Chapter 10

"Erasers?" Iggy repeated. "Why would they be invited to the party?"

I rolled my eyes. "They're not invited, stupid! They're crashing the party! And I'm sure you know why!"

His face paled. "Grab Fang and let's go."

When I ran to get Fang, Jaz decided to be annoying. "Max, where are you going?" she asked, her hand still latched onto Fang's.

I ignored her. "Erasers. Let's move," I hissed in Fang's ear. He looked up, spotted the Erasers, and nodded.

We ran for the door. No one really noticed we were leaving because they were all still dancing and having fun. We almost made it to the door, but-

"Leaving already?" a man asked, planting himself in front of us. "I thought you were enjoying my daughter's birthday party."

"Um, sorry, but we really have to go," I told the guy, who must have been Daisy's dad.

"I wouldn't dream of letting her guests leave before the party's over," he continued, striding forward and causing the four of us to step backwards.

"Sorry, Mr. Daisy's Dad, but we really have to go!" Jaz yelled. I looked at her in surprise. Since when did she want to help us?

A nasty grin appeared on his face. "I don't think so."

Suddenly, we were surrounded by Erasers. Some were already morphed into wolf form, and others were changing right now. There were four of them, but Erasers were strong, and fast. They stood around us, laughing and grinning.

My fists clenched. "Iggy, Eraser at twelve 'o' clock. You know what to do." He nodded, and I looked at Fang, who also nodded.

"What about me?" Jaz whispered, still clutching Fang's hand.

"Try not to get killed," I offered.

Before we knew it, the Erasers were leaping at us, snarling. I grabbed one's arm and twisted it back, and he howled, before yanking his arm out of my grip. With a sweep of his arm, he hit me and I staggered back into the wall.

Blood trickled down from my forehead. Glancing around, I saw Iggy was doing okay, while Fang was trying to fight off two Erasers at the same time. I had no idea where Jaz was, but hopefully she'd managed to get away and went back to the party where she belonged.

How did they find us? I wondered, then spotted a fancy potted plant. Perfect.

The one that threw me into the wall rushed forward, but at the last second I grabbed the plant, snapped out my wings, and jumped into the air. Surprisingly, the party guests didn't notice a thing.

"Hey, Wolf Freak! Up here!" I yelled. When he looked up, I dropped the plant on his head. This distracted him for a few seconds, and I flew behind him and leaped onto his shoulders, then started punching his head. Finally, he crumpled to the ground – not dead, but at least knocked out.

I turned to find Iggy and Fang. Two of the other Erasers were also passed out, lying on the ground, but they were still fighting one.

Iggy stumbled backwards and fell down, and the Eraser pinned him to the ground.

"Iggy!" I screamed, running towards him. But before I got there, Fang leaped onto the Eraser's back.

The Eraser jerked backwards, throwing him off. Fang stumbled, then got up. I ran towards them.

"Looks like it's the three of us against you," I said, smirking, and then roundhouse kicked him in the chest. I heard him taking big gulps of air.

We ran towards him, Fang kicking him this time, and he fell backwards into the wall. A huge urn fell on his head, and then Fang grabbed a painting off the wall and smashed it on top of him.

"That should take care of them," I said, putting my hands on my hips as Fang helped Iggy up.

"What happened?" a voice shrieked from behind us. I realized suddenly that the music had stopped. I whirled and saw Daisy, standing there, her jaw dropped. She was obviously shocked.

"Well, these…things came and attacked us," I said, trying to explain. "And…um…I'm really sorry."

Daisy just stared at us. I glanced down at my dress – it was torn and splattered with blood. Good thing I hadn't planned on wearing it ever again.

Suddenly, I realized my dress was torn in the back, where my wings were tightly pulled in – it obviously tore when I flew. Daisy hadn't noticed that yet, but she might.

Fang apparently noticed that too, because he yanked off his suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders. It was covered in what was hopefully Eraser blood and not Fang's blood, but I didn't care. I looked at him in surprise and he shrugged.

I took a deep breath and looked at Daisy. "Okay, listen. Your dad wouldn't let us leave, and-"

"What? You wanted to leave?" she yelled, and the other kids who were at the party turned and looked at us. Great. Now we had everyone's attention.

I frowned. "Well, it was really urgent, and we had to go. I'm sorry, but-"

"Daisy. Go back to your party. I'll take care of your guests."

I looked up to see Daisy's dad walking towards us. Suddenly, everything fell into place.

Daisy's dad must have been working with the School. That's how the Erasers knew where we were, and why he wouldn't let us leave.

And that also must have been why he seemed eager to get the three of us alone.

Daisy hesitated, but her father put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile. "Daisy, please. I want you to enjoy your party."

She frowned. "Well…okay." After glaring at me, she turned to the other kids. "Come on, guys! Who's ready to have some cake?"

Everyone cheered and followed her into another room.

Daisy's father turned to the three of us with a cruel smile. "Now, come with me."

My fists clenched. "Are you kidding me? No way!"

His face hardened. "You will do so immediately. Unless, of course, you're feeling like fighting them again." He gestured to the Erasers, who were beginning to wake up.

I glanced at Iggy, then at Fang, who shook his head. I smirked, then turned back to Daisy's dad. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going anywhere with you, creep."

"Hey!" Jaz's voice yelled, and I looked up to see her walking over towards us from the snack table. I mentally groaned. Leave it to Jaz to interrupt once again.

"Jaz, go away!" I ordered as she came closer.

"Yes, that's right, listen to your friend," Daisy's dad said, and I frowned, making a face. Jaz was definitely not my friend.

"No," Jaz said, walking up to us and putting her hands on her hips. "You're the one that told me to help you! You're the one that tried to have Max killed! And you tried to kill my sister!"

My eyes widened. I was right – this guy was in league with the School.

"Well,well, well," Daisy's father replied with a laugh. "It would have worked if you hadn't messed it up, wouldn't it?"

Jaz just stood there, hands still on her hips. "Why would you want to do that?"

Daisy's dad smiled. "Well, you're a inquisitive one." He leaned closer to Jaz and said, "It's for the money. The fortune."

I frowned. "Wait. So are you….a scientist? For the School?"

He laughed. This guy had a pretty good evil laugh, actually. "Not for the School, but yes. And you three are some of the most successful experiments ever created in history. So, you will be coming with me."

"I don't think so," I snapped, then grabbed Iggy's arm and shoved Fang forward. "Move it! Now!"

We ran for the door, but the Erasers were awake now, and they leaped in front of us, blocking our escape route.

I looked up, and had an idea. "Up and away. Now."

Fang looked up too. "There's a ceiling, you know."

I smirked. "I know." Then right when the Erasers were about to reach us, I leaped up, snapped my wings out again, and soared upward. Iggy and Fang did the same.

"Fang!" Jaz screamed from below. "Help me!"

Oops. We kind of left her down there with the Erasers. Just because I hated her didn't mean I wanted her to be killed by the Erasers.

Fang swooped down and scooped her up, and I beat my wings as fast as I could, rushing towards the glass ceiling. The glass shattered, cutting me in multiple places, but I didn't stop flying. Iggy was close behind me, and then Fang, who was flying slower than normal, due to Jaz's added weight.

I peered down into the ballroom, where Daisy's father was shouting curses at us.

"How's that for the highlight of the party?" I asked, smirking.