Page 91 of Hellfire

It rumbled with pleasure, and the light of the sigil extinguished from existence.

“Go back to your true form,” I gave my last instruction. “Return to your home. Slumber. Never wake again. Whatever held you there, let it be there again, just the way it was.”

The beast snorted as if relieved. At once, the cloudy mass of lightning and pure power turned into a sparkling, misty light that contracted into nothing. The hole through which it came sealed up, and just like that, the most dangerous entity in existence was gone.

I advanced to the edge of the Cairn, finding the djinn standing below it, fists crossed over their chests. They smiled at me and vanished into their elements, water, fire, air, earth or death.

Today, we made history by destroying the Brotherhood of Serpents. None of the students at the Academy would ever know that love and the snake princess and her harem saved the world from an incomprehensible evil. That Gable was a redeemed hero and not the villain they made him out to be. That Blaze was part djinn and possessed an unearthly power commanded by only one other—the djinn king. That Talon and his heart were free of his curse, a true Frog Prince under all that gruff, hard stone. Or that Cole remained my loyal and unwavering knight through the highs and lows, the only person to never doubt me.

Meh. I had enough infamy at the Academy and didn’t need any more. I had everything I needed. My four protective knights.My bestie back. And… maybe my parents as well. For once, I couldn’t wait to be welcomed back into my home and family.

CHAPTER 31 - LUNA

Stage lights blinded me, and I squinted against the glare. Sweat peppered my neck. My breath came in short bursts, and my chest ached. Screw tussling with golems, teaching goblins who was boss, battling elementals that invaded the Academy, or grappling with my grandparents for the fate of the world. Easy feats compared to being up on stage under the hot spotlight, fraught with nerves and stage fright. Old habits died hard, all right.

A warm palm squeezed my hand, reminding me to breathe long and deep to calm the wave of nerves. Muscles in my face froze, and I couldn’t smile at Cole and pump his hand in return.

Okay, so I was wrong about the whole infamy thing. Turned out that when we returned to the Academy, the headmaster declared the five of us heroes, called his superiors and notified them of the good news and to investigate all known Brotherhood assets. Thrilled, he threw a little party in his office, pouring us all whisky, even hugging Gable. Weird.

Now, my four men and I lined up to receive a gift and thanks from the headmaster for our service to the Guild and Academy. Students and teachers packed the ceremony in the Academy’s auditorium, and I was grateful for the lights depriving me oftheir resentful stares and begrudging whispers, admitting they were wrong about me.

Talon, Cole, and Blaze clutched their awards, proud smiles wide, backs straight, chests out. A badge of honor and the Armor of Gallantry for Talon, which he proudly wore over his uniform. Blaze received the Amulet of Fire for his heroism in battle, and Cole, the Sword of Courage and Strength.

Full pardons were granted for the lot of us for committing offenses, going into battle without the Council’s approval.

Gable and I stood at the end of the line, waiting for our awards and the sweet vindication for misjudgment and lies. Not that I really cared what the students or staff thought when I knew the truth in our hearts.

Mary waved and smiled from the second row, looking radiant in her green spring dress, her hair long and curled. The sixth elemental removed all her trauma and transformed her into a confident, smart young lady.

Her brother, Luke, sat with her, handsome in his slacks, button-up shirt, and tie, hair slicked back. A younger, softer version of Gable.

Having the two of them back in his sphere made Gable the happiest brother and boyfriend of the lost, which was ironic, given he was the cynical one of the bunch.

One person was missing from the procession of heroes. Astra. Despite my request to the elemental to free my friend from the Guardians, she remained locked up. Boy was I salty and wished I didn’t let the damn thing return to its home when it failed to deliver on its promise. That little slip-up made me wonder what else remained unchanged. I guess we’d find out.

My chest ached at her absence and her plight of being sent to the Guardians for a crime my grandfather coordinated. She deserved to be up here with us or in the audience cheering us on.

The headmaster instigated proceedings to grant her clemency, but red tape bound him, just as it always did, and it might take longer than we anticipated to get my bestie out of hell. For now, I hoped she somehow met Cole’s mother, and got taken under her wing. Though, I doubted it, since she didn’t know anything about that story.

“Smile, Princess.” Gable nudged me from my opposite side. “We’re the heroes for once.” And didn’t he soak it up, waving to the crowd like a rock star being knighted by the damn queen.

I couldn’t help but smile at his redemption. Misunderstood villain to hero. Or was it vigilante to hero? I went with Vigilante Prince, his new nickname.

The headmaster stepped in front of him, speaking low enough for Gable to hear, but not the audience. “We’ve certainly had our differences, son,” he started, and I sensed a satisfying groveling apology coming on.

“Have we ever,” Gable muttered, and this time, I crunched his hand, warning him to be nice. “You’re lucky I don’t take it personally anymore.”

I snorted and covered my mouth. Understatement of the year.

“Lady-like,” Gable chided, never one to miss teasing me.

The headmaster ended any chance of banter, silencing us with, “I want to apologize for misjudging you. You’ve come through for us three times now, and I want to put this animosity between us to bed.” He tugged at his suit jacket like it hurt to acknowledge his error in judgment.

“What the hell.” Gable thrust out his hand. “I’ll bury the hatchet.”

The headmaster smiled cordially and lifted a small, jeweled ring from a red velvet pillow carried by his secretary.

“The Guild and Academy is in great debt to you, Gable.” He raised his voice for all the students and teachers attendingthe ceremony in the Academy’s auditorium to hear. “For your service protecting us from dark forces, the Guild awards you the Ring of Friendship.”

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