Rosalyn couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned. She fluffed her pillow. She changed the temperature in her room. She turned the light on and off again. She read a few pages of a book. She tried everything.

  She’d gone to bed very early, knowing that something was coming. Knowing that the only escape was sleep. But sleep wouldn’t come.

  She knew what it meant, and she hated that with every fiber of her being.

  Rosalyn was proud of her ranking at Daedal Academy. While Levi Ofkus was widely considered the strongest and most adept spirit magic user, it was Rosalyn who many considered the top overall student. She tried not to be conceited, but she knew it to be true. She couldn’t lie to herself, and her increased intelligence told her it was so.

  In fact, Rosalyn felt that if she had to, she could defeat Levi even in combat. Not through sheer strength or manipulating her magic in some way to overwhelm him, but rather through shrewdly cutting away his advantages and amplifying her own. It would take very little magical force.

  She was proud of her ranking, but she did not need to be the best. Yet she knew she was. That scared her. It scared her because so much of what she was in this school was built on a lie. Not one she meant to tell, but one she allowed to continue once she had the facts. She didn’t wish to lie, of course. She likely received no advantages because of it, either. Perhaps some additional admiration, but little else. Still, she didn’t enjoy the lie. But she let it continue. She let it continue because part of her wished to suppress that truth even to herself.

  It was impossible, of course. She knew now. And her extraordinary mind would never forget it. And, unfortunately, her extraordinary mind would force her to make use of it. That lie…that piece of herself she was so afraid of…it was the most powerful part of her.

  As she finally lay still in her bed, Rosalyn allowed the inevitable to happen. Her eyes widened as she felt her Spirit Guide swell with magical energy. Her vision went white. Her body seized up. And then…she saw it.

  Darkness. Terrible darkness. Darkness such as she had never seen before. Shadows thicker than those that shrouded the demons. Something could be heard around her. Within her. It was distant, but also close. It was maddening. And suddenly within the darkness, two red eyes appeared, and beneath them a mouth so pale it was almost transparent. It grinned a most evil grin.

  But suddenly, a sound came behind her. It was like a match being lit, and Rosalyn was sure she could hear the slightest crackle of a lit flame. But she only saw darkness. She turned back around, noticing the eyes and mouth had disappeared. A whisper, soft and haunting, echoed from the distance, however.

  “The wings will be ours.”

  Rosalyn opened her eyes and screamed until her doors opened, staff and students ready to rush her to the infirmary.

  It happened every time she used her greatest power. And as she screamed, she wondered just why she was saddled with it.

  Cris and Finn were turned away as they attempted to get to Rainier’s office. Apparently he had been called to the infirmary for another student’s emergency. As much as Cris didn’t want to depend on Rainier, he intended to head to the infirmary to catch him. Finn, however, felt that wasn’t a good idea.

  “Why? What if Anna caused whatever happened?”

  Finn shook his head at the suggestion. “Trips to the infirmary are common here.” He pointed at Cris’ head. “Think about it. You’ve been there twice.”

  Cris conceded that point. “Still, we know some kind of demon-loving freak is around here. How do we know she didn’t cause it? Besides, you’re the one that wants to tell Rainier.”

  “Yeah, but…” He sighed, looking around as they headed down the steps of the tower that held the offices of the staff. “I think I know why Rainier’s there…”

  “Meaning…?” Cris sighed in exasperation.

  “Like I said, it’s common for people to go to the infirmary. That girl didn’t necessarily cause what happened here, but…Rainier doesn’t go to visit for something minor.” Finn made a few clicking sounds, and they walked in relative silence until he stopped, nodding to himself. “I think it was Rose.”

  “Rose…you mean Rosalyn? The girl we met when we saw the council?” Cris frowned. “You can tell it’s her?”

  “I’ve got a couple listeners set up at the infirmary,” Finn muttered, looking away uneasily. “I keep some in important places around the city.”

  Cris narrowed his eyes. “More like the creepy neighborhood bat-”

  “Yeah yeah yeah,” Finn waved his hand dismissively. “I know. They’re not in…sensitive places.”

  “You kind of seem like the guy who would put them in sensitive places.”

  “Do I?” Finn seemed genuinely hurt by that.

  “I don’t know. You’re hard to read sometimes.” Cris shrugged, looking out towards the city.

