by M Guida
“Armond thinks he’s under some kind of spell.” Cadye’s eyes are worried.
I frowned. “Today at breakfast, Rusty said a spell book he checked out of the library had gone missing.”
“Then that means…” Her voice trailed off and her face paled.
The back of my neck shiver and goosebumps broke out all over my arms. “That means there was something in that book that would lead to a clue on what was going on.”
“Does Rusty remember what book it was?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll ask him.”
Cadye leaned closer and lowered her voice. “When Gunnar and Darius went to the infirmary to visit Ashton, the doors were locked. Dr. Greenwood refused to let them in.”
Uneasiness squeezed my gut tighter and tighter. “We’ve got to get Ashton out of there.”
Class started and the clock seemed to stop. Every nerve and muscle ticked and jumped. I could barely stay in my seat, waiting for class to be over.
I nearly ran over people trying to get out the door. Rusty still looked like he was about to fall asleep on his feet with his droopy eyes. “Hey, what’s the hurry?”
“Rusty, do you remember the name of the spell book you checked out?”
He scratched the side of his temple. “No. You checked out all the books and then handed them to me.”
I frowned. “No, I didn’t. You chose the books you wanted yourself.”
His face was pale and his skin flushed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I did? God, I’m having problems thinking clearly today. I could barely concentrate in History of Magic.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t look so good.” Normally, I would have told him to go to the infirmary, but that was the last place he should go now.
“I’ll be fun,” he chuckled. “I mean fine.”
After he escorted me to Dragon Magick, I saw Phoebe sitting in the blue dragon row and rushed over to her. Her blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her blue eyes were bright and her cheeks rosy. “Hey, you look great.”
She smiled shyly. “Thanks. I’m glad to be out of the infirmary and not drinking that gross brown stuff anymore.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah, I know. It’s awful.”
Fear flared into her eyes. “It wasn’t making me feel any better, either. I had awful nightmares when I was in there, too.”
Professor Tuamma motioned with her hand. “Class, return to your assigned colors.”
I ignored her. “Really? Like what?”
“Well, I kept dreaming that Greenwood had some kind of crystal ball—“
A swirl of chills whirled around me and I shivered. “Seriously? Raven had a magic orb. When Mom was kidnapped and Ryker was holding her captive, Raven could look into the ball to see where Mom was. It didn’t give exact details, though.”
“Where did Raven get it?”
“From Anton, but after the war, she gave the magic ball back to him—”
Professor Tuamma pointed. “Ebony, will you please return to your assigned row, so class may begin.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, returning to the red dragon row where Zayne had saved me a seat.
Once again, she had us break into groups and practice dragon fire, which I couldn’t do. No matter how much I called on my bronze dragon she never appeared. On the pulse side, I was getting better and better at changing into fog and swirling and twirling around the room. Unfortunately, I didn’t get another chance to talk to Phoebe and would have to wait until Demonology class for that.
Professor Griffith stopped making us read about ethics and we were allowed to create potions again. We learned how to make an energized potion, but the professor refused to let us take anything out of class. New rule, thanks to me.
Rusty seemed to look paler and paler every time I saw him. I swear he was going to fall over on his ass but refused to go back to his room and lie down.
I wrapped my arm around his waist to support him as we headed to Demonology. “You should let Armond heal you.”
He gave me a weary look. “He tried, but it didn’t do shit.”
At my class, I put my hand on his chest. “I know you, Gunnar and Hades don’t have a great history, but you need to let them try, if Armond can’t do anything.”
He shrugged, but surprisingly didn’t argue. Maybe he would give Gunnar and Hades half a chance. Gunnar was sitting next to Nora, as close as possible. That still bugged me, especially since she acted like still owned him.
I hurried into class and sat next to Phoebe. “Hey, girl.”
Worry filled her eyes. “What did I miss?”
“I already did the Raphael presentation.”
“I’m so sorry. I hardly did anything.”
I clutched her arm. “Hey, you were sick. Plus, you helped with research.”
