Chapter Twenty-Three
I had every intention of going to my classes, truly, but the idea of facing any of the professors who were a part of the Order made the urge to disappear after Josh left irresistible. If anything, hiding in my room sounded much better, until I heard Chloe bust through the door. She stood with a scowl and tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for me to do something.
“I thought I locked that,” I said.
Chloe sighed heavily and stomped over to me like a child who was told to get off the playground. “The fact that I have to babysit you is pathetic.”
“You can easily leave how you came in,” I muttered.
“I’m under strict orders to haul your ass to class,” she stated.
“Go ahead and try,” I challenged as I scrolled through one of my phone’s many social media apps. If I continued to come off unbothered, maybe she’d give up and go away.
“Honey, you graduated from high school. It’s time to stop acting like a spoiled brat,” snapped Chloe.
I snorted a laugh and gave her my sweetest smile. “As I said, you can easily leave how you came in.”
She caught my ankles and started to drag me off the bed until my ass hit the floor. “What the hell is wrong with you!?”
“First, don’t say the h-word, and second, I warned you to get up,” Chloe reminded me coolly.
“Yeah, I’m fully aware of that now.”
“Now, get dressed. We have ten minutes before Professor Thatcher murders us.”
I rummaged through my closet, then stopped and said over my shoulder, “Are you a freshman too?”
“No.”
Okay, so I wasn’t getting anything more from her than that. Clearly, Chloe had no interest in being quizzed about her personal life. Fair enough.
Changing quickly, I gathered my materials—a couple notebooks and some pens—and shoved them hastily in a backpack, following Chloe out the door. Because what the hell do you bring to your first demon class? A cross and some rosary beads?
My stomach growled in protest as we exited the building. Chloe retrieved a granola bar from her bag and tossed it at me. “Wake up when you’re supposed to.”
I ripped open the silver packaging and chewed in disdain. Letting her lead the way, navigating through the sea of other students, she kept her pace even, avoiding interaction with anyone who crossed her path. “I like my sleep.”
She rolled her eyes and continued through the halls until we were out the door. Chloe had an intimidating demeanor, which I took notice of as we walked through the crowds of students to the academic buildings, while others made it a mission to dodge her.
I wondered how she got her reputation.
We arrived right on time to find Professor Nora Thatcher at the front of the room, setting up the day’s work. Her pin- straight, silver hair was sleek and shiny. A matching plum suit perfectly fit her figure, while her heels clacked on the wooden floors as she stepped away from the podium.
But I wasn’t expecting the others to be there.
Josh, the one named Baron, and Kal sat huddled on one side, while the others were scattered throughout the room. So, all would be taking this class together. Fantastic.
Kal spotted us over by the corner, but I rushed down in front, taking the first seat I could. Chloe finally caught up and sat to my right.
Josh leaned over and smiled. “Nice of you to finally join us.”
Before I could say anything, Chloe flipped him off and said, “Next time, get your own Scarlet out of bed.”
He rolled his eyes. “Sorry, I was busy.”
She seethed next to me. “Busy being a lazy fuck.”
He nudged Baron. “Tell your sister to take a chill pill.”
Baron shook his head. “Does it look like I want an early grave? Hell no.”
I leaned close to Chloe and asked, “Are you guys—”
“Fraternal twins? Unfortunately,” she hissed back.
A look of utter annoyance crossed Chloe’s face as Professor Thatcher called the class to attention. “Now that our annual Blessing has commenced, it is time we discuss the updated map of the city.” She pulled out a small remote from her breast pocket and aimed it behind her. The lights dimmed as someone locked the door, closing the little blind to block out any light. A projector screen descended from the top of the blackboard, turning on to an image of Manhattan.
Red dots covered most of where she pointed with a ruler. “From where our Bose Detectors have been placed, it seems that more demonic activity has appeared in the past three days. Especially here.” She tapped one section of the map, the Upper East Side, just a few blocks from where my parents resided.
Worry settled in my bones. What if my parents…
“Do you think a nest is nearby?” asked Baron.
She massaged her neck. “My guess is, judging by the rapid increase of signals, a Magidoz nest is festering underground.”
“Have we alerted the other outposts?” queried Josh.
I sat up straighter. There were more of us?
“The others were notified last night when the report came in. Dean Poverly believes a nest hatched, larger than normal, explaining the influx. Which means—”
“Out of control newborns,” interrupted Chloe.
