35

The only people who really knew everything that went down were Guy, Faris, and myself.

So, naturally, all three of us, along with Jarmiel and Zak, sat in Zak’s office with Raguel. The morning rays made Raguel’s white hair blinding, quickly countered by his demeanor which did not shine. He rested his elbows on the desk so he could hide his lips behind clasped hands.

“Raguel, if I may—” Zak spoke up first.

“No.” His blinking slowed as he addressed Jarmiel instead. “And Aiden Blaxill?”

“Still missing,” Jarmiel said.

A brief wave of anger shot through me, dulled by curiosi ty. Aiden was missing? Surely, he was off enjoying himself in the city. It did seem strange that he returned to EXO so recently, only to leave again.

“Pity. I had questions for him,” Raguel said, “That was his final strike but we should locate him all the same. Now, I want to hear from you three… Where to even begin.”

He turned his big head like a rotating fan to meet all our faces. “Faris Caldwell. You attempted to murder Jessebel Winters on two accounts. Went so far as to gather others in your cause. The purifiers who stayed behind have been captured and questioned but several disappeared. Prison makes the most sense to me.”

Faris sat three chairs over beside Jarmiel with cuffs around both wrists. His head hung low. He made no attempt to defend himself or his actions.

“However,” Raguel added, “You revealed that The Necromancer had been visiting your mind, inserting dreams and manipulations that had made you fearful of Miss Winters. Is that correct?”

I gripped my armrest. Clay failed to mention that part of his grand plan. The whole time I thought I’d been alone with my hauntings but he was riling up the purifiers for a witch hunt. The brilliance of it made my blood boil.

Faris lifted his eyes to meet his superior. “Sir. While he encouraged my actions, my feelings about the matter remain unchanged.”

“Explain.” Raguel’s majestic tone had an edge that time.

Guy had been sitting stiffly since we arrived but at that, he dropped his folded arms. His fingers curled into themselves as he rotated his shoulders. The sharp look in his eyes said that he was very engaged in what the purifier had to say next.

Faris went pale. He held on tight to his answer but eventually said, “You know what she is. She may not be cruel but that doesn’t change anything.”

It was like hearing my own thoughts and insecurities come from someone else’s mouth. The worst was the silence in the room that followed after like they all agreed on some level.

“What exactly did The Necromancer reveal to you in these dreams?” Raguel asked.

“Cataclysm.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat while Faris continued. “If she were an imp or any lesser demon, I wouldn’t question the angel’s judgment, but she’s not. Chaos won’t bring peace.”

Raguel gave him a solemn nod. “You openly admit your doubt in our judgment. Fear is only natural but to wish death on another also won’t bring peace. A versed purifier such as yourself must know this.”

More thoughtful silence.

“Yes… ” Faris finally uttered.

“You will sit in a holding cell until the council is ready to pass final judgment,” Raguel said, and two peacekeepers let them selves into the room. They waited for Faris to stand on his own. He didn’t resist or spare a complaint before leaving with them.

I’d sleep better knowing my assassins weren’t sharing a dorm next to mine, but mostly, I remained confused. He didn’t even apologize. After saving his ass, he’d left with his convictions still intact. He must truly hate me.

It was down to the five of us. Six, if you included Tori, fast asleep again.

Raguel returned the conversation to his angels, “We’ve identified The Necromancer?”

“Clayton Cassidy,” Jarmiel replied but there was hesitation in his voice as he waited for Zak to speak first. “He seems to have survived or postponed his initial death.”

“You were suspicious from the start,” Raguel addressed Zak that time, “I doubt the outcome would’ve changed had you known sooner. He is beyond saving, Zakiel.”

“You all knew him?” I shut my mouth after interrupting. Luckily, Raguel didn’t appear bothered.

“The Cassidys lived in a small pocket just outside of Vol hold,” he said, “Well known to their neighbors, active in church, and very social until their first child was born. They claimed their son passed at birth. After that, they became recluses. Neighbors reported glimpses of the boy wandering in their home, never with his parents or brought outside. We were asked to look into the matter but it took a plucky young angel to really verify the rumors.”

