Abnormals underground 01.., p.53
abnormals underground 01 - one to five, page 53
"You were mentally in Death's underworld," I said. "We'll talk about it later." I got up. I felt okay even though I had a slight upset stomach from accidentally ingesting some of Thoreau's blood. I hadn't actually been out for too long. Plenty of strength coursed through me. I had done the most terrible thing I could have done in front of Mom. I had fed in front of her. It was the same as waving and saying goodbye to her and Normal life for good. I had finished the tear between me and her.
Mom sure wasn't here, I noticed. I sniffed but the scent of a fudge sundae was nowhere. It was like a fading dream.
It was the test that Death wanted me to pass.
I had to accept that my Normal life was gone. It was all I had to do and now a piece of Death had awoken inside of me.
I turned to Trish. "What happened to my mother?" Mom might be utterly terrified of me now after witnessing what I'd done, but I had to know. I still didn't want anything bad to happen to her.
Trish cleared her throat. "I don't know," she said. "Your mother ran. I let her because I had to get you in into another car. The woman was so terrified of us even after we rescued her. There are some Normals that you can't reach and I'm sorry that you got stuck with that one. I've seen it happen so many times. I can see why you were an Imposter at first."
"Thanks," I said. I hated this. As Xavier stood up next to me, I stalked over to a pile of hay and sat down, running my hands over my pant legs. Even Janine stayed away. It was as if everyone could sense that I didn't want to be hugged right now. I didn't feel any different...but I hadn't when Thoreau had woken up Gaozu's fire magic inside of me, either. Something had changed. The green glow I'd experienced told me that. I wondered if I would learn exactly what my new abilities were in a fight.
The thought almost made me not want to fight.
And now, how could I go on without my biggest hope?
Xavier walked over and sat down next to me. "What exactly did you have to do to cure me?" he asked. He was so understanding. His blue and magenta eyes were perfect without a trace of that darkness. Brighter now, even. Less tormented.
In a low voice, I told him. While I spoke, the others left the room and gave us some privacy. It was unspoken that it was the right thing to do and I was glad for it.
"I gave up ever having a Normal life again," I finished. "I accepted Death. Why does it hurt so much?"
"Because death always hurts, even if what comes after it is so much better," Xavier said. "Hey. I think I said something wise for the first time in my life."
"What do you mean, so much better?" I asked.
"You have all of us." Xavier smiled and this time, it was without strain. I could sense a difference in him already. The dark cloud surrounding him, ready to strike him with lightning whenever it wanted, was gone. His faint, old mark was still there underneath his crossed swords, but our bond had saved him. I had the feeling that things would be different between us now.
Maybe.
"All of you," I repeated.
"Yes. All of us. Family doesn't have to be biological. I think Trish is starting to like you a lot more now."
"But it hurts to be rejected by your mother." I would think about her screams for the rest of my life, her horror when I had bitten into Leon's neck to save both her and Trish. I would never get over that, ever.
"I might know some things about rejection," Xavier said. "Please, Alyssa. Stick with me. I'm sorry I yelled at you all those times. I just wish you hadn't brought yourself any closer to being what Thoreau wants. You don't seem any different right now, though. I'm not sure what waking up a part of Death is going to do to you."
"I feel okay. Except for the green explosion behind my eyelids that happened back in the house, I'm fine. And this helped you, Xavier. Neither one of us have to fear Shadow Wraiths ever again. That gives us an advantage, doesn't it?"
"Not if they can send us to the Underworld," Xavier pointed out.
"True," I said. "I guess there are two pieces left to go inside of me. Three are already here. Russell Fox and Gaozu and now Death made sure of that." The fourth piece was full access to a Lovelli's powerful War Magic and the fifth was--what? "I suppose it's really a good idea not to bite you now."
"Not unless it's life or death," Xavier agreed. "I shouldn't have pushed you to do it. We have to be extra careful from now on. I didn't realize things would get this bad. I promise that I won't do it anymore."
