Chapter 5- Courting Trouble

The seriousness that marred his face showed he wasn't kidding this time. There was silence at the table for a while before Janice started coughing as though she was being choked by her steak. Davis passed her a water can.

"Tell him we're not coming",he said

"I knew you'd say that. This time he's serious, he's threatened to have you both thrown into Therus if you refuse".

"He's going through a lot just to get us back. Tell him he'll have to wait till the end of the school year ". Derek stared at him for a while," we can't leave our studies in the middle of the semester. Wasn't it why we were sent here? ",he sent him a lopsided smile.

Marcus looked at both of them and nodded, " how's Odette doing these days... it's been a long time ", Marcus relaxed into his seat. Derek shot him a look, " you dislike the man, I don't see why you should ask about him",he said while the man offered him an innocent smile. Odette was an old friend of the Gallagher's and of Marcus. No one knew what caused the rift between the two friends.

"Maybe we should all pay him a visit at the office before I leave"

"You can go with Davis or Janice, I'm not interested in coming with you", Derek stood up to leave when he heard Marcus call him.

"There's been an increase in the activities of the scavengers. I'm guessing you already know",he paused then continued, "your father thinks Neil is making his move, you should go back to him as soon as possible. He needs you both the most"

Derek left the lunchroom. He wasn't in the mood for any class. He went straight to the principal's office.

"I didn't send for you. Is there a problem?",the principal asked. Odette was around the same age as Marcus. The three centuries old demon looked like a man in his late thirties.

"Marcus is here. He says Edward wants us home"

"Marcus?", Derek smirked, "what the heck is he doing in my school?",he said looking slightly agitated. Derek knew that would be his reaction. He seemed to hate the man with every ounce of his demon blood.

"He plans to come on a visit before he gets back",he leaned back and shut his eyes, "you should probably get yourself ready for him". Odette muttered something. Derek opened his eyes to meet his.

"You know, for a principal and school owner, you should learn to control your temper and not curse in front of your student".

Odette didn't know if the young man was trying to make him more angry than he already was. One thing he knew about Derek, he was one annoying boy that always wore an air of indifference, something that had amazed him initially but he always got any job done. Maybe that was why his father, Edward Gallagher, chose him as his successor in the underworld. He saw him as the strongest of the twins.

"I'm here for more important things. Did you hear anything from Alan", Derek looked at him with curiosity. Alan was a fellow demon and their informant from the underworld, their abyss of darkness.

"Nothing, but we found more bodies and this time the damages were brutal" he said, Derek thought for a while.

"They're getting bolder in their steps. We should teach them some lessons so they get to know their limits",silence fell between them for a while.

"What do you think your father wants you home for?"

Derek shrugged," Maybe to do more of his dirty jobs and pester my life all the same "

" I don't know why the sudden deaths. Mourline hasn't recorded any in over a century now. You should be careful "

Derek smirked," I know ".

He left the staff's block for his dorm. Maybe he could get some piece of mind in there.