Everyone’s head turned to Zak at once.

“I was younger in earth years then, but Jarmiel and I were still friends,” Zak explained, “We found a maid who’d quit working for the Cassidys. The family had bought her silence. Apparently, Mrs. Cassidy had a healthy son but, overnight, he became malnourished and grew pointed ears and teeth. They had no idea that their son had actually been taken and replaced with a changeling. They’re rare half-demons, usually born with defects and get sick easily.”

I knew the story could only get darker the deeper we went. “What happens to the other baby when they’re swapped?”

“We don’t really know,” Zak said, his frown deepening, “Some believe a demon mother keeps them. Not that they would survive in Hell.”

Hell hosted all manner of evil, but imagining tiny babies being taken and then expected to survive in alien circumstances crushed my heart. Not only that, but abandoning the change ling child to do the same.

Hadn’t Clay said something similar happened to me? His story about Naomi “adopting” me differed slightly from the one I’d been told all my life. Naomi said I was abandoned by witches, but Clay made it sound like I’d been kidnapped too.

Who were these witches that had me in the first place, or did they ever really exist?

“What happened to Clay then?” I asked.

“The family never introduced us to Clay but we saw him. I had, for sure. Spoke to him once through a basement window. There were clear signs of abuse, not just on his body but his spirit. We had a plan to approach the family but when the day finally came, everyone was dead.” Zak paused. “We believe Clay’s mother killed herself, but it was clear Mr. Cassidy attacked Clay, and Clay retaliated. Not a pretty sight.”

“There was a burial for the family. Clay was taken to be examined and later cremated,” Jarmiel added in a reverent tone, “An investigation is pending to confirm that his demise never occurred. We also searched the Ghoul corpses and were able to identify both Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy.”

I let out a soft gasp. Clay survived and dug up his parents? So much cruelty and haphazard crafting went into the Ghoul’s design. He made them into the monsters he thought they were, bringing them to life with his hate.

I noticed Raguel watching me with peculiar interest.

“You feel conflicted,” he said.

Something bumped against my knee. Guy was nudging me with his elbow. He hunched over, arms resting on his thighs. The miniscule touch helped comfort me, even a little.

“I know what he did is unforgivable,” I started carefully.

“Harming a child is also damnable.”

Was I crazy or did I see pride in Raguel’s gaze? Never thought I’d see a pleased expression from him. “Having a compassionate heart is a show of pure kindness, something Faris could benefit from” he said, “Even so, don’t blind yourself to the danger Clayton presents now.”

I nodded, still disturbed in my thoughts. At least he didn’t seem angry.

When Raguel asked about Clayton’s dark companion, Jarmiel answered with a twitch of his neck. “Vileth has latched herself to the boy.”

“I see.” The white-crowned angel let out a drawn sigh. “The council is impatiently waiting for a full report. Vileth making a move is no small act from Hell. However, I’m certain they’ll expect more on this one as well.”

His big finger aimed at me. “We’ve been able to do things your way for the time being, Zakiel, but the council wants to know how Clayton’s hell-blade was destroyed without an angel present.”

Zak’s grin widened and I actually felt the anxiety flickering in my body, wondering what crap he’d pull next. “I told you, she’s a special case.”

I turned to Guy, who had been silent the entire time. He seemed to be in his own world, eyes wide, taking in Zak’s words and imploding with some internal crisis.

Same, though.

Raguel cracked a smile too, but I couldn’t tell if it was out of joy or frustration. “We will look into the matter further, with or without your help. If Uriah comes for her, I can’t stop him.”

Zak’s grin was strained. “We’ll deal with that if the time comes.”

Raguel altered course again. “Mr. Shepherd. Miss Winters, will you recount the night’s events, and whatever else you be lieve could help with this case?”

Guy and I took turns retelling the events that led to us finding Clay; the purifiers in Clove’s lab, the vampires, and the train station. I still had a gallery of questions and concerns of my own, but at least I knew the angels weren’t going to kill me. For now.

