* * *
I wasn't sure how much time passed, but I knew it was night versus day by the temperature in the room. During the days it would warm up a little. During the nights, I found myself shivering from the lack of warmth. Something else I knew was that they would return and beat on me every day after I ate.
My face was bloodied and swollen. I hadn't heard a single voice other than theirs. I wasn't sure I’d ever get out. I could barely see out of my right eye. Surely Aster was looking for me, maybe even Jovanni. Where could I be that they wouldn't find me? I started to cry from exhaustion and pain. How much more could I take? The door unlatched again.
"No more," I got out as Tye walked inside.
"Don't beg, it doesn't suit a seven." He sat down in front of me . "How are you today?"
"Oh, perfect you piece of shit."
He smiled at me. "Such fire. And to think just a moment ago, you didn't want any more punishment.”
I looked at him through my good eye. He was dressed in his fine leathers.
"The academy is in quite the frenzy over you. Aster has been searching day and night. Tell me, is there something going on with you two? Rumors are you two are lovers. At least that’s what Detrick said when he saw you two kissing in your room."
It was Detrick that day someone caught us. I spit in Tye’s face and he slapped me.
"I wouldn't do that again." He wiped his face, removing blood-filled mucus. "Have no fear. This will be over soon. They say the trial is any day now. I had to admit, I was curious if you were going to use magic or not in the trial. Tell me, how were you going to do it?"
"First, I was going rip out your throat and use it as an offering. Then remove your dick and draw the pentagram in blood. "
He laughed. "So specific. I love it."
"Sick bastard."
"No need for bad language." Another man handed Tye some bread. Tye stood and threw me my food. "After she has eaten, beat her as usual." Tye said to three others in the room as he walked out of the room, leaving me with my captives. Again, their fists and legs rained down on me without giving me a chance to eat.
I threw up on them. Everyone laughed and backed away. I should have thrown up sooner if that was all it took for them to stop.
The group yanked up to my feet and my hands were re-tied. I was thrown to the ground and left to rot.
* * *
From my best guess, another two days had passed. I was in terrible condition. I could have died right then and been happy about it. I was sure my body and face were covered in bruises. The door opened again, revealing Tye's frame. He shut the door behind him leaving us alone.
"Well, hello again."
I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response.
"Don't be shy. I come with wonderful news."
"Oh, and what is that? Are you dying a miserable death?"
He laughed. "No, nothing like that. The trial is this evening! Aren't you excited? After tonight, you can go free. You will have withdrawn from the trials and I will retain my number one spot."
"You're a filthy cheater. Scared of the competition."
Tye looked around. "Well yes. Why else would I go this far to stop you?"
At least he was honest. I had to get out of here.
“Aren’t you scared I will tell someone? Look at my face. What happens then huh?” I bared my teeth at him. It wasn’t very threatening but it was the best I could do.
“Well I go to Old Urn and murder your whole family.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Slowly.” He whispered in my ear.
“You would go that far for number one?” I asked.
“I would and am. So, you will say you were kidnapped and escaped. However, you won’t remember your captives. Do you understand?”
I flared my nostrils. Nobody threatened my family. Even if they disowned me or not.
I started to scream at the top of my lungs, and the others who tortured me rushed to slam the door shut.
"That was very stupid." Tye punched me in the face, sending me onto my right side. He sat me back up tapped my cheek. "I'll let you know how everything goes." He started to back away.
"Wait. Wait."
He paused. "Yes?"
"What do you want?"
He leaned in close enough to whisper in my ear. "I really want you to die for rejecting me. But this will do."
"How about this." I bit his ear and yanked as hard as I could. I felt his ear separate from his head as he screamed. I spit it out, smiling. His gaze was back on me, full of fire. His hands glowed black with small sparks illuminating the room. He picked up the chair and threw me to the back of the small room. The chair cracked, but a piece of wood splintered into my back. I let out a scream and stood up. He rushed forward and slammed me against the wall again. I lost my breath as I sank down.
"Stay down, Noah. I will kill you."
"You don't… Have... the... Balls," I finally got out.
I needed him angry. I needed him to lose control of his emotions so he would make a mistake. I got to my feet. His jaw clenched.
"Well, come on you piece of shit. Let's see what you've got."
He came in swinging and I barely dodged each hit. He went for my stomach and his fist rebounded off my enchanted leathers. It was the opening I needed, and I countered. I head but him in his nose, causing him to back away several steps. I wiped my mouth of the blood that remained there. He came to and swung. He missed and I came back around, hitting him in the right eye.
He backed up again. "Ah, you bitch!"
"You have no idea." I kicked him in the stomach and he fell over. I hammered his side repeatedly. I was losing steam, but I had to keep going. He looked up and held up his hands, but I didn't take pity on him.
I slammed my fist downward, hitting the same eye. Now he couldn't see. His lightning started to fade. I lifted my fist again and he held his hand up.
"Wait,” he pleaded.
"Why should I?” I asked with my fist raised.
"I'll let you go," He said, trying to catch his breath.
"I was going to leave anyway. You didn't have much choice there." I stepped on his chest.
