Chapter 60 :)

HEY!

I finally got my story onto my desktop computer, and I've been writing ever since I got it up because of the horrible wait I put you guys in (Trust me, I wanted to write like crazy). But here is Chapter 60, finally! Chapter 61 will be up soon, because I'm on a writing frenzy :) Here is 18 pages of  happy reading!

Chapter Sixty— Our Limitations Unleashed

          We awoke early in the morning, around seven, to start packing up. Ellie’s parents were saddened to see us go already, but helped make packed lunches and packing up our stuff and furniture. I’d already grown to appreciate the surroundings, and the empty rooms made it look larger than it was. I could imagine it as new, with no peeling walls and creaking floorboards. No stains and much more clean and pristine, homely and spacious. For the first time, it had felt like home, with a family. Now, we were to move into Caspian’s home. I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about that.

          After packing up our furniture and belongings, we exited the house for the last time. Caspian was waiting for us outside, his hands in his pockets, looking rather casual for something that was going to change his way of living. We used our magic to lift up our luggage, and began to follow Caspian. The others chatted cheerfully, excited with this new ‘adventure’, but I was in the mood of sulking.

          “So, apparently, his house is two stories tall with five bedrooms.” Abby told me, looking ecstatic. I didn’t blame her, of course, for she was with her brother again. I was just thankful that she wasn’t angry with me for it. “Four bedrooms, counting Caspian’s. Some of us will have to share, of course, but thats fine.”

          “Nobody is allowed in my bedroom.” Caspian announced, ahead of us. “If you go in there, you’re dead.”

          “Why? Have you been keeping your pet furries there?” Abby grinned wickedly.

          “Furries? What the hell are furries?” Ellie asked awkwardly, as Bell giggled furiously. “Dont answer that for me, Bell.”

          “Abigail’s just joking.” Caspian answered, smirking. “I’m saying I will kill you if you walk into my privacy.”

          “So, if you walked in your bedroom and saw all of us in there, rubbing up against all of your furniture, peeing on your bed, licking your walls, you would kill us?” Sophia assumed, skipping along, her luggage bouncing in the air behind her. “Seems legit.”

          Caspian’s face twisted up. “It’s not the first time.”

          We gave him a shocked look, and the others laughed. I threw a book at him with my magic, hitting him in the back. “Hurry up. You’re slowing us down.”

          He turned his head, irritated, as he walked on. “Oh, so do you want to lead us? Because I don’t think you can do it any faster.”

          “You’ll walk faster if you stop talking.” I snapped back, twirling my suitcase in the air threateningly. He shook his head and trekked on forward, still looking so damn superior.

          I caught the scent of vanilla and sweetness before I even heard her talk. “What’s up with you and him? You guys are being all pissy.”

          “Oh, Ellie.” I sighed quietly, watching him. “I’m just playing along. He doesn’t like me very much.”

          Caspian stiffened, and I was suddenly terrified if he heard me. Ellie, however, didn’t notice. “Well, whatever you lost, you can get back.”

          “I never lost anything.” I replied sharply. “It’s not like I ever needed him, anyways.”

          “Mary, will you ever learn?”

          “I may be the Wisdom Angel, and you may be the Love Angel, but that doesn’t mean I follow my own rules, which means you shouldn’t follow yours when talking about Caspian and I.” I hissed, walking passed her quickly. I stood near Sophia and Nikki, who talked little, although I didn’t speak very much at all. I knew what I had said was wrong, and stupid, and not very much like my nature. But it was also as wrong as not wanting to kill somebody who has killed people you’ve loved... The average person would say, ‘Why not?’... I haven’t even done very much to actually prove that I am wise enough to lead us through this war. I was too stubborn and too inexperienced for anything like this, which makes me wonder why the Fates chose me in the first place.

          Where were the Fates when Malistaire had barbequed my family? Why didn’t they save my family, so my mother could teach me everything I needed to know? Why shy away from the light, when they could have made this so much easier?

          People have always thought that the Fates were the controllers of everything. I’ve learned that it wasn’t true. They can’t control certain death, but they can put life into a child. They can make it rain, or thunder, of shine sunlight into our lives. We, the people, are the minds, while the Fates are the bodies. Our body can do things, but that doesn’t mean it’s more powerful than the mind, like the Fates.

          And so the body makes children, and those children are the saviors. Like us. The lucky warriors to-be. All we need now, however, is a chance. A really big advantage over the undead.