“You two were on your own against a demon lord,” he said, “Vileth rules the sinful Kingdom of Envy. It sounds like she only visited in spirit. Still, no lord should be able to trespass here. She and Clayton escaped but thanks to you, they lost a powerful weapon of dark matter. EXO appreciates your efforts.”

“Thank you, sir,” Guy said.

I copied him, but didn’t know if we really deserved the praise or not.

***

We were dismissed shortly after, not entirely free of our duties but Raguel mentioned something about how we “mirrored the undead.” I couldn’t see myself, but if my eye bags were anything like Guy’s then we were in bad shape.

Jarmiel and Zak followed us through the courtyard outside. Outside was quiet, odd since it had been midday. I wasn’t entirely sure where we were headed. No one said.

“Your angel weapon is a pistol?” I asked Jarmiel, who lifted his brows at my sudden question.

“Yes,” he said.

“Not as cool as a sword, right?” Zak interjected.

I hummed, pretending to consider the matter deeply. “I think a pistol makes more sense than a sword, actually.”

Jarmiel held his head a little higher while visibly Zak mourned his betrayal with a solid pout. “What are you talking about? It’s way prettier than a gun, for one. It’s an extension of your arm, doesn’t run out of ammunition—”

“Technically it does since it’s made of light,” Jarmiel countered.

“Let’s all remember which of us almost sent you to jail, Jess.”

“Very mature.” Jarmiel clicked his tongue as his phone rang. “I don’t want to take this.”

“They always call you, and you’re the least pleasant of us two,” Zak said.

“Seems I’m not the least pleasant when it comes to you and I.”

The angel took his call, but before walking off, looked over his shoulder at us. “It’s good to see you alive, Jess.”

I wanted to say something back. Thank him, maybe? But he spoke into his phone again and I lost my chance.

Guy gave a half-hearted chuckle. “You two were made for each other. Like an old, married couple.”

The reaper yawned and glared at the bright sunlight. Come to think of it, I don’t think either of us had slept in over a day. The energy Zak gave me kept my eyes open like a strong, morning coffee. I’d crash and burn soon.

“Neither of you need a trip to Clove’s?” Zak’s shifted over both of our faces. “I like tough soldiers but don’t be negligent.”

Oh, no.

Clove. The last thing I remembered about the doctor was Tori locking her in a closet.

I cringed. “I guess I should apologize to Clove.”

Guy raised a brow. “What did you do?”

“Nothing horrible,” I said and looked at the ground, “Just trapped her in a closet.”

“Right… I’m taking a nap.” Guy dragged himself and Tori’s bear toward the dorms. I knew I could head there too; back to my room. The home I’d adopted into my heart and hadn’t realized yet. I stood in place a little longer, listening to the breeze with Zak who also hadn’t moved.

“So, your ambitions for a ‘new dawn’ haven’t changed?” I asked.

“Not at all,” Zak said, with gusto, “Now I have a princess on my team.”

“We’re a weird team,” I said.

“Demon. Chaos. Princess. Peacekeeper. Jess . Maybe you’re a bit of everything, or something between? Whatever you wan na be, I don’t think we need to take chaos so literally.” When I gave him a look he dished one right back. “Hey, sassy. In order to make new and beautiful things grow, sometimes old things have to be destroyed. I’m just saying, let’s stay positive.”

“Still sounds crazy,” I said but I liked that ideology better.

The daylight brought so much peace, I could hardly be lieve the night before happened at all. We had the courtyard to ourselves; every simple flower held more vibrancy than I remembered. I didn’t mind staying frozen there in time for as long as time allowed.

“You were sad earlier,” Zak said, “Want to talk about it?”

I’d forgotten that I’d been in a room full of super-attuned angels.

“I know Clay’s not a good person,” I said, “I just had a weak moment.”

“Weak?” He repeated, letting his jaw fall open. “Weak, she says! Like you didn’t sacrifice yourself to stop a demon and his magic knife.”

Warm embarrassment flooded my cheeks. “Guy told you?”

“Just a performance review, Jess. Don’t get so embarrassed. Although, some caution in the future would be appreciated. A little less dying , and I think you’ll pass with flying colors.”

I snorted. “That easy, huh?”