I wasn't sure I liked the way he said that. I had removed one barrier between Xavier and I--the Shadow Sickness--but there was still another wall, one that was even more forbidden now that I had used up another chance to stop myself from falling into Thoreau's trap. I felt like Xavier was putting up a protective barrier between us both, one that was made of emotions instead of magic.
"Thank you," I said over the lump in my throat. I wasn't sure if I could resist. I had almost bitten Xavier before and I wasn't sure if I could stop myself from doing it again. It was the one thing I had control over and I was going to hold onto that for as long as I could. The world depended on it.
Xavier leaned towards me and my heart leapt. He came closer...closer...
...and got up at the last second and extended a hand towards me.
I tried not to let the disappointment show as I took his hand and let him guide me across Thorne's dojo. "Do you know what?" Xavier asked. "Let's go find some of Thoreau's minions and we'll see what's changed."
Chapter One
I really hated the Elder War Mages.
They were the most pompous, ego-filled people in the world with the possible exception of Normal politicians. Every time they got together, they puffed out their chests and acted all-important. That was probably because they ruled over most other Abnormals and had some of the most powerful magic in the world.
This meeting that Xavier and I were spying on was no different.
We were hiding out on a dark balcony in Xavier's underground mansion, which was where the Elders liked to hang out in style. A normal meeting hall wasn't good enough for them, Xavier said. They always had to meet at each others' grand estates. I suspected it was because they didn't want other Abnormals—even other Mages—to see how they really lived. Xavier's family sported a fancy meeting hall complete with chandeliers, an indoor waterfall and classical music playing out of ceiling speakers. It was especially loud up here on the balcony, but there was no other way we'd be able to listen without getting caught. Below, twelve purple-robed Elders sat at a long table, enjoying an equally fancy dinner. What was this? A luxury cruise?
Next to me, I sensed Xavier shaking his head in disgust. This sort of thing made him ashamed to be a War Mage but we had to see what they were going to decide next. Everything depended on it.
It was only a few days since my last encounter with Thoreau and since I had been forced to bite the Leon/Thoreau hybrid in front of my mother, forever freaking her out and closing her off from me. It had only been a few days since a piece of Death, my distant ancestor, had woken up inside of me, leaving me with some kind of new power that I hadn't even discovered yet. It had done its job of protecting Xavier from becoming a Shadow Wraith and that was good enough. If I didn't ever learn any more about the power that came from Death, or kept it suppressed somehow, I would be happy.
The problem was, I couldn't keep things suppressed forever.
Not my thirst for blood and not my new fire magic, which made some types of Abnormals burn from the inside out when I stabbed them.
I had the fear that my new death magic would be like that or worse.
And worst of all, during these last few days, Xavier and I had failed to convince anyone that Leon was back to life, now merged with Thoreau. We both knew what a danger this was. Thoreau now had access to War Magic, the only type that could kill demons. He still had his full demon baron powers. He had died once and come back. With Death herself at his side, it seemed like nothing could kill him.
Now that Leon was merged with him, Thoreau might know where the Underground was located and how to get here.
Anyway, the meeting.
It was as if Thanksgiving was happening today. Three different turkeys rested on the table along with all the staples. I could smell the food as the Elders all absorbed it into their blood. It mixed in with the wood smoke scent that all War Mages gave off. My stomach growled and I feared that even the Mages with their human hearing would detect it. But we were hidden up here in the dark. Earlier that day, I had overheard the Elders talking about keeping all entrances locked to their meeting so that us kids couldn't get in and interrupt again, thinking we were all wise and stuff. Liliana, Xavier's younger sister, had placed a penny in the lock of the balcony door for us so we could get in. It allowed us easy, silent entry at the start of the meeting.
