Runaway Mortal (5 page)

“Her insubordination is anything but colorful.” The angel eyed me like I was last night’s trash that hadn’t been taken out, before continuing. “We don’t need mortals running around all over the country while we waste expensive resources on them. They are given privileges and they abuse them. Someone like her should be put down.”

My ears burned. Put
down
? He spoke about me like I was a wild animal.

Delware’s jaw tensed at his words. “The death penalty seems too severe for someone so young, Parla Hampton.”

Oh. So, this old dude was a Parla, a member of Parlum. Now it made sense why the SRECON agents had bowed.

Parlum was made up of twelve Parlas and thirty-eight representatives who made the laws for the supernatural world. The representatives were important people from the supernatural community. To date there had only been a mortal representative in Parlum—like I’d said, mortals were at the bottom of the supernatural hierarchy.

“She killed someone, Troitan,” the Parla said, fixing Delware with a steel gaze. “A very powerful angel, of all people. We must make an example of her.”

Delware looked like he was fighting several emotions at once. I knew he would never allow anything bad to happen to me.

“What proof do you have that I was the one who killed her?” I demanded. This old dude was pissing me off.

The Parla’s upper lip curled in contempt. “Are you denying that you were the one who committed this atrocious crime?”

“I’ve always said I was innocent!” His accusations were frustrating me. Weren’t Parlas supposed to be objective? “I’m not the one you should’ve been looking for!”

“Then why were you seen arguing with the Headmistress mere hours before her death? How did it so happen that you were the first one to find her body? You have no alibi as to your whereabouts of that night, and you ran away from school days after you were named a suspect.” The Parla sounded smug as he recited all this. “Why should I believe in your innocence?”

I met his apathetic expression with fierceness. “What did I kill her with? Did you ever find a murder weapon that linked me to her death? Were my prints on her body? What possible reason would I have to kill her?”

“Whatever you were arguing with the Headmistress about is the reason you killed her.” Parla Hampton
said this like he was Sherlock friggin’ Holmes and had figured out a great mystery. “You have yet to disclose the nature of your argument for us to verify.”

I was so angry that I actually stamped my foot. “How can you verify what the conversation was about if the only other person involved in it is dead?”

The Parla’s expression returned to lemon-sucking sour. “Don’t get smart with me, mortal.” His voice dripped with disdain. “Believe me, I am only looking for an excuse to show you what happens to troublesome mortals like you.”

His threat made me queasy. There were nasty stories out there that mortals found guilty of crimes were tortured mercilessly, but I’d always hoped they were only rumors.

I tried to push my fear away as I spoke. “I’m telling you I didn’t do it. Why don’t you get a telepathic angel to check if I’m lying or not?” I looked at Veritas pointedly.

“Why would I want to waste any more valuable resources on you?” Parla Hampton glared at me. “Besides, don’t think I didn’t hear about your little trick with the angel hair. How dare you use the precious gift that God has given us against another heavenly being?”

Every word that came out of his mouth was pushing me closer and closer to losing the weak grip that I had on my self-control. “How can you be a heavenly being if you were born on earth? Doesn’t that make you the same as me?”

Parla Hampton’s face turned purple and I suddenly felt my insides constrict painfully. Clutching my chest, I sank to my knees in agony, gasping for air. It felt like someone was squeezing my insides with an iron fist.

The pain was excruciating, like a thousand hot needles were piercing every part of me. I screamed over and over again for it to stop—the circulation was being cut off throughout my entire body. I just wanted it to stop. Please, let it stop.

“I think you have made your point, Parla Hampton.” Delware’s voice sounded distant.

The painful sensation ended abruptly, and I rolled onto my back, struggling to regain my breathing. I took large gulps of air, welcoming it into my lungs.

It was now clear that Parla Hampton was a very powerful healer who could take life just as easily as he could give it. Vengeance filled my body and I wanted so badly to do to him what he had done to me.

“That will teach you to disrespect me, you filthy mortal,” he said in a tone closer to a snarl. It defied all logic and reasoning that this man could be an angel.

No one in the room said anything. No one intervened. Parlas held too much power and no one was allowed to question them. It was messed up.

Black dots danced before my eyes, and I shut them to stop my head from spinning. The pain was slowly leaving my body but the anger remained. I had never felt so much hatred towards anyone the way I did for Parla Hampton right now.

“I know you have your doubts, but Katerina possesses excellent abilities in martial arts and stealth,” Delware said in my defense. “She has also expressed a desire to enrol in Academia to train as a SRECON agent. With such a small number of mortals in the world, she is a commodity we cannot afford to lose.”

“As far as I am concerned, there are already far too many of them.”

His words made my blood boil, and I fought the temptation to kick him in the knee caps. If SRECON hadn’t taken my wakizashi, I would’ve whooped his wrinkly ass by now.

