Page 10 of Coerced

“Let’s catch up with the others.” I smiled at him. “I don’t want to miss anything important.”

3. Built to Fight

Kerry

When I was sure Gemma was all right again, I drifted away from the class. I needed a break. I couldn’t torture or destroy what bothered her, and that tested the hold I had on my temper.

A big glass case full of whizzing colors caught my eye, so I wandered over to it and saw about a dozen little birds flitting around inside.

They weren’t real. Gold lines ran through their shiny bodies and bright wings. They looked like ornaments that had been brought to life. They musta been tweeting or whatever birds did because their beaks opened and closed, but the glass was too thick or soundproofed or something because I couldn’t hear them at all. Watching them, I wondered if an artificer had created them.

Looking at the little sign posted next to the case, I made out a few words before Gemma came over. Her expression made me scan the room.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are you okay?” Her voice was as soft as the hand she laid against my cheek.

“Oh.” I exited attack mode and took her hand in mine. “I’m good. What are these things? So far, I made out the wordbirds, which I can see for myself,call, andall. I think this word iskeepand maybe this one istimes?”

“You’re right. It says, ‘Alarm Birds. Caution! Keep in a soundproofed environment at all times. Their klaxon call is deafening.’ Wow. Someone screwed that up.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Pretty, though. The gold with the jewel colors like that.”

“I think so, too.” She led me back to the main group where Gigi and Chessie waited. “It’s called cloisonne.”

About half an hour later, Ms. Chapman led us to a giant stone door with tons of Angelic sigilla carved into it. Holy power slammed into me like heat from a blast furnace, trying to scorch the taint inside me, and I stayed back about twenty feet. Even at that distance, I would’ve been driven to my knees without the grace.

“This is the Vault.” Like Ms. Chapman had to say it. Only an idiot wouldn’t have guessed that. “The stone door leads to a bronze one, which leads to a steel one, which leads to an adamantine one. Each door has its own set of wards. To enter all four doors, one must have the keys, receive the Keeper’s permission and, of course, be of Divine heritage.”

When the stone door opened and someone walked out, I half-smiled. I knew those bushy white eyebrows.

Clemency Greenaway stopped to look at us, a long wood box under one arm.

“Are you removing property from the Vault?” Ms. Chapman’s thin lips pinched together, which usually meant detention.

“Of course not, Helene. What kind of fool would do that? I was comparing the marks on this piece to one already in there.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done something strictly prohibited for your own purposes.” Ms. Chapman crossed her arms. “For example, I distinctly recall your experiments with doppelganger potions in the 1970s.”

“It was the 70s, Helene.” Clem smirked. “Everyone was experimenting with something. Well, look at the time! I must go. Have fun with the children. Oh, and I’d keep Harker away from the Norse hall if I were you. He’s too much a berserker for Hrothgar’s men to resist.”

“When I want your advice, I’ll ask for it!” she snapped. “Away with you!”

Before he walked away, he grinned at me. I scowled back.

Ms. Chapman went on explaining the rules for visiting The Vault, but I tuned out.

IknowI’m too dangerous to be around people. Why does he have to point it out in front of everyone? Is he reminding me of what I am? Like, ‘Don’t get too comfortable, kid. You could turn tiger at any second.’ Like I don’t know that already!

When Gemma squeezed my hand, I squeezed back to let her know I was okay, but didn’t wanna talk.

“As you can see, the Vault is—” A loud bell interrupted Ms. Chapman, and she switched gears in a heartbeat. “Stay calm and stay together. An artifact has escaped its confinement. Curators will arrive momentarily. Let us move closer to the wall so as to be out of their way.”

I herded the girls against the wall and got in front of them, but stayed away from everyone else. My adrenaline spiked and the last thing I needed was to prove Clem right by panicking if someone bumped into me.

“Where are those curators?” Ms. Chapman stood in front of us like a mother hen and tapped her foot. “Their response time is usually much quicker.”

Then demon stink went up my nose and down my throat like slime. I wanted to gag or spit, but it wouldn’t do any good even if I did.

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