My thoughts raced. I didn't see that I had a choice. I still wasn't buying the idea that I wasn't human, but there was no denying I was in danger. But would I really be safer here?

  “What about the other students?” I asked. “Like you said, Callie tried to kill me. What if the voices tell her—or even a group of others—to finish the job?”

  The look Annys gave me was meant to be reassuring, but seemed incongruous on her harsh features.

  “Most of your studies will take place in the sanctuary region of the property where the demons cannot infiltrate. You will be perfectly safe.”

  “And my mother?” I said. “If she knows where I am, won't she be in danger, too?”

  “That has already been taken care of. Taren dispatched a security detail to her last night.”

  I nodded, grateful for his foresight but annoyed he hadn't told me. How much of this had he known all along?

  “Aside from the rules that all new students must follow, you will need to be absolutely vigilant about two additional. You must reveal to no one that you know the entire symbol until such time as you are taught it, and you must never, under any circumstances, show anyone your tattoo. Dogan, Taren and myself will be the only ones who know of your possible lineage. Even the slightest violation of either of these rules will mean your immediate expulsion. Should others ask, you will tell them your birthmark looks like this.” She sketched briefly and passed the paper across the desk. It was the center design of my tattoo. “It is not unusual for Keepers to have their marking on, say, an inner thigh, or their very low back and not show it to others.”

  Again I nodded, my thoughts moving faster than my mouth.

  “Good, it's settled then. Mae will show you to a room. Send Taren in on your way out.”

  I started to protest the dismissal—I still had so many questions—but I wasn't sure how much more I could process. I left without a word.

  Taren sat in the common room chatting with Mae. His face took on a relieved expression at the sight of me.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” I said. “They want to see you now, Taren. And Mae, I guess I'll be needing a room.”

  Mae balked. “A room or a bed? New students—”

  “She'll be needing her own room. She's as old as most third years,” Taren said.

  Mae looked perplexed but said, “Alright, then. I've got something on the third floor.”

  “I'll find you when I'm done,” Taren said before slipping into the office.

  I followed Mae down the hall. We passed a doorway and I peered in to see a small room with two neatly made bunk beds and a desk. So it was usually four to a room for new students? I was grateful I was being afforded my own. Each doorway held a similar site—the color of bedding, the style of the desk—all the same except for some personal touches: a poster on the wall, an extra blanket.

  Mae led me up the stairs, past the second floor and up to the third. Partway down the hall she opened a polished wood door to reveal a small but nicely furnished bedroom. It held a twin sized bed, a nightstand, desk, and a tall wardrobe. As tiny as it was, it didn’t feel cramped due to the window that overlooked the grounds. I took in the bright green grass and majestic trees that lined the landscape. The main house stood farthest up the hill, its marble gleaming in the sun.

  “The bathroom is just down the hall on the right.”

  I pulled my eyes away from the view. I had to share a bathroom with strangers? A whole floor of them? A frightening thought occurred to me.

  “The bathroom, is it… coed?”

  Mae laughed. “Oh, no, hon. Don't worry. There are no boys on this floor. They have the second floor, and there is no visiting between the two. The first floor is coed, but the living room and kitchen divide the facilities.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief. Never having met my father, nor having a brother, I was not ready to share a bathroom with a boy. Not by a long shot.

  As the tour continued Mae gave me what I assumed was helpful information about life at the Institute, but I wasn't listening. Instead I was wondering, what's a Red? Annys had used the term in reference to the attacks aimed at me. I had to assume it was the man with the red eyes. Was he a demon? I had thought demons looked like the creature I'd seen at the nuthouse, but if Daemons had started out looking like humans, how had they evolved into that horrifying creature? And how were they going to determine if I was, in fact, part Daemon? Was I signing up for weird biological tests?

  We passed a window and movement caught my eye. It was Taren, his face a thunderhead, storming off in the direction of the woods that bordered the property. I felt a mix of concern and disappointment. He'd promised to find me. I wondered what had upset him so much.

  “Ember?” Mae was looking at me expectantly.

  “Sorry, what did you say?”

  “I need to get downstairs to supervise dinner prep. I asked if you had any more questions before I go.”

  “No, thanks. I'm good.” It wasn't the truth, but it was the only polite thing to say.

  When Mae left, I made my way back downstairs, planning to raid the book collection. I noticed Mae's office door was open, no trace of Annys and Master Dogan. I felt very alone. How long would it be before I could talk to my mother again? For as difficult as she could be, at that moment I longed to hear her voice.

  I heard laughter and turned to see Kat entering through a side door, followed by Callie.

  “Everything all squared away?” Kat asked.

  “I think so. I've got a room, at least. And I'll be starting classes.”

  “Me too,” Callie said. “Isn't it cool to be with people just like us? I don't feel like such a weirdo anymore.”

  If anything I felt like even more of a weirdo, but I returned her smile.

  “Where's Taren?” Kat said, looking around.

  “Gone,” I said, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. “He said he was going to come get me when he was done talking with Annys and Master Dogan, but I just saw him taking off into the woods.”

