Fairy Bad Day(52)

“Because the darkhel thinks the Pure One is here. At Burtonwood.” Curtis finished her sentence, his jaw clenched and his voice soft. For a moment no one spoke as the implications of what was happening started to settle in on them just like the heavy fog was doing on the quad outside.

“Here?” Loni finally croaked, and Emma couldn’t help but notice that her friend’s face was ashen.

“Look,” Curtis eventually coughed, “I know that before you weren’t so eager to tell Principal Kessler about this, but I really think we should. I mean, we have no idea what this thing will do to get the Pure One. Let alone how to stop it.”

“Curtis is right.” Loni nodded. “Last time you spoke to Principal Kessler he hadn’t heard of a darkhel, and since you had no proof, there wasn’t much you could do. But now not only has it attacked you twice, but we’ve got your mom’s book and that pendant thing, which means we can show that you’re not making it up. Besides, he might not have heard of the darkhel before, but every slayer knows about the Gate of Linaria and the Pure One.”

“I agree,” Emma said.

“You do?” Loni’s jaw dropped in surprise. “But I hadn’t even got to my next part, which was all about you doing your duty as a responsible slayer. I had it all planned. It was very moving.”

“Sorry.” Emma shot her friend a rueful grin. “But you’re all right. I was so freaked out about possibly getting expelled, but right now it’s not really about me. Plus, the idea of this thing hanging around Burtonwood looking for the Pure One is seriously creeping me out. Especially since there’s one other thing . . .

“What?” Loni looked alarmed. “You are injured, aren’t you? I knew it.”

“No, it’s not that.” Emma quickly shook her head. “It talked about my mom again. It said that she slowed it down but didn’t stop it. What does that mean?”

“Well, we know she didn’t kill it, but if she slowed it down, maybe she injured it?” Tyler wondered aloud.

“But that would have been over five years ago . . .” Loni looked skeptical. “That must’ve been some injury.”

“Or . . . what if she managed to banish it?” Curtis said in a quiet voice. “And it’s only just figured a way to get back through the gate?”

“Which is all the more reason to go and see Kessler about this,” Tyler said in an urgent voice. “Because seriously, this whole thing is turning into the worst homework assignment ever. Plus, I think the induction dinner started an hour ago.”

“We’re in the middle of an invisible-fairy crisis and all you can think about is your stomach?” Loni demanded.

“What? No. Well, yes, but what I meant is, Kessler will be at the dinner. So we go there, grab some food, and tell Kessler about it all at the same time. It’s a win-win,” Tyler said as he got to his feet. Then he realized that Loni was looking at him. “What? I’m telling you it’s a good idea.”

“I know.” Loni reluctantly nodded. “But somehow I can’t see Kessler being pleased if we all burst in wearing our uniforms.”

“So what are you saying? That we need to get dressed up for this thing?” Emma looked at her friend in disgust.

“She’s got a point,” Tyler agreed before Emma could open her mouth. “Especially with all the parents and ex-students around. The last thing Kessler would want is us running in there and freaking everyone out. Besides, it will only take two seconds to get changed and then we can meet down at Sir Francis.”

Emma reluctantly agreed and she waited until everyone had left her room before she hobbled over to her closet. She pulled out a plain black dress that Loni had helped her choose. It was made of some sort of silky stuff and had a dipped neck and jeweled belt that wrapped around her waist. It also had deep pockets buried in the skirt that she could easily slip a handful of nail files into.

She quickly shrugged it on and then grabbed some makeup to cover the worst of her cuts and bruises. She was about to leave her hair pulled back from her head, but then she caught sight of another bruise just on her collarbone and so she reluctantly pulled out her clips and let it fall down around her shoulders, before adding her mom’s crystal necklace around her neck. Finally, she grabbed a small purse and slipped a dagger in it. Now she was ready.

Ten minutes later she and Loni met up with Tyler and Curtis, who were both wearing suits. Emma couldn’t help but admire the way Curtis’s plain charcoal jacket molded to his shoulders. He had even taken the time to run a comb through his blond curls, and they were pushed down into a semblance of order. She also noticed the way his dark eyes widened at the sight of her in a dress, and she smiled to herself. They hastily touched Sir Francis and hurried into the cafeteria.

As part of the celebration, the plain veneer tables had all been covered with white starched cloths and gleaming silver cutlery while the china was all stamped with the golden Burtonwood emblem. However, Emma was more intent on finding Kessler, so she discreetly pushed her way through the crowds of students and their parents—most of whom were alumni and tended to treat induction weekend as an informal reunion.

Unfortunately, by the time they got to the other side of the room, there was still no sign of the principal, and Emma felt a stab of panic go racing through her.

“Hey, there’s Barney.” Loni nudged her and they instantly made a beeline for her.