          “The house is kind of far from the commons of Dragonspyre Academy, so coming from Elizabeth’s house, I’d say we’d be there in ten minutes. Turn left.” Caspian explained, as luggage flew passed him in the air, towards the direction he was walking.

          After a short while, we reached the estate. It was large, I had to admit, but it was also shabby and old. At least it was nicely cleaned up, even though it was withered down. It probably came as that way, for nobody expected large houses here to be nice. Not anymore, anyways.

          Caspian took a deep breath as we walked inside, into a very long and darkened hallway. Caspian snapped his fingers and fire arose from the torches hanging on the walls, causing ghosts to dance among the walls like they were celebrating our entrance. He raised his hand to the end of the hallway, signaling for us to walk forward. We gazed among our new abode, almost like a haunted house, as we walked slowly. I felt somebody jump as there was a large creak on the floorboard.

          “Whats with you guys? Stop walking so damn slow.” Bell grumbled, pushing past us without a care in the world. “I want to see my bedroom! Where is my bedroom?”

          “They’re all upstairs, except mine.” Caspian answered, as I remembered what he told us about his bedroom. “You can all choose. I don’t really care very much.”

          “Seriously?” Ellie’s eyes widened like a little girl being given a treasure map. “Move it, girls, I’m coming through!”

          We pushed through the narrow hallway, laughing, no longer afraid of the intimidating house. At the end of the hall was a elegant parlor, with a very large fireplace. A horse could crawl into that fireplace and feel comfortable, I thought, as I spun around, admiring the tall ceiling and mahogony walls and creaky wooden floors. Sure, it was dusty, but there was some kind of mystery and passion hidden within the walls of this old building. Something that rather fascinated me.

          “Mary, are you coming?” Ellie hollered from upstairs, at the top of a large spiral staircase of stone. ”We will be sharing a room together. Come see it!”

          “That’s great, Ellie. I’ll be up in a second.” I shouted back, moving my luggage to float in front of me while I climbed up the staircase. I felt as though I couldn’t get tired anymore- my legs were strong and my lungs have gotten used to running. Perhaps this training actually was starting to pay off.

          Upstairs was like a very big attic. Warm, dusty, and surrounded with books and ancient objects. However, unlike an attic, it was more elegant and pretty. There were large windows, curtains of silk, a few old chandeliers, and a maroon rug that looked as though it was from Krokotopia. The smell was musty, but it seemed easy to get used to.  

          My luggage bobbed near my head as I stood at the start of the hallway, as the girls chatted happily and Ellie rushed forward, grabbing my hands, pulling me to the end of the hall, where the last chandelier hung from the tall ceiling. Ellie pushed me into the opening, where I gaped at our bedroom. I didn’t even jump when my luggage fell with a gigantic thud for my lack of concentration, shaking the floorboards.

          The room was full of dark, rich colors, much like the parlor. There was a window the size of a gigantic elephant overlooking a chunk of the Academy, with two maroon canopy beds with dark wood and thick blankets. A fireplace of black onyx glittered in the light of the chandelier, in the corner of the bedroom, where a lovely couch of plump cushions sat. “It’s... Beautiful. Reminds me of a worn-down Marleybone, but a lot warmer.”

          “And look!” Ellie squealed, walking over to the other side of the room. “So many bookshelves! Look at all of these- all these wondrous books.” Her hands trailed across the multitude of books among the bookshelves, leaving marks through the dust.

          “How’d anybody know that we’d need two beds?” I asked, staring at the canopy beds that I couldn’t wait to sleep in. “It’s a bit creepy that everybody seems to be one step ahead of us, don’t you think?”

          “I would say that we should get used to it, but I’ve noticed it too...” Ellie replied, fixing the higher part of the curtains of the large window. “I wonder how they do it. Are there spying body guards everywhere? Because if there were, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

          “Like the Hunter...” I spoke, scanning the area outside, looking down at the people from the thick window. “The creepy stalker man.”

          “I can see his feelings, and they are a lot more complex than you think.” Ellie announced rather strangely, as if contemplating if her senses were correct. She put her hands upon the cold window, the heat of her hands gently fogging up the window slightly. “He’s in a lot of regret and pain, and he feels as though he has to do something, or protect someone.”