“Katerina has also maintained that she is innocent and I find it highly unlikely that a seventeen-year-old girl bested a hundred-year-old angel. The evidence surrounding Katerina is circumstantial and there is no solid proof linking her to Avangelista’s death,” Delware reasoned.

“What do you suggest, Troitan? That we let her off all the charges? That is ludicrous and I will have no part in it. I want this girl charged for Ava’s murder.”

“All I’m saying is that we should investigate further into Avangelista’s death and keep Katerina as a suspect. I believe we should exhaust all possible leads before putting a child on trial.”

There were a few moments of silence, and I knew that the Parla was considering Delware’s words. He finally sighed and I opened my eyes to find him glaring down at me. “Very well, we will explore other avenues, but I am giving it six months. If anything substantial isn’t uncovered by then I will happily present her in front of Parlum.”

Delware bowed his head. “I understand, Parla Hampton.”

“And I want her punished severely for running away. I will not tolerate this kind of disobedience ever again.”

“I will see to it that she is punished accordingly.”

The Parla shot me a final look of contempt before glaring at Delware pointedly and striding out of the room without another word.

There was silence as Delware walked over to me and helped me to my feet. He placed his hands on my shoulders and studied me with a small smile on his face, his hazel-green eyes soaking me in.

“How are you, my dear?” he asked with affection in his voice.

I swallowed, realizing how dry my throat was. “I’m fine.”

“I am sorry you did not have a better reception.” Delware released his hold on me. “Once Parlum heard of your capture, Parla Hampton insisted on being here to meet you.”

My voice was steely when I spoke. “How can someone like that be making decisions about my future? He’s disgusting.”

Delware’s eyes filled with concern and he turned and gazed at his desk. “Do not dwell on that, Katerina. Just be glad you are back home and safe. I know Misha is desperate to see you, as is Anna.”

My insides filled with warmth at the mention of my friends. I couldn’t wait to see them and tell them everything that had transpired on the outside. They completed me in a way I couldn’t explain.

“What’s going to happen to me now?” I wondered aloud.

Delware turned back to me with a tight smile. “I think it is best if you try and return to things as normal. Focus on school and let us figure out the rest.”

“But the Parla said I would go on trial if-”

“Let’s not think about that for the time being. You were given a free pass, Katerina. Do not mess it up,” he said, looking like the disciplinarian that he was. “I expect you to catch up on all the work you have missed in the last month.”

I let out a groan. Catching up on a month’s worth of school work wasn’t exactly what I had in mind upon my grand return. “I guess so,” I said reluctantly.

“I also expect you to abide by the rules. Do not give me a reason to discipline you further. You cannot leave the academy again. If you do, I will have to expel you, or hand you over to Parlum. I am sure they would be more than happy to fast track your trial.”

“Okay, got it. Mimic Anna,” I said with another nod. “Anything else?”

“Not quite,” he said and looked towards the SRECON agents. “I have decided to station the SRECON agents, Loire Beaumont, Veritas Driftwood, and Tyrone Warbeck here so they can keep an eye on you.”

My eyebrows shot up and I shook my head as I thought about having to spend more time with Loire. I still hadn’t forgiven him for fooling me.

“I don’t need them to keep an eye out on me. I told you I would behave.”

“It can’t hurt to have a little insurance, can it?”

Insurance. I wasn’t sure I liked that word.

Chapter Five

Have you ever had an outer body experience where you felt like you weren’t really there?

That was exactly how I felt as we walked along the dark and silent corridors to my room with Veritas and Loire leading and Tyrone bringing up the rear again.

It was like I was there, but not completely. I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that had happened in the last six hours. I’d been in Wellton, I’d been ambushed, I’d escaped, I’d finally found the witch, and I’d been dealt a prophecy.

Now I was back at school again with nothing but more questions and a burning desire to squish Parla Hampton like a bug. That guy was such a douchebag.

Like always, lamps had been lit along the corridors, casting long shadows across the floors and walls. We cut across a simple courtyard and entered the Unity Dorms where my room was located on the third floor. Unity was a girls’ dorm, but its name had come about from being the only dorm where different races were allowed to live together. I shared my dorm with Misha.

Unity had the cheapest looking rooms and worst décor out of all the dorms as though they were trying to discourage races from mixing. The four other dorms were named after distinguished historical figures, none of them human. It was just one of the many reminders that angels and demons were supposedly superior to us.

Aside from a few exceptions, angels, demons, and mortals tended to have friendships within their own races. Befriending someone from another race was frowned upon, let alone dating someone from another race. It was strictly forbidden for angels and demons to engage in a sexual relationship or to have offspring. Breaking that law was punishable by death.

We traipsed up two flights of stairs before finally arriving outside my door. A wave of exhaustion hit me, and I slumped against the railing of the balcony that wound around the outside of the dorms. Unity wasn’t enclosed like the rest of the buildings and reminded me of the layout of a cheap motel.

