The Demon Inheritance

THREE

"Because it's polite, and I expect no less from you. Besides, I don't see what it would hurt, do you?" Dillan asked.

"I do." I popped the food into my mouth. "Young boys thinking only about drugs and sex littering the place, drugs being passed out in the form of safe-looking drinks and foods... Those are the places where you get your life ruined. Besides, even if it was safe, it's not like there'd be anything for me there. I'd rather be in the forest with my friends on a free night. There, I actually have something to enjoy."

"You can bring your friends," Delta said.

I pulled up a forkful of potatoes and flung it his way, missing as he dodged. It hit the floor behind Oliver. "Uh-huh, yeah, I'm gonna bring my friends to ruin their lives, too."

"It's a 'Welcome Home' party," Fango offered. "A soldier is coming home."

Dillan cast the boy in glasses a thankful glance, taking another bite of his food. "Emma, you have to come... I'm serious."

"I'll come," Oliver promised, peeking his head over Delta to look at me with his big blue eyes. "You know I will protect both you and Mary if anything happens. I'll protect you two with my life."

I narrowed my eyes at Dillan. " Fine. Whatever. When do you want me to ruin my life?"

"Wednesday night. Don't complain that it's a school night, either, because it's no secret that you like to spend your nights in the forest sometimes. Although, doesn't something else happen that day?"

Mary complained, "Romeo and Juliet happens that day, though, and Emma has the role of Juliet. You should know. You tried out for Romeo."

"Oh yeah..." Delta said. "Who got the role?"

"Me," Fango piped.

Dillan sighed, adjusting his jacket. "So, what? You come after the play with whatever you wear under your costume. And if you're too tired, we'll reschedule. Please?"

I'm not sure what it was in me that whispered that it was a good idea. Whatever the stupid voice was, it got to me. I said, "We'll see," right before the bell rang.

Dillan Raking clasped my shoulder before we could get up to put our trays back, neared my ear with his mouth, and hissed to me, "You'd better come, Emma. The soldier that's coming home is you." The boy drew back, beckoned his friends, and rushed down the hall. They left as quickly as they came.

***

Some people call it the heat of battle, but in all honesty, I think it is the blood that's rushing through your body, warming your skin along with the armor covering you. The metal vibrates against the soldiers' bodies below the balcony, swords and other weapons with no name clashing against them and their enemies. I close my eyes as citizens die, lives ending against the powers of the Dark warriors. I couldn't bear to watch my subjects take their last breaths.

My sister clasps her hand on my heavily armored shoulder. I turn to face her, tears welling my eyes. Her gaze is an icy diamond blue, and the bright red falls of her hair fall down past her waist, but are currently well hidden in the armor. Her thin eyebrows are dip in sadness, and I find myself hugging her. "Jupus... We all have enough land... Why do these beasts feel the need to fight over everything? Don't they understand that loved ones are dying, that families will miss them?"

Jupus shuffles through my hair with her hand. "You have a beautiful, innocent, unique way of seeing the world. I'm so sorry that has to be ruined by a horrid battle like this... Pain makes people see, I guess..."

I pull back from her, struggling not to cry. My nostrils burn. "I don't understand how the wall broke. Do you? It was so strong... Croma was just staring to heal! The illness was going away!"