Page 9 of The Daughter of the Devil

“Oh there’s people saying they saw a witch doctor in the outskirts of the city. He was trying to summon demons or something like that. Other witnesses say they even saw the demons being summoned and that he had some wicked looking daggers with him,” she claims excitedly going back to her cheery animated self now confident I won’t judge her for believing in the supernatural. “Well, that’s what the rumors claim anyway.”

This guy summoning demons and using weird daggers may have something to do with me losing my powers. I have to find out if he’s real or just a rumor for mortal’s entertainment. Just as I am about to ask her where exactly this witch doctor was seen, I see someone approach me off to my left. I look over and see a tall broad teenager stopping next to me and giving me a wide smile. He has short brown hair and gray, sharp eyes boring into me.

“Hi, I don’t think we officially met. I’m Darren, captain of the football team. And you are?” He asks my name while extending his right hand to shake in their customary mortal greeting. Even though I'm annoyed at being interrupted in my search for answers, I take his rough hand in mine and grip it firmly. I have to keep up appearances as per my father’s orders.

“Morgana,” I respond, sounding terser than intended thanks to my irritation. “And this is Alistair.” I point to my lunch companions, assuming he already knows Sierra, but Darren doesn’t even look their way, only saying an unmotivated “hello” to them all while never taking his gaze off me. Sierra’s enthusiastic greeting is ignored as he lets go of my hand and keeps addressing me directly.

“I like a girl with a firm grip. I knew there was a reason I was interested when I saw you yesterday,” he says with confidence coming off him in waves. “I’m sure you heard there’s a big Halloween party this weekend.” I nod in confirmation, not bothering to comment on his cocky attitude.

“Well, it’s my party at my parents' mansion. I thought that you look cool and maybe you would want to go with someone to the party. Do you have a date already?” Darren asks shooting Alistair a quick glance before looking at me again.

“No, I’m not going.” I state feeling myself frown at his daring approach.

“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun. You can be my special guest and it’s a good way to meet everyone, you know. Since you’re new and probably don’t know a lot of people yet,” he insists, leaning sideways on with one hand, facing me and throwing a charming smile my way. It did nothing for me except disgust me. I audibly scoff at his offer and turn away, facing Sierra, already knowing I was going to turn him down. But before I can begin to reject him he pushes on. “This is the place to go Morgana, you won’t find a better party in this city. Especially if you want to have fun and you can bet that this party won’t be like anyone else's. After all, it's not a party until someone drops dead in fear.” His smile turns into a smirk.

I have to say that it piqued my interest. And it doesn't hurt that Darren is handsome, for a mortal. I quickly forget my annoyance as I turn back to him and stare him down. “Alright, I’ll go with you if you can make that last statement true,” I say, smirking back at him. His grin grows at my answer, and he leans down closer to me.

“Oh, that’s a promise, beautiful,” a mischievous glint in his eyes. I hear a loud clank of metal hitting the table behind me. I look over and find Alistair’s shocked expression, eyes wide in surprise staring back at me. The fork that slipped his grasp in his stunned state lays on the table, bits of food strewn across the surface.

11

Something About Her

Morgana

Each passing day at this school makes me feel dead inside. The choice my father made to send me here was more than a simple mistake, and with each passing day, it’s just getting worse. I have no way to locate this supposed witch doctor, and even with Alistair’s help pressuring human souls into spilling their secrets, still, no one confesses to knowing anything about the man who plays with daggers. Another foolish dead end.

But that wasn’t the most disturbing part of the day. Earlier at the lockers, I told Alistair to get my bag and meet me outside. He didn’t acknowledge me, nor did he do it without being told twice. Either he didn’t hear me, which is impossible, or my powers are starting to weaken over him, and he no longer feels obliged to obey me. Regardless, I don’t like it. Worse still, he doesn’t talk to me like he used to.

The whole thought makes me stare daggers at the side of his head as we walk toward the pawn shop once more, ready to go home. I’ve had enough. I step forward and get in his way. Alarmed, he immediately stops to avoid colliding with me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I belt out, not really sure how else to start the conversation. His eyes open wide in shock and I can tell he has no idea what I’m talking about. “You’ve been acting weird for days. Even when we were messing with the cheer squads uniforms this afternoon you acted like you didn’t want to be there.”

“Well, it was the girl’s changing room.”

“Since when do you care what’s morally right or wrong?”

“It’s not about that. I just don’t-” His mouth snaps shut, seeming like he already knows he’s stepped out of line. But I need an answer of some kind.

“Answer.” I demand.

Clearing his throat he continues, “I just don’t think you should diminish any and all connections you could make here. You’re human now, you’re breaking every chance you have to make friends. Sierra just happened to be an oddball.” I’m disgusted he even considers the relationship between us, and Sierra is one of friendship, but the idea that I’m going to be human for a long time to come disturbs me so much more. It’s also not the only thing he wants to say but perhaps I shouldn’t push it.

“Fine, whatever.” I sigh, crossing my arms. “We can’t leave yet, if we are going to that forsaken mortal gathering we need to attend as expected. I believe costumes are required.”

“I come with a costume.” Alistair smirks, and I return the gesture. He isn’t usually one to make jokes, I kind of like it.

“Well, I lack the horns, so let's go get some that I can glue on.”

“Halloween is very close, we might not be able to find horns.”

“That’s fine, I’ll saw off yours and use those.”

“If you wish.”

“Wha-No. I’m not always trying to hurt you, idiot.” I pout, but the smirk remains on his face. He’s clearly feeling better, and something about this smirk confuses me. “Sierra mentioned a ‘mall’, where they gather and shop for goods and services. She said she was shopping there for Halloween materials too.”

“Alright, we’re not too far and I believe it’s open late in the city.”

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