Meanwhile, Veritas was giving out instructions to Loire and Tyrone in a low tone, but not low enough for my advanced hearing. “I will take the first watch and then we will rotate shifts on an eight-hour basis. Contact with her must be minimal and you must not leave her under any circumstances. Do you understand?” She shot Tyrone a pointed look.

Tyrone, for some reason, looked annoyed. “Sure,
Veritassen
, whatever you say.” He gave her a meaningful look and joined me at the railing, crossing his arms against his chest. I wondered what was up with him.

Veritassen? Was that an STI?

Veritas’ face flushed as she continued to speak. “You can take second watch if that suits you, Loire. Tyrone, you can start your shift at four in the afternoon.” Her voice was unsteady as she spoke and I suddenly got the feeling that something was bothering her.

“Not a problem,” Loire said and a fleeting look passed between the two of them. The intimacy between them made me feel awkward, especially since I’d really thought Loire and I had shared a moment in the bar.

Loire caught my eye and smirked as though he sensed what I was feeling. I knew he wasn’t telepathic the way Veritas was, but I hated how he seemed to know what I was thinking. He didn’t say anything to me as he left, which for some reason irritated me.

“See you later, serial killer,” Tyrone said with a grin. He pointedly ignored Veritas and jogged to catch up with Loire.

I actually laughed at his parting words before turning back to Veritas. There was something about Tyrone that I really liked—corn dog casualty aside. If we had met under different circumstances, I knew we would be friends.

Veritas was already opening up my door and I hurried in after her, annoyed that she got to see my room before I did. Everything was as it had been before I’d left. My band posters were on the wall on my side of the room, there was a collection of CD’s sitting on the window sill, and my clothes were still strewn across the floor.

Misha’s side of the room was unchanged and just as unkempt as mine. We had been roommates since our first year at Esteré Academy and had a mutual understanding about messiness.

Breathing in the musky scent of my dorm, I happily plopped down on my bed and admired the ugly, olive carpet. I had always hated that carpet, but strangely enough today I thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

Veritas was walking around the room, glancing out the window, opening up the door that led to the private bathroom, and peering into the built-in closet. When she seemed satisfied that she had thoroughly secured the room, she positioned herself by the door, resembling a stiff, marble statue.

“Where’s Misha?” I asked, kicking off my shoes and sitting cross-legged on the bed.

“She has been moved to another room for tonight to allow you transitioning time. She will be allowed back tomorrow.”

Feeling dejected, I took in the room once more. I’d really been looking forward to at least seeing Misha tonight. Since Anna lived in the girls’ angel dorm, I knew I wouldn’t see her until later anyway, but the room wasn’t the same without Misha. I wonder if she’d felt this way when I’d been gone.

Not wanting Veritas to focus on my thoughts for too long, I flashed her a broad smile. “When you and I first met I never thought we’d become roomies so quickly.”

Veritas glared at me. “It was never my intention to share a room with you, but I must obey all orders given to me by my client.”

“If I could pronounce your name, I’d console you.”

“You know my name,” she said in a steady voice, like she was speaking to an insolent child. “It is Veritas.”

I shrugged like this was news to me. “That’s not what Tyrone called you.”

Her expression grew fierce and she looked like she was struggling with a multitude of emotions. Finally, she seemed to get herself under control. “Tyrone was referring to me by my full name, Veritassen. I prefer to be called Veritas.”

Sitting up straighter, I leaned forward. “Tyrone seemed pretty pissed at you earlier. Is it because you’re so uptight?”

“What Tyrone thinks of me is not my concern,” she said vehemently, her blue eyes growing strangely dark. “I am the leader of the triad and it is his responsibility to follow my orders, and I do not think it is appropriate for him to be friendly towards an alleged murderer.”

I should’ve been offended by her description of me, but I was suddenly more intrigued by something else she had said.

“You’re the leader of the triad? What does that mean?”

“You are clearly not much of an academic, are you?” Veritas shoulders relaxed a little. “All SRECON agents are put into groups of three known as a triad. A leader is appointed within the triad who gives out orders and devises strategies for the triad.”

Now it hit me why the word ‘triad’ had seemed familiar when Valeska had first mentioned the legend. The word had probably been used throughout the centuries and now had a modern meaning unrelated to the legend.

“Why are you so interested?” Veritas asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

At this point, if I coughed she’d probably be suspicious, but this was something I didn’t want her being suspicious about.

“No reason.” I undid my hair out of its ponytail and gave it a sniff. I really needed a shower, but I was too tired to bother with one tonight. “It just explains why you guys did such a sucky job of capturing me; you were the mastermind behind it.”

