The Demon Hunter (11 page)

This all still fit with Oliver's original suspicion about why Bane had stolen Selene's summoning charm: that he was jealous, that he wanted to be the chosen vampire, and maybe even that he was trying to find a way to get Oliver's prophecy for his own. He could have used the enchantment to keep his plans secret. But it didn't make sense that Selene would help him with that.

Oliver felt another wave of frustration. If Bane had found a way to transfer the prophecy to himself, he could have just asked, for all Oliver cared. Really, he would have been happy to give Bane the prophecy and be done with it.
Except then Bane would go through with it, and my friends would be destroyed.
That was why Oliver had to keep it and find a way to undo it himself. But how? The Codex had no information on that. Maybe Désirée would.

He arrived at chamber ninety-three and entered. He sat and said: “Nagual demon.”

Pink eyes lit and the Codex rolled forward. It took a rattling breath. “Nagual are vampires who have been consumed by their animal nahualli. Nagual were first documented during the Aztec and Mayan empires. Some vampire shamans experimented with feeding datura root to their nahualli animal, which was thought to create a deeper bond between the vampire and the animal's spirit. But the balance was hard to get right, and the animal spirit was seductive in its primitive simplicity.

“Sometimes a vampire would go too far, and lose itself
within
the animal. The vampire's physical body would be permanently lost. This new creature was called a Nagual—part
vampyr
demon, part animal spirit—and could leap from one animal to the next.

“In recent centuries,” the Codex continued, “Nagual have been trapped and sold on the black market. While vicious, they can be controlled by certain totems and made to obey commands. Nagual are especially useful for lethal tasks, as they are cunning and powerful.”

Oliver could barely absorb what he was hearing. His brain felt too full, but then his thoughts began to organize and suddenly fell into place. A Nagual could be bought and controlled. Tyrus had referred to
Malcolm's Nagual.
Half-Light had bought the Nagual, they knew it was inside the jaguar, and—

Maybe they
knew
it was Bane, and they were
trying
to get him into trouble. Oliver didn't want to believe it, but it made perfect sense. If Bane was trying to somehow steal the prophecy, who else to protect Oliver other than Half-Light? They would have been watching Bane since Morosia, trying to figure out what he was up to. But Bane had the necklace, which kept his thoughts safe. Once it was lost, though, Half-Light could learn what he was up to. And whatever it was, it must have been bad enough that Half-Light felt they needed to trap him in the jaguar and frame him for the murders.

That would give them an excuse to … what? Punish him, Oliver guessed, maybe even lock him away somewhere.

It's your fault they're destroying me,
Bane had said. Did he mean that Half-Light was framing Bane to protect Oliver and his prophecy? If so, then didn't Bane know that he deserved it?
And why would Selene help him? Why would the jaguar and the apparition have led us to that body?

Something about this didn't add up, didn't feel right. As much as Oliver had imagined his brother's jealousy and spite, he just couldn't believe that Bane would really have been plotting something
so
bad for his own brother that Half-Light thought it was in their best interest to frame him. Especially since Half-Light's best interests often weren't the same as those of Oliver and his family.

“Defeating a Nagual demon,” said Oliver to the Codex. He needed to hear Bane's side of this
from
Bane. It was the only way to know for sure what was going on. And he'd have to get Bane out of that jaguar to do it.

The Codex began: “The Nagual can be—” suddenly it was cut off by the pleasant Catalogue from above:

“I'm sorry, this topic has been deemed classified. Please refer further queries to the Central Council.”

“Thanks,” Oliver grunted, and left the chamber. Of course, Half-Light had taken care to remove any information that would endanger their plan.
Désirée would know how to defeat it,
he thought. But he didn't want to go to Désirée's alone. He needed to round up his friends.

But instead, Oliver found himself heading home. First, he wanted to tell his parents what he knew. Dean couldn't be trusted, and Emalie—well, she might need another night to cool off.
Stupid,
Oliver scolded himself. He didn't need to snap at her like he had, but he just couldn't help it.

“Guys?” Oliver called as he entered the house, but there was no answer. Oliver considered going to look for them, but they could be anywhere. It was probably best to stay here until they returned. They
had
to come home at some point. He hoped it would be soon.

