'Sconie Girls
Chapter Eight: The Cthonic Inquisition
...
It was three in the afternoon the next day when three Clave members appeared; the Inquisitor, Lief Heartwell, and two higher status Shadowhunters of Idris, Kim Pinewolf and Jordan Mapletower. We were in the training room when they came, watching Kaysie hack up a dummy with a Kopesh.
"Don't stop on account of us," Heartwell said lightly when Kaysie put the weapon down.
"It's fine," she said. "I'm done anyways."
"Good. Then I'd like to speak with you three. If you'd come with us?"
Feeling strangely like we were about to be thrown in jail for something, we followed the three older Shadowhunters through the halls of the Institute to the library. Heartwell walked in front of us all, hands trailing along the spines of books. I resisted the urge to do the same, maybe pick out a book and just sit and read while the Inquisitor talked.
"Do you know why I'm here?" he asked suddenly. The three of us glanced at each other.
"Is it about the Greater Demon we reported?" Kaysie said.
"A little," the Inquisitor said, pulling out a particularly dusty volume, blowing it off, and returning it to its spot on the shelf.
"What else?" Ashlyn asked, leaning against a staircase railing.
"Hm. That can be discussed later. Firstly, we would like to hear about the Greater Demon you reported. We understand that you were hosting some mundane event at the shop above this Institute?"
"Yeah," Kaysie said. "It was a band, called R5."
"And how did you meet this band?"
Kaysie opened her mouth slightly, before turning to look at Ashlyn, who took over.
"Myra and I met them first. Well, one of them. The drummer was attacked by a hellhound and a Raum. We fought them off. When we were volunteering up in the shop on free time, we met them again. We've seen them a few times after that and they asked to put on a performance the other night."
The Inquisitor raised an eyebrow. "Really? And what of the supposed Hunger attack?"
"During the performance, we heard a disturbance in the kitchens," I said. "We went to check it out and found nothing. Afterwards, when the band and we were cleaning up, our Sensors went off."
"We convinced them to leave," Ashlyn continued. "Then Hunger attacked. The place was surrounded by Imps, which Kaysie took on while Myra and I fought Hunger. Then Jerome, Colton, Samuel, and Skyler showed up, and we reported the attack."
"I see." The Inquisitor sat in an armchair and looked to the other Shadowhunters. Kim stepped forward.
"Did any of you believe that you would be able to defeat Hunger?"
I frowned slightly, and Ashlyn answered. "It wasn't a challenge that we would normally take on, but we had no choice. Hunger was trying to kill us and the band."
"How did you defeat a Greater Demon? After all, none of you are even of age."
"We found its weak spot," I said. "Well, Ashlyn did. I distracted him. She stabbed him, and her seraph blade got past his armor. I finished him off."
Pinewolf nodded. "Did Hunger speak at all?"
"Yes," I sad hesitantly.
"A human language?"
"English."
"Interesting." I expected Pinewolf to ask what he had said, but she didn't.
"Is that all you needed, Inquisitor?" Ashlyn asked when no one else spoke.
"I'm trying to think," he replied, standing again. "I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea that two teenage girls defeated a Greater Demon."
"Kaysie-"
"-Was off fighting Imps. Do not attempt to lessen your victory."
"We are fairly skilled for our age," I said hesitantly. "At least, that's what we've been told. Our parents said that was why we were the ones sent here."
"Indeed. The Nightshades. Myra Nightshade. You're the one whose father was a mundane. Correct?"
"Yes," I replied slowly. However, he just nodded his head thoughtfully.
"Kaysie Penrose, would you mind giving Jordan a tour of your Institute? It's time for the routine inspection."
"Why not Jerome? He's the Head."
"I would like you to, and I would like to speak with your friends alone."
Well. That sounded ominous.
Kaysie gave us worried glances before agreeing, the other two Shadowhunters following after her.
"Let's walk," the Inquisitor invited. We were all quiet for a few minutes before he broke the silence. "How long have you been here again?"
"Around two weeks," Ashlyn replied. He nodded.
"That sounds accurate. Now. Northridge is one of the higher risk areas in America, in nearly the whole world. Tell me, if this is true, then how is it you three were able to find time off to work with Downworlders and serve mundanes?"
"It hasn't been too bad," I said slowly. "Definitely worse than places I've been, but it's been easily containable. On the days we took off, the other four patrolled."
The Inquisitor nodded. "What do you think of this Institute?"
"It's interesting. The layout is smart, but the placing seems strange. I wouldn't have thought of placing an Institute underground."
"Not architecturally," he said patiently. "I mean how it is run, how Fernlock runs things."
