Deep underground of Draghein School, in a glass cube prison, Edicles Hogmen stood with a defiant look on his face and an energy seal around his neck.
Trixan silently watched the man, her hands behind her back. He on the other hand glared at her.
“Well, this is cozy.” He glanced at the single bed and chair in the cell. “Come to give me blankets?” His eyes were back on Trixan, his face pressed to the glass wall. Even if he wasn’t wearing an energy seal, there was no way he could break through the adamant glass. “What? Did you come here to just stare at me all day?”
“Did you betray us, Edicles?” She wasn’t angry. Not yet. She couldn’t accept it yet, not until Edicles admitted it himself. Three years ago, Edicles had voluntarily transferred to Draghein School. As a class three senior vanquisher, his transfer was a real blessing to the school and he had proved to be good at his job. Why would he suddenly betray the school now?
“Betray you?”He laughed, yet his laughter was devoid of any mirth. “I was never one of you, Trixan. I don’t work for Draghein School or you.”
Hmm. It was a close thing to admission. But she wasn’t angry. Not yet. “Does it mean you work for demons and Vessels then? Is that why you took down the shield beam for them?”
“I don’t work for filthy Vessels and demons,” he spat. “They were nothing but a cog in the wheel.”
Trixan paused. Edicles did not deny that he took down the shield beam. Judging from his heartbeat, he had done what he did willingly and not because he was being controlled or under duress. Why would he do this? Why would he grant access to the demons? And if he wasn’t working for them, then who was he really working for? These thoughts plagued her mind. Yet Trixan wasn’t angry. Not yet.
“Who put you up to this?” she asked. “Who are you working for?”
“I’m not telling you anything.”
It was at that very moment the shadows of rage loomed over her. Trixan rubbed her knuckles, before saying in her chillingly calm voice, “Do not test my patience, Edicles.”
Edicles gulped, his eyes wavering a moment. But the uncertainty in his eyes was gone in a flash. “Your legendary rage is nothing compared to what’s coming, Trixan. Your end is near.” A maniacal smile widened on his dark brown face. “The end of Draghein School is near, Trixan. We will destroy you like we did Hellstorm.” He banged against the glass wall, his gaze hardening despite the smile on his face. “We’ll destroy you.”
We will destroy you like we did Hellstorm. These very words were worse than the harshest of winters. What could this bastard possibly know of Hellstorm’s death? Hellstorm died a hero fighting Bezvaros himself, so why was Edicles talking like the death of her teacher was the result of some cheap scheme? She wouldn’t hold back anymore.
“Open,” she commanded. She sauntered towards Edicles as the glass doors draped apart like a curtain. Behind her, the doors shut.
The glare on Edicles’s dark brown face faltered. With each calculating step Trixan took, Edicles retreated. He halted, his back finally hitting the wall.
“Who’s we, Edicles?” she asked quietly. The angrier she got the calmer she became.
Edicles must have known this because he gulped, his eyes darkening in fear. But his voice was firm. “I’ll never tell you anything. I’m not afraid of you, Trixan.”
Trixan smiled — not her usual warm smile. “You should be.” Her voice reverberated, gushing forth like the the sound of many waters.
Edicles screamed, his face buried in his palms. He staggered, falling on his bed. Blood oozed from his nostrils.
“Did you feel the tiny vibrations in your head?” Trixan asked. “Consider yourself warned, Edicles. The next time you let me repeat myself, I’m going to fry your brain.”
Edicles clenched his jaws, his teeth shivering violently. He looked up at Trixan with watery eyes. Hmm, was he already crying? But she had barely done anything. She wouldn’t want to shatter the adamant glass of the cell so she had only resorted to her elema in its weakest form.
“Now let’s start over.” Trixan pulled the chair and sat. “Why did you destroy the shield beam?”
Edicles pressed his lips together as if trying to stop himself from talking. Whatever resolve that remained within him broke free like shackles. “It was the only way to get the Vessels and demons into the school.”
“I see.” Trixan nodded. It was fortunate the engineers had already restored the shield beam. Who knew what other unwanted visitors would have breached the school’s security? “And why did they come here? What did they want?”
“They were looking for…” Edicles paused.
“For what?” Her chilling voice reminded Edicles of what would happen if he kept wasting her time. He caught on to the warning.
“Bezvaros’ Crystal.”
Trixan raised a brow. “Bezvaros’ Crystal isn’t here.”
A sinister smile widened at the corner of his lips. “Of course, it isn’t. But those fools would believe anything about their precious Demon King.”
He knew this whole time and yet let the demons into the school? Was this the whole plan from the beginning? To spread false rumors about Bezvaros’ Crystal being in Draghein School so that their school would be attacked and destroyed? Edicles did say that they wanted to destroy the school after all. Trixan’s hands itched to punch this scoundrel into oblivion.
