Hell's Army

Chapter Eighteen- Back Again

Ingleseid darted through the masses of students, thinking about Mansfield. What ha d happened at the circus had most certainly not been human, and he had something to do with it. Who was this mysterious Lectis family? Why didn't they want any visitors? And why had Mansfield suddenly decided to leave everything behind and move in with them?

He caught Samael sitting at a table with Chloe and a boy Ingleseid hadn't seen before. He wore a black overcoat and trousers and seemed to be trying to compete with Chloe to see who could wear the most eyeliner possible. He brushed his far too long, far too dark hair over his shoulder as Chloe laughed a little too loud at something Samael had said.

Ingleseid hurried into the English room as the bell blared and students trudged in.

"Mansfield," Ingleseid said when they were all sitting down.

Mansfield looked up, his black crow eyes narrowing.

"Have you done your homework?" Ingleseid demanded.

He frowned along with the rest of the class. "What homework?"

"The homework I gave you."

"You didn't give us any homework," he said slowly.

"Are you talking back to me?" Ingleseid asked quietly.

"No," Mansfield said.

"I think you're talking back to me." He wandered over to him.

"I'm not-" Mansfield began, a little desperately.

"There it is again. That's two strikes against you, Mr Mansfield." He turned on his heel, and Mansfield's hand snapped out, gripped his sleeve.

"Wait," he mumbled.

Ingleseid froze, looked down at his hand. "What's this?" he demanded.

"What's what?"

He pointed at his hand. "This. You are assaulting me, Mr Mansfield."

"No, I'm not."

"Assault on a teacher is a very serious offence. Detention."

"But-"

"Hush," Ingleseid said, waving a hand. He walked back up the row of desks, Samael studying him silently. "We are having quiet time. The next person to speak will be joining Mr Mansfield."

No one spoke after that.

And that was how Ingleseid managed to find himself alone in a room with Ian Mansfield.

"Well, I hoped you've learned your lesson," he said as students shuffled out.

Mansfield looked up from his homework long enough to say, "I still don't actually know what I'm being punished for."

Ingleseid plucked the vial of enchanted water Holly had given him concealed in his jacket and wandered around him. "I don't tolerate cheek in my class, Mr Mansfield," he said sternly. "If you're not careful, I'll be adding another week to your-" He tipped the vial over his head.

Mansfield yelped and leapt to his feet.
"I am so sorry," Ingleseid said. "It just slipped."

Very, very slowly, Mansfield looked up. The flesh across his forehead bubbled and burst, and the colour in his eyes drained until there was nothing left.

"Aha!" Ingleseid cried. "Yes! I knew it!"

Mansfield's jaw stretched to inhumane lengths and pointed fangs tore through his gums. He glared at Ingleseid with murder in his eyes.

"Sorry," Ingleseid mumbled.

Mansfield lunged.

Ingleseid dove out of the way, slamming to the ground as Mansfield tossed the table easily aside.