          “Are you saying that he wants to make up for something that he did? Because we don’t even know the guy.” I laughed at the thought, while turning away from the window, pulling my luggage to my bed of choice. Ellie’s parents and Lyra let us keep quite a few of hand-me-down clothes, and I was grateful for it as I unloaded my chest of things into our cupboards and wardrobes, which were thankfully put into the bedroom in doubles, as if it was completely obvious that Ellie and I were going to choose this very bedroom.

          “Yeah, I know.” Ellie smiled, also beginning to unpack. “But I think we should decide to trust him.”

          I froze, suddenly feeling as though I should get this out. Somehow, sometime, I knew it would, but this was Ellie. Would she approve?

          She looked up. “What’s wrong?”

          I sighed, folding my clothes and throwing them on the bed. “Well, I...” I swallowed, frowning, wondering if I should say it. “Do you trust Wolf?”

          Ellie looked at me, surprised, and raised her eyebrow. “Of course. I’ve known him all my life. I know him like you know Abigail.”

          “But... As your point of view, of course,” I added, beginning my unexpected rant. “You would have to admit that he’s... Changed. Am I right?”

          “Well, yes.” Ellie frowned, slowly folding her metallic clothing. “But he’s still Wolf, you know? He’s still the same. I mean, Abby changed, didn’t she? Just like everybody else, Mary.”

          I nodded, feeling embarrassed. “Yeah, okay. Sorry that I ever suspected, haha.”

          Ellie made a whimpering sound. “I hate it when you do stuff like that, Mary. Since you’re all Wisdom Angel-y, it scares me because people like you are supposed to be always nearly correct.”

          “Wisdom Angel-y?” I smirked, trying to cheer up the mood. “Come on, Ellie, you know I’m a paranoid person. Just believe that I never said it, alright?”

          “Okay, fine.” Ellie shut the last drawer of her wardrobe, and sat on her bed, relaxing. “You should put a fire into the fireplace.”

          I laughed, throwing my luggage near the wardrobe, too lazy to organize anything else. “Perhaps tonight. We shouldn’t be blamed for burning down the house on the first day.”

          Ellie laughed. “Right. Imagine the bad reputation we’d get.”

          “And Caspian thought the worst case of all was to have us peeing all over his bed sheets.” I sniggered, checking the time. “It’s noon. Has time really gone by so fast?”

          “Time goes fast when you’re having fun.” Ellie winked, sitting criss-crossed on her bed.

          “Err, guys?” Abby poked her head into our bedroom, looking anxious. “Wolf is here. He wants some of us to come with him to strengthen the boundary.”

          “Some of us? Why just some?”

          “He wants the most needed Angels for this type of duty. The rest will come in later, I guess.” Abby bit her lip. “Everybody but Sophia, Nikki, and Mary are going.”

          “What do you mean we aren’t needed?” I scowled, feeling rejected.

          “This stuff is supposedly supposed to be very spiritual, and purifying. Wolf doesn’t think we need Wisdom or Hunting involved, and Nikki apparently is going to some library to get some journals of her father by some friend of his. Don’t really know who.”

          I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and surveyed my dusty bedroom. “Well, okay. I’ll be here, alone…” I glanced at Abby, who looked guilty. I rolled my eyes and sighed. “I’m joking, Abby. I’m totally fine with it. I’ll just clean up a bit, and maybe do some more unpacking.”

          “Alrighty then.” Ellie did a little clap, and got up to stand by Abby. Looking at her side of the room, Ellie frowned. “I’ll have to finish unpacking later.”

          Ellie left the room while Abby still stood in the doorway. She looked as though she had just quickly changed into her armor, for her hair was still in its messy bun from sleeping. She looked slightly groggy, but more alert than I, I suppose. As Abby leaned on the doorframe, I ignored her, moving around objects, until she spoke up.

          “The almighty old guy left us some shit ton of stuff to do.” Abby smirked, turning behind her, and coming back with a pile of books in her hands. The books looked worn out and old, with large bits of parchment sticking out from old angles, most of which didn’t even look like it was part of the book.

          “The almighty old guy…” I sniggered. Abby put the heavy-weight stack in my arms, making dust fly into my face. I set them down on the coffee table, where they seemed to topple. Picking some of them up off the floor, I noticed the title.  “Ambrose wants us to look up Banshees?”

          “Look at some more books. He also wants us to know about Vampires, Trolls, Ogres, Giants, Faery folk, types of Demons…”

          I frowned. “I didn’t think we would need to recruit these kinds of creatures.”

