well be today."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Summoning
Elise elected to wait outside and guard the door. I didn’t blame her. From all the stories I’d heard, demons were tricky beings often bent on harming whomever summoned them.
We decided to do the summoning right in the middle of our room. That way, we could control the traffic in and out, and it was somewhat contained.
I helped Aster draw his summoning circle, which consisted of two pentagrams within each other. He wrote his name on an inner circle within the pentagrams. Then, on a big ring on the outside, he wrote the name of a low-level demon repeatedly until it spiraled around. Between each edge, there was an ancient rune. Ones I didn’t recognize, I had only learned the ones that pertained to my summoning circle.
"Okay, now place the candles on each corner," Aster told me. Aster pointed. "Now I want a ring of salt around me and the summoning circle.”
I did as he asked.
He took a deep breath. "Step back, please."
"Aster... Thank you for this." I shifted back and forth. I really couldn't repay him enough for everything.
He winked at me. "You owe me a kiss afterward."
"Agreed."
Aster lit the candles and kneeled in his salt circle. That way, if the demon did escape, he couldn’t get to Aster. Aster touched the circle and it began to glow. He held his hands up, pouring more magic into the circle. The candles flickered and more blue light flooded the room. Then, a small black hole started to emerge from the floor.
One hand gripped the opening of the circle, and then another. Its skin was charred black. The creature emerged with its back was to us. He stood to my knee in height. His teeth were too big for its mouth with spittle flowing through them. He had no nose to speak of, and his legs were bent back.
The demon slithered out. "Why have you summoned me?"
"I have a question for you," Aster answered.
"Oh... A mage needing information from a lowly demon." The demon's voice was piercing as it laughed. "And what do you offer in exchange for this information?"
"It depends on if you have the answer I seek." Aster’s hands were still upward, as if he was holding up a magical wall. Sweat gathered at his brow.
"What is your question, young one?" The demon walked around his small invisible cage.
"What is the specific incantation for summoning a Garnog?"
The demon laughed again. "There is nothing in the world you could give that would make me tell you that.”
"There has to be something," I blurted out.
Aster’s eyes went wide. He mouthed for me to be quiet.
"What was that? Is someone else present?" The demon started to sniff "Ah, a female. She has an awkward aroma. Tell me what your name is."
Aster shook his head but I had a feeling that I was the one who needed to get the information, so I took in a deep breath. "I shall give you my name for the information."
"Oh, no. That isn't near enough. Come closer, child." Aster continued to shake his head but we had come this far. I took a small step closer.
“Closer, I can’t yet sense you.” The demon said.
Another step. Then another and I was next to the outskirts of the summoning circle. He must not be able to see outside of it. His tongue covered in boils tongue came out and licked his sharpened teeth.
"I would like some of your blood. I think that is a fair trade." The demon laughed and jumped up and down.
"I will give you nothing that gives you control over me.” I replied.
"Ah, but I think you will. That is the only way I will give you the incantation."
I glanced at Aster, who was sweating profusely now.
"Why do you wish to have it?" I asked.
"Just to have it. I like future possibilities where I can hold it over your head. With it, I can find you anywhere in the world. I could enchant it and sell it to another, so that they could find you. It would be harmless to you."
“None of that seems harmless.” I said.
“True.” He laughed erratically again.
I stepped back from the circle and thought. I looked down at my arm. If this was the only way… I took my arm out of the sleeve, revealing half of my wrappings. "Fine. Blood for the incantation."
“No!” Aster yelled, but it was too late.
"We have an accord then."
I started to shake with anticipation. I pushed my arm into the summoning circle, careful not to disturb the salt . He was now able to see my arm.
"Aw, I was correct."
My words fumbled out of my mouth. "What does that mean?" I said. My hands and arm wouldn’t stop shaking.
He just smiled. I think it was a smile, at least.
He took his long fingernail and made a small gash on my arm. I flinched, but it wasn't deep. His tongue came out of his mouth and he licked up and down my arm. I wanted to lose my stomach. Finally, he released my arm and I jerked it back. I stumbled backwards.
"Until next time." Aster dropped his hands and took the magic out of the circle causing the salt to burn up.
Aster dropped his hands and the beast was sucked back through the hole. Aster fell over and I rushed over to him. His eyelids flickered, until
his eyes finally remained open.