Professor Elfiel came over to us. “Don’t worry, Phoebe. Ebony did a wonderful job.”
Phoebe smiled. “I’m glad to hear it, Professor.”
Professor Elfiel moved to the front of the class. “We just learned about the Archangels and how they impacted the demons. Now we are moving into doppelgängers. I know Ebony’s sister Raven had some trouble with them during her time here and I think it’s important we talk about them. Does anyone know what a doppelgänger is?” He gestured toward me. “Besides Ebony.”
Phoebe raised her hand. “I do.”
“And?”
“Doppelgängers are mysterious, exact doubles of living people or supernaturals. They don’t just resemble us physically, they walk, talk, and act like us, and in the case of supernaturals, they mimic our exact powers. Ryker created them and they are difficult to identify.”
“You did your homework, Phoebe,” Professor Elfiel said. “Very good.”
Phoebe smiled and ducked her head.
“Since we had an infiltration a couple of years ago when Raven Erickson attended this school, I believe we need to learn more about how to spot these creatures. Ryker and Cormac will not give up so easily and you need to be prepared.”
Some of the students gasped and looked around at each as if expecting the bogeyman to jump out any minute.
Professor Elfiel put his hands behind his back. “You will work in pairs again, researching doppelgängers and learning how as you as a team would defeat them. The research paper that you write will have an introduction, a minimum of three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. This should not be under ten pages. It is due one month from now. You may begin.”
“I’m glad I’m working with you,” Phoebe said. “We have a head start.”
“Maybe. But I think it’s important that we need find our own way. I’m sure Ryker and Cormac have perfected conjuring doppelgängers by now.” I didn’t tell Phoebe about The Sentinels’ suspicions about Anton and Dr. Greenwood. If too many people knew, it could leaked to our enemies, maybe even without us knowing it.
Dr. Elfiel had several books for us to use for research on a big wide table and Phoebe came back with two and pulled her desk next to mine.
She handed me one.
“Hey, before we start this,” I said softly, “can you tell me anything us about your nightmare?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Gunnar, but he was busy talking with Nora and looking through a book.
She opened her book and I could see her hands were trembling. “I don’t like to talk about it. It was horrible.”
“What was so horrible about it?”
“The voice.” Fear crept into her voice and she trembled even more.
“What voice?”
She rubbed her arms as if she got the chills. “In my dream, Dr. Greenwood was talking to someone in the magic ball.”
“Was it male or female?”
“Male. It was smooth and silky and scary. Evil. Malicious. And filled with so much hate. It wanted something. Something hidden here at Legacy. Something that would make it powerful.” Her face turned ashen and her lower lip trembled. “I don’t…I don’t want to talk about it a
nymore. Besides, it was just a nightmare—right?”
I could barely breathe with the way my beating heart was pounding against my lungs. Shit, this was even worse. Raven had never been able to talk to Mom when she used the magic orb. In fact, Mom hadn’t even known she was there. I wished I could say that Phoebe had just had a dream, but deep down in my bones, I knew it wasn’t.
It was real. Dr. Greenwood was talking to someone, someone evil, someone filled with hatred.
I wished I could say it was Ryker, but only one person fit that bill.
Cormac.
Somehow he had penetrated the walls of Legacy, and he wanted something here. Something buried at Legacy. Something we had to find first—our lives depended on it.
Chapter 20
When I got out of Demonology, for the first time in ages, Rusty wasn’t waiting for me. Rather than relief, panic fluttered through me. What if something was wrong? He’d been so weak the last time I saw him.
Pleasepleaseplease don’t let him be in the infirmary
I scanned the hallway, but saw no sign of him.
Gunnar emerged from his classroom and came up alongside me. “What’s wrong? You’re as white as a sheet.”
“Rusty’s not here.” Dread crawled up my throat, making me croak.
“Armond told me he’s sick, but I don’t think he’ll let me heal him. And definitely not Hades.”
I looked at him and grabbed his arm. I didn’t care who saw us. Rusty could be a real pain in my ass, but he was my friend, and a Sentinel besides. “Please, you have to try. I just don’t know where he is.”