The talking didn't start for a while. The Elders took their time enjoying their five-star meal. We waited and waited as the blood of the Elders smelled stronger and stronger. I wanted to leap down there and bite one of them, any of them, even if they all looked old and frail. The youngest must be about seventy, a woman who had come from Nigeria during Leon's funeral and stayed here in Cumberland when the danger of Thoreau escalated. I had some respect for her. She had made fun of Leon during his funeral which was something he deserved.
Today, the Elders would decide for sure who would be the new leader of Cumberland and Xavier's Aunt Primrose was hoping to get the spot. She was Leon's favorite daughter, after all, and also didn't believe us about Leon coming back. To her, Xavier was just a pest.
Aunt Primose sat in the chair at the side of the room, tucked into a corner like she was a sack of potatoes that everyone had forgotten about. She hadn't even gotten any food. Nora, the Lovellis' Normal maid, picked up used plates and shuffled in and out of the room with them, going through the main double doors. She had bags under her eyes. Aunt Primose had been working her to death lately.
One of the Elders, Thurton, was eating very slowly and making everyone wait on him. He was a hunched old man with severe wrinkles and a glare that rivaled Leon's. He was the scariest Elder down there and everyone knew.
He had also nearly roasted Xavier and I when we interrupted the last meeting.
Worse, he was also secretly working with Thoreau, trying to betray the Underground in exchange for lengthening his own life. His plan hadn't worked thanks to us, but the danger wasn't over. It was this reason that Xavier and I were keeping a close eye on him. We had to do something about him before he really did succeed in betraying the Underground. Elder War Mages were all close to death and they knew. The worst ones were willing to do anything to stay alive and in power.
“They make me ashamed to be a War Mage,” Xavier whispered. Thankfully, we were pretty high up.
I sniffed again. Xavier carried the scent of wood smoke like always, but it was weaker than normal. Since he'd been cured of Shadow Sickness, he vowed that I should never bite him after all—I would become much closer to what Thoreau wanted if I did—and he had taken on a new disturbing habit of not eating when he was going to be around me. A human who hadn't eaten in a while had very little scent in their blood and was less tempting. Xavier knew that if he didn't smell good to me, it was less likely that I would lose control and bite him. I had almost done so more than once.
“I know,” I said, sidestepping closer to him. “They're taking forever.”
Far below, Aunt Primrose shifted in her chair again. She was nervous. I could smell the adrenaline in her blood which was always metallic. I could smell fear.
At last, Thurton finished his meal and pushed his plate away. The old man shifted his glare to the double doors of the meeting hall, waiting impatiently for Nora to return. He began to drum his fingers on the table.
“If you ever become like that, I'm biting you after all,” I joked to Xavier.
“I won't,” he promised. “Don't kid about that, please.”
“So now we've reversed places,” I said. Xavier used to joke with me about my condition. Now I was trying to make light of it, mainly because no one else did anymore. It was the only way I could feel even remotely better about it. Xavier's attitude was different since I had cured him of Shadow Sickness. He didn't ask me to bite him anymore now that I was one step closer to becoming Thoreau's Dark Pentagram, the being that was supposed to merge Earth with the Infernal Dimension and help him bring about the end of the world.
And now that he was just as scared of that as I was, he had become more distant. I had thought that clearing the Shadow Sickness would bring us closer together, but I had been wrong. My waking up Death inside of me had only made things worse. Sure, Xavier's bad moods were gone, but there was something distant and gray in their place.
“I am finished,” Thurton said from below, his raspy voice echoing through the room. “Where is the maid?”
Aunt Primrose cleared her throat. I didn't like Xavier's aunt one bit, mainly because she treated him with zero respect and considered him to be the shame of the family. “She is taking care of the other dishes,” she said.
“Take my plate,” Thurton ordered.
Aunt Primrose's cheeks flushed with humiliation. Even the other Elder War Mages shifted with discomfort. I could see why Thoreau had chosen this guy to work with him. They had to be best buds.
