Angel

LORA

My eyes look around for any sign of my brother. We’re playing hide-and-go-seek, and I refuse to lose this round again. Ludi was getting insufferably smug about his place as Lord of the Game, and I am determined to knock him off that podium. In What Happens if Your Slave is Overconfident, hybrids are known to get really arrogant, really fast.

I spot a lump under a sheet, and with inhuman speed, I fly to it. Quite literally fly to it. Mother’s gift to us was the ability to fly. Father’s was the strength to wield the fire that came with demon abilities. But I immediately pull my wings, tail and horns back into my human form. It’s not allowed to be a hybrid during daytime.

I knock off the sheet, but get disappointed when I see it’s only a pile of Ludi’s dirty clothes. That boy knows how to get something dirty, I tell you.

I look up, and with a gasp of triumph, I realize I’ve spotted him. “HA HA! YES!”

He is crouched on a wooden beam supporting the roof, his angelic white wings out, his demon’s tail curled around his legs and his pointy silver horns gleaming.

Ludi gives me a glare, but I know he’s really happy. There’s nothing my twin brother loves more than a good game of Hide-and-go-seek.

“I found you,” I grin.

“Yeah, yeah. Good for you,” Ludi scoffs. “I’m still Lord of the Game.”

“Nu-uh,” I say in a teasing voice.

Ludi stiffens, and his tail starts to lash. “Yeah-uh! I’ve won the most games!”

Then the sense leaks back into me, and I stare at him. “Ludi, why are you in your hybrid form?”

Ludi shrugs. “Because we’re home. And besides, you know I’m not in my full hybrid form.”

“You have your horns, your tail and your wings out. That’s enough to freak people out. Remember Chapter Three of Keep Your Slave Undercover? The hybrids were executed.” I reprimand him.

“Yeah, but we’re home.” Ludi points out.

“You remember what Dad says,” I glare. “’Even when we’re hidden,”

“We have to keep hidden.’” Ludi groans the rest of Dad’s saying.“That’s a goofy motto.”

“Well, it’s what Dad tells us, so you better do good and obey it.” I poke his head. “Right?”

“Right,” Ludi groans.

“Right,” I say, satisfied. I walk backwards a little. “Come on, help me feed our goats.”

Besides Hide-and-go-seek, Ludi’s favourite thing is to feed our goats, a nanny named Spot and a buck named Speckle. He really does love those goats. In How to Keep Your Slaves Somewhat Happy, males prefer to have animal companions.

While Ludi is feeding the goats, I go to our Ritual Room. We kids are not allowed in, but as long as I’m doing some sort of ritual for a demon or an angel, I should be good. Even though Mom never wants any rituals. She’s much too modest for that.

But despite Dad’s rules, I am not doing a ritual. I’m researching hybrids.

I know that there’s a reason I’m made. I know it. Otherwise, why did the world create me?

I reach out and look at the shelves. Some volumes are called A-to-Z rituals or how to summon your demon uncle. Others are a bit more… morbid.

Three-quarters of Dad’s books are about slavery and guarding slaves in Hell. There are books about Centaurs (I’ve read that one; apparently, half-centaurs can take human form but still have all the abilities of a real centaur), books about dragons, books about devils, books about Angels (a type of angel that’s more powerful and strong), Prophets (a heavenly being with angelic wings that can see the future - normally lives on earth), and books even about goat care. And about Vampires. Bloodsucking Fiends- Are They Near?

I finally find what I’m looking for. Hybrid Slaves-What You Need To Know. I heard that Dad had lent this from Uncle Salan a little while ago, and I was excited to finally read it. Maybe it had something to do with our hybrid species.

“And you tell me to listen to Dad,” said a voice behind me. I freeze but relax almost instantly when I recognize my brother’s suspicious voice.

“So,” Ludi comes in, smelling like goat pee and apples. “What book is it this time?”

I reluctantly showed him the cover. While he reads it, I start to panic. “Please don’t tell Dad,” I say fretfully. “He won’t like me reading his books - And this one is special. It’s Uncle Salan’s.”

Fear flits across his face at the name of our uncle. He looks up and nods, his face unusually serious. I relax with relief, but I tense when I remember the time. Ludi has too, by the look on his face.

“We should go,” Ludi says. “Dad should get back from guarding his Workplace.”

Dad’s Workplace was Hell. Quite literally. We called it the workplace because we weren’t allowed to swear, although it wasn’t technically a swear if we were talking about the real hell.

I replace the book on the shelf and not a moment later I hear the loud bang that means Dad has just slammed the door shut. Panic crosses both of our faces, and we race out of the Ritual Room as fast as we could. Thank Grandfather Ludi remembered to close the door. I don’t think my panicked mind would remember. In the book What Can Fear Do To A Slave, a study is shown that when you’re scared you forget even the simplest things.