"Well, where is it?" Aster whispered. "My kiss?"
I smiled and went for his mouth. I kissed him again to make sure he understood how appreciative I was.
"The incantation. Do you have it?"
I’d forgotten he hadn't given me anything, but once I thought of it, I just knew it. He placed it directly into my mind. I would never understand magic.
I managed to nod. "I do."
"Good. I’d hate to have to do that again. Tell me, how amazing did I look?"
"You looked ridiculous, as a matter of fact. Holding your arms up in the air."
"It’s okay to lie sometimes." He sat up from my lap.
"In that case, you were so gallant."
"Better." He wiped the circles away and the salt simply disappeared.
"Where did the salt go?"
"It was absorbed. If you had kept talking, he would have been able to leave. Next time look at the salt. It turns black when it's used up. Once it reaches all the way around, that's it."
"Thanks for the warning." I opened the door for Elise, and she came jogging in breathing hard. "What's wrong?" I asked.
Elise shivered. "Jovanni is so scary."
"Um, okay." Aster responded.
She shook her head. "Sorry. He wanted to speak with you, but I told him you were practicing for the trial. He said he would come back later."
I sighed. "Great. Another meeting with Jovanni."
"Just like last time?" Aster asked.
I nodded.
"Just relax. Nothing is going to happen. Hopefully..." Aster tried to calm me.
"Thank you, Elise. For everything. I'm going to have to go see him. I'd rather get it over with."
"I'll walk you. It's on the way to my quarters anyway." Elise offered.
"That would be great." I stood and followed Elise. “I will be back. I said over my shoulder to Aster.
We left our room to a tired Aster and walked down the busy halls. "Did you hear anything from the outside?" I asked.
"No, but I could feel the magic that was going on."
"That much?"
"It was a lot. Aster is very capable when it comes to magic. I could feel his control. He is stronger than many think him to be."
I smiled at the compliment. It wasn't for me, but it made me proud of Aster. "Well, this is where I'll let you go. My room’s not far from here."
I nodded. "Once again, thank you."
"We are a team, remember?" She embraced me.
"We are." I squeezed her back. She let go and waved. I finished the walk to Jovanni's office and knocked. Same as always, the door just opened, and I walked in.
"Sit. Quickly." He waved me forward with his hands.
I did as he asked, and he shut his door. He took a seat in front of me. "What did you do?"
"Nothing," I replied.
"Then what was the magic being sent from your room earlier?"
"This is one of those things you probably don't want to hear about." I sat down in front of him.
"Well, I want to know." He pulled a letter out of his pocket. "Also, I want to know about this."
"I have no idea what that letter is and as for the magic… Well, I needed the incantation, so I asked for it."
"You performed a summoning? You fool! I knew I felt the magic.” He stood, throwing his tea to the side. I flinched back. I hadn’t seen this side of him before. He was usually so calm. "What were you thinking? If you were caught, do you know what could have happened?"
"Yes."
He sighed. "Did you at least get what you were looking for?"
"I did."
"And what did you have to give?"
I hesitated. I wasn't sure I wanted him to know.
"Noah..." I swallowed and looked anywhere but at him.
"My blood."
He stared wide-eyed at me. "Lumos' moons. You are a fool."
"There was no other way.
“For a Garnog transcription, I’d expect nothing less. You should have come to me!"
"I didn't know if—”
"If you could trust me?" He threw the letter at me. "Read it." He continued to walk back and forth, mumbling to himself.
- To the council of seven-
I regret to inform you that Noah needs to return home immediately. We no longer wish for him to attend The Academy. New information has come to light and we require his presence for the remainder of the school year. Thank you for your understanding.
Roland Olsen
What was my father thinking? If anything, this would bring more attention to me.
Jovanni raised an eyebrow. "What is this about?"
"I'm not sure."
"Stop lying to me!" He raised the tone of his voice.
Why was he so angry? I scooted back in my chair and lowered my head. He took a deep breath and sat back down in front of me. "I cannot help you if you do not tell me what's going on. As a favor, another member of the council gave this to me.” Hopefully the other council member didn’t read it before handing it off. “We might not be so lucky next time. Now, what is going on?"
"My father has abandoned me as his child. I am no longer a member of the Olsen family." I said clearing my damp eyes.