          “Well…” Abby looked strained, as I glanced at her warily. “It’s not entirely us who has them on their team.”

          I swallowed dryly. “Ah, shit.”

          “I know.” Abby grimaced. “But Wolf says there is still hope.”

          “Speaking of him,” I narrowed my eyes, grabbing one of the musty books. “You should be with him right now. You have a force field to strengthen and I have books to look through. I suggest you scamper.”

          Abby sighed, and looked at the doorway. “You’re right. You won’t be attacked while you’re gone, will you?”

          “Of course I will.” I smirked, opening the book and taking out sheets of parchment. “I always am when I’m alone.”

          “Hey.” Sophia stood at the doorway, scowling. “Lucky for you, you’re not alone, missy.”

          “Oh yeah. I have the mighty Sophia.” I smiled, flipping through pages. “Run along, little Abby.”

          Abby rolled her eyes and left the room, while Sophia sat next to me, criss-crossed. She picked up a book about Faery folk, and studied its exterior beauty laced with age. “So, somebody told you about Malistaire’s growing army?”

          “His army is always growing.” I growled, frustrated. “No matter what we do, people are going to be afraid of him. The only person he’s afraid of right now is Ambrose…” I suddenly wondered if he was afraid of us, too. If he was, then he isn’t anymore, I suppose. He must have felt some kind of fear in order to have released Demons upon us.

          “I wonder why that is?” Sophia asked, looking at a picture of a fairy with a spear. They looked much larger than I thought. “I’ve never seen Ambrose fight.”

          “I have.” I answered glumly. I could remember that day, the very first day at Ravenwood, and the incident in Golem Court. I wonder if things would have been so much different if she had never followed Ambrose into that tower, where she saw the true hatred between Malistaire and Ambrose. Perhaps something had happened between them, something not related to her mother, Sylvia. “Except Ambrose had caught sight of me, and Malistaire had taken that chance to blast him against the rubble.”

          Sophia closed the book, staring in bewilderment. “You told us about the incident in Golem Court a long time ago, but I never thought…”

          “Malistaire had suspected something, long after my mother faked her death. I think he saw her with me, probably somewhere in Unicorn Way.”

          “Why didn’t Sylvia move farther away from where she faked her death?”

          “My mother rarely left the home, and I think she had connections. There was Wolf’s father, even though I don’t know exactly where he died when I saw him murdered. There was protection for her. I also believe that she wanted Sabrina and me to be closer to Ravenwood, therefore closer to Ambrose. Malistaire had always shied away from him, I suppose.”

          “I see.” Sophia picked up another book as I scribbled things down about Banshees. “Go on.”

          I sighed, closing my eyes for a second. “I think, after perhaps seeing my mother and I, he suspected that she wasn’t dead after all. I think the reason he was in Golem Court that day was because he had gathered enough evidence, and he was ready to figure out if he really had a daughter who was living and breathing among others. Because of my stupidity and my need for adventure back then, I had followed Ambrose and had led myself straight into a trap. There, Malistaire knew that I was his daughter, and that Sylvia was alive.”

          “And so he murdered your family.” Sophia whispered sadly, looking down at the pages in her hand with vulnerability. “And somehow figured out about the S.A. soon after you did.”

          “I wonder how he figured out.”

          “Malistaire has connections with the Titan of Death, Mary. Of course he would have figured out sooner or later.”

          I shrugged. “That’s a good point. He then had to keep me alive enough to summon those little Demons.”

          “Which is why he saved your life back in Marleybone, right?” Sophia asked. “In Big Ben, with the Beast and Bell…”

          “Yes.” I sighed, closing another book. “It’s not like he’s my father or anything, where he is supposed to care about my well-being instead of saving me because of his own devious plans.”

          I suddenly heard a creak in the floorboard behind us, and we both turned around. Behind us, standing in the hallway, was the Hunter. He stared at both of us intensely through the few inches of space from the open door; arms crossed, and did not blink. His familiar eyes seemed to bore into me, as if he was pleading for an answer from me. Shadows seem to run down his face, and I suddenly could see the scars crevassed into his cheeks and arms. They were faint scars, but they were there. Sophia and I exchanged glances, and I could feel chills run down my spine. I remembered what Ellie had said; He’s in a lot of regret and pain, and he feels as though he has to do something, or protect someone.

          I coughed uncomfortably, and turned away. Sophia turned as well, and we pretended that he wasn’t there, staring at us. I could feel his gaze on the back of my head, and I wondered how long he had been standing there.