But as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t get answers if Edicles was dead. The man was just a pawn in the whole thing and — a more powerful person was pulling the strings. Who could it be? Could it be a fellow vanquisher? Trixan narrowed her eyes. Or perhaps, it was the Draghein Family. As much as the Draghein Family loathed her, would they go so far as putting the entire school in danger by sending demons and Vessels?
Even if the family could not stand her because she was just a poor street urchin favored by Hellstorm, even if they hated that Hellstorm chose an outsider like her as his successor, and even if most Dragheins transferred to other schools as soon as she took over as Elder, would they stoop so low to use Vessels and demons in doing their dirty work? The Draghein Family might hate Trixan, but they hated demons and Vessels even more.
More importantly, they would dare not incur the wrath of Zhura Vaashun, Hellstorm’s grandmother. If that woman found out that some people in the family had planned for the school to be attacked by Vessels and demons, they would wish they were dead. It was simply illogical to think that the Draghein Family was responsible for the attack on the school. Besides, Edicles claimed the people he was working for had destroyed Hellstorm.
Hellstorm was one of the most powerful people in the Draghein Family and his mere presence alone boosted the reputation of the family by leaps and bounds. Even if people didn’t agree with some of his decisions, his incredible strength brought the family a lot of power and respect, the two most important things to the Dominant Families. Why would the Draghein Family destroy the very thing that gave them exactly what they wanted? It made no sense. Unless they didn’t want that power anymore. Or more accurately, someone didn’t want the Draghein Family to be powerful anymore.
Trixan clenched her jaws. “Did one of the Dominant Families do this?”
Edicles smiled though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Not only are you strong. But you’re also intelligent. If only the Draghein Family saw your potential.”
“I want a name. Who wants to destroy my school? Who was responsible for Hellstorm’s death?”
“I think you already know, Elder. You are living with the enemy after all.”
Trixan frowned. The majority of her vanquishers were outies, and only a few had ties to the Twelve Dominant Families of Agon. However, they were loyal to her. Were they though? Especially if one of these Dominant Families had a centuries-old grudge against the Draghein Family.
Zoleris. Trixan narrowed her eyes. No, it can’t be. Don’t let him get into your head.
“You figured it out, haven’t you?” Edicles chuckled.
“Do you expect me to believe that the Zoleris Family planned this attack?”
“I don’t expect you to believe anything.” He shrugged. “But since you want to know the truth, I’m telling you that they sent me. You have two Zoleris right under your roof, and one of them is the greatest weapon of their family. If you expected the Zoleris to sit back and do nothing, then you’re delusional.”
Trixan leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. Esumeraz Zoleris.
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Memories of the conversation she had two days ago with the Elder of the Zoleris School were still fresh in her mind. Esumeraz’s warning had been crystal clear that night.
She was in Rhodine then, preparing for the meeting with the Council of Elders. As Trixan basked in the beauty and serenity of the garden in the Tower of Elders, a chill suddenly arrested her heart. It was only for a mere second but the bloodlust was unmistakable. Trixan’s eyes darkened.
“What do you want?” she asked not turning around, her gaze fixated on the midnight blue petals of the moonrose.
“I think you know what I want,” came the voice of a man she could not stand.
Trixan turned around. Esumeraz Zoleris glared at her, his deep blue eyes a blizzard.
She really was not in the mood for this. She had come to the garden to enjoy the serenity and keep her constant rage in check. Esumeraz being here was not helping. Before Trixan could walk away, she felt tiny vibrations coming from outside the garden. Whoever it was was waiting, listening, and from the pattern of the vibration, it was definitely a man closely related to Esumeraz.
“Is he going to eavesdrop all night?” Trixan said.
Esumeraz paused, raising his thick white eyebrow. Then he chuckled. “Come here, Abeneron.”
A young man with a smooth hairless face appeared from the shadows and stood beside the older bearded man. With his thick black hair and dark brown eyes, the young man looked nothing like a Zoleris. Where the Zoleris were as dark as a starless night, this man had honey-brown skin. Trixan would have assumed Abeneron was some random person if the young man didn’t have the same face, height, and stature as Zemeron.
“I don’t think you’ve met Abeneron.” Esumeraz put a hand on Abeneron’s shoulder. “I’m sure you recognize him as my son since you’ve abducted his twin after all.”
Trixan smiled. For a man past his hundreds, he was so dramatic. “Zemeron transferred to Draghein School of his own volition.”
“Of course he did, that damn coward.” Esumeraz clenched his jaws. “But it’s fine. I have a better heir. Abeneron has already taken my place as Elder. I don’t care about that useless idiot of a son.”
