"So then Claire? How much of your force have you managed to hold on to?"
"It would've helped if you had sent Alia or Abbadon to the living world instead of Xerxes," the succubus hissed angrily.
"Mind who you are speaking with."
"Of course, My Lord," Claire bowed slightly and lowered her head. You're simply feeding your ego Azazel. I think you will find that someone with a real goal in mind will always achieve more than you ever could. "Who's antagonizing the civil war, My Lord?"
"Oh, you want to know that?" Azazel shook his head, "You're not a high enough rank Claire. So sorry."
The succubus' eyes flashed angrily, "Of course. My apologies. I have overstepped my bounds. I will return to the world of the living then."
"Yes. Do that."
Claire rose to her full height turned on her heel and stalked out of the hall.
Azazel's golden eyes watched her leave, "I think we have a spy in our midst Baphomet."
"What do you wish to do with her?"
"We'll continue to use her for now. Once her use runs out, hunt her down and destroy her."
"Of course."
Azazel sneered. Your turn Kurai.
Jace opened his eyes. He growled in frustration. Tempest's now white fur was tickling his face. He could feel Jayden's small hand just barely touching his cheek. Jace slid gently out from under the two of them and looked around. He stretched and yawned. I should probably get Ral up. He picked his way carefully across the room.
Stuffed animals and bits of electronic equipment littered the floor of their room. A bookshelf took up the entire space between the foot of Jace's bed and his dresser and was filled beyond capacity with books of various sorts. Sitting on the desk, still open to the page he had left it on, was the book Alice had given him a couple of days before. He was relatively far into the large tome but had yet to see any relevance to what they were currently dealing with.
"Ral." Jace stopped at the edge of his roommate's bed.
Ral didn't move.
Jace glared at him in frustration, "Ral. Get up. You didn't set your alarm again. You're going to be late." He waited impatiently a couple of moments. When Ral still didn't respond Jace wandered over to his desk. He opened the very top drawer. Inside was an assortment of coins, paper clips, and other random small items. He took out a needle. It began to vibrate and glow a bright blue as he held it between his pointer finger and thumb.
Jace glanced over at where Ral was still laying in his bed. He wasn't snoring which meant the lightning mage was awake. However he was choosing to ignore Jace in favor or pretending to be asleep. Jace smirked, "Ral. Get up."
Ral still didn't respond.
Jace shook his head, "Fine." Everything in the room lost it's color. He could see Ral drawing on power as well. The lightning mage was a bright white while everything else was some shade of grey. Oh so he expects me this time. This might be interesting because he's expecting a coin. Not a needle that I stole from the art classroom. At least I bothered to make sure it was clean. "Time to get up, Ral," Jace threw the needle.
You're not going to get me this time Cat Ears! A barrier of electrical energy came up between Ral and the needle.
Jace sighed, "Fine." He called the needle back to him and caught it between his pointer and middle fingers.
"Cat Ears was that a needle? Those things can be deadly you know!"
"I was aiming for your arm," Jace said calmly.
"That doesn't change anything!" Ral snapped.
Jace shrugged, "You're going to be late for school."
"I'm staying in bed today."
"I'll tell Elspeth and Chandra that you're ditching out," Jace threatened.
"That's not fair. I don't do that to you."
"That's your choice. Not mine."
"God dammit Cat Ears. Why are you so mean to me?"
"I'm not being mean," Jace snapped, "Now quit whining. You're going to be late."
"I'm only going to school if you," Ral sat up and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Fine. I'm already ready. Hurry up."
"Wha-?" Ral stared at him. He pouted, "That's not fair Cat Ears."
"How is it not fair? You're the one that said it. Now hurry up before you make us both late."
"Fine."
"What's up with him?" Melody asked curiously as Jace half dragged Ral down the stairs.
"He doesn't want to go to school," Jace shrugged. He cocked his head to the side, "What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast," Melody's answer was vague.
Jace nodded, "Alright." He let Ral get, letting him drop to the floor, and wandered over to the kitchen, "Is there anything for Tempest?"
Melody shrugged, "I made something for her." She followed Jace into the kitchen and gave him a stack of pancakes wrapped in aluminum foil.
Jace nodded, "Alright." He took them and disappeared.
Ral climbed slowly to his feet, "Cat Ears is so damn cruel." He slowly made his way out into the courtyard.
Jace met up with him after a few moments.
"Has Jayden eaten?" Ral asked quietly.
Jace nodded, "Yeah." I still don't get why we have to hide the kid.
"Cat Ears. Does something feel off to you?" Ral glanced at Jace.
"There's a pressure in the air sure," Jace shrugged. We still have no idea where the third piece is. Damn. "Why is everything so messy anyway. First there was Hades, then Nix, now what?"
Ral shrugged, "Do you think it's because of us this time too?"
Jace shrugged, "No clue."
"You two!"
Jace looked up. Claire was approaching them with Lilianna close behind her. He rolled his eyes, "What do you want?"
"Grumpy as ever I see," Lilianna chuckled.
"Be more respectful," Claire scolded, "I am-"
"Older than me sure," Jace finished flatly. He crossed his arms over his chest, "You wanted our attention for a reason didn't you?"
"There's going to be a new male student starting next week," Claire explained. Something about her tone sounded disapproving. "The principal wanted me to tell you two that it will be your jobs to show him around."
"Isn't that the student council's job?" Jace's eyes narrowed. Something's weird. A new student usually isn't accepted this late into the year.
"We're busy working on the spring festival," Lilianna explained patiently, "So we need you two to look after them when they arrive."
"Alright!" Ral nodded excitedly.
Jace looked from Claire to Lilianna and back again, "Fine." He turned away from them and walked into the school building.
"I wonder what they-"
"Ral. Hold on," Jace snapped, "New students aren't usually accepted this late into the year. Otherwise we would've started last year."
"True," Ral nodded, "That is weird."
Jace glanced over his shoulder, "Something's up."
"Are you going to figure out what it is?" Ral asked.
Jace gave him a flat look, "What do you think?"
"Well Beautiful's on the student council," Ral suggested.
Jace nodded, "Yeah."
"We could talk to her and see what's going on," Ral nodded, obviously proud of himself.
Jace rolled his eyes, "Yeah."
"Beautiful!" Ral hurried up to her.
"Huh?" Chandra turned to them and smiled, "What's up?"
Jace cocked his head to the side slightly. Was that smile...forced? "Is...nevermind." He shook his head, "Lilianna and Claire told us we had to look after a new student that was starting next week. New students usually aren't accepted this late right?"
Chandra shrugged, "I would assume not and they never told me about it. Then again they never really tell me anything."
"Why not? You're part of the council," Jace snapped.
Chandra shrugged, "They don't trust me to be able to responsibly run anything."
"I don't think you'd be bad at something like that though," Ral cocked his head to the side.
"I'm not complaining because it means less work for me," Chandra smirked, "and more for them."
"Lazy," Jace muttered. He grabbed Ral's sleeve and dragged him away, "Thanks."
"Sure!"
That entire conversation was weird. It was like she was trying to be "normal", trying to hide something. Jace sighed, "Whatever." He looked at Ral, "Anyway, let's get to class."
"Alright," Ral sighed, "Investigating was fun-"
"Was? We're not done yet. We're just not getting in trouble," Jace hissed.
"Really?" Ral looked surprised, "But what else is there to find out?"
"Plenty," Jace smirked.
"Really?" Ral glanced at him, "Just how deep do your investigations go?"
Jace looked at him, "What do you mean? The investigation isn't over until there's nothing else to find out."
"And when's the cut off for that?"
"The resolution of the situation," Jace shrugged.
"Alright."
