Awakening: Book 1 of the Vanquisher Series [GxG]

34

Deep underground of Draghein School, in a glass cube prison, Edicles Hogmen stood  with a defiant look on his face and an energy seal around his neck.

Trixan silently watched the man, her hands behind her back. He on the other hand glared at her.

"Well, this is cozy." He glanced at the single bed and chair in the cell. "Come to give me blankets?" His eyes were back on Trixan, his face pressed to the glass wall. Even if he wasn't wearing an energy seal, there was no way he could break through the adamant glass. "What? Did you come here to just stare at me all day?"

"Did you betray us, Edicles?" She wasn't angry. Not yet.  She couldn't accept it yet, not until Edicles admitted it himself. Three years ago, Edicles had voluntarily transferred to Draghein School. As a class three senior vanquisher, his transfer was a real blessing to the school and he had proved to be good at his job. Why would he suddenly betray the school now?

"Betray you?"He laughed, yet his laughter was devoid of any mirth. "I was never one of you, Trixan. I don't work for Draghein School or for you."

Hmm. It was a close thing to admission. But she wasn't angry. Not yet. "Does it mean you work for demons and Vessels then? Is that why you took down the shield beam for them?"

"I don't work for filthy Vessels and demons," he spat. "They were nothing but a cog in the wheel."

Trixan paused. Edicles did not deny that he took down the shield beam. Judging from his heartbeat, he had clearly done what he did willingly and not becuase he was being controlled or under duress. Why would he do this? Why would he grant access to the demons? And if he wasn't working for them, then who was he really working for? These thoughts plagued her mind. Yet Trixan wasn't angry. Not yet.

"Who put you up to this?" she asked. "Who are you working for?"

"I'm not telling you anything."

It was at that very moment the shadows of rage loomed over her. Trixan rubbed her knuckles, before saying in her chillingly calm voice, "Do not test my patience, Edicles."

Edicles gulped, his eyes wavering a moment. But the uncertainty in his eyes was gone in a flash. "Your legendary rage is nothing compared to what's coming, Trixan. Your end is near." A manical smile widened on his dark brown face. "The end of Draghein School is near, Trixan. We will destroy you like we did Hellstorm." He banged against the glass wall, his gaze hardening in spite of the smile on his face. "We'll destroy you."

We will destroy you like we did Hellstorm. These very words were worse than the harshest of winters. What could this bastard possibly know of Hellstorm's death? Hellstorm died a hero fighting Bezvaros himself, so why was Edicles talking like the death of her teacher was the result of some cheap scheme? She wouldn't hold back anymore.

"Open," she commanded. She sauntered towards Edicles as the glass doors draped apart like a curtain. Behind her, the doors shut.

The glare on Edicles's dark brown face faltered. With each calculating step Trixan took, Edicles retreated. He halted, his back finally hitting the wall.

"Who's we, Edicles?" she asked quietly. The angrier she got the calmer she became. 

Edicles must have known this because he gulped, his eyes darkening in fear. But his voice was firm. "I'll never tell you anything. I'm not afraid of you, Trixan."

Trixan smiled-- not her usual warm smile. "You should be." Her voice reverberated, gushing forth like the the sound of many waters.

Edicles screamed, his face buried in his palms. He staggered, falling on his bed.  Blood oozed from his nostrils.