Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

DD Chapter 13 - One True Enemy

Chapter 13

NO ONE IN THE school was excited about the assembly, the teachers included. The principal, Mrs. Jent, however, locked the school doors after their last period to prevent anyone from cutting the assembly.

"It won't take long," Mrs. Jent promised as the students filed angrily into the assembly room.

"What's going on?" Vivienne asked as she slid into a seat beside Nicole. "Why is everyone so quiet?"

"Sshi!" Nicole whispered, her eyes still fixed on the stage, as though a demon was about to jump out on it. "The bad guys are here."

"Who?"

"Tercel. They're soulless corporate types who are just looking to drain our springs dry."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Vivienne whispered back, seeing as the meeting hadn't started yet. "Wouldn't draining the swamp fix the demon attacks?"

"The springs here aren't just a source of demons. They're a source of medicine too. Our ancestors built this town around the springs. Now, these dogs have used up the springs in Manna City, and they're looking for Satan's Hollow."

Zissa, who had overheard their conversation, turned around and rolled her eyes at Vivienne. The lights were dimming, so the students were growing bolder about speaking loudly.

"Corporate dogs who have never heard of the Goddess Orienne," Ashlar spat, wrapping an arm around Zissa in support. "They just take and take. They don't understand what they do. All they care about is the disgusting dollar."

Vivienne squinted as the talk finally started. The man stepping up to the podium was one she had met before. It was Mr. Pectrichor, whom she had crossed paths with on her first day in Remin. He cleared his throat and began shuffling papers.

"The recent demon attack is of utmost concern to your local Grand Master. Something must be done, no, will be done about Satan's Hollow. Will no one step forward, for the good of your family and friends? This threat can be neutralized."

Silence.

Vivienne had never sat in a more hostile audience. Mr. Pectrichor looked as though he was at his last wits ' end.

"Even a detailed description of the attack and the location where it occurred would be of utmost help."

Not a single student spoke. Even the teachers stared at their shoes. As the seconds ticked by without an answer, Mr. Pectrichor slammed his fist on the podium and kicked a nearby pitcher of water. The plastic container went skipping down the steps and seemed to echo throughout the auditorium. No one reacted.

"They can't buy our secrets," Sam whispered disdainfully. "Even if those greasy, overweight, brain-dead idiots own half of this town."

"All of this town."

Vivienne heard a soft voice correct her to the right. She nearly jumped out of her seat as a hand slipped over hers.

"Blake!" Vivienne gasped in shock and then immediately placed her hand over her mouth. There was a flash of blond hair, playful green eyes. Why was it that wherever Blake went, it seemed as though the sky rained down a spotlight on his head? He was wearing a dark gray t-shirt and a black hoodie. It was so strange to see him dressed like a normal teenager that Vivienne almost didn't recognize him. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw his sharp, amused eyes.

"Who's that?" Nicole demanded. There was no hostility in her voice. She just sounded as shocked as Vivienne was that their conversation had another participant.

"This is my friend. He goes to another school, nearby."

"Lethe Academy, right?" Ashlar offered as he sized Blake up. "I think I've seen you before. You're on the basketball team there. I can tell by your build."

It was true that Blake was tall and lean. His muscular physique was more suited to a contact sport. Yet, Vivienne had a feeling that Ashlar was focusing on the fact that Blake was tall. Yes, in mortal years, Blake was twenty-one, but with the vampiric blood, his radiant skin could have passed for a younger man.

Blake nodded with a small, amused smile at Ashlar's assessment. That was enough for Ashlar to become convinced he had found his new best friend. Vivienne wondered if there was a ridiculously tall, gorgeous blond in the Lethe basketball team with a crew cut. Shaving all that dyed red hair off back in Cosel was really coming in handy, fitting in here in Remin.

"You here to join us in resisting the corporate dogs too, what is it — Blake?"

Vivienne winced. Yes, they had all caught Blake's name when she half-screamed it a second earlier. Luckily, Vivienne doubted Blake ever attached his real name to Tercel.

Even Mr. Oslen himself was difficult to find among the Tercel records.

"I do find that particular corporate dog particularly detestable," Blake finally offered. Ashlar laughed and slammed his palm into the back of his chair in delight. Mr. Pectrichor glared at Ashlar's general direction as though he was about to admonish the teen to shut up. Then Pectrichor's gaze met his boss's eyes for a moment, and he immediately shut up like a clam.

"Just look at that middle-aged snail cowering about, with that jiggly beer gut," Ashlar continued, seeing as he wasn't about to be sent to detention for speaking in the assembly. "Do you think Satan's Hollow would show itself to that?"

"What do you mean?" Vivienne asked.

"Satan's Hollow only reveals itself to those who are worthy," Zissa explained. "These idiots who look for it out of greed will never find it."