  “That sounds a bit better.” Finn nodded to himself, apparently pleased with that assessment of him. “Anyway, Rose has to go to the infirmary from time to time. Mr. Rainier always visits her when it happens. No one really knows why. She’ll wake up screaming from time to time, she’ll collapse in the hallway, she’ll just kind of get nauseous. It depends on how severe it gets I guess.”

  Cris was surprised. From what Finn and the others had said, and from what he’d heard other students say, Rosalyn was up there with Levi in terms of talent. It seemed weird that she was sickly. “Is it some kind of disease, or…?”

  “It’s definitely something to do with spirit magic.” Finn sighed, looking fairly concerned. “I’m sure Mr. Rainier is trying to figure it out. As strong as she is, she’s still as vulnerable as any of us to issues with spirit magic.”

  “I haven’t heard about that kind of thing being an issue,” Cris said, his suspicious side perking up.

  Finn watched him nervously. “It’ll come up eventually in classes. It’s nothing avoiding this place would help, that’s for sure. There’s still a lot of mystery around what can happen and what causes it. Most likely, though, is that some kind of ability just drains her a lot. I guess since her Spirit Guide boosts her intelligence, her mind just can’t handle it non stop and she has to shut down for a bit.”

  Cris frowned, looking away as he felt a flash of sympathy for the girl. He hadn’t considered that just living your life with a Spirit Guide could be so draining. In fact, when he’d met Rosalyn, he’d thought her increased intelligence was an enviable ability. Perhaps that wasn’t the case.

  “Can’t she suppress it?” Cris asked, thinking about how it was hard for him to grasp his magic at all. If it was something that needed to be grasped, that must have meant that it could be avoided.

  Finn shook his head. “Some abilities just kind of combine with your instincts. Like Heidi will always have good balance, Elsa will be quick and even when I’m not channeling my Spirit Guide, my hearing is better than most.”

  “I don’t seem to have anything like that,” Cris said, staring at his hands as though that would give him some kind of answer. He then looked down to his chest, thinking of that warm feeling he was starting to get that seemed to signal some kind of use of magic. It seemed to protect him when he was with Anna in that in between world.

  “You’ll have things pop up once you’re used to things here,” Finn said. “You’ve got something strong. No doubt about that. That demon and what you did to Levi is enough proof.”

  “Then what’s up with the council setting me up with these Academy Games?” Cris asked, the two of them turning off towards the dorm towers and the dining hall.

  Finn was silent for a moment, considering that. “It’s weird.”

  “That much I was able to figure out myself, thanks,” Cris muttered.

  Finn paused, though, turning around as though realizing something. “No…it really is weird. Especially after today…”

  “What do you mean?” Cris followed Finn’s gaze, seeing that he was looking down into the city where they’d tried to pinpoint Anna’s location.

  Finn shook his head, apparently confused by whatever he was considering. “It’s just…students can’t be rejected here. It’s such a weird thing to consider. And you said Anna told you this place wasn’t for you…”

  “Ah, so you’re a conspiracy theory guy,” Cris said, nodding.

  “Huh? It’s a reasonable thought!” Finn looked appalled. “You of all people-”

  “What? I didn’t say it was a bad thing. I totally agree. They’re out to get me!” Cris folded his arms in defiance. “Can’t say I’m surprised.”

  Finn raised an eyebrow, watching Cris for a moment. “Seriously, though…that girl Anna…if she even is some little girl…she might’ve gotten to someone. The council was almost unanimous, so it could be anyone whispering in their ears. Maybe a bunch of people are up to something…”

  “That’s a pleasant thought,” Cris muttered. “Nice to know I’m walking around with a bigger target on my back than I thought before.”

  “Sorry…” Finn rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly.

  “Ah! Parker and Murphy! Just the boys I was looking for!”

  The two of them jumped in alarm at the sudden voice, turning to see a woman approaching them from the direction they’d just come from. It was a familiar face, even to Cris, and given the conversation they were just having, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious. He immediately narrowed his eyes.

  “You were on the council,” he said in a hostile tone.

  “I do have a name,” the woman said, her own tone tinged with irritation. Cris was still surprised as he looked at her, remembering how young she was compared to the rest of the council. “Eleanor Frost, by the way. And I’ll have you remember I was the only member of the council to vote against that barbaric idea you’re scowling about.”

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  Cris and Finn exchanged a glance. She did have a point there. Eleanor didn’t miss the glance, frowning in confusion as the two looked back at her. “Think we should trust her?” Finn asked.

  “I don’t trust anyone,” Cris said.