“Take my plate,” Thurton repeated, pointing down at some crumbs he had left in the center. He turned to face her and his purple robes whispered as he did so. “Now.”
Aunt Primrose got up and shuffled over, cheeks still burning. She looked down and took Thurton's plate, then left the room with it.
I could see Xavier smiling out of the corner of my vision. “I wish I had a camera,” he said to the air.
“I'll remember it for you,” I said, but Xavier didn't respond.
Aunt Primose returned a few minutes later. She probably had to figure out where the sink was, since a person like her wasn't used to doing anything for herself. She shuffled in without speaking. Thurton didn't look at her. It was clear that he had a very low opinion of everyone who wasn't himself, even other War Mages. I had the feeling this meeting to elect a new leader of Cumberland wasn't going to go well for her. I was surprised she was even allowed to attend.
After Primrose took her place in the corner, Thurton cleared his throat. “I, Thurton Billings, leader of the East Coast Abnormals and head of this meeting, call it to order.”
I rolled my eyes. Elders never missed a chance to be arrogant and puff themselves up. I devised a new nickname for them. Peacocks. I would have to tell Xavier about that later. I was sure he'd get a laugh out of it.
Next to me, Xavier trembled with hunger.
I couldn't help but blame myself for doing this to him.
“We are here today to discuss who will be the new leader of Cumberland's Abnormals Underground,” Thurton said. “As we know, Primrose is still here and is Leon's last remaining magical child. Leon had other children, but four did not inherit his magic and the other who has is currently missing and presumed dead, along with her battle partner.”
Primrose sat up in her chair and did her best to look important. I thought it looked pathetic. She was almost as vile as Leon had been and was more worried about honor than her family. She had even kicked Xavier out of the house when he was the midst of Shadow Sickness. He had to go to Thorne's dojo and lie on the floor on straw like a prisoner. I could never forgive her for that and even Liliana, who loved calling Xavier and idiot, was angry with her.
“I am sure that my sister is dead,” Primrose said.
Yes. She did not deserve anything.
Xavier balled his fists next to me. We both knew that his mother wasn't dead. She and Xavier's Normal father were both in a cursed sleep in the Infernal Dimension. Well, as far as we knew. It had been a bit of time since Thoreau had showed us the vision.
“Silence,” Thurton ordered. “You are rash and you do not think before you speak.”
Primrose tightened her lip. It was already thin with tension. The air in the room was dense both with scents and stress. It was almost unbearable.
“As I was saying,” Thurton continued. “We need someone who is very knowledgeable, compassionate, wise, and brave to lead Cumberland in these dangerous times. This rules out Primrose Lovelli.”
Xavier's grin practically split his face now. I watched Primrose's mouth fall open as her face paled. She began to stand, but Thurton glared at her in a silent order to sit back down.
I had to resist leaning over the balcony for another view. I wished Janine had come in with her phone, but she was back at her second cousin George's house. Besides, her phone had the habit of buzzing every five minutes and wouldn't have done us good here.
Primrose sat. There were very small tears, ones she was holding back, in her eyes. I doubted that a human could spot them, but I could. For a moment, I felt a little sorry for her, but I chased the feeling away. She was the reason Xavier couldn't feel welcome in his own home.
“That is why I would like to nominate myself as the next ruler of Cumberland's Abnormals Underground,” Thurton said.
I exchanged a look of horror with Xavier. I hadn't expected the meeting to take this turn.
The table of Elders went into uproar. It was clear that nominating yourself was a no-no even in the world of big egos, probably because everyone else at the table also had big egos.
“But you are already leader of the East Coast.”
“How can you rule two dominions?”
“No Elder has ruled two dominions before.”
Thurton put his hand up in a silent order to shut up. “I will step down from the East Coast,” he said, “and preside over Cumberland. It is very clear that this is the most dangerous Abnormal hideout in the world right now, with Thoreau ruling right over our heads. We need the most experienced, wise, and honorable Elder to rule the Underground here. It was my judgment, after all, that saved many Abnormals from being snatched by the ATC when the threat of Leon's missing body was looming over our heads. I gave the order for them to return to the Underground and not to believe the scare that Thoreau placed in them.”
