The kids erupted.
Peter held his hand up until the chamber again quieted. “As I’m sure you’ve all heard by now, the Devils stood against the witch today.”
They cheered.
“Held their own against Ginny Greenteeth’s entire horde!”
More hoots and cheers.
“Not only that, but one of our New Blood has proven himself worthy. In defense of his clan, he singlehandedly killed
Two Devils ran around the chamber, dousing the torches and lanterns until only a single torch burned on the central pillar above Peter’s head.
Sekeu handed Peter a tattered gray wolf pelt. Peter slipped it over his head like a hood, so that his eyes peeked out from the mask. Peter hopped up onto a stone at the pillar’s base. He threw his arms up with a theatrical flourish. The chamber fell dead quiet. “Bring me the body of
Leroy looked both delighted and terrified. Redbone and several of the Devils grabbed him and jostled him over to Peter.
The Devils formed a semicircle, all facing Peter. Sekeu brought Peter a knife and sword, both in scabbards and tied to a wide, studded belt.
Peter slid out the knife, held it before Leroy’s eyes, letting the flicking torchlight dance along its sharp edge. “Leroy, do you give your blood to the Devils?”
Leroy looked at the knife and hesitated, finally letting out a timid “Yes.”
“All have heard…he gives his blood willingly,” Peter cried.
The Devils began to clack their teeth.
Leroy glanced about, eyes wide. Nick could see he was breathing fast.
“Hold out your hands,” Peter said, his golden eyes grave, almost angry.
Leroy slowly brought up his hands. They were trembling. He winced.
Peter laid the hilt of the knife in Leroy’s palm, clasped Leroy’s hand in his, so that together they held the knife.
“This belongs to you now,” Peter said in a hushed, reverent tone.
Leroy’s face flushed with relief. He looked at the knife, overjoyed.
Sekeu handed Peter the sword and belt. Peter knelt and buckled the belt around Leroy’s waist, then stood, clasping Leroy on each shoulder. “Welcome brother. Welcome to the clan of Deviltree.”
Leroy beamed.
“One has put his life on the line for his clan!” Peter shouted. “Stood face to face against two barghest! His reward is our brotherhood. Mark this day as the day Leroy earned the right to wear a sword, earned the right to be called a
The Devils exploded in cheers and hoots. They snatched Leroy up onto their shoulders and began to parade him around the chamber, chanting his name.
“I will claw out his eyes,” Nick hissed and clenched his hands into tight fists, digging his nails into his palms. “Burn his face. Stab him. Stab him.
He watched them tromp by, saw Leroy laughing and beaming with joy.
Hatred swept over him again. He felt the frustration and anger welling up within him, and all at once a flush of heat bloomed in his stomach. The venom climbed up his throat.
The pounding in his head grew worse. He wondered if it had anything to do with the poison from the barghest. It felt more like in his dream, right before he’d turned into that demon thing. He needed something to drink. He glanced about, caught the troll watching him. He sucked in a deep breath.
He got up and poured himself a mug of water, then headed over to the table, as far from everyone as he could get.
The troll gave him a concerned look as he passed.
Nick stared at the table, did his best to ignore the celebration. There was a nut pinned between the boards of the table, and he began to pick at it. Something, anything to keep his mind off Leroy, off the violence pounding in his head. The nut popped free. He batted it between his hands.
Two pixies alighted on the table, well out of arm’s reach, and watched the nut.
Tonight Nick found he could hardly stand the sight of the little blue people. He swatted at them with the back of his hand. “Scat.”
They stuck out their tongues and wagged their butts at him. Nick felt the heat grow in his stomach, the venom in his throat. He rubbed his head.
Peter was talking to Leroy now.
Nick stopped rolling the nut.
Peter was obviously congratulating Leroy. Pumping his hand up and down and patting him on the back. Leroy was all grins.
Nick’s lip quivered and his fingernails dug into the table.
One of the pixies flicked Nick’s ear, while the other tried for the nut. Nick swatted violently at them. They flitted out of the way, giggling.
Nick couldn’t hear what Leroy was saying, but it was obvious by his exaggerated pantomimes that he was describing how he’d killed the barghest.
The heat in Nick’s stomach began to burn, just like in the dream, and just like in the dream, he felt murder growing in his heart. Not just for Leroy, but for everyone.
One of the pixies yanked a tuft of Nick’s hair while the second one snatched for the nut again, and Nick felt the venom take him.
He howled and hurled the mug at the pixie. It struck the pixie in midair, knocking it to the ground. The mug clanged across the stone floor.
The hall fell silent.
The pixie screamed, and the cry of pain brought Nick back. Nick watched it fluttering, trying to get up. It was hurt. Had he done that? Yes, he knew he had. But how could he have done such a thing? How could he have lost control like that?
He heard Cricket gasp and looked up; everyone was staring at him.
Redbone slid out his knife and started toward him.
“No,” Peter said.
“What?” Redbone said. “He needs a lesson. Needs a mark.”
“No,” Peter repeated.
SEKEU CLEARED HER throat. “Nick will have to be killed.”
“No,” Peter said.
Tanngnost let out a sigh and thought,