  Finn rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but like…in your way.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Like actually trusting someone, but being suspicious about it and acting like you don’t care, but you do and all that.”

  “Huh?”

  Finn ignored Cris’ glare and turned back to the alarmed looking Eleanor. “We have a theory.”

  Eleanor tilted her head in confusion. “A theory? About what? And what’s this about trust?”

  Cris opened his mouth to say that it was nothing, but Finn jumped in before he could speak. “We think your council’s been compromised in some way.”

  Eleanor’s eyes widened. “You think…what?”

  “Don’t you think it’s weird that they want to reject Cris?” Finn asked.

  “They didn’t exactly say that.”

  “Right, but come on…this isn’t normal.” Finn pointed at Cris. “This guy is not some Hell-marked demon-boy or whatever they think he is.”

  “As much as I don’t agree with them in regards to what they want to put him through,” Eleanor said, “they don’t think he’s evil. They’re simply concerned he’s been involved in something so unusual that his magic could be dangerous, or demons affected him in some way.”

  Cris had to admit, hearing the one voice that had argued against his involvement in the Academy Games now pointing out the logic of the others’ concerns did make him feel somewhat like he was just being paranoid. Still, Anna’s presence did make him wonder. “Why is my situation considered so weird?”

  Eleanor looked uneasy. “I’m not really supposed to discuss this kind of thing with students.”

  “Could be her who was compromised,” Finn whispered, although his whisper was so loud that Eleanor caught it.

  “What?! You’re accusing me of corruption?! I worked hard to get on the council at such a young age. I’m not going to screw it up by getting bought off!” Eleanor suddenly had a menacing look in her eyes, and Cris had the strange feeling she was channeling spirit energy.

  Finn’s eyes widened. “Whoa! Easy there, lady. Okay! You’re not corrupt. Although threatening us does make you look kind of corrupt.”

  Eleanor’s cheeks reddened. “I wasn’t threatening…” she muttered quietly. “Anyway, you just need to work hard at learning what you can and listening during classes. You’ll be able to handle those Academy Games just fine. There’s no need to worry too much.”

  Cris exchanged another look with Finn, who nodded a moment later. “There’s a reason we’re suspicious. And it’s not just the Academy Games…”

  Eleanor’s eyes widened a fraction of an inch, seemingly noticing the serious tone of Cris’ voice. “Hold off on telling me,” she said, raising a hand. “As I said, you two were just the ones I was looking for. Mr. Rainier wanted to see you. He’s with Rosalyn Leroux in the infirmary. Why don’t you tell me what you have to say when we’re there?”

  Cris took a deep breath. He was so hesitant to trust people in this place, and a member of the council seemed a dangerous one to make that leap of faith with. She was right, though. She had spoken in favor of him. And Rainier had also voiced his opposition. Perhaps he needed to do this.

  “Fine,” he said. “Let’s go see him.”

  It was dark by the time they reached the infirmary, and Cris felt as though that darkness had a weight to it. Knowing Anna was out there somewhere, lurking in the city, was making him more and more uneasy. Just what was going on here? Was there really something darker at play?

  But maybe Anna was just some twisted kid after all. A twisted kid that figured out some nasty tricks with her Spirit Guide. And maybe the council really did just want to be sure of him before fully welcoming him into the city and school. Could this just be him playing up a scenario in his head to push these people away?

  Finn was worried, though. Finn who had helped him get away from the demon that had killed David. Finn, who had, while Cris might never admit this directly to him, earned some level of trust. And Finn knew more about this world than Cris.

  “We’d better not be signing our death warrants with this,” Cris muttered, watching Eleanor carefully as they walked into the infirmary.

  “Ours?” Finn said. “I’m not the one who’s being targeted.”

  Cris smirked in response. “Heidi’s already got us on a team together. So if I’m targeted, you’ll be with me.”

  Finn grimaced. “Cool…cool.”

  Of course, Cris supposed that had already been the case. He’d already fought alongside Finn, Heidi and Elsa in a life or death situation and come out alive. Perhaps it wasn’t a lost cause going into another potential one with them.

  Eleanor was quick to find the room they were looking for and led them to it. When they opened the door, Cris was surprised to see that Rosalyn actually looked to be doing relatively okay, sitting up in her bed and chatting with Rainier as though nothing had happened. The only sign of a problem was the serious look on his face that grew more serious as he noticed the arriving visitors.