  Kat's eyes tightened at the corners. “He's been doing that lately when he needs to think.”

  Think about what?

  I didn't press the issue. “So, where is everyone else? You don't have classes on Sunday, do you?”

  “No classes, but there is a tournament today. I was about to take Callie over. Want to come?”

  Part of me wanted to be alone with my thoughts, but another part warned me against it.

  “Sure,” I said.

  Kat led us down a path that ended at a small field ringed with bleachers, the benches filled with teenagers. We climbed four rows to the top and took our seats. On the field, two young men were sparring with swords.

  Callie watched with rapt attention, but I was dubious. “A thousand years of demon fighting and you people are still using swords?”

  Kat shook her head. “Not usually, too conspicuous for an every day weapon. But every Guardian learns swordplay. It teaches proper balance, timing, hand-eye coordination. It's the foundation for all of our other training.”

  “Do you hold tournaments like this often?”

  “Once a month. The competition inspires diligence with training. It's not just sword fighting, though. Anyone can enter with their weapon of choice. The mixed battles are the most fun to watch—like a short sword against a halberd.”

  A halberd? Had I enrolled in the Renaissance Faire? I feigned interest, but began sizing up the other onlookers. Most were within a few years of me in either direction. For all intents and purposes they looked like normal teenagers, albeit with a few more piercings. Had all of them been in mental institutions when their mark had been discovered? Would any of them try to hurt me if they knew my secret? I had a feeling the knives weren't plastic at the Institute.

  The crowd erupted in applause. I looked up to see one of the boys, a tall blonde, standing over the other, his blade at the prone boy's throat. The blonde withdrew his blade and helped his rival to his feet. The victor waved to the crowd and both exited the field. Two new competitors entered the field; this time it was girl against boy. The boy carried a dagger, the girl held no weapon at all.

  “She is the weapon,” Kat said when Callie made the same observation out loud.

  It didn't take long to see that she was right. For every thrust the boy made, the girl danced aside and landed a blow of her own.

  “Not that she seems to be in much danger,” I said, “but what happens if he strikes her? Wouldn't she get hurt?”

  “Just bruised. With a few exceptions, we train and compete with practice blades.”

  Though intrigued by the current match, I found myself looking off into the woods, in the direction Taren had gone. When would I see him again? He didn't live on the property and it didn't seem like I would be allowed to leave any time soon. Was he done with me now that he'd turned me over to the Institute? His job was over. He would probably be off again soon, sent to find other Marked ones. I felt a sense of loss at that, and told myself it was because he was the only one I could really talk to, and not at all because my heart beat faster when he was around.

  A flurry of movement brought my attention back to the field. The girl was in mid-leap. She extended her leg into an impressive kick, which landed square on her opponent's chest. I winced as he stumbled backward, landing hard on his backside.

  Kat grinned. “That's gotta hurt.”

  The boy scrambled to his feet, but not before the girl knocked the dagger from his hand.

  “His blade might be practice, but those kicks aren't,” I said. It was hard not to be impressed.

  From then the battle was pretty much over. A few more punches and the boy surrendered. He smiled good-naturedly as he shook her hand, but gingerly rubbed his jaw as they walked off the field.

  A horn sounded and everyone stood to leave.

  “That's it?” I asked. “Do they win anything?”

  Kat shrugged. “Bragging rights. They only award prizes once a year. That tournament is much more formal.”

  We made our way through the crowd to the bottom of the bleachers.

  “So, I've got a shift at the Gateway in fifteen minutes,” Kat said, “Will you two be alright finding your way back to the dorm?

  “Yeah, sure, we're fine,” Callie answered.

  Who was this confident girl? In two hours it was like she'd evolved into a different person. I was glad for her, but confused as to why I wasn't being affected the same way.

  The tall boy who had won the sword fight approached us. He had blue eyes and a dimple in his left cheek. “Hey, Kat. What did you think of my moves out there?”

  “Pretty good, Tom. Congrats on the win.” She leaned in, close to his ear. “You still can't beat me, though.” She pulled back with a wink.

  “We'll see about that,” he said, smirking. “Who are your new friends?”

  “This is Callie, and that's Ember. Keepers-in-training, fresh off the boat.”

  “Two at once? Impressive. Maybe we're finally starting to turn our numbers around.” Tom shook each of our hands. “Welcome. We're happy you're here.”

  Kat excused herself and started up the hill to the main house. So that's where the Gateway was. The Gateway that led to a demon dimension. In a mansion overlooking Los Angeles. It had a certain symmetry.

  Tom joined us on the walk back to the dorm.

  “So are you all settled in?” he asked.

  I wasn't sure how to answer. Could I tell him that all I had were the clothes on my back because we had left Windsor in such a hurry? I wasn't supposed to mention the demon or even the attack that had led us to flee.

  It was Callie who answered. “Yes, although I haven't met my roommates yet.”

  I let them do most of the talking, preferring to remain silent for fear of revealing something I shouldn't. When we reached the dormitory, Tom excused himself to clean up.