“Yup. And look, about Clayton. If he’d had better circumstances, I’m sure his future could’ve turned out differently. But hurting others is his choice. We can all choose something different for ourselves.”

I bit my tongue, not wanting to announce how alike Clay and I could’ve been; his story being the darker side of the coin. Both half-demons who grew up in hiding. I battled with resent ment toward my aunt, the woman who was more ghost than guardian at that point. But Naomi never hurt me. Secrets and all, she’d been loving. We celebrated every holiday together. She taught me how to read and write, baked my favorite treats, and gave me plenty of work to keep me involved in our hidden world together. We laughed at absurd television and gossiped about our grumpy neighbors.

She changed her entire life to have me in it. It could’ve turned out so much worse.

Clay was proof of that.

“Hey, you.” Zak snapped his fingers in my face. “Still with me? Not regretting your decision, already?”

To that, I leered. “I swear we’ve had this conversation before.”

“You must make me anxious. I keep needing reassurance.” He grinned all over again before shooing me off. “Go on. You deserve a nap too.”

***

I reached the dormitory doors and stopped. Why was it so hard to walk through? I’d just faced a demon lord, but potential awkwardness with my roommates sounded worse somehow. After a few controlled breaths, I pushed myself through.

As soon as I looked up, I saw everyone .

Several realizations came at me in an instant, like how I’d kissed Max to near death. His blond head aimed readily in my direction all the way from the couch. They probably heard me coming, and heard me pausing outside for forever.

“Newbie!” Barrett sprang from his spot next to Max. He planted his feet inches away from mine and scanned both sides of my head. I probably smelled terrible but he didn’t mention it that time. “And just what the hell were you thinking, huh?” he asked.

“I, well—” I stammered, unsure of which offense he was referring to. Blowing up the gym? Running away? Being drugged in a vampire nightclub? Destroying a whole intersection? Actually dying .

“Back for more?” Max scoffed but didn’t sound as pissed as he looked. It may have been the first time he’d spoken to me without growling.

“What he means is, you’re pretty cool and we’ll keep you around,” Barrett said with a wide smile and thick canines, “Hope you’re ready for training because I call dibs on being partners.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Anyone who can squash a necromancer is cool in my book.”

A new white line decorated his throat like a necklace, be ginning at his ear and ending somewhere below the collar of his shirt. I’d almost forgotten, but Zak told me Barrett was in the line of fire when my chaos magic went wild.

“Barrett, I’m so sorry.” I pointed toward his scar. Had he been human, he’d probably be dead. His thick, shifter neck saved him that time. “Actually I’m sorry to all of you…”

“What, this ?” Barrett asked, pride enhancing his stance, “Thanks but I’m fine. Makes me look tough.”

Yara stood off in the kitchen boiling her tea. She wore a cunning grin but otherwise acted like I hadn’t run away and had the craziest night of my life. “Water’s hot if you want some, killer,” she said.

“Thanks.” I didn’t know what to do with myself. The whole reunion went much differently in my head. Darren and Mallory’s attendance bewildered me the most. Where did they stand with Aiden’s actions, if they even knew about them? It didn’t seem like they’d been waiting long; both just lurking in the corner.

Mallory looked me up and down from behind her curtain of white hair. “I see you’re alive.”

“Yeah. Sorry about—”

What was I sorry about? I didn’t make Aiden disappear. Still, if I had a brother, I guess I’d be worried.

She gave me a dead-eyed stare. “You know, Jessebel is a harlot’s name.”

My mouth gaped open like a fish. She didn’t expand on that either. Whatever she’d needed off her chest or to accomplish, apparently that had been enough. Mallory turned on her heel and made for the elevator.

“Thanks for that,” I mumbled as the doors slid shut.

There was the cold welcome I was expecting. Darren had apparently been satisfied with the verification of my arrival as well. “See you,” he said, also taking his leave but up the stairs.

“What’s she talking about?” Barrett asked, “Anyway, we should hit the gym again. Oh. We’ll have to wait for that but we can use the track—”

“Let the girl rest, Barrett,” Yara sang, “Gods know she needs it.”

His shoulders slumped. “Fine, I was just excited to hear what happened.”