          Sophia leaned in very slowly. “Why is he staring at us?”

          “I don’t know.” I whispered back. “But just act normal. Maybe he will go away.”

          We looked through the books silently, waiting for footsteps. After a painfully long five minutes, I looked behind me. I was still expecting him to be standing there, for I had not heard any footsteps. However, he appeared to have left, considering the dark hallway was empty. I put my hand on Sophia’s shoulder to show her, and she took a deep breath of relief. “I tell you, Mary. He’s freaking creepy.”

          “I know. I believe you now.”

          “Do you..?” Sophia frowned, pushing the books away. “Do you sense anything bad about him?”

          “I got these weird chills, but I only get the vibe that he’s extremely protective and angry.” I was still staring at the door when Sophia got up from the dusty floorboards, and I took her hand to pull me up as well. “How much do you think he heard?”

          “Nothing new, I don’t think. Ambrose must have filled him in on everything when he hired him to protect us.” Sophia replied thoughtfully. “I just didn’t think having a bodyguard would be hiring a practical stalker.”

          “I know.” I laughed, trying to push the subject away. “Are you hungry?”

          “A bit.” Sophia put a hand on her stomach. “I wonder how the others are doing with the force field.”

          “Probably just fine.” I assured her, walking towards the door. I checked the hallway, just in case, but it was still empty. “Let’s make breakfast, and we can study the books a bit more later.”

          We walked along the attic-like hallway, and made ourselves down the dark, rich-wooded stairwell. Moving into the parlor, I saw Caspian slumped in a chair by the fire, reading some kind of text book. I avoided eye contact as Sophia asked where the kitchen was, and he pointed the direction. He didn’t look at me or acknowledge me as we walked by, which I found somewhat disappointing and relieving at the same time.

          Sophia and I decided to make pancakes, but in the end, we ended up having most of the ingredients on ourselves. We cleaned ourselves off while laughing after the pancakes were made, and Nikki burst into the room, making us look at her in surprise. She looked exhilarated, and she held a brown leather book in her hand. “You guys need to see this.”

          The smiles slid off our faces when Sophia and I exchanged looks, and we sat down at the dining table, leaving the pancakes to chill in the kitchen. Nikki looked as though she had too much energy to sit down, however, and stood in front of us, the book in her hands. “I went to the Dragonspyrian Library, close to the borders of the Academy.” We gaped at her, for we didn’t know that the Library was so close to the chaos outside of the Academy. She nodded, understanding. “I know, I know. It was dangerous. I could have been attacked- but it was all worth it.”

          “What’d you find?” I asked, eager to know.

          “This.” Nikki opened up the book. Inside, there was illegible writing by quill, and it looked like it had been written in some kind of hieroglyphic pattern. Sophia and I looked at Nikki, confused. She ignored us, however, and spoke once more. “The Library was tore apart, guys. There were bookshelves on the floor everywhere, books burned from the fiery destruction, there were even places where there was blood.”

          I leaned back, shocked. “And  you saw all of this today? Nikki, what’s your point here- I can’t even understand what’s written in this book. How are you even going to read it?”

          “The Librarian knew my father, guys. This book was his.”

          We stared at the book, or journal of some sort. “He wrote it?”

          “Yes. The Librarian told me some things about him, and I feel as though the reason he never came back from the travel to Earth was because he was murdered.” Sophia tried to speak, but Nikki cut her off. “I think this because the writing in this book- the hieroglyphics- is an Enchanted language.”

          I cocked my head, dumbfounded. “And what the hell is that?”

          “Mary, the people in the High Council are very powerful. They have secrets that even I cannot discover. They hide these secrets with charms, or enchantments of some sort. An Enchanted language is like a code; the person creating the language makes it impossible to be read unless you have the translation.”

          “So, uh, what makes it enchanted, exactly?” Sophia asked skeptically.

          “The translation isn’t just like a piece of paper with a list of what means what, Sophia.” Nikki grinned, looking as though she’s discovered a city of gold. “It’s an object. A key. If you have that enchanted object, then you can read the enchanted writing.”

          “So why does this make you think he was murdered?”

          “Because the translation-the key to reading his journal- is something of the S.A.’s.”

          “What’s going on, here?” Caspian walked into the room, noticing the tension. “Whoa, I feel as though somebody died.”