  The living room was now bustling with teenagers. Some sat watching a crap reality show on television, some read, others just passed through, talking with friends.

  “I'm going to go see if anyone is in my room,” Callie said. “I'll save you a seat at dinner, OK?”

  I nodded. “Sure, sounds good.”

  She bounded down the hall, while I looked around, feeling awkward and alone. I wasn't the type to just start introducing myself to strangers. I made my way down the hall and trudged up the stairs. Female voices drifted my way, but I couldn't make myself stick my head into one of their doorways. I opened the door to my room and was relieved when it clicked shut behind me.

  At least if I was actually alone it wasn't odd that I would feel so lonely. I leaned against the door and studied the room, then went to the wardrobe. On the inside of one door was a mirror, the other held hooks—a bathrobe hanging from one. I glanced down to see a duffel bag, recognizing it as the one I'd had at Windsor. I unzipped it to find the clothes and toiletries my mother had packed for my stay there. Someone must have picked it up for me. They certainly moved fast around here. It only took a few minutes to organize my scant belongings, but I was grateful for them.

  I sat on the bed contemplating a nap but was too restless. Instead I went to the desk, opening the drawers to reveal notepads and pens. I took out one of each, meaning to write but I hesitated.

  The door to my room didn't lock. Was it safe for me to journal my innermost thoughts? I didn't want to think anyone would read them, but how could I be sure? While I contemplated, I doodled, and when I looked down was horrified to see I'd been drawing parts of the symbol. I had to learn not to do that. I'd been sketching it so long it was just something I did naturally while I thought. I crumpled up the paper, then thought better and ripped it into several pieces. I couldn't take chances on someone going through my trash and wondering how I knew those symbols. My level of paranoia was entering Mom territory.

  Afraid to do much of anything else, I settled for staring out the window at people milling about on the grass. I knew that I was supposed to feel like I belonged here, but how could I? Annys and Master Dogan weren't even sure what I was. In an Institute filled with freaks, I was too abnormal to truly be one of them. Here I was, still having to lie in order to fit in.

  I glanced at the clock. More time had passed than I'd realized. I pulled a lightweight jacket from the wardrobe and made my way downstairs for dinner, avoiding eye contact until I saw Callie in line. She motioned for me to join her.

  “Ember, meet two of my roommates. This is Crystle and Bridget.”

  Crystle was blonde and plump, while Bridget had the look of an athlete, her muscles toned, her brown hair cropped short.

  “Hey, nice to meet you,” I said, relieved to have two more familiar faces.

  “What room did they put you in?” Bridget asked as she scooped steamed vegetables onto her plate.

  I took the serving spoon when she was done and helped myself. “Thirty-six.”

  “They put you on the third floor?” Her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

  “Um, yeah. They said it was because I'm almost seventeen. I got found late.”

  “Really late,” Bridget said with surprise. “How have you kept it together? When they found me at fourteen I was a total head case.”

  I struggled for an adequate answer and failed. “Just lucky, I guess.”

  Crystle's eyes narrowed. “I'm sixteen and I still have to share a room.”

  This conversation was filled with land mines. Maybe I should have skipped dinner.

  “That's because you haven't tested past your first year,” Bridget said with a laugh.

  “Well, neither has she,” Crystle protested.

  “Oh, don't be salty. It's not her fault she got her own room. Who knows why the Elders do what they do?”

  Bridget was fast becoming my new favorite person.

  “I can't argue with that,” Crystle said as we made our way to the beverages. “They seem to be getting weirder all the time.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  This sounded like information I should have. I followed the girls to an empty table and we took our seats.

  “They keep holding secret meetings,” Bridget said. “I mean, what goes on at their meetings is always a secret, but now they're actually meeting in secret, like late at night.”

  I was intrigued. “What do you think that's about?”

  “No idea,” Crystle said around a forkful of mashed potatoes, “but Michael has been called to stand guard outside the door. He claims he hasn't eavesdropped which is totally annoying.”

  “Who's Michael?” Callie wanted to know. I was more intrigued by the clandestine gatherings.

  It was Bridget who answered. “Crystle's boyfriend. He's almost nineteen and a Guardian. His arms are like tree trunks.”

  Crystle beamed. “That's my man.” Her expression turned sour. “When I get to see him, that is…That's another thing they're doing. They're sending out extra patrols to hunt for Reds, and they have so many Guardians up at the Gate lately, you'd think they were expecting a demon horde to come crashing through.”

  “Maybe they are?” I thought back to the one Dahrak demon and shuddered. I couldn't imagine an army of them.

  Crystle laughed. “You are new. There hasn't been a breach at any of the Gates since they were formed.”

  I choked on my salad. When I'd recovered I said, “So… if there were a demon running around right now it would be at least a thousand years old?”

  I looked to Callie, but there was no hint of recognition in her eyes. Taren was right, she didn't remember.

  “When the Gate was created, the Daemons disappeared, sucked into the alternate dimension,” Crystle said. “There aren't any left to be running around.”

  My spine tingled and I felt light-headed. They didn't know. How could they not? And why?

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19