How in Hades is a daimon running around here? Luke held up a hand, a puzzled frown on his face. How could one get past the Guards?
It had to be a half, Elena said from further down the table. She looked like an extraordinarily tall Tinkerbell with her short hair and wide, green eyes.
Up until this summer, wed believed that half-bloods couldnt be turned into daimons. A pure was chock full of aether, and a daimon would chew, gnaw, and kill to get at that essence like a psychotic drug addict. Once drained of their aether, the daimon could let the pure die or turn them, adding to the daimon horde. No one thought half-bloods had enough aether inside of them to make the switch over to the dark side, but for a patient daimon more interested in building an army than getting a meal, we were as good as a pure.
It sucked that the only place we were equal to pures was in a fate worse than death.
Halfs whove turned dont change like the pures. Olivia flicked the fork between her long fingers. Theyre immune to titanium, right? Her gaze landed on me.
I nodded. Yep, gotta cut off their head. Gross, I know. Or Seth could use his Apollyon mojo. Hed zapped Kain with akasha the fifth and final elementand thatd done the job.
Caleb rubbed a spot on his arm where I knew hed been tagged. He stopped as his eyes caught mine. I forced a smile.
If its a half, it could be anyone. Luke leaned back, folding his arms. I mean, think about it. They dont need elemental magic to conceal what they really look like. It could be anyone .
When pures turned all evil and what-not, they were noticeable to half-bloodslike, really noticeable. Empty black eye sockets, pale skin, and mouths full of razor sharp teeth doesnt make for a look that blends
into the crowd. Halfs had the wacky ability to see through the elemental magic pure-blood daimons used, but daimon half-bloods just looked the same after they turned. At least Kain had.
Well, it would have to be a half-blood whod been attacked by a daimon, a throaty, husky voice intruded. Hmm, wonder who that could be? Its not like they grow on trees around here.
Lifting my head, I found Lea Samos and Jackson. It was the middle of September and the chick still sported a super tanstill so beautiful that I wanted to stab her in the eye with a plastic fork. Yeah, that would make sense. I kept my voice even.
Those amethyst eyes settled on me. How many half-bloods do we know whove been attacked recently?
I stared at her, stuck between disbelief and wanting to throw something. Knock it off, Lea. I dont want to hear your crap today.
She pulled those full lips into a cruel smile. I know of two.
Caleb shot to his feet, knocking his chair over. What are you saying, Lea?
Two Guards by the door stepped forward, eyeing the situation with interest. Olivia grabbed Calebs hand, but he ignored her. Come on, Lea. Just say it.
She tossed a mane of coppery hair over her shoulder. Chill out, Caleb. You got tagged how many times? Two? Three? It takes a hell of a lot more to turn a half-blood than that. She looked at me pointedly. Isnt that right? Thats what I heard the Guards say. That the halfs have to be drained slowly, and then the daimon gives them the kiss of death.
I took a deep breath. Lea and I were enemies. Thered been a time when my heart had sort of bled for her after her parents had been murdered, but that seemed like ages ago. Im not a daimon, you skank.
Lea tipped her head to the side. If it looks like a daimon, then
Lea, go screw someone and tan, in whatever order. Caleb sat back down. No one wants to hear your crap. And thats the funny thing about you, Lea. You think everyone cares what you have to say, when all they care about is how easy it is to get you on your back.
Or how the Instructors found a bottle of Brew in your room last week, Olivia added, her lips curving into a half smile. Didnt know you were into such freaky stuff, or maybe thats how you get guys into you.
I snorted. I hadnt heard that . Wow. Drugging guys to sleep with you? Nice. I guess thats why Jackson practically humped my leg in class today.
Leas cheeks flamed an odd shade of brown and red. You stupid, daimon-loving bitch, youre the reason why my fathers dead! You should have
Several people moved at once. Olivia and Caleb darted across the table, trying to get a hold on me, but I was fast when I wanted to be.
I didnt think; I just launched my shiny red apple right at her face. A throw like that from a half-blood turned an apple into a serious weapon. It struck home with a loud cracking sound.
Lea stumbled back, clasping the front of her face. Blood gushed between her fingers, matching the color of her nails. You broke my nose!
Everyone in the cafeteria stilled. Even the drab-looking half-blood servants stopped cleaning tables to watch. No one screamed or seemed overtly startled. After all, we were half-bloodsa violent bunch. The servants were usually too doped up to be concerned.
Somehow Id forgotten about the Guards as Id gone for Lea. I squeaked when one of them got an arm around my waist and hauled me across the table. Drinks spilled; food fell to the floor, and mystery meat smeared itself all over my gym pants.