Duke of Darkness (Empire Of Storms #1)

Chapter 5

Alison checked off the last item on her list. A poorly made one at that considering she had to make it up on the spot. She paced around her bedroom floor, ignoring the mutters of her parents as Madame T spewed out rules and regulations about their destination. So much had happened today, too much to swallow down. Firstly, magic was real. And so we're fairies and demons and all that Lord of the Rings stuff. All of it existed and those ruffians from earlier were something called "Shadowhunters", half angel warriors trained to protect the world from well pretty much everything.

Secondly, turns out Alison's overactive imagination was really a gift called "The Sight" which allowed her to see these thing most human couldn't. If humans saw something from this not so mythical Shadow world, they would see right through it. They would be invisible or "glamoured" as Madame T called it. In fact, most of the members of the delinquent quartet were glamoured. Alison, however, was able see right through it.

Lastly, the best and most difficult part, Madame T wasn't human. She was a Warlock; an ancient, powerful being with magical properties unlike any other. Alison didn't believe her at first, despite throwing her into darkness, making the ground shake and the floating fireballs. She believed in magic, but she wanted proof, not a show. So Madame T opened up a the back room and made it disappear behind a purple vortex like gate. It worked as a portal, transporting them to the front of her house. After that, Alison would have been mad to not believe it.

"Ah socks. Can't forget those." She muttered out loud as she jotted it down. Madame T had told her to pack and not to stop until she said so. How she was going to get her parents to agree was completely beyond her. Alison suffered from S.A.P. Strict Asian Parents or Parent in her case. The only real reason why she was able to get a summer job in the first place was because her boss was a family friend. Her dad happily bought her books and sketch books and whatever else she asked for a reasonable price. Entry to a magical school for monsters and warriors seemed out of question.

A sharp knock on the her bedroom door awoke her from her trance. "Ali dear, you can stop packing now and come out." Madame T eerily called out. Alison dropped her list and followed her out into the living room. Three cups were placed unevenly on the table, but only one cup was completely empty. "Ali are you sure you want to go to this school?" Her father Jean asked. She cocked her head slightly, but straightened after spotting Madame T's disturbing brow gestures. "Y-yeah. I do.."

"You're serious about this?"

Another face from Madame T. "Extremely."

Her father Christopher sighed. "Fine, but I want a phone call every night. Skype calls work too."

Alison beamed a smile and went on to hug them. She wasn't exactly extatic to be going to this "Wonder school" with Madame T. She was, however, extremely excited that they managed to pull it off. It wasn't everyday that Alison could just go out and venture off on her own. She still wasn't even allowed to stay over at a friend's place, let alone attend a school with student dorms.

"We'll drop you all off by the airport." Christopher offered

"No no, that won't be necessary. Drop 'er off by my shop, we have escorts coming fer us." Madame T stated as she waved off his request.

"Escorts? Just what kind of school is this again?"

"A prestigious one, darling. Of the highest class. "

~

The ride to Madame T's was riddled with a list of Dos and Don'ts. Her parents hounded her to make sure her room mate wasn't a drug dealer or anything ridiculous as such. Jean made her promise to call them as soon as she settled in. Alison sighed through most of it, but made sure to answer with a simple "Yeah." She knew the protocol, she'd been hearing it all her life.

Madame T waved to them as the car parked along there of the road. Before anyone could make any offers, Alison got out and grabbed her bags from the trunk. She was a big girl now after all, she didn't need help.

"Stay safe. And make sure to call."

"I know."

Alison gave her both her dads a peck on the cheek. She had never seen either of her dads cry before, but Jean looked as if her were on the verge of tears. Alison gave him a reassuring smile, mostly because it helped her stay strong. While the original idea of freedom made her giddy with excitement, the idea of separation began to weigh in on her.

Madame T's delicate, wrinkled hands brought her back to reality. She had such a kind face, one you'd expect a sweet grandmother to wear. Gently, Madame T guided Alison into her shop, their bags seemed to almost float to her side. "You ready deary? Excited?"

"I guess...I'll be able to learn right? Figure out just what I am?"

"Honestly dear, I don't know. But what I do know is that y'all explore possibilities and possibilities are that 'ave yet to be discovered. "

With a grand gesture, Madame T opened up the same large vortex in front of them. She poofed all their bags through before taking a few steps forward herself. She offered her hand, a sweet simple gesture. Alison nodded while taking it into hers and following her into it.

~

Ella was beyond peeved. Just when she thought she had enough of mundanes, the old hag decided to bring one with her. She scoffed, an Academy created to mend the bonds between Shadowhunters and Downworlders, preposterous. The only real reason for her being here was because of her father. The only mending he wanted was the Starkweather reputation. Years of brutal Downworlder killings and circle involvement really did a number on you.

Ella didn't want to be here, an old school in the middle of no where. And she most definitely didn't want to be on escort duty. "They're late." She huffed, kicking the dirt beneath her boots.

"It's early in the morning." Keegan smiled, his hands placed firmly on his waist. How he could remain this happy was always beyond her comprehension, but that's what she loved about him. How he could make any bad day into a good one. "When's Virgil coming?"

"Probably still working on his bike. He'll be here soon."

Ella's smile was short lived as a portal opened up. A number of bags flew passed her, too fast to count, before the old Warlock stepped through. The mundane held her hand, only letting go after the portal closed. "Sorry fer the mess, it's her first time using a portal."

"Second actually." The mundane corrected.

Ella walked up to them, at least a head taller. She sized them up before picking up a bag. Were mundanes always this small? "We'll take your bags and escort you to your rooms." She stated sharply before looking at the scattered pile. "Didn't think you'd bring a lot."

"Most of those er' mine. Shouldn't be a problem for you strong Nephilim. " The old hag croaked a laugh.

Ella knew a challenge when she saw one. She had been told of how all Downworlders tended to have a mischievous side. This must have been hers. "Not a problem at all." She forced a smile, picking up another bag in the process.

From the distance, she could hear Virgil's voice echo through the entrance and down the stairs. Virgil was a big guy, he would carry most of the bags. Most of them probably belonged to Madame T as they looked too old fashioned for the mundane.

"Sorry I'm late, lost track of time... uh welcome to the Academy." He too was smiling brightly.

Ella sighed as she threw one arm over her shoulder. Two of the most important idiots in her life and they were morning people. Simply ludicrous.