Void Domain, Book 03 полностью

The new circle was different. There remained a very real possibility that a human would gain heads, a tail, and fur if a cerberus were used as a donor. Possibly lethally in that case. What effect the heads would have was unpredictable without further information.

No. A willing, sentient, and humanoid demon would be best. Devon had a few ideas, but he would need to interview the demons. Willingness was almost necessary. If the demon bailed half-way through…

Devon scratched a few notes on a blank page. It would require a brand new circle to be drawn up, but a new demon every treatment might even further decrease the time to completion–with unpredictable mutations.

Multiple experiments occurring at once would be best. Placing all of his eggs in one basket with Eva had been a failure.

That was another issue. Demons could be summoned up. The human half of the experiment had to be looked for. Physically.

What a pain.

Surely it wouldn’t be that bad. Some orphan kids must be ready to jump at the opportunity to be locked into a prison for a few years if they’re guaranteed meals.

Perhaps he would go on a vacation come summer.

But first, Devon thought as he turned towards a preservation jar. The contents had been recovered from that professor’s house. It was a risk, but it was free. No wording loopholes to keep track of.

Eva could work Arachne’s fingers with no issue despite their extra joints. This shouldn’t be an issue.

It was nerve-wracking nonetheless.

— — —

Zoe collected the final stack of essays from her desk. She was ready to bunker down for a long weekend of grading. Bunkering down was somewhat more literal this time compared to other weekends. Ylva had erected wards that she couldn’t begin to identify around her new apartment.

Not that a lack of knowledge prevented her from trying. In fact, Zoe wanted to get home and rush through the essays in order to get back to studying the wards. She wouldn’t, of course. That wouldn’t be fair to her students. But the thought had crossed her mind more than once.

Near as Zoe could tell, the wards did not use any of the six thaumaturgical elements. They operated purely on Ylva’s will. Almost as if she had turned the room into a part of herself. Though Zoe hadn’t had an opportunity to study Ylva’s domain, she suspected that place would appear much the same.

It was somewhat concerning. The only assurance she had that the area would go back to normal was Ylva’s assurance that she would take down the wards when the threat had been dealt with. As… nice as Ylva had been, Zoe couldn’t understand her motivations.

“Your students request an audience.”

Zoe started, barely managing to keep the essays from falling to the floor. Ylva stood in front of the transparent door to the classroom. Whatever Eva had said to convince her to wear a tee-shirt and regular pants couldn’t be appreciated enough. It had been disturbing to look at a child barely wearing anything.

Inside the classroom, two students stood right in front of the door. Had they knocked? Zoe was so absorbed in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed anything.

“Mr. Anderson. Mr. Weston,” Zoe said as she opened the door. She put on a polite smile and gestured into her office. “Please, come in.”

The two students nodded and walked in. Both smiled at Ylva, though Max Weston’s smile was slightly strained. Jordan actually gave her a slight bow.

Even in her tiny form, Ylva managed to unnerve most students. Part of that was likely due to her sickly appearance. Her deathly features were less pronounced while small, but there were still little things that disturbed the subconscious. She didn’t breathe. She didn’t blink. She didn’t speak while the students were around.

Her presence, or perhaps that of her mother, had students treating Eva different. Differenter. Their story had Eva only knowing Ylva through Zoe, yet rumors had already started going around that Eva was a crossbreed daughter of a giant royal. Or a dragon priestess. Or any number of other theories.

None of the ones Zoe had heard were at all accurate.

“So,” Zoe said, “you caught me just as I was leaving. What can I do for you?”

Jordan gave a sad smile and said, “I hope we aren’t being a bother. We were wondering about Professor Lurcher’s condition.”

“Professor Lurcher is doing well. I had contact with the head doctor at the hospital. He required several skin grafts, but should be fine with the elves’ help. There might be some scarring.”

He might be wearing a wig as well.

“Is there a general time frame for when he will return?”

“He will be out of the hospital in four to six weeks, though he’ll need to return periodically for check-ups. He won’t be returning to teach for another few months. I believe he’ll be back after the new year starts. Mr. Bookman will be filling in for his class until then.”

“I see,” Jordan said with a nod. “Will he be available for counseling during his recovery?”