“I don’t either.” He clasped my chin. “But Hades will.”
“Gunnar, we’re supposed to be going to lunch now. What are you doing?” Nora put her hands on her hips.
“Saving a friend.” He flashed a handsome grin that melted my fear.
He unbuttoned his shirt and ripped it open to reveal those steel abs and the tattoo of Hades. “Find Rusty, boy.” The Catalan dragon peeled off his chest and flew into the air.
Nora jumped back. “Keep…keep that ugly thing away from me.”
Hades growled and bared his teeth. Nora shrieked and turned tail and ran down the hallway as fast as she could go. Good riddance.
I knelt down next to Hades. “Don’t you listen to her.” I put my palms on his cheeks. “You’re the cutest thing ever, my brave little dude.”
Hades thumped his tail and purred.
“Hades, can you find Rusty for me? He’s in trouble.”
Hades licked my face, washing away my tears. I dropped my arms and gave him a big smile.
“Now, Hades,” Gunnar commanded, as he gently held my shoulders.
Hades sniffed and unfurled his wings. Gunnar and I followed the little dragon as he soared through the hall. He stopped at the end, in front of door that had a sign that read “Supplies”. He sniffed and scratched it.
Gunnar grabbed the doorknob. “It’s locked.”
Hades scratched repeatedly, becoming increasingly agitated.
Professor Griffith came over. “What are you two doing? What’s wrong with Hades?”
“We think Rusty Owens is inside,” I said. “He may be hurt. Hades can smell him.”
Professor Griffith reached into his robe and pulled out a key. “I think you're mistaken, but…” Shaking his head, the professor opened the door.
I gasped and put my hand over my mouth. Rusty was slumped up against the wall with brooms and mops tossed over him, paler than ever.
Professor Griffith squeezed inside the tiny broom closet and leaned down. “Who would do such a thing?” He patted Rusty’s cheeks. “Rusty, can you hear me?”
Rusty didn't groan or make a sound. All I could hear was my own thundering heart.
Professor Griffith stood up. “He’s barely breathing. We need to get him to the infirmary. Victoria, please go get Dr. Greenwood.”
“No.” My voice came out louder than I intended. I hadn’t even realized she was behind us. She ran down the hall to get the last person I wanted to treat Rusty.
Professor Griffith looked over his shoulder at me curiously. “Ebony, what is the matter? Dr. Greenwood is a great healer.”
It took everything I had not blurt out that Dr. Greenwood wasn't Dr. Greenwood, but a doppelgänger. I licked my lips. “Gunnar and Hades can heal him. Please, let them try. They’re right here.”
The professor got up and dusted off his robes. “Fine.”
Hades brushed past him and climbed onto Rusty’s chest. He sniffed again and then opened his mouth. Rusty’s lips slowly parted and a foul-smelling brown ooze started flowing out of his mouth. Hades sucked it down as if it was the best treat he had ever tasted.
Professor Griffith frowned. “Is the little dragon eating what’s in Rusty?”
“Yeah,” Gunnar said grimly. “He absorbs dead demon blood, but that's black. I don’t know what this brown stuff is.”
I thought I knew—it was that horrible substance Dr. Greenwood had forced me to drink.
“Please move. Let us through.”
I cringed to hear Anton’s loud voice approaching. Students parted like the Red Sea as he and Dr. Greenwood hurried down the hall with Victoria right behind them.
Dr. Greenwood pointed. “Get that creature away from him. I need to examine him.”
“No. Hades is healing him.” I blocked his movement and tilted my chin up.
Anton looked between us. “Dr. Greenwood, let’s see if Hades can heal him.”
I gave Anton an appreciative look.
Dr. Greenwood raised his hand. “Anton, I must examine the boy now. Get that foul creature away from him.”
Confusion flared in Anton’s eyes, he blinked twice, and then the puzzlement was replaced with a strange, steady gaze. “Gunnar, call Hades home. Dr. Greenwood needs to examine Rusty. Ebony, allow Dr. Greenwood through.” His voice was flat and monotone.
