In America chapter 4

Harry and Ron followed Dae through halls and what appeared to be secret passageways until they came to a door. Dae slipped in and motioned for them to follow. They slipped inside and the door closed. Dae padded over to where another boy lay on the sofa. He knelt beside it and gently shook him. "Master."

"Master?" Ron whispered. The boy on the sofa sat up and gently pet Dae's head. He looked up at the two newcomers and motioned for them to sit across from him. Harry and Ron sat.

"Dae tells me that you had a run in with Kaleb." Harry nodded as Ron stared at the two across from them. Dae was kneeling between the other boy's legs, head resting on his right thigh. "He also says that you are the transfer students."

"Yeah. But how did he tell you? We didn't see him talk to you yet!" Ron said. The boy smiled and ran his fingers through Dae's dirty blond hair.

"Dae came from Japan, through a new slave program. His previous master was displeased with his actions, speaking out of turn and talking back, so he decided to do something about it. Show them your neck pet." Dae tilted his neck back and the boy moved his collar. A long thin scar extended from left to right. "He cut his neck and severed his vocal cords. When Dae got here we were able to give him back some use of them, but he has to speak telepathically most of the time."

"Oh." Ron blinked. "Sorry." Dae smiled.

// Don't be. Welcome to the Academy. //Harry blinked as Dae's voice filtered into his head. // Kalebs an ass, don't mind him. He won't bother you now though. //

"Kalebs a wuss when it comes to us. He's terrified of me. I'm Kevin by the way."

"Harry Potter, and this is Ron Weasley." Kevin nodded. "Why's he afraid of you?"

"I beat him in a knife fight last year. Him and most of the other leaders. Dae here can kick the shit out of anyone in this school as well, magic or no magic." Kevin said. "I taught him."

"Hey, you were speaking telepathically back there weren't you?" Ron asked suddenly. Dae nodded. "I didn't notice that you switched from talking to telepathy.."

// Not many people can tell, unless they're looking at my mouth or they can tell the difference between my normal scratchy voice and this one. Don't feel left out. //

"Kevin!" Harry and Ron looked up as another boy came jogging in. "Kalebs pacing in the dungeons again, what happened now?" The boy eyed Harry and Ron.

"Dae had to scare them away from the exchange students. That's Harry and Ron by the way. Guys, this is Josh." Harry and Ron nodded hello as Josh plopped onto one of the other chairs. "When did you get back?"

"Just now. The others are on their way. They gonna join?" Kevin blinked and turned to Harry and Ron.

"Do you want to? Or would you like to check out the other gangs? Not many are as nice as us though, just so you're warned." Harry and Ron glanced at each other then back to Kevin.

"Sure, might as well." Ron nodded in agreement.

"Very well then. Dae, go get the equip."

TBC