Hunted

“I want to see your lower back,” he said.

“Sighing again, I turned and lifted my T-shirt. There was silence. I tried to twist around and look, but I couldn’t see a thing. “What are you looking for?”

“The writings from the dagger,” he explained. “The demons did not destroy them. They were transferred to you.”

“What?” I screeched. No matter how far I twisted, I couldn’t see them. “Why?”

“There is no need to panic. If the prophesy is right, this is the dagger’s way of protecting itself and you. When the writings from the dagger were transferred to you, its powers were transferred too. You are now our Goddess Xenia’s weapon.”

“Weapon?” I blurted out then frowned as the echoes of that same word resounded inside my heard, like I’d heard it before. Pulling my shirt down, I sat. “Have we had this discussion before?”

“Not with me.” Then he did something strange. He reached across the desk and placed his gnarled hand against my temple. “You are warm and your pulse is racing.”

“Yeah, it’s called a panic attack.”

He scowled. “Guardians do not have panic attacks. How is your head?”

“Fine.”

“Telling lies is beneath you, Lil Falcon,” he reprimanded.

Wasn’t he just full of sage advice this afternoon? “I have a headache. How did you know?”

“I just do,” he said mysteriously. “The memory loss is because of the attack, but the effect is temporary because of the dagger’s power inside you. Your body is adjusting and that is why you have the headache. You will be physically fine once the power moves back to the dagger.”

It was only temporary. Great! “When will that be?”

“When the Goddess decides you and the dagger are safe.”

The certainty in his voice was reassuring. Still, I frantically searched my arms. There was nothing. Maybe he was wrong about the transfer.

“Keep the dagger with you at all times. When the writings appear on your skin, grip the dagger and see if they are transferred back. Come and see me immediately. Take the book too.” He pushed the book with the picture of the Goddess toward me. “You might learn a thing or two.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t have time to read.”

“Make time.” When I hesitated, he added, “It is merely fifty pages. I will quiz you in a few days.”

“Quiz? You’re kidding.” Even as the words left my mouth, I knew the answer. He never joked. “It’s not fair. I was attacked today and my memories were wiped out… and…and I just learned I’m a freaking weapon. I don’t need homework. I need to know how to transfer the power back to my dagger before the Tribe attacks again.”

He scowled. “The Tribe?”

“You know, the demons that attacked us. Were they summoned by the… Summoners!” I angled my head and tried to listen to his thoughts, but all I heard was static. I guess having lived for eight hundred years meant he’d learned a thing or two about keeping his students out of his head. On the other hand, he couldn’t block his emotions. He was shocked by my words. “You know about them, don’t you?”

Instead of answering, he studied me intently. “Where did you hear these words?”

“From Mrs. D and the Civilians’ thoughts, but the words sounded familiar. You know, like I’d heard them before.”

He pursed his lips with disapproval but I refused to feel guilty.

“Who are they? Or are you going to deny you know them too?” I challenged. “Like Mrs. D.”

He chuckled. “No, Lil, I am not going to lie to you. I did not approve of the senior Cardinals’ decision to keep you children in the dark. Yes, demons summoned the Tribe. Find these demons, the Summoners, and force them to send the Tribe home. Do not go after the Tribe. You are not ready to face them, not until you are in control of the Kris Dagger. With the Tribe, you only get one chance.” He raised one gnarled finger.

Ominous. “And where’s home? Tartarus?”

He shot me a look I couldn’t read, then said, “Go on. Your friends are waiting. Remember, do not go after the Tribe.”

I grabbed the book he’d given me and my coat, and got up.

“I will see you and your friends first thing tomorrow morning at seven o’clock sharp.”

I frowned. “What’s happening at seven in the morning?”

“We will start a new training regimen. You need to learn how to use your new powers until they are transferred back to the dagger.” His eyes twinkled as though he looked forward to our next session.

I wanted to scream that I didn’t want to be a weapon, whatever that meant, but it would be pointless. Grinding my teeth, I deliberately broke one of the Academy’s rules—I teleported from the library.

The guys were at Remy and Sykes’, but I detoured to my house first, dropped off the book, and undressed. There were no other markings anywhere on my body except for my birthmark. I should be relieved, but I wasn’t. Being me just sucked more than usual.

I yanked my clothes back on and teleported to the guys’ place.

Everyone looked up. Bran got up and walked to my side. “What did Master Haziel want?”

“He said we can’t go after the Tribe. We should find the Summoners instead.”

“Why?” Bran asked.

I shrugged. “Taking down them is complicated and we are not ready.”

“That’s bull,” Sykes retorted. “We are.”

The others nodded. Bran didn’t. His gaze stayed locked on my face. The others were running on emotions while he…he was thinking things through, plotting.

“We are also pissed,” Remy added. “The senior Cardinals know the identity of these demons and didn’t tell us. I’m sure you don’t remember this, Lil, but they had us on a lockdown while they tried to locate the Tribe’s den. Didn’t exactly go well for them, so it’s now our turn.”

The others nodded again.

Bran wasn’t ready to jump on the bandwagon. “Why does he think we are not ready?”

“Because my powers are off.” I explained everything Master Haziel told me about the dagger’s powers transferring to me. “I hope he’s wrong.”

Silence followed as they studied my hands.

I extended my arms and rolled up the sleeves of my coat. My skin was still clear. “He said the ancient markings will appear soon, but my body is still adjusting to the power surge from the dagger. That is why I have this crazy headache.”

Everyone started asking questions at once.

I raised my hand. “I can’t answer all your questions because I’m still trying to understand what is happening to me. The headache started when I gained consciousness on the island. Yes, I tested my powers and created a giant hole on my bedroom floor.” I glanced at Remy. “Thanks for fixing it. My teleporting is different and my Psi abilities are off the charts. I can hear your thoughts and feel whatever you guys are feeling, whether my shield or yours are up.” Their expression became guarded. “I know you hate hearing that, but believe me, I’m not too thrilled either.”

The first time they’d learned about my empathic abilities, they’d reacted the same way—with revulsion— except Bran. I had had to promise never to read them. Their thoughts drifted to me and I sighed.

“No, Remy, I don’t hear and feel stuff all the time. Like my headache, one minute I’m bombarded with thoughts and emotions, the next it’s blissfully silent and calm.” I glanced at Kim. “No, my powers haven’t shown the same instability. As for you two,” I glared at Sykes and Izzy, “don’t feel sorry for me or I will go off on the both of you.”

Another silence, with grimaces and uneasy smiles, followed. If possible, their worries shot up a notch. “I mean it, guys. Ixnay on pity-fest. Can we leave now?”

“We must discuss this first, Lil,” Izzy said. “I don’t care that you can hear my thoughts and read my feelings, I’ve nothing to hide. But, I need to know if you are now exactly like the Kris Dagger. Can you sense demons?”