“Professor Cusak has passed,” Takahashi said. “The official word is that he’s left the school to pursue other employment.”
“It’s obviously a cover-up,” I said. “The Warden threatened to kill Cusak if our parents found out what was happening in the Underground.”
“The Demigod Guardians are aware,” Takahashi replied. “Our spies have confirmed his death. His body was found along the rocky shoreline on the other side of the island. All his feathers had been stripped from his wings, and evidence shows the trauma occurred before his death. We believe the Warden stripped him of his feathers so he could not fly, then pushed him off a cliff, so that he would drown in the frigid waters below.”
My stomach twisted. The waves along the rocky shoreline had to be brutal. I couldn’t imagine that Professor Cusak had died quickly.
“And now you want to give us demigod lessons?” Marcus asked, sounding skeptical. “How exactly is that going to work? These inferichite bracelets are blocking our demigod powers.”
“In our first lessons, I will train you to resist them,” Takahashi said, yet he didn’t sound entirely confident.
“But you don’t know if that’s possible,” I accused rather harshly.
Takahashi shifted in his chair. “The Demigod Guardians haven’t had a chance to test the theory, but from what we know about inferichite, it is stronger in large volumes. You won’t be able to resist significant amounts of inferichite, like the remnants around the Institute, but I believe you can learn to resist the bracelets.”
“No,” Kallie said firmly. “I couldn't stop time when inferichite was in the room with Jaymin during our counseling session, and then I sped it up too fast in the Underground. It’s clear my time powers are unreliable when inferichite is around. I won’t risk it.”
“You must learn how,” Takahashi pressed. “Need I remind you what is at stake? All magic is at risk if the Elves are killed off. They were the first supernaturals, and without them, our magic doesn’t stand a chance of survival. I’m asking for your help not just to save the Elves, but to save us all. Now is the best time to begin training. The Warden lost the majority of his inferichite when the Underground collapsed. He will keep you imprisoned here until he can grow more.”
“How’s he going to do that?” Marcus cut in. “We destroyed the devil’s finger he was using to grow the inferichite.”
“The Demigod Guardians believe he has alternative stores of devil’s finger, though we suspect the fungus is not yet mature,” Takahashi said. “It will take him time to rebuild his arsenal, and once he does, he won’t hesitate to use it against you.”
That was why he hadn’t touched us yet, why he’d merely threatened us in the hospital. He truly had us right where he wanted us.
“Right now, we’ve bought ourselves some time to grow your powers so you can get out of here and to safety,” Takahashi said.
“How exactly will we get out?” I asked.
“The Demigod Guardians are working on a plan as we speak,” Takahashi said.
Great. They still had no fucking clue.
I frowned. “That’s not good enough. We’re not doing anything until you can assure us the Guardians have a plan. Where will they take us once we escape? How do they plan to fight the Warden once we’re out? It’s too uncertain that they can get us out at all.”
“They will,” Takahashi promised. “It’s going to take time and resources.”
I trusted the Demigod Guardians to have our best interests at heart, but I didn’t trust a damn person to get us out of here before it was too late. They wanted to be careful and take every precaution, but we were far past that by now. If life had taught me anything, it was that if I wanted something done, I had to do it myself.
“We’ll attend your lessons, but I’m taking precautions,” Kallie said. “I won’t use my time powers until I’m confident I can resist this bracelet.”
“Very well,” Takahashi agreed. “I want you all to feel comfortable with your abilities.”
Marcus scoffed. “I’m not comfortable with my powers as it is. I doubt I can resist inferichite.”
“Marcus, you’re a goddamn demigod,” Kallie said. “If anyone can resist inferichite, it’s you. The least you can do istry.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going totry,” he replied.
“In the meantime, we shall meet weekly,” Takahashi cut in. “I will assist you in learning demigod lore and pushing the limits of your powers. We can’t meet as often as I’d like, as that would raise suspicion, so I suggest you each continue your training in private. However, you must keep doing as you were before. Dropping your extracurriculars would look suspicious, and we want the Warden to believe he has defeated you. Marcus must keep painting, Kallie must keep playing on the football team. Ava and Charlie can continue their music.”
I didn’t know why Takahashi insisted we keep going like nothing had changed, because it was a lie.Everythinghad changed. We may still be locked in this prison, and I may still be married to Ava-Marie, but nothing else would ever be the same.
Takahashi stood. “Let’s begin. You should each have access to your basic magic, as inferichite blocks only your demigod powers, and you have built an immunity to noxite. Charlie should still be able to cast Earth and Air powers. Kallie can still perform illusions, and Marcus can continue to receive visions.”
Marcus scoffed and mumbled, “It’d be great if my visions were actuallyuseful.”
I didn’t think Takahashi heard him, because he continued. “Our goal, then, is to use the magic you already possess to overpower the inferichite. If your magic is strong enough, you’ll be able to break the crystal inside, and it will no longer hold you back.”