Mom sure wasn't here, I noticed. I sniffed but the scent of a fudge sundae was nowhere. It was like a fading dream.
It was the test that Death wanted me to pass.
I had to accept that my Normal life was gone. It was all I had to do and now a piece of Death had awoken inside of me.
I turned to Trish. "What happened to my mother?" Mom might be utterly terrified of me now after witnessing what I'd done, but I had to know. I still didn't want anything bad to happen to her.
Trish cleared her throat. "I don't know," she said. "Your mother ran. I let her because I had to get you in into another car. The woman was so terrified of us even after we rescued her. There are some Normals that you can't reach and I'm sorry that you got stuck with that one. I've seen it happen so many times. I can see why you were an Imposter at first."
"Thanks," I said. I hated this. As Xavier stood up next to me, I stalked over to a pile of hay and sat down, running my hands over my pant legs. Even Janine stayed away. It was as if everyone could sense that I didn't want to be hugged right now. I didn't feel any different...but I hadn't when Thoreau had woken up Gaozu's fire magic inside of me, either. Something had changed. The green glow I'd experienced told me that. I wondered if I would learn exactly what my new abilities were in a fight.
The thought almost made me not want to fight.
And now, how could I go on without my biggest hope?
Xavier walked over and sat down next to me. "What exactly did you have to do to cure me?" he asked. He was so understanding. His blue and magenta eyes were perfect without a trace of that darkness. Brighter now, even. Less tormented.
In a low voice, I told him. While I spoke, the others left the room and gave us some privacy. It was unspoken that it was the right thing to do and I was glad for it.
"I gave up ever having a Normal life again," I finished. "I accepted Death. Why does it hurt so much?"
"Because death always hurts, even if what comes after it is so much better," Xavier said. "Hey. I think I said something wise for the first time in my life."
"What do you mean, so much better?" I asked.
"You have all of us." Xavier smiled and this time, it was without strain. I could sense a difference in him already. The dark cloud surrounding him, ready to strike him with lightning whenever it wanted, was gone. His faint, old mark was still there underneath his crossed swords, but our bond had saved him. I had the feeling that things would be different between us now.
Maybe.
"All of you," I repeated.
"Yes. All of us. Family doesn't have to be biological. I think Trish is starting to like you a lot more now."
"But it hurts to be rejected by your mother." I would think about her screams for the rest of my life, her horror when I had bitten into Leon's neck to save both her and Trish. I would never get over that, ever.
"I might know some things about rejection," Xavier said. "Please, Alyssa. Stick with me. I'm sorry I yelled at you all those times. I just wish you hadn't brought yourself any closer to being what Thoreau wants. You don't seem any different right now, though. I'm not sure what waking up a part of Death is going to do to you."
"I feel okay. Except for the green explosion behind my eyelids that happened back in the house, I'm fine. And this helped you, Xavier. Neither one of us have to fear Shadow Wraiths ever again. That gives us an advantage, doesn't it?"
"Not if they can send us to the Underworld," Xavier pointed out.
"True," I said. "I guess there are two pieces left to go inside of me. Three are already here. Russell Fox and Gaozu and now Death made sure of that." The fourth piece was full access to a Lovelli's powerful War Magic and the fifth was--what? "I suppose it's really a good idea not to bite you now."
"Not unless it's life or death," Xavier agreed. "I shouldn't have pushed you to do it. We have to be extra careful from now on. I didn't realize things would get this bad. I promise that I won't do it anymore."
I wasn't sure I liked the way he said that. I had removed one barrier between Xavier and I--the Shadow Sickness--but there was still another wall, one that was even more forbidden now that I had used up another chance to stop myself from falling into Thoreau's trap. I felt like Xavier was putting up a protective barrier between us both, one that was made of emotions instead of magic.