Trixan cocked her head. “Did you come here to tell me what a terrible father you are? Or do you have something intelligent to talk about?”
Trixan didn’t think Esumeraz’s frown could get any deeper. But it did. These nobles for some reason had this presumptuous belief that they could disrespect others without consequence. Not on her watch.
“Zemeron can stay all he wants in that dump you call a school.” He paused. Then taking a step closer to Trixan he added in a colder tone, “But you should return Pheera at once. She’s a prized possession of our family. Do you think we’re going to let you own her?”
Trixan slowly rubbed her knuckles. “Pheera is not an object or a possession to be owned. She’s a person and she’s in Draghein School of her own free will. I do not own her and neither do you.”
“She’s a Zoleris,” Abeneron suddenly snapped. “She belongs in Zoleris School not with lowlifes like you.”
Abeneron suddenly lunged towards Trixan but Esumeraz pulled him by the collar before he could reach her. The young man staggered next to his father like a drunk idiot.
“Father, why did you stop me? Let me teach this worm a lesson.”
“You better be glad I stopped you, fool,” Esumeraz roared. “She would have killed you without a single thought.”
Abeneron calmed down instantly. Though he said nothing anymore, the daggers in his eyes didn’t dull for a second.
“So that’s the new Elder of Zoleris School?” Trixan chuckled. “You must be desperate.”
“You should worry about your school, Trixan Yvis,” said Esumeraz. “Do the Dragheins know you’re harboring Zoleris in their school?”
Trixan shrugged. “I run the school, not them.”
“You run the school because of Hellstorm and Vaashun. You’re a nobody. Don’t for a second think you’re one of them. One of us.”
Trixan smiled. “Why will I want to be?”
“Hmm.” He clenched his jaw. “I know you’re too stubborn to hand Pheera over simply because I asked. So here’s what’s going to happen.” By now, Esumeraz and Trixan stood face to face at eye level. His heart thumped with fury. “I will stop at nothing until I get Pheera back. You have my word.”
Trixan tightened her fists by her side, wrestling hard to keep the rage at bay. “Pheera has come a long way recovering from the trauma she suffered from the likes of you. There is no way I will ever let anyone, especially her father, hurt her ever again.” Her fury intoxicated her, and she wanted nothing more than to unleash it. “Since you gave your word, I will give mine, Esumeraz Zoleris,” with every word she uttered, her entire being spiraled into an abyss of darkness and rage — her voice remained calm, yet it was as cold as winter, “anyone who tries to take Pheera without her consent will have me to contend with. That includes the entire Zoleris Family. I will — “
“Trixan.”
She froze as the softness of the voice whisked her out of her bloodlust. Slowly she returned to her senses. “Arequil,” Trixan whispered. Thank goodness her friend was here. Trixan had almost lost control — something that hardly ever happened.
Arequil sauntered towards them in elegance, her light purple hair fluttering with the breeze. When she smiled, her silver eyes dazzled, instantly putting Trixan at ease.
“Who do we have here?” she asked, beaming at Abeneron. “The newest and youngest Elder. I hear congratulations are in order, young man.” Then she turned to Esumeraz. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“We were just leaving.” Esumeraz nodded at his son. “Let’s go.”
“That was intense,” said Arequil when Esumeraz and his son left.
“Thanks for coming,” Trixan said, rubbing her forehead. “I almost lost control.”
“Why do you think I came to find you?” Arequil folded her hands. “I sensed a sliver of your oppressive union. What were you thinking, Trixan? You can’t just let your rage take over while the meeting starts in less than an hour.”
“You’re right.” Trixan sighed. “Next time I’ll do that when the meeting starts in more than an hour.”
Arequil laughed — a sweet melodious sound. Everything about this woman made Trixan forget about her constant rage. Arequil Rahalan — Trixan’s fellow Elder and best friend. Arequil’s beautiful features turned serious. “You don’t lose control, Trixan. What did Esumeraz say to you?”
The words of Esumeraz replayed over and over in Trixan’s head. Those weren’t just words. Those were threats. Threats of a Zoleris. And threats of a Zoleris didn’t remain threats for long. As her mind returned to the surroundings of the glass prison, Edicles watching her in amusement, Trixan didn’t know what else to think. Could Esumeraz have planned the attack on their school to send a message to her?
“The Zoleris Family will stop at nothing until you’re all destroyed,” Edicles said. “The Zoleris Family will destroy you.”
Trixan paused thoughtfully. It can’t be right. If the Zoleris Family had used demons to attack their school, why hadn’t they taken Pheera away when the vanquishers were all busily fighting off the demons? That should have been a perfect time to get her back and yet Pheera was still safe and sound in the school.