Veritas must have possessed amazing self-control because she didn’t bat an eye. I had to hand it to her; she knew how to look beautiful and angry at the same time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I studied her. She was the picture-perfect angel with her loose, blonde curls and large, blue eyes. Not to mention her perfect, tan complexion and slim, yet curvy body. She wasn’t quite as tall as me, but she easily put me to shame on my best day.

“Are you going to stand there all night?” I asked with a yawn.

“Of course,” Veritas replied, barely moving her facial muscles.

“That’s kind of creepy.” Glancing at her lazily, I took off my trench coat before crawling under the covers and pulling them up to my chin to keep out the cold. My toes peeked out from the bottom of the quilt and I tried to position myself so that it covered all 5’7” of me.

My jeans weren’t the most comfortable clothes to sleep in, but I couldn’t be bothered digging around in my closet to find my pajamas. At least I didn’t have my wakizashi digging into my back. I wondered what they were going to do with it.

Veritas turned her head in my direction. “You will receive your belongings after they have been quarantined.”

I winced, quickly remembering that Veritas was a telepath and that once again I had let my guard down. She was probably monitoring my every thought, trying to determine whether or not I was guilty.

“Quarantine? It’s not like I brought back an infectious disease or something.”

I knew Veritas would never admit it, but I could swear that the edge of her lips slightly curved into a smile. “You can never be too sure about these things, can you?”

She looked away from me, but there was a glint in her eye which hadn’t been there previously. Maybe angels did have a sense of humor after all.

Grumbling, I turned over and soundlessly asked Veritas to turn off the light which she immediately complied with.

***

I had been dreaming about a dark path lit by floating lanterns. I was looking for someone. They had something I wanted. I just had to figure out how to get it.

I was so confused—there was broken glass and sand swirling all around me, melding into one so I couldn’t tell where I was anymore.

Somewhere a door slammed shut resoundingly and I jerked awake, reaching for my wakizashi on instinct. It took me a few seconds to realize that I was reaching in vain. Those damn SRECON agents had confiscated it from me.

As my eyes began to focus, I noticed Loire leaning against my door, breathing heavily like he had just run up several flights of stairs. Considering I lived on the third floor, that was a possibility. His face was pinched, making his usual handsome features look strange.

“Did you get into a boxing match with Veritas on your way here?” I wondered aloud.

Loire seemed uneasy as he glanced up, but he quickly straightened up. “How’d you know?”

I shrugged, crawling out from under the covers. “I probably would’ve tried to knock her out too if I met her in a deserted corridor.”

“Good luck with that.” Loire snorted and approached my bed with an outstretched hand. It took me a second to register what he was giving me.

“My backpack!” I exclaimed, grabbing it from him and rifling through it to make sure everything was there. My enthusiasm quickly diminished when I realized what was missing. “Where’s my wakizashi?”

“You don’t need it,” Loire said a matter-of-factly. “Unless you plan on taking one of us out.”

“Well, it sounds mighty tempting when it comes to Very Tassels,” I said stroking my chin like a comical villain.

“Veri
tassen
,” he corrected.

“Meh,” I said with a wave of my hand. “Either way, what if Hell Hunters invade the school and I need to protect myself? You guys are pretty sucky SRECON agents.”

Hell Hunters were our enemies. They were deadly, power-hungry, and would not hesitate to kill you if you got in their way. What made it worse was that anyone could be a Hell Hunter. They recruited demons, mortals, humans, and on the rare occasion, angels.

“If that did ever happen, chances are the only damage you’d do is knock yourself out. Then again, it
would
make my life a hell of a lot easier if you were unconscious for most of it.” Loire gave me a lazy smirk.

“You do realize that I’m one of the best fighters in my class?” I became distracted as a lock of hair fell into his eyes. For a split second, I wanted to reach out and push it away, but mentally slapped myself instead. I did not need to be checking him out.

“Is that supposed to impress me?” Loire asked, pushing the strand of hair off his forehead as if he’d heard my thoughts. “Because it’s not working.”

“You’re an ass,” I muttered darkly.

Trying my best not to let him get to me, I began heading to the bathroom to freshen up. However, Loire took a step toward me and held out an arm, stopping me in my tracks.

“What do you want?” I demanded, my temper getting the better of me. I was tired, I was hungry, and I needed a shower. Loire’s jerkiness was worsening my mood.

His expression turned serious and he leaned in so close that I could see where the blue in his eyes turned to grey. I forgot how to breathe when he licked his lips.

“I need to tell you something.” His brow furrowed and despite my better judgement, my stomach fluttered.

Damn, traitorous stomach flutters.

“What?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You,” he said, leaning towards me, “smell like skunk droppings.” He scrunched up his nose and stepped back, a smile spreading across his face.

Just like that, the spell between us broke and I shot him my best withering look. He headed towards the door and stopped, turning to look at me with that irritating grin still plastered across his face. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone.”