"Thank you," I said over the lump in my throat. I wasn't sure if I could resist. I had almost bitten Xavier before and I wasn't sure if I could stop myself from doing it again. It was the one thing I had control over and I was going to hold onto that for as long as I could. The world depended on it.
Xavier leaned towards me and my heart leapt. He came closer...closer...
...and got up at the last second and extended a hand towards me.
I tried not to let the disappointment show as I took his hand and let him guide me across Thorne's dojo. "Do you know what?" Xavier asked. "Let's go find some of Thoreau's minions and we'll see what's changed."
Chapter One
I really hated the Elder War Mages.
They were the most pompous, ego-filled people in the world with the possible exception of Normal politicians. Every time they got together, they puffed out their chests and acted all-important. That was probably because they ruled over most other Abnormals and had some of the most powerful magic in the world.
This meeting that Xavier and I were spying on was no different.
We were hiding out on a dark balcony in Xavier's underground mansion, which was where the Elders liked to hang out in style. A normal meeting hall wasn't good enough for them, Xavier said. They always had to meet at each others' grand estates. I suspected it was because they didn't want other Abnormals—even other Mages—to see how they really lived. Xavier's family sported a fancy meeting hall complete with chandeliers, an indoor waterfall and classical music playing out of ceiling speakers. It was especially loud up here on the balcony, but there was no other way we'd be able to listen without getting caught. Below, twelve purple-robed Elders sat at a long table, enjoying an equally fancy dinner. What was this? A luxury cruise?
Next to me, I sensed Xavier shaking his head in disgust. This sort of thing made him ashamed to be a War Mage but we had to see what they were going to decide next. Everything depended on it.
It was only a few days since my last encounter with Thoreau and since I had been forced to bite the Leon/Thoreau hybrid in front of my mother, forever freaking her out and closing her off from me. It had only been a few days since a piece of Death, my distant ancestor, had woken up inside of me, leaving me with some kind of new power that I hadn't even discovered yet. It had done its job of protecting Xavier from becoming a Shadow Wraith and that was good enough. If I didn't ever learn any more about the power that came from Death, or kept it suppressed somehow, I would be happy.
The problem was, I couldn't keep things suppressed forever.
Not my thirst for blood and not my new fire magic, which made some types of Abnormals burn from the inside out when I stabbed them.
I had the fear that my new death magic would be like that or worse.
And worst of all, during these last few days, Xavier and I had failed to convince anyone that Leon was back to life, now merged with Thoreau. We both knew what a danger this was. Thoreau now had access to War Magic, the only type that could kill demons. He still had his full demon baron powers. He had died once and come back. With Death herself at his side, it seemed like nothing could kill him.
Now that Leon was merged with him, Thoreau might know where the Underground was located and how to get here.
Anyway, the meeting.
It was as if Thanksgiving was happening today. Three different turkeys rested on the table along with all the staples. I could smell the food as the Elders all absorbed it into their blood. It mixed in with the wood smoke scent that all War Mages gave off. My stomach growled and I feared that even the Mages with their human hearing would detect it. But we were hidden up here in the dark. Earlier that day, I had overheard the Elders talking about keeping all entrances locked to their meeting so that us kids couldn't get in and interrupt again, thinking we were all wise and stuff. Liliana, Xavier's younger sister, had placed a penny in the lock of the balcony door for us so we could get in. It allowed us easy, silent entry at the start of the meeting.
The talking didn't start for a while. The Elders took their time enjoying their five-star meal. We waited and waited as the blood of the Elders smelled stronger and stronger. I wanted to leap down there and bite one of them, any of them, even if they all looked old and frail. The youngest must be about seventy, a woman who had come from Nigeria during Leon's funeral and stayed here in Cumberland when the danger of Thoreau escalated. I had some respect for her. She had made fun of Leon during his funeral which was something he deserved.