"I don't understand why you would want the opinions of two teenagers," I said, glancing at the now annoyed Ashlyn.
"Because I trust that you two have strong opinions on it," the Inquisitor said. "Wisconsin may be known for having mundie-loving Shadowhunters, but you also have the best Institute. Problems are addressed almost immediately, and I can't remember the last time you had any trouble with Downworlders. In fact, the biggest crisis to ever strike Wisconsin was you," he finished, pointing at me.
"Gee, thanks," I said sarcastically.
"I didn't quite mean it in that way. I mean that the fact that your mother, a bright young Shadowhunter from a perfectly clean family had an affair with a mundane, and as Wisconsin is nearly suspiciously perfect, it was a big deal."
"You keep bringing that up," Ashlyn said in irritation. "Why is it such a big deal?"
"You've been quite the point of interest," the Inquisitor said, ignoring Ashlyn. "You're an anomaly. No one like you has ever been born. Nothing like you has ever happened."
"Thanks. I think," I said dryly. "Can we get back to the matter at hand?"
"Of course. Well, as I asked, what do you two think of the Institute?"
Ashlyn grinned. "I love the music room, and the art in general here, it's obviously important, but we seriously need a new Head here. Jerome is a jerk and a drunk who can't make decisions, and he forces the others to go along with him."
The Inquisitor raised an eyebrow. "You three seem to be having no problem."
"We don't easily fall prey to false authority," I said. "Or at least, Ashlyn and I don't. Kaysie used to do all the work around here, and we're showing her she doesn't have to."
"Very good." The Inquisitor stopped walking and turned to us. "Now, I believe there is somethig else the two of you wished to tell me. Something about the mundanes."
I just blinked, hoping to convey confusion.
"You can trust me."
Yes, we could trust him, I could tell that much, but if there was anything that was questionably illegal, he would also be required to bring it up in the Clave.
"I'm worried about the demonic activity and their focuses," I finally said.
"Oh?"
"It's true," Ashlyn said, backing me up. "It's really strange. At first, it seemed purely coincidental, but with the Hunger attack, it could be more."
The Inquisitor nodded. "I see. Would you care to explain?"
"At first, it didn't seem weird," I began. "It was just a normal demon attack, the one on the drummer at the airport. I mean, it was a bit weird, because Ratliff - the drummer - seemed to be able to see the hellhound. We would have thought nothing of it. He could have been a mundane who had the Sight."
"But something happened before that," Ashlyn continued. "We were on patrol with my mom, and we found an Oni. He spoke to Myra, and he threatened Ratliff."
"How so? What did he say?"
I hesitated as I next spoke. "He... suggested I might like Ratliff, and said something about him not being around much longer."
Inquisitor Heartwell gave me a suspicious look. "Do you like this boy?"
"Even if it did, it would matter," I said flippantly. "It wouldn't work out. I'm a Shadowhunter."
"Hm. Continue."
"When we were assigned here, it also threw up red signs. We've been keeping those past events in mind, and when they left town, demonic activity did definitely decrease."
"What did Hunger say?" the Inquisitor suddenly asked.
"His exact words were, I need those mundanes," Ashlyn replied.
"Interesting." Heartwell looked us over again, before nodding. "Very well. That's all I needed to know. You're free to go. Contact me if you think of anything else."
"Of course," I said immediately. He seemed alright, but still had me on high alert. As quickly as possible, Ashlyn and I left.
...
The second Ross picked Ashlyn up, Kaysie and I followed.
Yes, she was going to kill us, but only if she found out!
With a little help from Magnus, we soon reached the small restaurant that Ross had picked out. Placing Glamours on ourselves, we snuck into the back, sitting at an empty table just out of sight. Certain Marks enhanced our hearing.
For the first fifteen minutes, the two talked about meaningless things, and I was beginning to get bored.
That was when I heard a crash from outside of the building. I immediately pulled out my Sensor.
"Dragon," I whispered in surprise. Those were a more rare demon. I stood silently, Kaysie following me as we slipped out of the demon and into the alley. I could hear screeches of annoyance and see the occasional flare of flame light up above the alley, causing Kaysie and me to draw certain fireproofing Marks with our steles. I drew my bow as we warily approached, not entirely sure I wanted to engage in close combat.
The sight that met us was not as expected.
"It's stuck!" Kaysie laughed.
"It's a baby!" I exclaimed. Alright, that wasn't entirely true. Yes, he was stuck behind the dumpster, but he wasn't quite a baby. Just small, maybe three feet tall. He was obviously feisty, though, with the amount of flames he was spitting out, spiky shadows spreading along his grey scales.