“We’ll talk soon,” I said, “I just really need to change… and shower.”

He grimaced. That he seemed to agree with. After a few goodbyes, I was free to return to my room where my bed called to me. Opting for luxury and laziness, I waited for the elevator to get me.

Everything was just as I left it; sadly that included Tori’s mes sage in the carpet that made everything smell like a pantry. I dropped a towel over the mess to be vacuumed later. The only thing out of place was the small box pillowed in the middle of my duvet.

There was nothing on it, save for EXO’s logo of a wing. No name or card. I lifted it with skepticism at first, wondering who left it and why. It appeared opened and taped shut again; also suspicious. The seal was simple enough to tear. Inside, I found a silver container branded with another wing and circle.

A company gift? I continued my exploration of the weird box and found a black screen shaped similarly to the phones I’d seen everyone else use.

They trusted me with a phone now!

My grin reflected back at me from the glass. It came with set-up instructions, my own EXO profile verification codes, and a… bank account. Wildly curious, I started up the phone and did exactly what I was shown to do. It took a minute but eventually, I was able to create a login. My eyes widened.

I had money.

Ding!

And a new text message, apparently.

A random number lit up the screen with a tiny green envelope. I let my finger hover over the icon and read my new message. The person’s name had already been added to my contacts.

Guy -

Tori is very apologetic about the carpet

Hope you’re settled in

My smile grew.

Cute.

Not sure how he had my number already unless he was the one who left the phone. It wasn’t so different from using my old phone so I quickly typed a reply, only to realize I was recording audio instead, which definitely contained me giggling.

“Oh, shit?” I tried stopping the red glowing button and pressed send instead. “ Shit .”

Guy -

Need some help later?

“You…” I growled and carefully tapped the screen that time.

Yes.

Guy replied with the image of an upward thumb. I could al most picture his smug face but I was too happy to be mad for long. My fingers hovered over the keys, wanting to type out a proper “thank you” for all he’d done for me, but maybe “proper” couldn’t be done over text.

Something else was hidden in the box. I nearly missed it. My old phone. The one I thought I’d lost at Peter’s. Its thick brick shape dated itself next to my much newer device from EXO.

A note was stuck to it: Don’t do anything stupid.

I crumpled it up and turned the phone over. A large crack went across the screen from when I threw it at Peter’s wall. How many minutes did I have left on that thing? It turned on with half battery life; half more than when I’d lost it.

The first thing I hunted for were messages from Naomi. I gave the device a minute to catch up. The dinging was out of control, updating the many texts and calls I received in my absence.

Not one was from her.

Not a damn thing.

I did my best to ignore the sting. She couldn’t have sent me something ? Anything. A text from a different phone, even. I would’ve settled for a magical carrier pigeon, but no. All of my messages and calls had been from… Peter.

My heart stopped. I felt my tongue becoming dry like sand paper. Peter had been trying to reach me the whole time. Were the messages written with hate, demanding some sort of justice for what I’d done? Although, if Zak told him or his family about my placement in EXO, that might’ve satisfied them enough.

The texts played on my curious soul; the same curiosity that brought me to his room in the first place. I held my thumb over the power button until the screen went dark.

“I’m glad you’re alive,” I said to him, and to no one, before sitting on the floor.

It was for the best. I doubted I’d ever see Peter again, anyway. Having his messages stare me in the face sucked, but the guilt didn’t sink its claws in as deeply as before.

I knew what else was on that phone. Photos of life with Naomi. It would be like looking at a life I didn’t recognize anymore. Our pretend life that she’d seemingly given up on. All things that would hold me back and answer nothing.

Dragging my dirtied sleeve across my cheek, I picked myself back up. The rock I used to contact Naomi, and failed, still sat collecting dust on my desk. I took it, along with the old phone, and placed them both in the drawer.

It shut with a defining thud. I couldn’t wait around and hope any longer. She’d find me one day, or I’d find her. Maybe there was more to her absence, or the explanation was simple, and she wasn’t coming back. Until I knew, I had to keep moving forward.

Heaven knows what Hell had in store for me next.

THE END