Shadow Beings

3. To The Friendly Abode

"Audrey."

My ears picked on the gentle sound and I turned in my bed, pulling my blanket over my head.

"Audrey."

"Hmm?

"Wake up."

"Hmm."

A sharp sigh came before a rather loud voice.

"Audrey!"

"Aaahuh?"

I woke up with a dazed expression, rubbing my eyes to clear my vision. Galen stood in front of me, shaking his head while suppressing a smile.

"Wash your face and come to the hall. We've got a problem."

"Just tell me now," I said, closing my eyes again.

"No. Your head registers nothing until you don't wake up properly."

I frowned, tilting my head slightly as if I were puzzled by what he just said. He grabbed my arm and lifted me, helping me - or rather, forcing me - to stand up.

"Alright. Give me five minutes. Now go away."

Galen shook his head again with a slightly narrowed gaze on me. He held up his five long fingers, then gently shut the door behind him as he left the room.

I slowly made my way to bathroom, turning the tap very slowly as if in a daze. The cold water ran through my fingers with a gentle force, and I cupped my hands, splashing the water into my eyes.

That felt good.

That's when it hit me that Galen said we had a problem.

I closed the tap quickly and ran out of my room into the wide hall.

"What happened?"

My five friends turned towards me sharply, causing me to startle slightly. I immediately noticed Galen who stood beside Elek. He appeared rather calm as did the shorter shadow, although some tension lingered in his aura like single thread from the thick network was tightened.

That worried me. Trina was deep in thought as ever, but a vague mark of hostility rested on her face. She always kept her emotions aside when working through any thoughts dealing with a problem.

This wasn't rel-

"You're here," Conrad said grimly, his wide forehead wrinkled. Evelyn gave his shoulder a light pat, her eyebrows furrowed. "You see... we've been called to a Cardinal Gathering at the headquarters, and it's today."

I took a deep breath, letting silence fill the air.

Whenever something of great importance occurred, a Cardinal Gathering would be called. All Shadow-Trappers in existence would assemble at the headquarters no matter what, and those above the age of twelve would attend the meeting.

The last time we had such a gathering was three millennia ago, and it was because the demons had attacked, as far as I could recall. Beings entirely different from the Demonic Creatures.

"A Cardinal Gathering. Do we know why?"

"No," Trina said. "We can only make gues-"

"No point in doing that, especially if it's today." I interrupted firmly. Trina didn't react, but she wore an evident look of disapproval. I didn't intend to be rude, but I preferred not to think about such a topic if I'd know more in a few hours. Trina's green eyes were already bright with curiosity and I knew her thoughts ran rampant as the scoured the possibilities.

Perhaps I was too harsh, I thought, looking at that still remaining animosity, however slight it was. We hadn't interacted with Demons ever so I wasn't sure what had her riled up, but it could not have been small.