He leaned back in his chair. "So, what is this letter about? Some type of revenge?"
"I suspect so."
"What happened? If I may ask."
I took a deep breath. I had no idea what to say. "If you don't mind, I’d rather keep it to myself right now. I still haven't had time to process it."
He tapped the armrest of his chair. "Fine. But this needs to be solved. And soon. We can't have people looking into you."
"What do you mean?"
"Do I strike you as a fool, Noah?"
"Of course not, sir." I shifted in my chair.
"Then do not treat me like one. I hoped you would come out and tell me, but since that hasn't happened, I need you to know I'm on your side.” He leaned forward and cupped his hands together. “I know you are a woman, Noah."
Oh shit.
"I don't know what you mean, sir." My hands started to shake so I had to sit on them.
He let out a long breath.
"How..." My voice was shaky. I felt the hilt of my sword ready to attack if needed.
"It wasn't that hard to put together. The late baths. Lack of magic."
"Then, why am I not dead?" I wasn’t relaxed but I did remove my hand from my sword not to come off as threatening.
"That’s a very complicated question that I don’t have time to answer. But, just know you are fine as long as I am your sponsor.. Nobody would dare challenge you as long you are under me. Think of it as my little experiment."
"So, I'm a tool." I avoided his eyes and slumped my shoulders.
"An alive tool."
I didn't want to be used, but right now I had no other choice. "Fine. I'll trust you."
"Good." He stood up and helped me stand. "Nothing will change between us. Just go on as normal. But I'm sure you have a lot of experience pretending."
"That I do, sir." We walked to the door.
He opened the door for me. "We will talk again soon, but for now I need you to remain out of the public eye. It's going to be hard because of your rank, but you can do it."
"Yes, sir." I stepped out and waited for him to close the door.
Once he did, I ran for my room. I turned a corner and a large, wooden stick bashed into my head.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Escape
I woke to a black bag stuck to my face from the blood of my wound. Whoever hit me wasn't holding back. My back was sore from being dragged along the hard earth. I was still out of it and my body wouldn’t respond. I tried to kick out my legs but they just shifted as the hands held me.
My body was stood up and thrown onto a wooden floor. I could feel the texture with my tied hands. My body hit the floor along with my head. Black dots entered my vision causing my vision to slowly fade.
I wo
ke up tied to a chair. The rough rope they had tied me with was cutting into my wrists. I was alone and I wasn't sure how long I had been out. From the strong sensation to pee, it must have been awhile. I looked around trying to get my bearings, but the entire room was pitch back.
"Well, it's safe to say I think I've been kidnapped,” I said to myself. “Don’t panic… Stay calm.” I took several deep breaths and let my eyes get used to the darkness. There was nothing defining about the room besides the dirt floor. I must have been in a basement somewhere. My head was pounding with pain. Whoever hit me did a number on me. I began to get dizzy and shut my eyes.
* * *
"I think he's pissed himself!" a voice said.
Light shone in, blinding me as I woke.
"What do you want?" I tried to ask, but my throat was dry, so each word came out stuttered.
"Give him some water and food. I don't want him to die. I just want him to miss the trials."
Tye... I would know that voice anywhere.
The black hood was ripped off and water was put in my mouth. I almost choked. A piece of bread was laid on my lap. A man I wasn't familiar with walked around and untied my hands.
I devoured the bread and drank more water.
"There's a bucket in the back for whatever you need to do. But good luck doing it with your legs tied." Tye laughed. "We could have avoided this from the start. But you chose that bloody mage over us." Tye walked in front of me. "This is for taking number one from me." He punched me, knocking me over. Again, the stars came back. I hadn't yet recovered from my last injury. If they kept hitting me like this, I might not wake up.
"Why?" I managed to say.
"Why? Now you want to know why. Well, if you don't know now, then you never will. I was the only one meant to get Jovanni's sponsorship."
“How do know that? I only told Elise and Aster.” I got out through a raspy voice.
“You aren’t the only one with secrets.” Tye said.
He punched me in my stomach, sending me into a coughing fit. He spit in my face, and then turned away. "Oh, and don't bother trying to escape. The whole thing is warded. You will just hurt yourself."
They locked the door behind them. "Wait!" I shouted.
How the hell was I going to get out of this?
The Prisoner of Fate Page 17