          “We’re on the verge of an incredible discovery, Caspian.” Sophia murmured, staring at my amulet. “Nikki, how’d you know this?”

          “Because there is a picture of it in here.” Nikki answered, flipping through the pages. She showed us the picture, and indeed the picture of the amulet looked identical to mine, even though it was faded and yellowed. “I know it’s the key. It has to be. If I can just translate it out, then I know I will know what my father had tried to tell me a long time ago. There is something in this book that we have to know, and I’m going to figure it out.”

          I touched my amulet gently, and then lifted it over my head, so it lay in the palm of my hand. I let it move in the light of the window, frowning. “I can’t use my powers without this amulet, Nikki. I’m afraid that I will lose control and kill somebody, like I’ve been warned about when I don’t have my amulet to limit my power. I’ve never used my power to the fullest, therefore I have wasted little. If I lose control once, all the power and energy that has been kept inside will be used.”

          “I understand.”

          I swallowed and put the amulet in her hands. Letting it go, I felt uneasy. We stayed silent for a moment, until the front door loudly crashed open once more, making us jump. I could hear the other’s voices, talking. They entered the room noisily, setting down weapons on the table and removing their boots. It was until Ellie noticed Nikki holding my amulet when she froze up and looked at me with a serious look in her eyes. “Mary, why is your amulet in Nikki’s hand?”

          Nikki and I exchanged glances.

          The others noticed now. Abby turned pale, and gaped at me. “Guys, what happened? Was anybody attacked? Mary isn’t supposed to have her amulet off.”

          “Nothing happened, Abby. Everything is fine. I just need it to translate something.” Nikki assured her, picking up the enchanted book.

          “But Mary can’t fight without her sword?” Bell looked concerned, and I wished they would stop staring at me.

          “What do you mean translate something?”

          “The Librarian from the Dragonspyrian Library knew my father, and he gave me his journal.” Nikki explained once again. “Except I need Mary’s amulet to translate it through.”

          Wolf and Austin then walked inside the room, swords and weapons in hand. Wolf narrowed his eyes at the amulet in Nikki’s hand, and listened quickly to what Nikki was saying. Austin stood in the corner, looking much more serious than I have ever seen him. He was in armor, and he held a dark sword in his hands. He was not the cheerful Austin I had talked to in the class of Astrology.

          Wolf walked along the group, still listening to Nikki as she talked and the other’s protests of my safety and the danger I could cause. It took me a moment to realize that Wolf wanted to talk to me, and he put his hand on my shoulder. As he looked at me with a question on his face, I nodded and we silently left the dining room, into the sitting room. I craned my head to look behind me, and I realized that nobody seemed to notice my absence, even though they were talking about exactly me.

          “What is it, Wolf?” I asked, glancing between the dining room and his face. I suddenly wished he wasn’t so tall, for he loomed over me like an eerie shadow.

          “I was going to warn everyone about this, but I figured since your amulet is now absent from your possession, I should tell you first before anything could happen.” Wolf never looked nervous, but he didn’t look confidently safe, either. I listened intensely as he spoke with a grave voice. “Strengthening the protection against the evil and darkness of Malistaire worked quite well, and I believe that nothing can get in at the moment.”

          “And so how is that a danger to us?” I asked quietly.

          “It’s a danger because even though nothing can get in, nothing can get out, either.” Wolf replied seriously. “When the protection was being strengthened, it was almost more difficult than it had to be. What we did was make the force-field, the globe surrounding the Academy, tighter. Tighter and stronger- but it was being strained. Do you know what this means?”

          “I’m sorry, I’m not catching on with what you’re saying, Wolf.” I answered glumly.

           “Something is already inside the Academy, Mary.” Wolf whispered. “Some kind of presence of evil. I’m not sure what. It was too strong to be something like a Vampire or a maleficent spirit.”

          My eyes widened. “So you believe that there is a kind of Demon in the Academy?”

          Wolf stilled, like a block of stone. His face was dead serious, and almost frightening in the shadows that cradled him. “I don’t know, Mary. But what you need to do is stay safe. Without your amulet, you are both vulnerable and immensely powerful. After having your powers kept in so long, I don’t know what damage you can cause, even to yourself.”

          “So what do we do?” I asked warily.

          “Well, you have the Hunter-“

          “I’m not talking about protecting myself, Wolf.” I interrupted, looking once more at the dining room. “I’m talking about protecting everybody. I know Marleybone and Krokotopia are in danger right now, but I really do think we should get the Enforcement and the Order of the Sphinx involved in this.”