Today, the Elders would decide for sure who would be the new leader of Cumberland and Xavier's Aunt Primrose was hoping to get the spot. She was Leon's favorite daughter, after all, and also didn't believe us about Leon coming back. To her, Xavier was just a pest.
Aunt Primose sat in the chair at the side of the room, tucked into a corner like she was a sack of potatoes that everyone had forgotten about. She hadn't even gotten any food. Nora, the Lovellis' Normal maid, picked up used plates and shuffled in and out of the room with them, going through the main double doors. She had bags under her eyes. Aunt Primose had been working her to death lately.
One of the Elders, Thurton, was eating very slowly and making everyone wait on him. He was a hunched old man with severe wrinkles and a glare that rivaled Leon's. He was the scariest Elder down there and everyone knew.
He had also nearly roasted Xavier and I when we interrupted the last meeting.
Worse, he was also secretly working with Thoreau, trying to betray the Underground in exchange for lengthening his own life. His plan hadn't worked thanks to us, but the danger wasn't over. It was this reason that Xavier and I were keeping a close eye on him. We had to do something about him before he really did succeed in betraying the Underground. Elder War Mages were all close to death and they knew. The worst ones were willing to do anything to stay alive and in power.
“They make me ashamed to be a War Mage,” Xavier whispered. Thankfully, we were pretty high up.
I sniffed again. Xavier carried the scent of wood smoke like always, but it was weaker than normal. Since he'd been cured of Shadow Sickness, he vowed that I should never bite him after all—I would become much closer to what Thoreau wanted if I did—and he had taken on a new disturbing habit of not eating when he was going to be around me. A human who hadn't eaten in a while had very little scent in their blood and was less tempting. Xavier knew that if he didn't smell good to me, it was less likely that I would lose control and bite him. I had almost done so more than once.
“I know,” I said, sidestepping closer to him. “They're taking forever.”
Far below, Aunt Primrose shifted in her chair again. She was nervous. I could smell the adrenaline in her blood which was always metallic. I could smell fear.
At last, Thurton finished his meal and pushed his plate away. The old man shifted his glare to the double doors of the meeting hall, waiting impatiently for Nora to return. He began to drum his fingers on the table.
“If you ever become like that, I'm biting you after all,” I joked to Xavier.
“I won't,” he promised. “Don't kid about that, please.”
“So now we've reversed places,” I said. Xavier used to joke with me about my condition. Now I was trying to make light of it, mainly because no one else did anymore. It was the only way I could feel even remotely better about it. Xavier's attitude was different since I had cured him of Shadow Sickness. He didn't ask me to bite him anymore now that I was one step closer to becoming Thoreau's Dark Pentagram, the being that was supposed to merge Earth with the Infernal Dimension and help him bring about the end of the world.
And now that he was just as scared of that as I was, he had become more distant. I had thought that clearing the Shadow Sickness would bring us closer together, but I had been wrong. My waking up Death inside of me had only made things worse. Sure, Xavier's bad moods were gone, but there was something distant and gray in their place.
“I am finished,” Thurton said from below, his raspy voice echoing through the room. “Where is the maid?”
Aunt Primrose cleared her throat. I didn't like Xavier's aunt one bit, mainly because she treated him with zero respect and considered him to be the shame of the family. “She is taking care of the other dishes,” she said.
“Take my plate,” Thurton ordered.
Aunt Primrose's cheeks flushed with humiliation. Even the other Elder War Mages shifted with discomfort. I could see why Thoreau had chosen this guy to work with him. They had to be best buds.
“Take my plate,” Thurton repeated, pointing down at some crumbs he had left in the center. He turned to face her and his purple robes whispered as he did so. “Now.”
Aunt Primrose got up and shuffled over, cheeks still burning. She looked down and took Thurton's plate, then left the room with it.
