As the bell chimed for the end of class, Eva found herself hanging back despite Arachne’s increased protests. She waved off her friends and told them that she would catch up afterwards.
The small antechamber to the main dueling gymnasium seemed more like a locker room than an office. The drains on the floors beneath a set of shower heads were a dead giveaway. Zagan didn’t seem to care. He marched in with Eva in tow and plopped down behind a desk that sat on the hard tile floor.
It didn’t look much like it was supposed to be there.
“So,” Zagan said with a glare, “bringing your pet demon to class? You haven’t banished her yet?”
Eva frowned as Arachne drummed her legs on Eva’s back.
“I am fulfilling my contractual obligations.” He kicked his feet up onto his desk. “It isn’t like anyone could do anything about me if they found out. You on the other hand–”
“Arachne accompanied me to every class from September to November last year and there were no problems. She only stopped because of the nuns wandering the city. Nuns that
Zagan shook his head side to side. “I warned Martina about Catherine already, but she insists her familiar won’t cause problems. With you, your pet–” Arachne bristled lightly, “–that demon on the horizon, and our unknown summoner all tainting the air, it is a wonder we’re not onset by hunters already. Too many in close proximity.”
“Devon seems to think that no hunter would attack while you are hanging around.”
Zagan shrugged. “I won’t be around forever. Of course, you might not have to worry at all. I may decide to raze this school before returning to the Void when my contract ends.” As an afterthought, he added, “I don’t think I’m fond of teaching.”
Eva’s frown deepened. “When does your contract end?”
“Could be a year, could be twenty. It isn’t time based. The details are for me and me alone, however.”
Before Eva could comment, Zagan switched tracks.
“You truly are tainting this place. I can smell it. You smell like a demon, though I hope that would be obvious to you. But it has rubbed off. Your friends smell like demons as well.”
Eva drew in a sharp breath.
“Don’t be silly, embryonic one.” Zagan said with a brushed hand. “They aren’t like you. It would be interesting to watch, between you and Martina’s plans. Maybe I’ll preserve the school just for that. If you are interesting
“Of course, it will be fun to see you two panic as hunters arrive without me here. I hope you prepare better than Martina is doing, yeah?”
“Yeah,” Eva said after a moment. She had a sudden urge to speak with Devon regarding what could be done about hunters at the school. Her master would have ideas. They hid out in Florida for years.
Though they never had Arachne constantly summoned in Florida. She only turned up on occasion for treatments or jobs.
“Well,” Zagan said, “what are you standing around for. Be gone with you, foul creatures.” He started laughing to himself as Eva backed out of the room.
“Don’t worry,” Eva whispered to Arachne. She stroked the spider-demon lightly over her shirt. “We are not sending you back. Not while Zagan and Martina Turner are around. Even if that means we’ll have to deal with hunters.”
Arachne gave Eva a few slow taps on her right shoulder as they headed off towards their second class of the first day.
— — —
Des idly rubbed one of the lines of stitches running from her forehead to her ear. She nodded along as Professor Zoe started her talk about the treatment she was getting from her fellow students.
It wasn’t going to help. She’d heard this speech from teachers other than Professor Zoe before. Des had already resigned herself to being ‘freaky Des’ once again.
This time was different. This time she had a loyal companion. Hugo couldn’t betray her. Hugo couldn’t make fun of her.
So, Des smiled. She had at least one friend here. If her father was correct, she might even get a second.
“I am curious, Miss Des. What did you say to those girls?”
Des’ smile grew a few inches. “Oh! Those nice girls were just wondering why my eyes were different colors.”
She lifted her finger up to her right eye and carefully pressed her finger above her eyelid. Being extra careful–
“I showed them.”
Pointed Revelations
“Professors Baxter, Kines, and Zagan?”
“We’re a lot larger this year, probably because of Professor Zagan.”
The three professors stood in the center of the dueling rings. Franklin Kines spoke to the students about learning combat and a new outline and schedule for the mage-knight club courtesy of Zagan.