Oliver sat on the couch and lost himself in a video game. He played and played, but his parents still didn't come back. Eventually he dozed off where he sat.

Oliver awoke to the sound of footsteps. He got up and walked into the kitchen. Phlox and Sebastian appeared, looking exhausted. “Hey, guys, I—”

But they weren't alone.

“Hello, Oliver.”

Tyrus entered behind them, followed by Leah.

“Come on, Oliver,” said Phlox gruffly, passing him.

Oliver followed them into the living room. Phlox and Sebastian slouched onto the couch. Their faces were blank, their eyes heavy with exhaustion.

“Have a seat,” said Tyrus. He and Leah stood in the center of the room, coats on.

Oliver glanced at his parents. Phlox nodded. He slid into a deep chair.

“Oliver,” Tyrus began. “I've just been explaining to your parents—” He took off his glasses, pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket, and rubbed at the lenses. He almost looked nervous.
He doesn't want to be doing this,
Oliver thought. “Your brother has gotten himself into quite an unfortunate situation.”

Oliver looked over to see his father watching Tyrus darkly. Phlox was staring at the floor, picking at her fingernail. Oliver's first instinct was to reply
I know,
but now he doubted whether that was a good idea. Maybe it was best not to let Half-Light know what he knew.

“I'm sure you've heard about the recent jaguar killings,” Tyrus continued.

“Oh. Yeah,” Oliver said innocently.

“Well, I'm afraid it's your brother who's been Occupying the jaguar.”

“Wow,” Oliver mumbled, trying to sound stunned.

“Obviously this is complicated,” Leah continued. “It's become a serious situation. We're using all of our available resources to find him, but so far, our search has proved difficult. We're very worried that Bane will kill again.”

“What's going to happen when you find him?” Oliver asked.

Phlox's fingernails clicked sharply, tearing at one another.

“Well,” Tyrus spoke slowly. “Unfortunately, it's the decision of Central Council, and they feel that, due to the uproar this is causing in the human community, it has become a serious threat to the balance of our existence. A breach of our code on this magnitude must be punished harshly in order to send the right message to our kind.”

“Just get to it,” Phlox growled.

Tyrus looked at her awkwardly as he continued. “Bane will need to be confined and assessed. If he can be rehabilitated, we'll do everything in our power. If not … well, I'm afraid you know that answer.”

“Dust,” Phlox whispered.

“What?” Oliver couldn't help himself.
Slay
Bane? But had he really been up to something so serious that he needed to be dealt with in this way?

“Sometimes a vampire is beyond repair,” Leah said matter-of-factly. “And the community needs to know that we take this kind of offense seriously.”

“But,” Oliver began, unable to help himself, “but that's not—”

“Oliver.” He found Phlox glaring at him. “Not now.”

“But Mom, they—”

Phlox's eyes flared. “I said
not … now.
”

Oliver sensed that Phlox was not scolding him, but rather making a pact. “Fine,” he muttered.

He couldn't believe this. Slaying a young vampire was a big deal, and would no doubt cause outrage in the community—unless there was a good reason, like a series of murders. And Oliver remembered what Tyrus had said to his parents before the trip to Morosia:
The prophecy must be put above any one individual.

“You still haven't explained what this ‘assessment' will be, Tyrus,” said Sebastian.

“Seb, you know the drill. It's not just the rule-breaking, or even the incident in Morosia. Three killings in such rapid succession? There's the question of his bloodlust at this point. He may be beyond help.”

Phlox hissed quietly, her eyes glowing faintly. “So, that's it, then?”

“You know I don't like telling you this,” said Tyrus. “Everybody feels terrible about it.”

“Of course they do,” Phlox snapped.

“Mr. Ravonovich wants you to know,” said Leah, “that Half-Light will do everything in its power to help Bane once we find him.”

“Will we even be able to see him?” Phlox asked quietly.

“Of course—” Tyrus began.

“Assuming there's not a struggle to apprehend him,” said Leah.

“Oh, that would be so convenient, wouldn't it?” Phlox spat.

