Mini sobbed and Paxton tried to comfort her, which was the only sound in the cavernous room. The recruiter could only stare in shock at the dead student pressed into the glowing floor.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" she screamed, shrill like a harpy.
Paxton didn't even look up at the panicking woman, rocking back and forth to try and comfort the panicking girl.
The blood continued to flow, creating a puddle that soaked into the student's white cloak.
The recruiter didn't know what to do, she didn't know where to look, and she didn't know how to deal with this problem. The star students had authority near-equal to teachers. They weren't just more powerful than regular students, they were also a very tight-knit group that worked together on an unknown basis.
As if turning her deepest fear into reality, a voice said next to her, "What happened?"
She looked down to her side and saw Alciel, the student president. He had a very stern expression, a jarring change from his regular innocent, baby-faced smile.
"It was self-defense," Paxton excused.
"Prove it," the angel ordered, offering Paxton a hand.
Paxton looked up at the hand, then he took it.
The recruiter watched as the two students stared into each other's eyes and squeezed each other's hands. An unknown understanding seemed to pass between them, shared by a keen look and a quick nod.
"I think he's telling the truth," Alciel sighed, a little dissappointed at his own decision.
"What? But? Uhh!" the recruiter cried, pointing to the dead child on the ground.
"Paxton, would you mind?" Alciel asked, returning to his pleasent demeanor.
Paxton didn't say anything, but he leaned forward and reached for the fallen angel. White fire spread from Paxton's hand to the student's body, healing the boy.
Paxton noticed that the wound wouldn't close as easily as he was used to. Perhaps it was the angel's physiology or there was some anti-magic accessory, but he needed to push harder to finish the healing.
After a full five minutes, Paxton let the ghostly fire die down. He was a bit out of breath and some sweat formed on his forehead, which worried the recruiter about the severity of the injury.
"See? Everything's okay," Alciel confirmed with a cheerful smile.
"But-!" the recruiter tried to persist.
"You're over reacting," Alciel insisted, then he pulled out a golden square roughly the size of a phone. He placed it in the recruiter's hands, and then Paxton felt a cold chill up his spine.
The recruiter swayed a bit as she gripped the square, her eyes glazed over and her expression softened.
"Try going to the sauna sometime," the angel suggested, "I hear it's great for relaxation. A few minutes in there, and it will be like nothing happened!"
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
"Yes, the sauna, nothing happened, of course," the recruiter repeated mindlessly.
Without any further arguing, she turned around and exited the atrium, swaying as though she was slightly drunk.
"What was that about?" Paxton asked pointedly.
"None of your business," snapped the angel. "Don't forget. Library. Sundown. Be there, and we can talk."
"What about your friend?" Paxton inquired, gesturing to the bloodied angel.
As if on cue, two other angels floated from the partially open cieling, descending like feathers before landing on either side of their comrade.
"Sundown. Library," Alciel repeated angrily, turning away as the injured angel was picked up and carried off.
Paxton watched them go, then he patted Mini on the head.
"Their gone now," he hissed, keeping his voice down.
The death grip around his neck loosened, but didn't release.
"See?" Paxton continued, "I told you I wouldn't let them kill you."
He consoled Mini for a few minutes; scratching her back or running his fingers through her hair.
Then something occured to him.
"I'm such an idiot," he insulted himself.
"It's okay," Mini whimpered, "you didn't know there were angels here...."
"Well, that, and... I have no idea where the library is... or where everyone else is, for that matter."
Paxton looked at the carraige where his bags were still waiting to be carried to his room, and half-wondered how he would carry them while Mini was firmly latched on. Perhaps he could create a makeshift harness and carry Mini like a backpack, or a sling so she could cling to his waist like a phanny pack.
As if summoned by the stars, Goddard stepped out from one of the many, many hallways. Goddard noticed the pool of blood on the floor as well as Paxton's bloody hands. He shared a look with Paxton, who clearly seemed distressed, and figured that their conversation could wait until everything was steadier.
"I'll give you a hand," he offered, walking to the carriage and picking up a few of Paxton's bags.
The younger brother guided his older sibling through a complex series of twists and turns, only to turn up at a garden with hundreds of multi-colored flowers in a near-perfect gradient.
They arrived at a hallway with a series of square outcroppings, which Goddard put his hand on to open up a door that had no seams.
"We'll set your bags here, then talk to maintenance about getting you access," Goddard offered.
Both Mini and Paxton were in awe of the cool room with bare-furnishings. Paxton inspected the door while Mini was more interested in the unique flooring.
"So," Goddard said aloud, "mind explaining what that whole thing was back there?"
"Uuuhm, I don't know if I can," Paxton admitted.
"I thought we were done keeping secrets," Goddard said with a heavy sigh.
"This isn't my secret; this belongs to the star students."
"A secret of the star students," Goddard said, looking at Mini suspisciously. "Is it that they're something mythical? More dragons?"
"I can't answer that," Paxton said. "Their secrets belong to them, I'm not going to out them as long as we can earn their trust."
Goddard looked forlorn, mostly because Paxton made too much sense. Getting the star students on their side was one of the most helpful things that they could do to stop the demon invasion. It was beyond important, but Goddard found it difficult not to be part of the talks.
"If you think I can't help," Goddard said, dejected, "then I'll stay on the side for this one."
"Thank you," Paxton said, looking over at Mini. "We're supposed to hash out a deal at the library. Can you take me there, then take Mini?"
Goddard nodded, but he couldn't seem to make eye contact with Paxton.
As they waited for sundown, Paxton and Goddard sat in thick silence. There wasn't much to speak about since Goddard wasn't going to be included anyway.
"We should go," Goddard said aloud. "You could probably read some books while the star students get ready."
Paxton looked at Goddard, and felt terrible.
'That's right,' the older brother thought to himself, 'Goddard had to suffer through a war that he knows is GOING to happen. And now I'M the one going to negotiate with the strongest forces to fight against the demons.'
"Fuck it," Paxton said aloud, "excuse my language. You know more about the demon invasion than anyone, you should be there, too."
"Are you sure it won't ruin the star student's secret?"
Paxton had to think about that.
Could he handle the repurcussions of the angels if he went around telling their secrets? Would either side be able to trust the other with such loose lips?
Mini looked at Paxton as the boy openly declared, "You were right, the star students are angels."