          Wolf did a sharp nod. “Go back to the others. I must speak to Merle Ambrose and Cyrus Drake for the upcoming decisions we must make. I will conduct a plan for all of you and I will speak of it tomorrow. Goodnight, Mary.”

          I nodded my thanks and watched him leave. I put my arms around myself while I stared at the door, slightly chilled by the thought of a Demon around us. Walking back into the dining room, I saw that Nikki had filled everybody in on her father’s book. Glancing at the kitchen, I vaguely remembered those pancakes Sophia and I had made a while ago. Unfortunately, I lost my appetite.

          “Where’d Wolf go?” Bell asked, noticing his absence.

          “He is busy.” I replied neutrally. “He’s gone to talk to a few people because of our plan of separating.”

          “But you can’t leave without your amulet?” Ellie raised her eyebrow.

          “Yes, I can.” I assured her, forcing a smile while I sat down at the long table with the others. “I can control myself.”

          “But what if you don’t?” Abby asked, sounding concerned. “What if something happens, like you are attacked?”

          “I’ll come with her.” Caspian spoke up. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. I looked at him in surprise, but it was as though I was invisible to him. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t kill any innocent puppies.”

          “I’m not evil, you know.” I retorted, irritated. “I’m just powerful.”

          Caspian did a little smile of confidence, and raised his eyebrow at me; yet, still not looking at me in the eye. “I think I can handle it, blondie.”

          “I will go with Mary as well.” A voice boomed out behind me, and I turned to see the Hunter. My breath caught in my throat, and I turned back around, wanting to curse out.

          I glanced at Sophia for help, but she shrugged, for there was nothing she could do. I sighed and leaned back in my chair in defeat. I was going to a different world with the last two people I’d ever want to travel with.

          “What about us?” Ellie asked quietly. “There aren’t enough of us for each world, and some of us can’t just go alone.”

          “I have a solution for that.” I announced through the chatter. “I was thinking about getting the Order of the Sphinx and the Enforcement here-”

          “The Order of the Sphinx and the Enforcement are the only good societies we can trust in the worlds of Krokotopia and Marleybone right now.” Austin interrupted in a rather monotone voice. “I’m afraid that can’t happen.”

          “If it can’t happen, then why didn’t Wolf disagree?” I asked, smirking. “I already told him my idea. We need more people over here than anywhere else, Austin. Both societies have powerful people within it, powerful people that we need.”

          “What about the worlds of Krokotopia and Marleybone?”

          “What about them?” I answered, looking him in the eye. “They’re already gone. Hell, the Queen of Marleybone is on Malistaire’s side like she’s been compelled to him. If anything, both societies are in danger the more they stay in those worlds.”

          “I agree with Mary.” Nikki decided thoughtfully. “They’re not safe there, and we need more people. What more help can they give us if they are over there when they could be over here?”

          “But if some people could stay, some of us can meet up with them. We need a safe port for when we dock into the world we are going to. If somebody like…” I thought back in my memory. “If somebody like Courtney, the head of the Enforcement, were there to meet one the S.A. when they docked into Marleybone, they would be safer than just winging it.”

          Austin sighed. “I don’t think this is wise, Mary.”

          I grinned. “Just because it’s risky, doesn’t mean it’s not wise, Austin. Trust me.”  

          Austin nodded, and moved towards the exit. “I will tell Wolf your plans at once. I suggest you pick out who you want to stay in those societies, and who is going where.”

          “Thank you, Austin.” Ellie smiled sweetly. “You’ve been a great help.”

          Austin nodded glumly, and left the room. Bell was the one to speak up first. “We should decide where people go by how well they know the world.”

          “I agree.” Abby added, glancing at me. “Mary, you can go to Wizard City. You know it best.”

          “Why there?” I grimaced, thinking of all the tragic memories. “You lived there, too.”

          “Not as long as you have, though.” Abby shrugged. “I’d rather go to Mooshu. Sierra and Alia are there.”

          “But you can’t travel alone, of course?” Nikki frowned.

          “Fiona knows Mooshu like the back of her hand. She can go with Abby.” I decided. “It’s easier, too, because Fiona is very close by.”

          “So who is going to Krokotopia and Marleybone?” Bell asked, surveying us. “Marleybone is the heart of danger right now.”

          “I’ll go to Marleybone.” Sophia announced with an outstanding smile of a Huntress. “It’s up my alley.”