I could see Xavier smiling out of the corner of my vision. “I wish I had a camera,” he said to the air.
“I'll remember it for you,” I said, but Xavier didn't respond.
Aunt Primose returned a few minutes later. She probably had to figure out where the sink was, since a person like her wasn't used to doing anything for herself. She shuffled in without speaking. Thurton didn't look at her. It was clear that he had a very low opinion of everyone who wasn't himself, even other War Mages. I had the feeling this meeting to elect a new leader of Cumberland wasn't going to go well for her. I was surprised she was even allowed to attend.
After Primrose took her place in the corner, Thurton cleared his throat. “I, Thurton Billings, leader of the East Coast Abnormals and head of this meeting, call it to order.”
I rolled my eyes. Elders never missed a chance to be arrogant and puff themselves up. I devised a new nickname for them. Peacocks. I would have to tell Xavier about that later. I was sure he'd get a laugh out of it.
Next to me, Xavier trembled with hunger.
I couldn't help but blame myself for doing this to him.
“We are here today to discuss who will be the new leader of Cumberland's Abnormals Underground,” Thurton said. “As we know, Primrose is still here and is Leon's last remaining magical child. Leon had other children, but four did not inherit his magic and the other who has is currently missing and presumed dead, along with her battle partner.”
Primrose sat up in her chair and did her best to look important. I thought it looked pathetic. She was almost as vile as Leon had been and was more worried about honor than her family. She had even kicked Xavier out of the house when he was the midst of Shadow Sickness. He had to go to Thorne's dojo and lie on the floor on straw like a prisoner. I could never forgive her for that and even Liliana, who loved calling Xavier and idiot, was angry with her.
“I am sure that my sister is dead,” Primrose said.
Yes. She did not deserve anything.
Xavier balled his fists next to me. We both knew that his mother wasn't dead. She and Xavier's Normal father were both in a cursed sleep in the Infernal Dimension. Well, as far as we knew. It had been a bit of time since Thoreau had showed us the vision.
“Silence,” Thurton ordered. “You are rash and you do not think before you speak.”
Primrose tightened her lip. It was already thin with tension. The air in the room was dense both with scents and stress. It was almost unbearable.
“As I was saying,” Thurton continued. “We need someone who is very knowledgeable, compassionate, wise, and brave to lead Cumberland in these dangerous times. This rules out Primrose Lovelli.”
Xavier's grin practically split his face now. I watched Primrose's mouth fall open as her face paled. She began to stand, but Thurton glared at her in a silent order to sit back down.
I had to resist leaning over the balcony for another view. I wished Janine had come in with her phone, but she was back at her second cousin George's house. Besides, her phone had the habit of buzzing every five minutes and wouldn't have done us good here.
Primrose sat. There were very small tears, ones she was holding back, in her eyes. I doubted that a human could spot them, but I could. For a moment, I felt a little sorry for her, but I chased the feeling away. She was the reason Xavier couldn't feel welcome in his own home.
“That is why I would like to nominate myself as the next ruler of Cumberland's Abnormals Underground,” Thurton said.
I exchanged a look of horror with Xavier. I hadn't expected the meeting to take this turn.
The table of Elders went into uproar. It was clear that nominating yourself was a no-no even in the world of big egos, probably because everyone else at the table also had big egos.
“But you are already leader of the East Coast.”
“How can you rule two dominions?”
“No Elder has ruled two dominions before.”
Thurton put his hand up in a silent order to shut up. “I will step down from the East Coast,” he said, “and preside over Cumberland. It is very clear that this is the most dangerous Abnormal hideout in the world right now, with Thoreau ruling right over our heads. We need the most experienced, wise, and honorable Elder to rule the Underground here. It was my judgment, after all, that saved many Abnormals from being snatched by the ATC when the threat of Leon's missing body was looming over our heads. I gave the order for them to return to the Underground and not to believe the scare that Thoreau placed in them.”
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