And Brania was right.
“You’re getting everything you deserve, Edwige!” Imogene ranted. “And this is only the beginning of your suffering!”
She wasn’t talking to Brania. Somehow, in some unexplainable way Imogene was communicating with Edwige. Watching her adopted daughter’s face coil into a mask of pain, Brania couldn’t help but feel relieved. Not only was she not the source of Imogene’s anguish, but she had discovered that Imogene and Edwige were linked.
Even as she held Imogene and whispered in her ear that there was nothing to be afraid of, Brania began formulating a plan, a plan that would exploit this newfound connection and restore her birthright. She was overcome with a sensation of peace, because in no time at all she would be back where she truly believed she belonged, sitting on the right side of her father.
chapter 6
“Welcome back home.”
Standing at the podium, David knew that every person in St. Sebastian’s—student and teacher—was looking at him, listening to his voice, and he reveled in the attention. He only wished he could reveal his true self to them. How they would gasp when they saw his magnificent black wings and saw that he possessed powers beyond comprehension. But there would be time for that. Now, he had to welcome the students and faculty members back to Archangel Academy for yet another school year. This year, however, would be more special than ever.
“And welcome to our Tri-Centennial Celebration.” David waited for the applause to subside before continuing. “This year we will commemorate three hundred years of academic excellence here at Double A.” He paused again, knowing that the students would cheer at his use of the school’s nickname. He personally disliked colloquialisms, but it made the students feel more comfortable in his presence, as if he were one of them. He laughed to himself and couldn’t believe how incredibly easy it was to deceive people, even those who knew he was a vampire, with only a few choice words.
What fools they all were.
When it was once again quiet, David explained that even though Archangel Cathedral and some of the main buildings were built in the fifteenth century, Double A had begun life as a monastery, a religious enclave where monks and those seeking sanctuary could worship without fear of persecution.
Conveniently, David didn’t mention that not every monk had spent his days praying to God, but rather to what he considered to be a superior deity. That wasn’t a truth that needed to be disclosed just yet, but when the time was right, he would savor the opportunity to introduce them all to Zachariel’s power. Until then he would stick to the more mundane facts. “It wasn’t until three centuries later that the school itself was created,” David said, his voice soft yet commanding. “But since that time Archangel Academy has been one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, a school that I consider myself lucky to have attended and a school that I am proud to call my home.”
Ronan heard the cheering all around him, but he couldn’t join in. Yes, he also loved Double A; yes, he also considered it home; but no, he couldn’t uphold David’s testimonial with applause. He knew David was lying and that to David the school was nothing more than a hideout. David didn’t value education; he didn’t care about the school’s reputation or the students’ prosperity. It was simply that Double A and the land that it was built upon, land that extended all the way into Eden, had been christened long ago as hallowed ground where his kind could walk in the sun as if they were worthy of its glory. Anger reddened Ronan’s alabaster cheeks, because he knew David wasn’t worthy of such a gift. The only light that should warm his skin should be created by the fires of hell.
Caught, Ronan smiled and tilted his head. “
Ronan was delighted. Not only was Michael willing to hold a mirror up to him to expose his flaws, but he would tease him about them as well.
His laughter, however, was drowned out by David’s booming voice. “And how do you honor three hundred years of being the best school in the world?” David asked rhetorically. “Prepare yourselves for a celebration that none of you will ever forget!”
The over-the-top pronouncement was met with a variety of responses. Michael and Ronan instantly felt uneasy, knowing that any festivity would most likely be camouflage to cover up another attempt by David to find The Well; Ciaran was hopeful that he would be able to uncover the true meaning of Atlantium before then so he and David could celebrate his breakthrough along with the school’s anniversary; Fritz was scared that he would wind up attending his third school function in a row without a real girlfriend; and Nakano was surprised to find himself excited not only for the upcoming gala, but for the new school year.
On the other side of the bleachers, Saoirse sat next to a girl with flaming red hair and prayed the party would be a formal affair so she and her new best friend could go shopping for a special outfit. It was clear that everyone had a different priority. At the moment, David’s was to steer the assembly away from talk of school festivities and to the introduction of the latest addition to Double A’s staff.
“Now please help me welcome Dr. Oliver Sutton.”
A slight shuffling noise followed David’s statement, which turned out to be the sound of shoes scuffing against the lacquered wood of the gym floor. From the locker room emerged a small man who possessed none of David’s majesty nor his predecessor’s disheveled appearance. The man who would replace Lochlan MacCleery as the school’s doctor was impeccably dressed, but the accent was on neatness and not style.
His dull gray suit fit his slight frame perfectly, but had been bought at a discount. His tie, the same color, but faded with age, held no pattern, and his black loafers were made of industrial strength plastic. His physical appearance was just as unfortunate. His eyes were small, set too close together, and the pupils and irises melded as one to create the same shade of black. The end of his nose hooked slightly and presided over thin lips set against a backdrop of ashen, pockmarked skin. Topping everything off was a scalp that was largely bald except for some wiry strands of black-gray hair combed over from left to right that didn’t completely conceal a cluster of brown age spots on the crown of his head. If he hadn’t been standing in front of the podium, he would have still commanded attention. But only for being unattractive. When he spoke, however, his voice did not arouse much interest.
“Hello,” Oliver said.
Although amplified, he hardly made an impact. His sound wasn’t enthralling like David’s or as gruff as Lochlan’s had been. It was nondescript.
“Thank you for letting me join your family,” he continued meekly. It was an unnecessary statement since no one present—other than David presumably—had been asked to vote on or consider Oliver to fulfill the vacant position of school doctor. And when he took to the makeshift stage there had been no applause. Thanks did not have to be given. “It is a true honor to follow in Dr. MacCleery’s footsteps as your new school physician.”
Ronan wanted to stand up and shout that there was no way that he could replace Lochlan; there was no way that this meek imposter could be as courageous and honorable as MacCleery had turned out to be. For most of the time that they had known each other, Ronan and Lochlan hadn’t trusted each other.
They thought they were enemies; they had been wrong. The doctor had taken an oath to protect mankind from all kinds of evil, and even when he discovered that he was surrounded by some who didn’t fit that description, who existed outside the boundaries of what would be considered human, he still fought to keep them all safe. He was murdered for his bravery. Staring at Dr. Sutton, Ronan knew intuitively that he was an unfit replacement.
“I will do my utmost to uphold good Dr. MacCleery’s memory,” Oliver droned. “And make him proud.”
Positioned behind the newest staff member, Coach Blakeley sat amid the other school personnel.
He, like Ronan, didn’t approve of the new doctor. His relationship with Lochlan had been outwardly antagonistic, but he had admired him greatly. Leaning to the left he whispered into Sister Mary Elizabeth’s ear, “I