“Precisely.”
My eyes darted back and forth from the map covered in red dots to Thatcher and the rest of the Scarlets and Saints. It all sounded like utter nonsense. From the demon names to the terms like fleet and Bose Detectors… how did Grams keep this all under wraps for so long? Better yet, how did she keep this from me?
“When are we allowed to engage?” The man sitting beside Baron leaned forward at his desk. He was a little stocky, with a buzz cut, and he smiled from ear to ear.
Thatcher tsked a laugh. “Once the more experienced troops intervene, I promise, Asher, you will have your moment with them.”
He fist-pumped with all the men around him.
“But why do we have to wait until the others go after them?” I blurted.
Every head turned in my direction.
“Because we’re in training, you moron.”
“Shut up, Anna,” warned Josh.
Thatcher smirked as she stopped directly in front of my desk. “It would seem your grandmother lacked the skills to teach her protegee anything about our cause, Ms. Waston.”
I clenched my fists underneath my desk. “She taught me a lot of useful things.”
She leaned forward, placing both manicured hands on my desk, her eyes burning with fury. “Not enough. The reason, as Anna kindly stated, is because you’re all in training. Whether you become an Ace or join the elite troops on the battlefield, this is where you’ll be.”
“Besides missions selected by the Aces themselves,” added Kal.
She raised a perfectly sculpted, silver brow. “Any questions?”
I answered with a forced smile, digging my nails into my palm. Thatcher removed herself from my desk and walked leisurely around the room. Clicking behind her once more, a zoomed in map of Upstate New York appeared on the screen. A cluster of deep red dots surrounded one specific area. “Here, we have another nest, but reports came in that both a Magidoz and Olemak demon were spotted.”
“Together?” questioned Anna.
Thatcher nodded once. “It is not unheard of for other breeds of demonic entities to nest in the same area; however, it is extremely rare.
Josh sat straight, eyes scanning all areas of the map as he said, “I’m assuming a fleet was sent not too long ago to handle that?”
“Wave one was sent at five this morning. If most of the horde is eliminated, then a few of you are allowed to go to clean up any scraps. Of course, it will be supervised.”
I had zero knowledge or experience of this world. I kept pinching myself underneath my desk, hoping I’d wake up from this godawful nightmare.
“Yes! Finally!” hollered Asher.
Ignoring his excitement, Thatcher shut off the projector and flicked on the lights. “For now, we will monitor the area closely. No word is good when it comes to the special ops missions, but once we get the okay, I’ll speak to the others and form a four-unit squad.”
Class was dismissed as she returned to her desk.
“Miss Watson, a word please?” called Thatcher.
Chloe gave me a warning look before I trekked to the front of the class. Thatcher sat at her desk, typing away on her slim, black laptop. I waited with both hands clenched on my backpack straps over my shoulders as she clicked a few times on the mouse before slamming it shut.
Clasping her hands under her narrow chin, Thatcher’s silver hair fell over one of her shoulders, striking against her plum blazer. “Care to explain why you have zero comprehension of what we discussed today?” When I didn’t answer right away, she proceeded. “Do you know who the first Scarlet is?”
Silence was my only response. She rubbed her temples and sighed. “I informed Father Benedict of your special situation, and he has agreed to teach you the history from the very beginning.”
“Is that all?” I muttered, finding my voice again.
“Is that all?” she repeated. “My girl, do you have any idea what an honor it is to be a part of such a blessed duty?”
“I didn’t ask to be a part of some cult,” I said.
Her expression darkened. “Some cult ?”
Waves of her wrath crashed over an imaginary shoreline, threatening to flood and damage anyone or anything in its path. And I was in it.
My lack of response did not sit well with her because she stood, almost knocking her chair back, and leaned in until I had no choice but to look at her.
“I have never met someone so ungrateful in my life. You’re just like your grandmother. A smart mouth, spoiled brat who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.” She paused to judge my reaction to her harsh remark, but I kept my mouth shut, waiting for her to continue her rant. “I’m going to give you only one warning. Do not defy me and do not underestimate the power of our Lord. He may have chosen you to fight with us, but you’ll never be one of us. Now get out of my room.”
It became apparent as I left her sour expression that she truly despised me, but not because of my ‘ungrateful’ attitude. No, this came down to my bloodline.
Apparently, Professor Nora Thatcher knew Grams and hated her guts, and I wanted to know why.