Dad sighs as we come into the living room, but not at us. His head is lowered and he is rubbing his neck.

“Long day?” I ask tentatively.

Dad nods. “Thirteen new souls, fifteen attempting to escape.”

I mentally wince at what he has said. Thirteen evil people died today. Fifteen tried to escape. Why would anyone try that? Are they actually stupid enough to believe they’d make it? If you get caught trying to escape, you’re doomed to a fiery torture for the rest of eternity. Pain until the end of the world. Pain, pain, pain, and you can’t just die and go to peace, because you’re already dead. At least, that’s what Why You Should Never Be Evil says.

Dad sniffs and frowns. He has auburn hair like mine, narrow red eyes like mine again, but when he gets angry his skin goes all red. And he can never retract his horns and tail as us twins can.

“Go take a shower Ludi,” Dad tells Ludi. I can see him pale. I don’t blame him. If Mom tells you to take a shower, the water is nice, soft and warm. If Dad tells you to take a shower, it is legit fire. Flames shoot out the shower. Even though we have the gift to handle fire, making us fireproof, it’s still unpleasant.

But Ludi does as he is told, and I’m almost jealous. He doesn’t have to face Dad after we’d touched his most prized book in a room we’re forbidden to go in.

“So, Lora.”

I turn and face Dad. I hope he doesn’t see the nervousness in my demonic eyes. In Don’t Try To Read This - It Doesn’t Have Escape Tips, Go Do Your Work Like A Good Slave it says that demons can sometimes see your emotions through your eyes.

“I have a surprise for you,” he smiles.

I feel guilt wave. I had just broken his rules, and he has a surprise for me.

“You know how you always wanted to go to a public school instead of being homeschooled?” Asked Dad.

The guilt is washed away by a storm of excitement and wonder. “Yeah!” I swallow. “I mean, yes, I remember.”

Dad smiles again. “Well, your Mother got a job in a store called Cosplay Costumes. I don’t know what goofy language cosplay is from, but her new job means she can’t teach you. So you and Ludi will be going to that fancy Middle School on Maple Street.”

My hopes soar. Maple Middle! I’ve always wanted to go there! I see it nearly every day on our walks. It has two floors, and the walls are painted scarlet and gold and orange, the school colours. There are tons and tons of windows, and they’re all ginormous. There’s so many kids and so many kind teachers. And a lot of books! The most amazing part is that it was built around the largest, tallest maple tree in the world.

I’ve wanted to go there since I first saw it. But we aren’t exactly the richest family in the world (we live in a glorified log cabin in a tiny town called Summer Valley), and I was sure I would never get to go.

That thought strikes suspicion into me. How come I was just going to a public school now? Did we suddenly have enough money to go?

As if he’s read my mind, Dad answers my question. “Uncle Salan is paying.”

Oh. That makes sense. Uncle Salan is the richest man I know. But this means I will be in his debt, and I don’t like being in a devil’s debt.

But I’m going to school! I can’t believe it!

“When do I go?” I ask Dad excitedly.

“Tomorrow the year starts,” Dad says, smiling at my excitement. “You’ll have time to prepare.”

I yelp with happiness, hug him, and race off to tell Ludi, who has just gotten dressed.

“Ludi! Ludi, Ludi, LUDI! Guess what!” I slide into his room where he is zipping his sweater.

“What?” He grumbles.

“We’re going to SCHOOL!” I exclaim, leaping onto his bed. And yes, I might have used some wing action here, because my jumping skills aren’t good.

“School? Yeah, we always go to school.” Ludi groans. “Don’t tell me Mom made us learn on weekends, too.”

“No, you little bird!” I use Dad’s favourite name for Ludi. “We’re going to go to maple Middle!” When Ludi does not react, I feel the need to explain it to him more. “Maple Middle, that big beautiful school… with the maple tree... we walk by it every day on our walks…?”

Recognition crosses his face. “Aha! That school!” Then he frowns. “Aww, man. We’re going to have to actually learn things and interact with other people…”

I nod, although I don’t agree with Ludi. “And no popping into hybrid form whenever we feel like it…”

Ludi looks downcast.

But I refuse to let my spirits lower. “We’ll get to find out what normal kids’ lives are like! And if Uncle Salan ever visits-”

“We’ll miss it! We’ll be at school!” Ludi suddenly appears to have recognized the greatness of this. “Yes! School! YAY!”

He jumps out of the room, leaving me by myself. Alone, I deflate a little. Maybe the school will teach me what my purpose is. I hope that’s what I learn there, and maybe I’ll meet some others.