All That Lives Must Die - Eric Nylund [177]
Yes, he would approach Eliot’s potential paramour, the delectable Jezebel.
Although this would mean a trip to the Poppy Lands and a smoothing of things with Sealiah. Perhaps it was not a bad idea. He had dwelled far too long in the world of light. A trip to the old country would be rejuvenating.
And he could use Sealiah to forget, he hoped, Audrey.
Besides, providence had provided the cash for the train ticket and all appropriate bribes. He opened his hand and counted the money that young Mr. Stephenson had left on the table for the waitress—the money Louis had snatched as he scattered the salt.
One never turned one’s back on so simple an opportunity.
Such a large tip! Indeed, how was Louis supposed to do business with such fools?
45. Salt appears in many world religions as a bane to evil. Since ancient times, bowls of salt were placed by the door to keep the devil at bay (until he had counted every grain). It is used in contemporary religious rites such as the Traditional Latin Mass, exorcisms, and in the Shinto purification rituals of sumo wrestling rings prior to a match. The substance’s effectiveness has diminished since ancient times (if it ever existed). In Infernal parlances, the use of salt, especially when relating to business, is considered a grave insult because it infers that the insulted Infernal is so weak as to be affected by such a common substance. Gods of the First and Twenty-first Century, Volume 13, Infernal Forces. Zypheron Press Ltd., Eighth Edition.
51
NO MORE JUST FRIENDS
Fiona staggered into the locker room, half-dead.
Mr. Ma had made them do calisthenics and reflex drills all afternoon.
It hadn’t helped when Fiona asked why they had been singled out for this punishment, and Sarah added that it was unfair because their parents spent fortunes to send them here and this wasn’t a prison camp, and Amanda had even asked why Teams Dragon and Wolf weren’t doing the same exercises.
By way of answering, Mr. Ma made the girls run around the coliseum five times, while the rest the team was dismissed.
The man was a sadist.
She would’ve been angry . . . had she the energy. As it was, she was barely able to stand and let the shower run over her body.
Fiona toweled off and sat on the bench by her locker.
Amanda came out of the shower a moment later, her towel tight about her body. Sarah followed, towel wrapped only about her head, unabashedly glowing and looking refreshed as if she’d just taken a light jog.
Conspicuously absent was Jezebel. No one had seen her since the new semester started, an entire week ago.
Amanda pulled away the hair plastered to her face, and followed Fiona’s gaze to Jezebel’s locker. “You think she’s okay? She didn’t look so great after the midterm match.”
“I don’t know,” Fiona replied.
“Jezebel is an Infernal,” Sarah said, “and she’s shrugged off damage that would have shattered a normal person’s bones. But she better get back soon.” She took out her blow-dryer and shook out her mane of red hair. “Team Scarab is down its strongest fighter.” She turned on the dryer and preened in front of a mirror.
Sarah was coldheartedly pragmatic, but correct.
If Jezebel never came back, Fiona better think up new strategies for how to win matches. By the rules, they had to get half the team to their flag to win. With seven on their team, was half three or four people, then? She bet Mr. Ma would round up to four.
And what about Eliot? It wasn’t exaggerating to say he might have a “fatal” crush on the Infernal. Would he get over her? Or would his darkening mood just get worse? Or maybe, if Jezebel never came back, it’d be the best thing for him.
Fiona glanced at Amanda and wondered if she’d ever tell Eliot she liked him. It was so obvious . . . even to Fiona, who—let’s face it—was no expert in boy–girl relationships.
On the other hand, if Amanda told him, and then Jezebel came back . . . who knows what the Infernal might do to her. Probably laugh. Or kill her.
Poor Amanda. Poor Eliot.
She had a feeling that no matter what,