Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice (Hell Dimension #4)

Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

C an you make an illusion of us in class? I think I found a way to get us our answers, but we need to be in class, I asked Trigger.

I didn’t understand his glare until he spoke. Yes, but I would have to stay out of whatever you’re doing, and I don’t like that. I want to have fun too. We don’t get to hunt like we used to.

It was my turn to glare. We need this advantage. If we get our answers, it could unlock all your powers, and we need that right now. Lucifer isn’t going to wait forever. I’m surprised three weeks have passed.

Fine. Whatever. His body was rigid and full of indignation. He looked like I just stole his favorite knife. If there was a way to take him, I would, but we needed to get this done. I was tired of playing Lucifer’s game.

I reached over and put my hand on his bouncing leg. We can do something just us two later.

He perked up and stop fidgeting. Okay. I know the perfect thing.

So, what are we doing? Kain asked, getting us back on track. His eagerness bled through the bond.

We’re going to break into the Headmasters office. We can teleport ? —

Magic that isn’t the Headmaster’s doesn’t work well there. If we tried it, the magic could backfire or send us to the dungeons. It’s why the souls in the buildings never go into the office. We also don’t have access, or I would have ? —

I have admittance, but we’ll have to go on foot. I can go on my own. I didn’t even get the word own all the way out before they were shouting at me, asking me if I was crazy. The bell rang, silencing all of us. We all got up on autopilot without them speaking, but the excitement was spiking around them as if firecrackers were floating off of their bodies. This could really help us. Lucifer hadn’t kept his throne over Hell for being a weak opponent.

The academy’s main building housed all the classes, a labyrinth of gray stone halls with dark carpeted floors. Some corridors boasted stone lockers and demon artwork, while others were bare. The decor seemed unnecessary when the building itself was constantly shifting. The souls in the walls reached out to Dex, eager for his affection like a loyal pet. They adored the Incubus and granted him access to magically hidden areas despite his lower power level. His charm even once made the walls and floors turn to jelly, preventing jealous students from chasing after him.

The souls tolerated me. They’d saved my life by teleporting me in a time of need, but also tried to kill me by opening large windows when I wasn’t paying attention so I would fall to my death. I was determined to get on its good side.

Not right now, though. I was too focused on the damn crowd of chatting demons around me. With all the people moving to their next class, it was deafening and claustrophobic. Despite my new powers, being surrounded like this still made me uneasy.

Dex noticed my discomfort and took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Kain was on my other side making sure no one touched me. Slowly, Trigger and Bones moved in front of me and Alaric behind me, guarding me from all sides. My smile just grew. I loved the fleshy shield they were creating, but my gut still churned.

What’s wrong? Trigger asked.

He was sneering at some girl who called out to him, trying to get his attention. I didn’t like the high-pitched flirty tone, so my wind—acting on its own accord, of course—slammed the girl into her locker. Her soft pink skin turned red with embarrassment as people turned and laughed. Her purple hair was in a braid and her tusks were shaven down, probably so she could fit in better on Earth. Most of us were snatched off the streets and brought here kicking and screaming.

Lucifer and the Light Soul Counsel decided that all demon blooded supernaturals needed to be in Hell. So, the Light Soul enforcers were actively using their advanced technology to search for demons. We ran hotter than other supernaturals, so unless we wanted to be stuck in an ice bath, it was hard to hide from thermal scanning drones.

Our next class, thankfully, wasn’t too far away, so the blue door came up on our right in less than a minute. I couldn’t show my discomfort or relief from getting away from the crowd. Demons may not look like they were watching, but if they saw weakness, they’d pounce. Their demons would demand they at least try to take out competitors.

The classroom was like all the others—stone walls adorned with graffiti and dark desks that had seen better days. I really hated this place. We settled in the back left corner. If Lilah or Vivian had been here, I would have chosen a seat by the window so they wouldn’t have to sit on the floor. One of my new rules as Queen was to stop the unnecessary mistreatment of slaves, like using them as footrests or making them eat on the ground.