Besides, Edicles had not seemed surprised to see Trixan even though all the senior vanquishers knew she was in Rhodine for three days. She raised a brow. Does he know about the letter?
Trixan grabbed Edicles by the neck and knocked him against the wall. Edicles’s feet dangled in the air as Trixan lifted him. She tightened her grip around his neck.
“You should stop lying, Edicles,” she whispered “I am this close to exploding your brain.”
“I’m not lying,” he yelled, squirming under Trixan’s touch. “The Zoleris Family sent me. They killed Hellstorm. And now they want you dead.”
Edicles grumbled as Trixan dropped him to the cold hard floor with a heavy thud.
Trixan sat back in her chair. “Get up.”
The young man struggled to his feet. It took him a world of an effort to sit on his bed.
Trixan chuckled. “Tell me something, Edicles, do you think I’m stupid?”
“I-I don’t understand.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
Edicles bit his lips. “No. I already told you how intelligent I think you are.”
“Hmm.” Trixan nodded. “So then tell me why you keep expecting me to believe your lies.”
Edicles narrowed his eyes, then quickly schooled them to fit his words. “But I’m not lying. Everything I’ve said is the truth.”
“Really?” Trixan smiled. “I have barely touched you, and yet, here you are spilling all your dirty little secrets. What happened to not telling me anything no matter what I did to you?”
Edicles gulped. He looked down, avoiding Trixan’s gaze.
“The Zoleris Family didn’t send you.” Trixan shrugged. “But what I fail to understand is why you’re lying about that. Why are you pinning this crime on the Zoleris Family? What’s your aim here?”
Silence.
“Look at me, Edicles.”
Slowly, the young man gazed at Trixan.
“SPEAK,” she thundered, and her sound union gushed into Edicles.
The man convulsed wildly, his eyes widening. “Please, stop. Please.”
“Not until you tell me who sent you. Who planned Hellstorm’s death?”
Edicles slumped to the floor, writhing like a dying snake. Blood burst forth from his orifices.
“I-I can’t tell you. I’ll never tell you.”
Trixan merely sat still, watching him in disinterest. “Hmm, I see. Then I have no use for you.”
She could have prolonged his suffering and made him feel the worst kind of hell until he broke apart, having no other choice but to speak the truth. But no matter how Trixan saw it, Edicles was one of her dear vanquishers whom she still cared a lot about. As much as she wanted to make him pay for causing harm to the other vanquishers, Trixan couldn’t bring herself to torture him anymore.
Edicles’s lifeless body lay at her feet, yet the rage in her heart was not quelled at all.
She paced. If Edicles was right about Hellstorm’s death, then something dark was going on in the Ancient Order of Vanquishers. Who would dare do something like this? And why would they want to make it look like the Zoleris Family was responsible?
If the Vessels were looking for Bezvaros’ Crystal, then they might have learned that the crystal was not destroyed. Only the Ancient Order of Vanquishers knew that the crystal was not destroyed. What exactly was going on? Nothing made sense to her, but she sensed that whoever was behind all this was somehow connected to Hellstorm’s death. She wanted answers and she would do all it took to get them.
Trixan fished out the letter from her pocket. Right now it was the only clue she had. She read the words over and over again.
Draghein School is in great danger at this very moment.
A letter so simple, yet so heavy. This one warning she had received made her rush over to the school to protect her vanquishers. Whoever had slipped the letter under her hotel room in Rhodine must be connected somehow to this whole thing. How else would they have known that her school was in danger?
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Late into the night, when people snored or dreamed, Trixan sat awake behind her computer, typing rapidly. Edicles’s files pulled up on the screen. She remembered a few things about him, like how he transferred to Draghein School three years ago. However, she did not remember what school he had transferred from.
“Kavaars School,” she whispered as the information appeared on the computer. As one of the Twelve Schools, it was run by the Kavaars Family, its jurisdiction over Eastern Europe.
She made a quick call to the school asking about one Edicles Hogmen. The man on the phone told her that there was no vanquisher in the school with such a name. Trixan clarified that Edicles had transferred from the school three years ago.
But the man assured Trixan that no one had transferred from Kavaars School at that time with that name. Trixan thanked the man and ended the call. Now she had more questions than answers. How could she have been so careless to let a spy right under her nose?
This was all her fault. In her desperation to staff the school with skilled vanquishers, she did not properly run a background check on Edicles Hogmen. That was probably not even his real name. And even if he was dead now, the people he worked for would not stop. It was only a matter of time until they struck again. She had to do something about it before the worst happened.
It took a spy to catch another spy. And Trixan knew exactly the best spy for this job. She called the number on her phone. On the first ring, the receiver picked up.
“Rizav, my dear.” Trixan smiled. “I have a mission for you.”