“We'll obviously do our best to avoid that end,” said Tyrus.

Phlox smiled thinly. “And so we're just supposed to accept this.”

Tyrus nodded soberly. “I'm afraid there's no other way.”

Oliver saw Phlox grasp Sebastian's hand.

“Thanks for coming by,” Sebastian said, businesslike. “And I suppose if I ask to help you in finding Bane, you'll tell me that I can't with my arm in this condition.”

“You'd be a liability,” said Leah.

“Another happy coincidence,” muttered Phlox.

Tyrus shrugged. “What can I say?”

“I think you've said plenty,” Phlox hissed.

“Tyrus, we should go,” Leah said, motioning toward the door.

Tyrus glanced from Sebastian to Phlox, and seemed to be searching for something else to say.

“We get it, Tyrus,” said Sebastian. “Be in touch when you know more.”

Tyrus and Leah quietly left.

Oliver sat. His parents sat. Minutes ticked by.

Finally, Phlox looked over to Oliver. “Go get ready for school, and you can tell us on the way,” she said, and stood purposefully.

Chapter 8

Outbursts

OLIVER MET HIS PARENTS
on the street outside their house. In his long coat, Sebastian almost looked like his old self, except for the sleeve pushed above the regrowth chamber.

Phlox had tied her hair back severely, and wore a long leather coat. “We're going out to look for Charles again,” she said, and started off.

“Is that where you've been the last few days?” Oliver asked.

“Well, you don't think we were waiting around for the magic word from Half-Light, do you?” Phlox muttered.

“Phlox,” cautioned Sebastian. “Yes, we've been searching.”

They walked up the street in a light rain.

“Oliver, whatever it is you've found out,” said Phlox, “I didn't want you to say it in front of them.”

They passed under the Aurora Bridge, by the stone statue of the troll.

“They were lying to you,” said Oliver.

“We figured as much,” said Sebastian.

“I … I ran into Bane Saturday night.”

“You did?” Phlox asked anxiously. “What was he doing?”

“He was in the jaguar, and had made the kill,” Oliver explained. “But Emalie said that he seemed trapped inside it—not in control. Bane took off, then Tyrus and Leah showed up. They checked the body to make sure Bane had done it, and then they called Detective Pederson.”

Phlox and Sebastian stopped, turning to Oliver.

“What?” hissed Phlox.

“They said that Malcolm LeRoux would be pleased to see that his Nagual was working.”

“Y—” Phlox began, but stopped. She turned a fierce gaze toward Sebastian. “They're setting him up.”

His eyes met hers, then he glanced away. “So,” he growled, “this is how they want to play it.”

Phlox's voice grew thick. “This is our fault.”

“No, Phlox.” Sebastian stroked her shoulder. “It's not. I mean … it was always a danger with him, considering …”

“Don't say it,” she hissed.

Sebastian gazed up into the dark lattice of metal beams beneath the bridge. He didn't speak for a moment. “Phlox,” he said finally, his voice heavy, “you know the choice we made.”

Oliver wasn't sure what they were talking about, and though he was hesitant to interrupt, he still needed to tell them about the necklace. “Guys—” he began.

“Sebastian!” Phlox hissed before Oliver could continue. Her eyes burned turquoise. “This is our son! We have to do something!”

“Like what?” Sebastian shouted. “Tyrus is just following orders, and Ravonovich has made up his mind. Besides, as much as you may not want to accept it, you know we agreed to all of this a long time ago—”

“You miserable kitten!” Phlox snapped. “Fine.” She whirled and stalked away.

“Phlox, wait—”

“Just go home and nurse your little injury! And don't blame Half-Light for that, either!” she called over her shoulder. “I'll find Charles on my own!”

Sebastian started after her, but Phlox evanesced, collapsing into a column of smoke and sailing off on the breeze. Sebastian stopped, long coat flapping around him, his shoulders slumped dejectedly.

Oliver just stared. He hated this. Not only his parents fighting, but that he was right back where he started! Not knowing what was really going on. What were they talking about? What did Sebastian mean about a
danger
with Bane? What was the
choice
that they'd made? “Dad …” he began.