Once Professor Blood comes in, can you start the illusion? We need to get to the office as soon as we can, I asked Trigger.

He growled and I could see the irritation written all over his face. I don’t like it, but yes. Come back as soon as you can. I can feed to strengthen my magic, but I can’t do it indefinitely.

Got it. We’ll be quick.

A few people glared at me or talked shit under their breath, but not loud enough for my mates to hear. It wasn’t anything new. I killed Nar. I was making change and punishing the really bad demons—which wasn’t what we were supposed to do. So, the hatred was a common thing. I still got called slave-hugger on the daily, but I couldn’t care less.

The moment the professor’s pale vampire form appeared at the door a wash of magic ran over me. The sensation was like sparkling water hitting my skin. A shimmer appeared around us. I still could see out of it, but it was like looking in a mirror at a fun house. It warped my vision.

Go. The sooner you’re gone, the easier it’ll be for me. I made it so you’re invisible, but it won’t last long. This shit is like trying to separate blood and dirt.

I got up and ran to the door, keeping my eyes on the vampire I knew would be a threat if he caught us. He could feed off us or kill us for this. Simple things like ditching were met with deadly force in Hell. The only thing on our side would be our power level. Everyone had to respect power.

Professor Blood glanced at the door as we were stepping out of it, but it was left open, and his eyes told him no one was there.

We didn’t waste time. Our feet hitting the floor were loud, but we didn’t slow down. I sent air around us to muffle the noise, but even if someone glanced out of their classrooms, they wouldn’t see anything.

With adrenaline coursing through me, I pushed even harder. The office wasn’t far, but we had to go downstairs and through a long hallway. Both places were wide open, so anyone could catch us.

The stairs wouldn’t be a problem, though. Jump off the ledge when we get to the stairs.

Are you sure? Healing would take too much time.

I grabbed Dex’s hand, his presence a reassuring anchor in the chaos. He was the only one among us who didn’t have a defensive advantage—Alaric had his animal and vampiric sides, Bones wielded his air magic, and Kain commanded shadows for support. As a Sex Demon, Dex could bring people to their knees but lacked elemental control or spellcasting abilities.

With my free hand, I used it to leap over the railing, taking Dex with me. There was no fear in the bond, so it just gave me more confidence. My air magic slowed our fall, and we landed gently on the ground.

Bones landed beside me with Kain holding his hand. I winked at Bones, loving that I shared my dark-fae side with him. He didn’t have access to all the elements, but wind and water were good ones to have. His piercing deep-blue eyes and slightly crooked nose were comforting. I wanted him to wrap me in his tattooed muscular arms and never let go.

Not wasting any time, once Alaric had reached us not even a second later, we bolted for the office. About thirty seconds. Wherever you are, make sure you’re not outside. I saw a gargoyle fly by earlier, Trigger warned us. He already sounded drained. I hoped he was okay.

Gargoyles were one of the new protections we had at the academy, but if they saw us, he’d report our ditching to the Headmaster. Thankfully, we didn’t need to go outside. We ran through the corridor and down the hall that would lead us to the office. I was counting in my head, but I might be off. There was too much adrenaline pumping through me.

Mrs. Bee had been on vacation for a week, so her desk out front was empty. I was at five when the magic disappeared from my skin, and I knew people could see us if they glanced down the hall. There were no places to hide.

I don’t sense any magic alarms. Bones told me before I could ask. Good. A few more steps and my hand was on the doorknob. We made it inside, shutting the massive oak door behind us.

I called fire to my hand and a ball appeared eagerly. We made it.

I switched my focus on the bond to Kain. We could all hear the conversations still, but Kain would know I was directing my words to him. It was like me putting a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. Have Smokey or any other beast be our look out. We need to know if anyone is coming before they make it to the hallway.

His light blue eyes were striking in the darkness. I was going to do that, but I’m glad you had the sense to use my abilities.

