DEVIL, DEVIL (Michael Langdon)

i.

Class was over, Judas smiling at the sound of the bell. He joined the herd of boys leaving their classrooms as they made their way through the winding halls of Hawthorne's School. In the entrance hall, five young men surrounded a fireplace, speaking in unison, "Igneme accende. Igneme accende." Judas watched as a burst of flame licked at their fingertips, flashing a smile as he hurried past toward his next lesson.

He was the last person to enter the classroom, earning a pointed look from Behold, who waved him toward the center table where the others awaited with books in hand. Judas smiled apologetically as he moved to join the others, holding his own book and keeping time with the others as they began to chant. Behold nodded. "Remember, gentlemen, the spell is much more than a series of arcane words. But it is the power you bring to those words that makes the magic." Judas certainly didn't need the reminder. He had been there for two years, though he was improving slowly. 

Behold circled the table, listening to them. "Good," he said. "Continue. Your power is molecular. Woven in your DNA. See every atom. Rearrange them all. Transform them." He watched as the shattered pieces of a blue gem began to rise, twisting in the air as they slowly fused together. "Yes!" Behold cried, clapping once with excitement. "That's what I'm talking about, gentlemen."

"Mr. Chablis," a voice spoke up, and all eyes moved to the door to see Baldwin, another instructor.

The gem, hovering in midair, began to fall. Judas was quick to focus on it, stopping it before it could hit the table. His efforts weren't even noticed as Baldwin stated, "We've been summoned."

Judas rolled his eyes. He should have just let the damn gem shatter again. It wasn't as if Behold would even notice.

The lesson was dismissed for the day.

The next morning, classes were dismissed and all of the boys were gathered in the entrance hall. They had hardly received any information, not even Judas, who had been instructed to stand just behind Behold.

They watched as the Grand Chancellor, Ariel, escorted a young man into the hall. 

He was gorgeous.

His hair was like spun gold, his eyes sapphires. He had the face of a teenager but held a maturity far beyond his years. Judas swallowed hard, keeping his eyes settled on his feet.

"I'd like you all to meet Michael Langdon," Ariel said, and now Judas knew his name but all that he could think was golden boy. "Like many of us when we first arrived, he is not sure that this is the place for him. But in the days to come, we're going to show him that not only is this the only place he belongs, but that he's finally found his true home."

Ariel took Michael by the arm, easing him forward. Judas sensed fear, apprehension, but, strangely, rage beneath it all. He couldn't even begin to question it as Ariel pulled him forward. "Michael," he said with a kind smile. "This is Judas Wardwell. If you'd just take his hand, he can give an estimate of just how strong you are."

Judas opened his mouth to protest; he was sure he would die of embarrassment on the spot showing off his ability in front of everyone, but suddenly Michael was clasping hands with him, offering a sheepish sort of smile that made Judas want to just stand there forever looking into his sapphire eyes.

Michael's skin was burning hot or maybe Judas was just blushing, he didn't really know and he wasn't going to ask Michael.

"Strong," he managed to say, the only good enough word that came to mind. "Stronger than anything I've felt before. But... restrained. Locked inside."

Before the final word could leave his lips, Ariel was speaking. "Well, I'm sure we can unlock it with just some time."

He was going to add 'Angry', but suddenly Ariel was guiding Michael through the crowd, watching as everyone clapped their newest pupil on the shoulders, offering greetings. Michael tried his best to keep a smile on his face, though Judas could see that he was slightly overwhelmed by the attention.

Judas wasn't sure why a sense of anxiety settled in his stomach, churning like a living thing and making him want to go to his room and never come out.

When the excitement seemed to settle, Michael looked up. His eyes met Judas', lingering a moment longer than needed. It took only that for Judas to realize that Michael Langdon was going to be his undoing. And he was going to gladly go along for the ride.