          “Yeah, I agree. If anybody can handle Marleybone right now, it’s Sophia.” Nikki added, watching Sophia with both pride and concern. “But who else?”

          “I’ll also go to Marleybone.” Ellie sighed, putting her face in her hand. “Evil guys won’t be able to resist me.”

          “Haha, Ellie.” Bell smirked. “I guess that leaves Nikki and me for Krokotopia.”

          “Do you guys think you’ll be able to handle it?”

          “I know Krokotopia very well.” Nikki assured us with a weak smile. “I’ve lived there a couple times. And Bell…”

          “Bell can do it.” I winked at her, and she rolled her eyes. “She’s the fastest and most physically powerful of all of us.”

          “And there can be somebody from the Order to see you… I suppose Matthew has always been nice. I think he will be the right one to help you.”

          “Then it’s settled. Mary, Caspian, and the Hunter are going to Wizard City, Nikki and Bell will travel to Krokotopia to meet up with Matthew, Sophia and Ellie will travel to Marleybone to meet Courtney, and Abby and Fiona will go to Mooshu to meet Sierra Winterbreeze and Alia Lotuspetal.”

          “Sounds like a good plan.” I decided as I examined it in my mind. “But we still need a better plan on what we are to do when we get to those worlds. What people we are supposed to find, what creatures. Most importantly, a time of which we will have to come back, and a sign to show if anybody has been attacked or is in trouble.”

          “The creatures we can sort out. The timing…” Sophia trailed off, and shrugged. “We can’t decide that right now. We should discuss that when everybody is present, such as Merle Ambrose, Wolf, and Austin.”

          I snapped my fingers, recalling the books and paperwork Ambrose had given us. “He’s always one step ahead, isn’t he?”

          “Who is?”

          “Ambrose.” I grinned. “Earlier he gave me a huge stack of books and crap to study, and it’s all about supernatural creatures.”

          “I’ll go get them!” Sophia exclaimed, leaping out of her chair.

          While Sophia left to find the books, I talked about Malistaire’s growing army. About the creatures he’s finding and the speed it’s growing at.

          “How could so many creatures join somebody like him?” Caspian looked disturbed. “It will be the death of them all if he wins.”   

          “Why do you say that?”

          “There are some creatures that are territorial, like the Faery folk. Death, in his mind, is the solution to all problems. No person – no problem.”

          “But what if we can stop his madness?” I pleaded, exchanging glances with everyone. “What if the death of him is not the only way we can stop the deaths of others?”

          “Mary, is this what you’ve been going on about while I’ve been gone? Are you kidding me?” Caspian finally looked at me, but it was a ‘are you seriously this stupid?’ kind of look.

“What?” I protested.

“What do you expect is going to happen if you don’t kill Malistaire, Mary? The world can’t just stop hating because he’s an ex-serial killer. What are you going to do with him? Take him out for a few drinks, feed him some chicken soup? Oh yeah, and don’t forget to not let him kill anyone while you’re at it.” Caspian argued as if my desires were immensely ridiculous.

“I’m not going to act like everything is okay, Caspian.” I replied angrily. “I never want to see his face again. You have no idea how much I hate him.”

Caspian shrugged. “Then kill him.”

“I agree with Caspian, Mary.” Bell announced quietly, and I felt a sting of betrayal. Did these people really wish to kill somebody? “Hope’s a bitch, Mary. Get over it while you can, because there is no way Malistaire is coming out alive.”

“I don’t want him to live.” I closed my eyes and bit my cheek. “I just want him to feel pain. I want everything to be taken away from him like everything was taken away from me. I want him to step inside my shoes and see how hard it is to drag myself out of nightmares each morning to find there's still no relief in waking,” I opened my eyes. “That is why I don’t want him dead. I want him to know this grief and this shit he’s put me through before he gets the pleasure of feeling nothing at all- but at the same time , I don’t want him living while people I love are lying in a casket, dead at his hands.”

Somebody touched my shoulder, and I looked up in slight surprise. The Hunter’s hand was on my shoulder, but there was a kind of sadness in his hard brown eyes I could relate to.

Sophia plunged into the room with a stack of books in her arms, but noticing the tension, she stopped.

I sighed, and lay the palms of my hands flat on the cold table as the others stared at me with their frustrating sympathy. “So, in the end, who’s going to be the one to plunge a sword into his stone heart?”