"You can leave with no resistance. I'll tell everyone to leave you alone. Just no more." He coughed up some blood. It made me feel good to see I put him in this condition.
"Do it,” I finally said.
He stood and opened the doors. "Let him pass!"
Everyone hesitated. There were at least three others that stood there looking at each other.
I turned around and punched Tye again for good measure "Just do it!". I took off at a jog, trying to keep my balance as best I could. I was still drained from being locked up.
Tye was lucky I didn't kill him. I finally learned I was in a small shack in the middle of the city. I had to run down some alleys to make it back to the main street. I grabbed a cloak that was laying on a wooden railing. Nobody seemed to notice, so I kept walking. I looked back and finally saw him. Tye was trying to find me again. I had to remind myself to walk to avoid getting even more attention. I bumped into someone and my hood fell off.
"Are you okay sir?" the person asked.
I just continued walking, avoiding eye contact. I pulled the hood back up and kept my gaze on the ground.
I made it back to the Royal Academy before Tye and his friends. I ran towards my room as fast as I could, crying with relief. I made it, but I couldn't linger. Nightfall was already upon us and I had to grab my supplies. I went to my drawer and scoured it. Then, voices came from the other side of the door.
"You stay here in case she comes back."
Shit. Another fight. I continued looking, but it wasn't there. The hex bag was gone. But who knew about it other than Aster and me? I went over to his side and searched his belongings as well. Then I remembered the other ingredient. The hair of a loved one and the hair of an enemy. I needed Tye again. I swung the door open and Tye stood there wide-eyed.
"Hi there." I punched him again, cracking his nos
e then elbowing the person to my right. I ducked from a high punch from the third on my left and hit him in the stomach. All three were moaning due to their wounds. Tye, when will you learn?"
"You're dead," he mumbled through his broken nose.
"In that case, you won't mind if I borrow some of this." I grabbed hold of his hair and pulled as hard as I could. I didn't know how much was needed, so I took as much as I could. He screamed and grasped his head. I drove my knee into Tye’s face and walked away.
Tye was groaning and crying at the same time. That was the least of my worries. I had to pray that Aster had the bag, or this was going to be a very dangerous summoning.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Garnog
Until I reached the mountain platform, I was still in danger. I still had to beat Tye and his henchmen to it. If it weren't for all the stairs, I would have been there already, with time to spare. I found out from another student that the trials had already started. I was late and hoping Aster had the hex bag. If not, I was done for. Just one more flight separated me from the platform. I reached the top and began breathing heavily.
"Holy... Shit..." I bent over. I clamored up the stairs behind me. I had beat them.
I walked into my classroom and saw my bag on my desk. I rummaged through the bag and found the hex bag.
"Aster thank you so much," I whispered to myself.
I clutched the bag and walked out onto the mountain platform. I was met by wide eyes. Aster was kneeling in front of a summoning circle. There was a demon summoned. It bowed and left from the black hole it emerged from.
Aster had done it.
I was so happy to see him. Tears filled my eyes.
He stood with slouched shoulders and followed the gaze of everyone the other students and watching council members. The bags under his eyes held a shadow of sleeplessness. Life returned to his eyes and he ran over and embraced me.
"I was so worried. I didn't sleep at all." He voice was shaky but his arms firm around me. I soaked in his warmth. We were together again.
"It’s okay now. I'm okay," I said repeatedly trying to assure him.
He pulled back. “Noah, your face.” He lightly grazed my eye that I could barely open. “Who did this?” His jaw was clenched and his hand shaking. He was losing control of his breathing.
“I will explain everything later. Just trust me. But I still need something from you."
"Anything." He grabbed my arms.
I couldn't believe we just hugged in front of everyone. But I had to focus on the matter at hand.
"Your hair." I ran my fingers through it scratching his scalp.
"All of it?"
“No." I laughed. "Just a few stands. Hair from a loved one remember."
"Oh, right." He bent down and I plucked a few stands and hoped it was enough.
"Thank you.” I placed the hair into my bag with the other ingredients. “We will talk soon."
"I'm so sorry I couldn't find you." A tear fell from his eye.
"It's not your fault." I touched his face.
“I'm not leaving your side again.” He promised me as he grabbed my hand.
I smiled. "I would like that very much. But now I must go. Time to summon a Garnog and get all this over with. Watch the door for Tye. Last I checked, he was chasing me.”
He nodded and stood at the doors. I walked up to the middle of the platform.
"What happened to you?" Jovanni asked in an even tone.
"I was kidnapped."
His jaw clenched. "Do you know who took you?"
"I do. It was Tye, Detrick, and two others I am not familiar with."
The council members leaned toward one another, whispering. It was sometime before they returned their gaze to me. An elderly man addressed me.
"If you’d like, you may be excused from tonight's summoning. Due to your injuries, you will receive no penalty.”
"You will remain number one," Jovanni added. "Cheating is a matter we take very seriously, and Tye will be punished accordingly. What are your wishes, seven?” I looked around at everyone, then back to Aster. He would follow me no matter what.
