Page 36 of Demon Hunger
She was slender and tall with skin the color of an acorn and just as smooth. She wore colorful headdresses that accentuated her beauty, and her makeup was always impeccable and tasteful.
As we walked into the classroom, she welcomed us with a smile that lit up the room. She was at her computer getting a presentation ready to display on the smart board. As I sat down in my regular spot, Sage and Benjamin walked in. It was Jenna’s turn to light up the room with a smile of her own. She and Benjamin were still stuck in the same awkward flirting stage that I’d found adorable a few weeks ago, so much that even I was starting to agree with Sage about their inability to ignite their fire. I hadn’t gone as far as thinking they should get a room as Sage often suggested under his breath, but a few more weeks of casual, surreptitious hugs and one moreaccidentalbrush of a hand, and I would rent a room for them myself.
Shaking my head, I pulled out a notebook and glanced up at the board. A picture of Konrad Striker with his powdered wig and gold-trimmed coat was on the screen, with his name running along the bottom in an old-fashioned scroll.
Konrad Striker
The Best Demon Hunter of All Time
The Brave Hunter
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Professor Fennix greeted us.
We greeted her back with head bobs, small waves, grunts, and casualheys.Anything not to sound like first-graders.
“This is one of my favorite lectures,” the Professor began. “I love talking about Konrad Striker, the man after whom this beautiful building is named. I’m sure you all know he is known as The Best Demon Hunter of All Time. He had a record of 595 quelling, which is yet to be surpassed.”
“Isn’t Director Grant the demon hunter with the most quelling right now?” Kylie asked.
“That is correct.”
“Do you think he’ll beat Striker’s record?”
“Given the current surge in demons escaping from their realm, I think it’s very likely.”
The Professor’s dark eyes met mine across the classroom. I felt a certain something pass between us that made me almost certain she knew the reason for the surge and my involvement in it. It wasn’t the first time I sensed something similar from her and other teachers. It made sense for Director Grant to keep them informed, of course, but I wanted to know who all knew I was doomed.
“He was also known as The Brave Hunter,” Fennix went on with her lecture. “Who can tell me where that moniker comes from?”
Phoebe’s hand shot up. “From the prophecy that involves his Queller.” She glanced sideways at me. It seemed she believed the rumor that I had stolen it. If only the rumor was just that.
“That is correct, Ms. Meade,” the Professor said, then she proceeded to recite the prophecy. “The brave hunter’s sword will refuse to yield. Butthe onewill come on a day of strife and, with the weapon, will bring down the heavens in a fury of fire.”
“Do you think these count as days of strife, Professor Fennix?” Zach asked. “It looks that way to me anyhow. Last week, there was an unheard-of attack on Staten Island. I watched it on YouTube. The demon was enormous.”
I fidgeted in my seat.
The Professor’s expression twisted with doubt and concern as if she wasn’t sure whether or not to tell the truth.
Regina’s grating voice came from the back of the classroom. “Personally, I don’t think these count as days of strife. I doubt the person worthy of Striker’s Queller has even been born.”
“So why is the sword gone from the common room all of a sudden?” Zack said, twisting to look toward the back of the classroom.
“To keep it safe, of course,” Regina answered. “You don’t think they’ll let one of you idiots get a hold of it—not when the most asinine rumors are going around.”
My teeth ground together. The bitch was now insulting me publicly. Our fight in The Fray room had not helped. She had grown bolder.Great!
“Just ignore her,” Jenna whispered, noticing my anger.
But I’d ignored Regina for a long time, and I was afraid she had exhausted the bulk of my patience.
“Let’s leave speculation outside of the classroom and focus on our lesson,” the professor said.
The room deflated with disappointment.
I raised my hand.
The professor seemed concerned, probably worried I would ask something related to the prophecy, but I had other questions in mind.