  “Ah, you found them, Councilwoman,” Rainier said, nodding to Eleanor in thanks.

  “It wasn’t too hard,” Eleanor said, looking pleased for some reason. Cris could tell she had quite a bit of respect for Rainier, so he supposed she was quite happy to do this task for him. “In fact, they were looking for you, sir.”

  Rainier blinked in surprise at that. “For me?”

  Finn stepped forward at that. “We’ve got a lot to tell you, Mr. Rainier.”

  Rainier studied Finn for a moment, before turning his gaze to Cris. His gaze lingered for much longer there, before nodding. “Very well. Please sit. Miss Leroux and I have much to say to you as well.”

  Cris wasn’t sure how he was going to approach this conversation the entire way there, but somehow he found himself able to talk when the time came. He didn’t hide what happened. He told it straight. He ignored Eleanor’s and Rosalyn’s shocked faces as he explained Anna’s arrival and her pulling him into the different world, or space between worlds. In fact, focusing on Rainier helped. As mysterious as the man was, his lack of surprise was almost comforting.

  “And when Finn tried to seek her out, he got hit with some kind of resistance,” Cris finished off once he’d explained Anna taking off. “After we were talking, we wondered if maybe Anna had a connection to the council wanting me in the Academy Games.” He then looked at Rosalyn, seeing now that she was looking slightly pale. Whether that was from his story or her sickness, he wasn’t sure. “You don’t think she caused what happened to you, do you?”

  Rosalyn shook her head. “No, this has happened before. Although…”

  Rainier raised a hand, apparently signaling that whatever she was saying could wait. “You were right to come to me with this,” he then said, turning back to Cris. “I expect it does relate to Miss Leroux’s condition, but not in the way you might think. But first, let’s address your accusations against the council. Is that all right, Councilwoman?”

  Eleanor nodded, her gaze serious. “If I’m working with corrupt colleagues, I want to do something about it.”

  “And what’s to say you aren’t corrupt, Councilwoman?” Rainier said, narrowing his eyes. Cris was shocked to see them turn black, whites and all. For a moment, a chill passed through the air, but then Rainier blinked, sighing. “No…I don’t believe that to be the case.”

  Eleanor looked a little startled. “R-Right…”

  Finn had gone pale, looking away and appearing as though he was about to be sick. “I hate it when he does that…”

  “As I said before, Mr. Murphy…best get used to it.” Rainier took a deep breath and then smiled in Cris’ direction. “I don’t believe any member of the council is out to get you, Mr. Parker.”

  “What?” Cris gaped at him. “That’s how you’re addressing it? What’s that-”

  “Oh, your concerns need to be addressed. I won’t deny that.” Rainier turned, glancing out the window. Cris was pretty sure he was doing the trick with his eyes again. “I’ve worked with these council members for many years. Some of them for decades. They’ve all served Babylon faithfully in all that time. If the right strings are pulled, however…”

  “You think they’re being compelled in some way?” Eleanor asked.

  “It’s possible.” Rainier studied the sky outside a moment longer, before turning back to the group inside, his eyes clearing up. He looked a little pained after using his ability. “We consider ourselves very safe in Babylon, and rightfully so. But, perhaps that has led to some vulnerabilities for when malicious actors do enter our city.”

  “But they shouldn’t be able to enter,” Eleanor pointed out. “That kind of darkness should be repelled. It’s tainted by Hell.”

  “What? Babylon can repel evil people, too?” Cris asked.

  “Not really,” Finn said. “Just that if someone has truly evil intentions that could cause a high level of danger, it likely means their soul was tainted. So something like a terrorist would be repelled.”

  “Criminals still live in, or even enter, the city, however,” Rosalyn said. “They’re just usually not strong enough or capable enough to counter what’s here.”

  “So Anna’s not strong enough to do much?” Cris said, feeling a sense of relief.

  Rainier shook his head. “Quite the opposite. I believe the girl you are describing, Mr. Parker, is what is known as a devil.”

  “The devil? As in Satan?” Finn asked. Cris was surprised that he wasn’t the only one confused by this. In fact, even Rosalyn and Eleanor seemed curious as well.

  “A devil,” Rainier said. “And no, that doesn’t mean the creature known as Satan. A devil is, simply put, a corrupted spirit user.”

  “So she’s like us, but just…fights for demons or something?” Cris asked.

