The Shadowsong Conspiracy

Chapter 9

 "What the hell?" Sawyer opened the newer Parchment from his uncle. It contained the same information and a plea to stay calm, as the conservatives were working on the issue. "How can the Council decide on the school's room arrangements?"

"The Para representatives claim that it goes against the recent demands of equality," Christian said. "They think it's unfair that we have private rooms while the Paras live in those shared rooms in the basement. What are we going to do?"

"We're not going to take this." Sawyer opened a new Multi-Parchment. "We need to have a meeting tonight. I'm Parching everyone."

"Those sods!" Maddox started pacing the room feverishly, knocking things off of the shelves and blasting tiny gashes on the pillows as he went (Dexter emitted a long-suffering hawk every time a pillow gained a slit). "Share rooms with the Paras? Are they barking mad?"

"Nope, not mad," Sawyer said, still writing the message. "They're just playing into the pockets of the Paras." His Squilli emitted several swishes, but he didn't stop messaging to read them.

There was a knock on the door, and Piper opened it. Bartholomew stormed in, brandishing his Squilli.

"Do you know what they've done now?"

"Relax, mate, we know," Sawyer said without lifting his eyes from the screen. "I'm Parching everybody. We'll have a meeting tomorrow morning."

"I can't imagine what they're thinking." Bartholomew puffed and chucked his Squilli on the table. "And again, they completely overruled the Student Council. What are we even there for any more, I ask you?"

Piper shook his head.

"Dunno, mate."

Sawyer dispatched the Multi-Parchment and put away his Squilli.

"Okay guys, get lost now, I need to think. I sent you all a Parch with the meeting information. Be there. And by the way, my uncle told me to keep my nose down, and I agree. Let's stay away from the Paras at least until we've had the meeting."

After everybody had left, Sawyer sat down on his bed and checked the unread Parches, but they were all about the same issue. He sent Parches to both his uncle and his father and then chanted Dexter out.

"Get me something to eat."

Dexter obliged, and Sawyer lay down on the bed. He felt empty and numb, which surprised him, considering how bad the news had been. Maybe he had expected this from the beginning.

The lock on the door ticked, and Sawyer opened his eyes. He hadn't realized how hungry he was; his insides were practically burning.

"Dexter?"

There was no reply, but the door handle moved down slowly, almost speculatively.

"Dexter?" Sawyer stood up and crossed to the door.

There was still no reply, but the door handle had stopped midway; someone was still holding it on the other side. And suddenly, Sawyer knew. This was not Dexter, and this was not a friend. He whispered a chant, and a dazzling, pale green circle sprung up in the air. Carefully, he pushed down the handle and threw the door open. Nothing. He stepped into the corridor, guiding the Guardian so that it shielded his chest. Something dark stirred on the left, but the brilliant circle of the Guardian obscured his vision. He let his hand drop and saw a man in a black cloak walking, quite leisurely, toward the stairs that led down.

"Hey!" Sawyer's voice echoed in the quietness, but the man didn't turn around, just quickened his pace. Sawyer flicked his hand and the Guardian vanished. The man was almost at the stairs.