Rolling my eyes and shaking my head, I moved over to the Headmaster’s desk. An ‘okay’ or ‘gotcha’ would have worked. Even if you know what you’re doing I’m going to voice the things I’m worried about because if I don’t and we get caught, I’ll feel fucking stupid.

Can mom and dad fight at home, please? Dex’s voice got me to calm down.

You’re right, sorry. Fan out and search. Try not to make a mess. We need to keep it clean just in case we need to leave in a hurry. I didn’t know what the Headmaster would do if we got caught. There was a lot of magic keeping his lips sealed, so it might force him to punish us as well for all I knew. I wasn’t taking any chances.

Papers, books, and everything else in the gothic-styled office moved as we searched. I scanned through his files, but, surprisingly, there weren’t many. I found the rules to the Night Duty, that we couldn’t tell anyone about unless they asked. Lucifer loved his mind games. Another paper granted Mrs. Bee the freedom to use the office as her torture chamber since it was the only place besides the gym that could change.

It may look like an office right now, but when I first arrived it was a little girl’s room with jars of body parts and blood spatter. Perfect to flare up my childhood nightmares. The magic in the room sensed my fear. Most little demons feared Lamia.

Her little riddle played in my head as I searched. ‘ Lamia is watching. Her eyes are dark and hungry. Her rooms are bright and funny. Beware of her smile because it hides sharp teeth that go on for miles. Don’t trust the light, for she might be pretty, but she’ll kill you without even a fight. So, be good because she sneaks into bad kids’ rooms late at night.

Will you stop repeating that? I’m full of anxiety as it is. Dex whined in my head. I instinctively started to close the bond, but before I could Kain’s growl made me leave it open.

Sorry. I whispered.

I got his spell book. Bones said as he picked me up so he could take my chair, and I could sit in his lap. Kain came over, but I asked the other two to keep looking just in case. I did the same thing. When you bend over like that on my lap, I can’t think of anything else.

I shook my head but didn’t glance his way. Well, you’re the one that stole my chair and put me here. I’m almost done with the drawers.

A loud smack sounded behind me—I would bet my left kidney it was Kain hitting Bones in the back of the head. It was reassuring to have the brothers on my side again. Even when they didn’t mean to, they always made my life a little better.

There was a paper about the orb that the Headmaster used on every new student, so Lucifer could know what kind of demons were at his academy. That was why Lucifer tortured the Headmaster when he found out about me, because he hadn’t used the orb. Well, he did, but he smacked it out of my hands before it could transmit the information to Lucifer.

Thank goodness—I’d have been in deep trouble otherwise. In the short time I’d been in Hell, I’d built alliances and connections that would help me in the fight against Lucifer. When I first arrived, all I had was a backpack and a terrified Lilah.

Another paper was an agreement with the Light Council that only a key from both dark and light could open the gate for a student who wasn’t working for the Headmaster. It talked about a spell but didn’t give any information about it. Stupid paper. I put it back with a grunt.

He’s got a lot of good shit in this book. I’ll read some off. Copy them down Trigger. I’ll try to take a picture, but who knows if the magic will let me. He hesitated before continuing, pulling on my tether to the bond. If that’s okay with you.

I took a sharp breath and glanced at him. Didn’t he just give me the authority? Mister Control Freak? I smiled, which only made him scowl, but I wasn’t about to tease him. It was progress.

Yes. That’s a great idea. I turned back to the drawers.

Aw. Mom and dad are getting along, Dex said, making Trigger snort. It felt great to still have him here, even if his body wasn’t. I must have said that through where they could hear me because they all mummed through my body sending me warmth through the cords that bound us. My cheeks heated.

I shook my head and focused on the task, ignoring the spells Kain read to Trigger. It was difficult, but the bond was essentially a group chat that was using my brain as the phone linking everyone. I had to focus on not projecting my thoughts, but keeping the link open, but not too open, so we all didn’t hear each other’s every single thought. It was fucking exhausting. Again, Dex sent me calming waves through the bond, making my shoulders droop.

I was about to sift through a few more papers when Bones’ voice halted me.

“I think I found it.”