  Rainier appeared uncertain about saying more, watching everyone carefully. “This is a very sensitive topic. So I ask that you be very careful about speaking more on this outside this room.” Everyone nodded, assuring him they’d be careful. Then, he continued. “A devil is a human that has replaced their Spirit Guide…with a demon.”

  Eleanor went white as a sheet. “Replaced with…a demon? How…what…”

  Rainier nodded. “It’s a terrible…sickening process. I only know of it through some very disturbing research. Restricted research, quite frankly.”

  “Can devils control demons?” Cris asked, starting to connect some dots.

  “I believe so…after a fashion.”

  “So all these myths and the hidden histories about demons in human conflicts…they never add up to me. But if these devils are a thing…” Cris’ eyes widened. “They’ve been around for centuries. For as long as these conflicts have gone on!”

  Rainier actually cracked a smile. “I’m not surprised you would doubt some of those stories, Mr. Parker. Can you guess why we tell these histories in such a way?”

  “You don’t want people experimenting? Getting ideas in their heads about becoming devils?” Cris nodded to himself. “Makes sense, really.”

  “But if she’s got a demon…within her…how is she in the city?” Finn asked. “How can she deal with the spirit energy?”

  “In the same way we all can. The demon is tethered to her…humanity,” Rainier said. “Not that there is much there anymore. But simply put, she is a container that protects it from the spirit energy. She likely can’t spend too much time here, however. Otherwise the drain will be too much.”

  “I don’t get it, though,” Cris said. “She’s a little girl. If it’s this hard to learn about devils, how did she become one?”

  “She’s likely been a devil for quite some time. Probably forgotten herself since she’s turned.” Rainier looked sad, considering this. “Ultimately for us, we are the masters of our Spirit Guide. They are our souls. Or a piece of them anyway. For a devil, the human body is almost nothing but a container. The demon is the one who is in charge. We think of the ones we fight as almost clueless beasts, seeking to feed, but there are certainly cunning, more twisted demons in the deepest parts of Hell. Those are the demons who avoid our realm unless they can seek it out with protection. The protection of a host. I expect the true Anna has been gone many, many years.”

  “That’s horrible…” Rosalyn said. “So they can just…take a body like that?”

  “Yes…and no.” Rainier almost shivered as he closed his eyes and thought for a moment. “The individual will grant permission. They are often manipulated, of course. Their Spirit Guide will likely be weakened and drained, leaving their willpower drained as well. Easy pickings for such creatures.”

  “Okay, well if such a thing is in the city, shouldn’t we not have Cris in the Academy Games?” Finn asked. “Anna seemed to be after him, right? Seems like a bad idea.”

  At that, Rainier and Rosalyn exchanged a glance. “The message…” Rosalyn said with a whisper.

  “Message? What message?” Cris asked, narrowing his eyes.

  “The reason I…got sick,” Rosalyn said. “I…my Spirit Guide…it’s a little different than people think.”

  Finn looked stunned. “Is it cursed or something?”

  “No…well…it feels like it sometimes, but no.” Rosalyn shook her head. “It’s not just an owl.”

  Eleanor gasped. “You’re a Mythical.”

  Finn appeared stunned as well. “A Mythical?! What?!”

  “Shhh!” Rosalyn snapped, gesturing for him to be quiet. “I don’t want too many people knowing.”

  “Why?” Cris asked. “Isn’t it like…a big honor to be a Mythical.”

  “This kind of Mythical is particularly dangerous, Mr. Parker,” Rainier explained. “And not something easily managed even without others trying to use it for their own benefit.”

  “My Spirit Guide is the Owl of Athena,” Rosalyn then said. “And it…gives me messages sometimes. I guess you could call them messages from Heaven. And I got one tonight.”

  “And what did it say?” Cris asked, feeling his heart beginning to race.

  “That’s not really how it works,” Rosalyn said. “It’s not something that’s specifically said. I need to interpret the meanings. But this one…”

  “We can’t know what it means for certain,” Rainier pointed out calmly. “But one thing is clear enough to me, Mr. Parker. We cannot interfere with fate. And I believe fate intends to have you in those games.”

  Cris stared back at Rainier, narrowing his eyes. Could he trust this man? Could he trust Eleanor? Even Rosalyn and her…vision? For now, he supposed he had no choice but to go along with their guidance.

  “A warning from Hell and a message from Heaven. Guess it’s better to ignore the one from Hell.” Cris nodded. “I’ll enter the games then. And if I’ve gotta fight your councilors’ tricks on the way, then that’s what I’ll do.”