Page 60 of Demon Hunger
“I had no idea. Well, then you two can disappoint each other then.”
“Hey!”
I laughed.
Her cheeks grew red as she asked, “Any… tips?”
I picked up one of my combat boots from the floor and started putting it on. I really didn’t want to get into that type of conversation with Jenna.
“You guys will figure it out. Don’t worry about it. It sounds like taking your time is the right thing to do.”
“I guess you’re right. And if I’m being honest, I’m not the only one being shy about it.”
“He adores you. You have nothing to worry about.” I finished lacing my boots. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We left our room, the buzz of excitement crackling between us. We were going on our first and true demon-hunting mission.
A few minutes later, we entered The Fray room. A small group of the newly minted students was already there, while a couple more trickled in behind us.
Director Grant, and Professors Fennix, Cruz, and Wong were there, standing next to a couple of tall cases. From our first-year class, Jenna, Benjamin, Sage, Regina, and Zach were also in attendance. As well as six second-years and six third-years.
“Thanks for your punctuality,” Director Grant said as the clock on the wall read 5 PM sharp. “I trust everyone read the rules that we distributed through your school app?”
Nods of agreement went all around.
“Good. That means you know that it isn’t allowed for any of you to go on demon-hunting missions without the supervision of one of your teachers. That’s the most important rule of all, and anyone who dares break it will be expelled. There will be no hearing, no appeals. If you break this rule, you will never get your horns. Understood?”
“Yes, Director Grant,” a fervent chant echoed through the room.
“Very well. Now…” He reached into one of the cases and the other professors followed.
To our delight, they started pulling out blue jackets and calling out names. They weren’t full demon hunter uniforms, but they had a DH emblem in the front.
“Sage Donnelley,” Professor Fennix called, and Sage stepped up to receive his very cool, very coveted jacket. His smile was huge, revealing his perfect teeth. He wasted no time slipping it on. He looked very handsome in it. There was no question about it.
A few minutes later, we were all clad in blue, looking sharp and proud.
Next, our mentors moved to the second case, which turned out to hold band new Quellers sheathed in leather scabbards. They were passed around quickly, to everyone’s delight.
When Director Grant called my name, his back was to the rest of the students as he pulled out a thick scabbard that wasn’t the one for my Queller. The hilt poking out from it was also foreign to me.
“It may not look like Blazebringer,” Grant said in a whisper, “but I assure you, it is. Another spell courtesy of Mr. Morningstar.”
I’d been wondering if they were going to give me a different Queller. I was sure they didn’t want to risk the other students finding out I could wield The Brave Hunter’s sword. For all we knew, it could start a panic about the impending end of the world—not to mention more hatred from wicked bitches. I threw a quick glance toward Regina.
I took the sword from the Director. “Thank you.”
A few minutes later, we were in the back of a van with Director Grant, Jenna, Sage, Benjamin, and Regina, headed south. I was very glad to be with my friends—no doubt it was Grant’s doing, an effort to keep Drevan’s redeeming team safe and under his supervision. Though I could have done without Regina. Didn’t the director know I hated her guts? She sat on the bench across from me, imparting death glares like a pro—most of them directed at me, of course.
I tried to ignore her, but she was starting to get on my nerves. Her animosity toward me just didn’t seem normal. It was way over the top.
We lurched to a stop next to Battery Park, which faced the waterfront at the southern tip of Manhattan. Director Grant threw the doors open, and we jumped out. There were a few souvenir vendors set up on the sidewalk. They immediately looked worried at the sight of our demon-hunting party. One of them made the sign of the cross and quickly started packing her wares. The rest only looked relieved when we started walking toward the docks. They knew we meant bad news and could only be glad to see us go.
We marched across the park, passing tourists who gave us a wide breadth, and hurried their steps. It was a crisp January afternoon, perfect for visiting Lady Liberty—yet another place I hadn’t had a chance to visit and had only been able to admire from a distance. Large ferry boats glided on the sparkling water of the Upper Bay—some approaching the docks and others sailing away toward Liberty Island.
As we got closer to the water’s edge, we saw a long line of people waiting to board one of the cruises. There was a steady flow all day long, boats sailing back and forth, taking new tourists to visit the statue.
