Dezmond shook the Headmaster’s hand in a firm double fisted handshake. He maintained eye contact, and referred to him by name as though they were long time friends. Damien had taught her that manipulation came in a variety of actions, everyone had a talent in one form or another. Dezmond’s talents were social.

She counted off the seconds of the handshake. Ten seconds of physical touch lead to the release of a natural chemical that increased trust. Eye contact was important, as was reciting the Headmaster’s name. In magic, names had power.

The handshake broke, Dezmond released early, then put a hand on the Headmaster’s shoulder, guiding his attention while maintaining physical contact. Clever. He avoided the awkward long hand shake scenario with practiced ease.

Damien nodded to his father. Astral noted that Dezmond did not reach for his fake-son. Was he aware of the doll? Or was manipulating the Headmaster more important that showing affections to his last living child?

“Young lady, it is polite to greet your visitors. You are after all the reason we have gathered,” Dezmond said, implying his command.

Astral bit back her scathing retort, took in a breath, offered a slight bow to her own reflection and centered herself. Hands behind her back, she turned to face her uncle and the politician. She didn’t smile. Now was not the time, as a proxy, she was going to be blamed for ruining Lady Daamon’s life.

She fought the urge to take the lead, wanting to invite the party to focus on the immediate problems, and thereby discuss viable solutions. But she knew she couldn’t. Not in Dezmond’s presence. He needed to be in control.

She kept herself out of arms reach from Dezmond. Not that he would strike her, but rather wishing to avoid any manipulative physical contact with him. She did not want to become a prop for the politician.

Dezmond noticed, a frown flashing across his pale grey features. “It would appear that we’re short a guest,” he pointed out in a jovial tone.

“With all due respect, Councilman, the source of this problem was the Red Order Master’s own son. The boy has been expelled and should be on his way home as we speak,” Vincent said.

“Best to get started then,” Dezmond said and took a seat in the Headmaster’s chair, asserting his dominance over the people in the room.

Astral was annoyed. It was bad enough she needed to seek his permission to deal with this threat in the first place. He barely had anything to do with the plan beyond getting her the resources she needed. She was certain that the move against the Academy was more political than duty oriented.

Dezmond was not to be taken lightly. Magic seeped from every pore of his body, seeking elements to manipulate, enhance, or refine. He was a powerful sorcerer who had become so adept at his craft that he had learned how to make impossible scenarios possible without giving away his talents. If his talents were obvious, he might get himself flagged as Enhanced.

Astral faced the desk, hands behind her back, mimicking Avery’s pose, while staring at Dezmond’s glowing fingertips. She wondered if he knew that he was constantly channeling his magic. His essence flowed into the room. Spilling down the desk and across the carpet, like a never-ending cup of spilled tea. His essence lit the room in a soft milky orange. It drifted up the walls and closed at the center of the ceiling. He was shielding their meeting with his soul. The practice was going to leave him drained. Good.

Dezmond had no idea to the extent of Astral’s talents. Some details may have slipped over time. He had enough spies watching her. Mathias may have let a few things slips himself.

She felt the old sorcerer’s eyes on her, watching to see her reaction. She was careful to stare at his hands.

Dezmond directed the meeting. “The issue with the boy is indeed troublesome on multiple levels. But first we should address the reason I enrolled our proxy under my grand-daughters name. At the very least, I would like to know if her sacrifice is worth the trouble.” Astral couldn’t get a good read on her grand-father’s words. “Agent White, your report.”

Agent Avery White glanced to Astral before clearing her throat. Her blond hair had been pulled back to show off her Enhanced scars that wove down her face in tight parallel lines and geometric patterns that extended well past the collar of her jacket.

“Headmaster. Councilman. Lord Daamon. There’s no easy way to break the news, so you’ll have to pardon my directness. Our scout has located a demon beneath the Academy.” Avery paused for effect. The Headmaster shrank into a seat as he stared at the view of the campus. “Your co-operation with our mission has saved lives, Headmaster. Anyone else would have looked the other way.” They had ignored the signs for generations. Even Vincent had waited until his position was secure before he made a move.

Avery continued, “We know that it’s in its waking stage and will try to feed. From what we were able to learn, the demon has been hibernating in an underground facility. For how long… we don’t know.”

We suspect that the demon has been taking students directly from the Academy’s educational towers. We’re combing through decades of footage, patterns, student data, and so on. Our findings will take time, but we know what we’re looking for.”

Vincent’s wide-eyed stare jumped from Avery to Astral then to the Councilman. “What do we do in the mean time? We can’t just let the demon have it’s way.”

Dezmond steepled his fingers, tapping his index fingers to his nose as he thought.

Avery continued with her report. “We have set up a basic plan that we hope will limit the demon’s food supply. We cut off elevator access from and to the first floor. Thank you, Headmaster for your cooperation with that plan. I understand you’ve been getting a lot of flack from students and parents and such.”

“If we need to buy time, I can fund some infrastructure upgrades in the tower,” Damien proposed. “We should discuss what actual work needs to get done and draw up some plans.” That was one way to getting a hold of the Academy’s blueprints. To Avery Damien said, “We’ll co-ordinate with the E.M.I. branch to see we have any viable workers, that way you can have a few extra hands if things go South. If this guy is a bad as signs are pointing, I think you’re going to need all of the help you can get.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Avery glanced to Astral. “There’s more and I’m not entirely sure how this next part is even possible, but bare with me. I agree with our scout in that the games are playing a major role in feeding the demon.”

“Would you like to try your hand?” Dezmond asked Astral. This was not a request.