Finally, I squared my shoulders. "I wish to prove I deserve the top position at this school."
Murmurs came from the sitting area. I just passed up a free ride. But, I needed to do this.
"You do know what you are saying?" Jovanni asked with wide eyes. "You are giving up a pass to prove you are number one.”
"I do."
"Very well, seven. Good luck and proceed." Another elderly council woman said.
I took a deep breath and began making my circle. It was almost exactly like Aster’s. Pentagram overlapped with another. The main differences were that my name was etched in the middle circle, while the word ‘Garnog,’ was inscribed on the outside. Everything was in the language of demons, which I’d memorized from Jovanni’s book.
I blocked out all the whispers and continued to work, placing the hex bag in the middle. Then, the elderly man spoke again.
"Do you mean to summon without magic, child?"
I looked up to the council. "I do."
The members whispered again, but Jovanni looked at me and smiled.
"What is it you plan to summon?" The elderly woman asked.
"A Garnog, ma’am," I replied.
"That is outrageous. Surely there is another lower demon you can choose." She argued back.
Jovanni laughed, causing a stir. The elderly woman stood. It seemed I wasn't the only one scared of what was about to happen. Her mouth opened but was interrupted my Jovanni.
"I say let him do it! He wants to prove he is number one, then this is the way. Let there be no doubt." Jovanni pronounced.
The elderly woman took a deep breath. "So be it."
I looked to Aster one last time and he mouthed ‘good luck.’
I grabbed the salt and made the two circles required for protection. I finished and took another deep breath to calm myself.
I can do this.
I opened my palms in front of me and remembered the summoning. Without effort, I began to speak in the language of the demons. I had no idea how, but I couldn't question it once I started.
The entire mountain began to shake and people stood up, getting ready to leave should anything go wrong. I couldn't blame them. But I couldn't lose focus either. I shut my eyes and spoke fluidly.
"Garnokith, Garnokith, Garnokith.”
I opened my eyes and the mountain settled.
Before my eyes stood a beast no man or woman should ever have to see.
Many of the students vomited on one another. The council members all shifted in their seats. Three students screamed and ran towards the exit. I gaged on my spit throwing me into a coughing fit. I was going to lose my stomach as well if I wasn’t careful.
His body was turned inside out. A thick armor made of bone protected its vital organs. I couldn't find a head or anything that represented a man. It was a beast from nightmares. Blood dripped from his skin.
"Who dares summons me?"
I looked around and saw aster biting his nails. I had to keep my resolve. A deep breath filled my lungs and I exhaled. "I do. You will obey me demon."
"Ah. I know you." He tried to lean closer, but the boundary line wouldn't let him. "Do not worry, they cannot hear me. I heard you asked a little demon for some information about me?"
I swallowed. I should have never had done this. Calm. Calm. Calm. "I did." The whispers grew louder all around me.
"Smart." A snarl left him from somewhere, even though he had no openings that I could see. “Look what I have." An arm appeared out of his body and gripped a vile of blood. "Just so there is no confusion... This is yours."
I began to sweat and glanced at the line of salt. Still white. I remembered Aster’s words and knew I was still safe.
"Why do you want it." My voice cracked and my hands started to shake. I really didn’t want this… thing to have my blood.
"So, I can always find
you. Because one day I will come for you. You try to contain me? You have no idea what you have done child." A booming laugh echoed and even the crowd could hear it.
Everyone cowered away.
He launched himself at the barrier and was bounced back. The mountain shook and screams came from everywhere. I flinched backwards almost breaking the salt line.
The demon growled. "Let me out and I will spare you."
I ignored him. "Why is my blood so important?"
"You don't know.” He tilted his head. “Interesting. I will tell you. For my freedom."
"Not a chance." I smirked.
He hit the barrier again. "Release me!"
"No, I think that's about the extent of our conversation." With my heart hammering in my ears, I stood and turned away from the beast. I flexed my muscles and tried to hide the tremor in my limbs.
"Wait!” he called out. “I will tell you one thing."
I paused.
"You were lied to. Just ask that man over there."
I turned around to find the monster pointing at a snarling Jovanni. Something was wrong. Jovanni stared me down. Then, he mouthed his next words.
"Goodbye."
Jovanni snapped his fingers and the salt barrier was broken. I tried to get the closing incantation out, but was swatted against the wall by the demon. The Garnog grew two times bigger and started to laugh.
"You should have taken the deal child."
Magic was being cast from everywhere, trying to put him down but it all just bounced off hitting the classroom and the mountain side. He grew a pair of uneven legs and limped towards me. Aster ran in front of me and began to cast. Wind picked up and lifted the Garnog off his feet. Aster slung him over the edge but the Garnog melted into a slime attaching itself to the side. It slithered its way back up.
A mouth formed and the demon grinned. "Almost mage."
Aster came rushing back and more wind came, along with water and ice. The council members joined in the fight, but it seemed no magic could stop him.
"Aster, just run." I screamed over the wind.
Without looking at me, he said, "Like I would do that." His legs almost gave. I'd never seen such intense magic being thrown around.
The Prisoner of Fate Page 18
