Witches in Training (#2 in the Witches Trilogy) [rewrites ongoing]

Chapter Fifteen: A Gorgon Encounter

VERA

"Are you sure about this?"

Kieran folds his arms and stares the fairy down like a stubborn three-year-old. "I am, as I've said about a thousand times, that I'm keeping it, and you can't do anything about it." The curved knife lies on the table. The blade is made out of a polished adamantium, the handle wrapped in black silk that doesn't quite feel earthly. Like something out of this world, softer but more flexible and stronger than any material that could be produced on earth. 

"I don't feel comfortable having it around."

"You're not my dad. My dad's dead."

There's a silence at this abrupt revelation of Kieran's family. Russell's expression softens. "I'm sorry."

"Don't. It doesn't make a difference." Kieran picks up the knife. "There's a difference between Dark Magic and the element of darkness. This is a dark knife, but it channels the element, not evil magic. Trust me. I know the difference."

Louis speaks up at this point. "Okay, then, where did it come from? You never know what that weapon's done, or what crimes it's committed."

Kieran practically shoves it in Louis' face. "Look at it. These symbols on the knife? And the raven carved right on top of all the runes? It's not from anywhere I know of, and I know about most places. It's not a regular dark weapon. There's something to it. It's crazy powerful."

"The runes-"

Kieran turns to me in exasperation and shows me the knife. "Vera, what do these runes look like to you?"

There are eight runes cut into the adamantium blade, in a single vertical line. At the very top of the runes, closest to the hilt, is a majestic raven. "I have no idea."

Kieran rolls his eyes. "Never mind. Russell, look at them. Look at them and tell me that it comes from dark creatures."

Russell takes the knife gingerly and studies the symbols quietly. "I can't," he says finally. Kieran nods triumphantly. 

"So now that we're done establishing that..." He takes the knife, spins it and stuffs it haphazardly into its sheath. "Ver and I have some business to attend to."

"Um... we do?"

"Yep, come on." He grabs my hand, tucks the sheath under his arm, and pulls me out of the room.

"Keets, what's this about...?"

"Shhhh." Kieran whispers. "Listen. There's something I want to do, but Louis and Russell can't come along. Just the two of us. Fea's been spying on Parker. There are some people coming to visit him... right about now. And we're going to listen in."

I blink. "I'm lost."

He sighs. "Okay. Right about now, a group of four gorgons are meeting up with Parker. They're super high-ranking in the gorgon world, and among the dark creatures."

"Four gorgons?"

He raises an eyebrow at me. "Did you think Remiko was the only one?"

"Um... maybe."

He sighs again. "No, genius, there are a whole community of them. These four are like the royal family within the gorgons. Anna, Remiko, and their parents."

I start coughing. "Remiko?"

"Yes. Which sort of proves Vinni's theory that Parker's working with Raelynn..."

"Why didn't you tell her earlier?"

"I just found out two minutes ago. Now come on! We're going to miss the whole thing." He dashes off, yelling, "hurry!"