The Dragon hissed at me, and tried to roast me, but the flames fell a few inches short.
"Sorry, bud," I said with a light laugh. "You can't get one over on me. Now, what are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here, Shadowhunter?" the Dragon growled, still trying to wriggle free without tearing his wings. "Spying on your friends? Oooh, not a good habit!"
"Demon, obey her," Kaysie ordered. "We could end your miserable existence in this dimension with a flick of our fingers."
The demon snorted, smoke billowing from his nostrils. "Oh, yes, because if I cooperate, you wouldn't. I know your kind. You kill us for fun."
"And I know your kind," I retorted. "You don't just snack on mundane garbage for fun. You're doing something here, and you're being paid. What is it?"
"Like I would tell you."
"Kaysie, how long can a Dragon demon his size flame for before having to replenish his supply?"
"I'd say half an hour of straight flame. An hour, on and off."
"We have time," I said nonchalantly. "Your fire is running low, and so is my patience. I want to know who sent you here and why."
The Dragon hissed impatiently, his tail whipping back and forth. "Swear by the Angel that you will release me and not kill me if I tell you everything."
I stared at the beast incredulously; yeah right! Kaysie had found a loophole, though.
"I swear by the Angel Raziel," she said, "that I will release you and not harm you, if, and only if you tell us everything you know of what we ask of you."
I glanced at her in confusion before realizing what she was doing. While smart, the demon wasn't that smart. It actually made me feel kind of dumb for not having the same thought.
"Alright," I said, still fingering my bow. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you think?" the demon scoffed. "The Lynch boy, of course! Who else? You Shadowhunters, all high and mighty, never getting the good news!"
"And what is that?" I asked warily. The Dragon gave what I figured was a smile, but just looked like a baring of his yellowing fangs.
"The reward. Catch the Lynches and the Ratliff alive."
"What's the reward?" Kaysie questioned.
"The usual. Gold. Diamonds. He added in something extra, though, and that's why everyone's going for it."
"What and who?"
"Who? I don't know. No one does, but I do know that he's giving us amnesty if we do as he says." The Dragon flicked his tongue out like a snake, tasting the air. "Can I go now?"
"Might as well," I said flippantly, leaning against the alley wall. Kaysie walked forward slowly and placed her stele against the trash can trapping the demon. Soon, the Dragon was released, and he snarled in glee, a pump of his wings bringing him above us.
"Fools!" he shouted. "I made no promises!"
"Yeah? Well neither did I." I raised my bow and set an arrow on the string. Within seconds, several arrows were speeding towards the demon. A couple struck his scales, but several tore through his wings, and he screeched in pain, before blowing a stream of fire down towards us.
Unfortunately for the Dragon, the distance was great enough and our Marks strong enough that we weren't burnt to a crisp. Sweating a crap ton, maybe, but not dead, which was, you know, good.
"Stupid, resilient Shadowhunters!" the Dragon hissed angrily.
"Stupid, resilient Dragon," I retorted, just as something flashed past us. The Dragon screeched before melting into the normal demon ichor, which just so happened to fall all over Kaysie and me. I turned, bow at the ready, before relaxing when I saw Ashlyn with her last knife in hand.
"Really?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Seriously?"
"Thanks for killing the demon?" Kaysie said, though it sounded more like a question.
"So," I said. "Were we really that loud?"
Ashlyn looked at us incredulously. "You were fighting a Dragon! And Myra, we're parabatai. I can tell if you're near!"
"I like your dress," I said, trying to change the subject. It really was beautiful, though. It was silvery, full length, and pleated over the one sleeve. She had matching silver heels and a silver bracelet to go along with the whip wrapped around her arm.
"Just one date, Myra?" Ashlyn sighed.
"Blame the Dragon!" I said defensively. "We could have handled it!"
Kaysie began sneaking away. "You know what, I think I'm just going go now...."
"No!" Ashlyn said while I told her to get Magnus for me. Ashlyn rolled her eyes.
"You are so oblivious."
I blinked. "What?"
"Ratl-"
"Ashlyn?"
Both of us turned at Ross's curious voice, and I realized for the first time that I had Dragon ichor dripping off of my gear.
"Ugh," I muttered. "Enjoy the rest of your date. I'm getting rid of this stuff."
Ashlyn hesitated, but nodded. "Okay. But we have to talk later!"
"Okay, okay," I said apeasingly. "I'll see you back at the Institute. Um, sorry for interrupting your date."
I quickly made my way away from the restaurant, deciding that Kaysie and I didn't really need to hear any more, anyways.
...
A/N: This update is courtesy of MuchoMangoz1734! She made me write more last night, so chapter nine is also ready. I will update that later.