I shook my head, refusing to allow him to get past me. “No.”
“You dare to refuse the Headmaster?” Dr. Greenwood’s sharp voice and the sudden red glint in his eyes sent fear down my throat and pooling in my gut.
“She doesn’t. I do.” Gunnar stepped in front of me, preventing Dr. Greenwood from getting anywhere near Rusty.
“What the fuck am I doing in here? Hades, God, get off me,” a gruff voice murmured.
I whirled around. “Rusty.”
Hades waddled out of the closet happily, licking his lips, but the moment he saw Dr. Greenwood he suddenly stopped and snarled. Dr. Greenwood’s angry look was replaced by one of wide-eyed fear.
“Gunnar, get that creature away from me.” He stepped around Anton, using him as a human shield. Why was he so terrified of Hades? Hades didn’t have the slightest fear of him.
As soon as he did that, the strange look on Anton’s face disappeared and he rubbed his sweaty forehead. I’d seen Anton hundred times and I’d never seen him look so unsure. Something was definitely up, and it had something to do with Greenwood.
Still looking a little dazed, Anton muttered, “Um, Rusty, are you okay?”
“If you call getting your fucking guts ripped out and having a splitting headache okay, then yeah, then I’m fine and dandy.” Rusty’s weak voice but familiar, feisty attitude brought tears of happiness to my eyes.
I raced past Hades and helped Rusty sit up. He didn’t play Mr. Tough Guy and pull away, instead he leaned against me. Rusty was one of the hardest assed guys I’d ever known, growing up as he did on the human city streets, but right now he looked as weak as a newborn puppy.
Gunnar knelt next to Rusty’s feet. “Do you still feel sick?”
He looked over at Hades, who was watching him intently. “No. I don’t need your pet sucking any more of my guts out.”
“You see?” Dr. Greenwood said. “I need to take him to the infirmary where I can treat him properly.”
Rusty shot him a wary look. “No.”
“Rusty,” Anton said. “I think—“
> “I said no. I’m fine. I just need to get back to my dorm room.”
Gunnar studied him. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah, I can, pretty boy.”
Rusty tried to stand, but he wobbled and fell on his ass.
Gunnar tilted his head. “Ebony, let me get in there so I can help him up.”
I did as he asked. Gunnar draped Rusty’s arm around his shoulders and helped him to his feet. Standing was one thing—walking, however, might be another matter. I put Rusty’s other arm around my shoulder.
“Anton,” Dr. Greenwood said. “This is absurd. The boy should be going to the infirmary.”
Professor Griffith put his hand on his Rusty’s forehead. “He no longer has a fever. When I first got here, he was burning up.”
I gritted my teeth and puffed out my chest. “I told you. Hades healed him.” Anger gripped my voice, and once again, my horns made their appearance.
Anton walked over to the wall and braced his hand against it to steady himself. “Dr. Greenwood, you can follow him to his room.” He looked at all the curious faces crowding around us. “The rest of you, get to class now.”
Professor Griffith clapped his hands. “You heard the Headmaster. Everyone—return to class.”
“Fine.” Dr. Greenwood didn’t sound the least bit happy. “But that creature needn’t be around me when I’m examining him.”
“Home, Hades.” The little dragon flew toward Gunnar and disappeared onto his broad chest. I wished he hadn’t gone.
Together, Gunnar and I helped Rusty walk down the hallway with Dr. Greenwood trailing grumpily behind us. Beads of sweat dripped down my face and my muscles strained under Rusty’s weight, but I didn’t want Greenwood to carry Rusty. Just as we got to the stairs and I really wasn’t sure I could do this anymore, Armond came up to us, with Cadye right behind him.
He grinned at me. “How about I take it from here?”
I nodded silently, panting hard. Armond easily traded places with me. Dr. Greenwood didn’t offer to help. If he was so worried about him, why didn’t he insist on carrying him?
Cadye looked down the hall and gasped. “Is Anton drunk?”
