Inner Demons Read Free Page A

out during the ritual. I've never seen it before, but it's a sacred image for the Order. You should be honored, not pissed.”
    “So that's what this thing is called? A shadow demon?”
    Brooke nodded. “You'll learn more about them in training, but I can't explain why one ended up on your back. All I can tell you is that somewhere in your past, you have a connection to this demon.”
    I stood there, dumbfounded as Brooke left and hurried toward the building. The first period bell rang, but I couldn't force my feet to move. A connection to the demon. My hand went up to the sapphire pendant I wore around my neck. My mother's pendant. It had saved me from Agnes just a couple of weeks ago. Just when I was sure I was going to die, a demon had materialized from the shadows and carried her away.
    I'd spent the past few weeks trying to deny what I'd seen. I didn't want to believe it. But now I had a constant reminder of that night tattooed across my back. I shuddered, thinking that my connection to this shadow demon went back much further than a couple of weeks.
    “There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. Why didn't you meet me out front?” Drake's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I forced a smile onto my face.
    “Hey, sorry,” I said. “I had something I had to do this morning.”
    He pulled me into a big bear hug. “It's okay, but you should have texted me. I gave you a phone for a reason.”
    “Sorry,” I said. I wasn't used to someone keeping tabs on me all the time.
    “Today's the big day, I guess,” he said. “How are you feeling? You ready.”
    “Ready to learn,” I said.
    Ready for answers.
    “That's my girl.”
    Drake walked me to class. It took every ounce of my willpower not to flinch as he put his hand on the small of my back.

The Magic Doesn't Come From the Words
     
    “Everyone give a warm welcome to our newest Demon cheerleader, Harper Madison!”
    The entire cheerleading squad was gathered in the gym after school. Mrs. King pulled me up front and I smiled as everyone cheered. I had spent most of the day getting over the anger I felt about last night. After all, I couldn't undo what had already been done. Instead, I focused on the reason I'd joined the squad in the first place. I wanted to learn to control this wild magic inside of me. I wanted answers.
    “If everyone will please go into the locker room and get changed, I'd like to talk to Harper privately for a minute.”
    The girls disappeared into the women's locker room. Mrs. King motioned for me to take a seat on the bleachers. She sat next to me, turning her body completely towards me. I was struck by how young she looked. She could have been a teenager herself if I didn't know any better. I found myself wondering just how old she was, but I figured it would be rude to ask.
    “I heard about the ritual last night.”
    I looked up, surprised. I hadn't expected her to mention the tattoo.
    “Brooke told me you were upset this morning,” she said. “About the shadow demon.”
    I opened my mouth to protest, but she shook her head. “It's completely understandable. To be honest, I'm excited that yours turned out to be a demon.”
    “Last night, they told me it was just a hazing ritual. A charm of some kind that wouldn't be permanent. But it's more than that isn't it?”
    Mrs. King smiled. “You're so much more perceptive than the others. It's exciting for me to see your level of understanding already, when we haven't even started the training.”
    “That doesn't really answer my question,” I said.
    “No, I guess it doesn't.” She leaned forward and placed her hand on my leg. “There is a lot you're about to learn, Harper. About our way of life here. The tattoo is the first step. It's like a leap of faith. A mark of acceptance.”
    I felt as if I had been branded. My foot tapped nervously against the bleachers.
    “Harper, I promise you it will be worth it. Once you see what we can offer you, you'll forget all about the