He nodded. "Shadow spawn are insidious creatures which can be summoned much like hellhounds, although they cannot keep a physical shape in this realm for long, whereas hellhounds can remain indefinitely."

"Why was this Thunder Rock place quarantined in the first place?"

"If you know anything about The Grotto, you know it was constructed long ago by beings with a far greater understanding of magical theory than we now have." Underborn motioned at the room around us. "This place exists on Earth and yet it also exists somewhere else. We don't know how or why, just that it does. The Obsidian Arch and its relatives were probably built by the same beings. Thunder Rock was a granite quarry until the Overworld Conclave realized deep beneath the quarry was a site very similar to the Grotto. For some reason, however, this site was left unfinished by its creators. The closer the noms got to the source beneath the quarry, the more they noticed the strange side-effects in reality. So the Conclave purchased the land, placed it under quarantine, and had the Arcane Council erase the place from collective memory with a dense shroud of spells."

"And that made it a perfect hiding place for the rogue," Elyssa said as something like understanding dawned in her eyes. "And it's also what transported you to Colombia. You must have stumbled into one of the arches."

Underborn nodded. "I've theorized as much but the last time I tried to enter, the quarantine shroud physically kept me out. I suspect Thomas had the Arcane Council place a barrier spell on top of whatever already exists there."

"This is all fascinating," I said, because it really was, "but how is knowing any of this going to help me win the blessing of Elyssa's parents?"

"What matters is not so much what we think we know about Thunder Rock," Underborn said, "but what you must prove about it that may win Thomas Borathen to your cause."

"Prove? Prove what? Sounds to me like you're the one who needs to dig into the incident, not me."

"Thomas believes spawn ambushed him and his people at Thunder Rock. So long as he has this belief, you will never gain his trust."

"Brilliant observation. What am I supposed to do about something that happened when I was just a kid?"

Underborn smiled. "I believe spawn had little if nothing to do with Thunder Rock. I believe they were set up."

Chapter 29.

"You really think the spawn were set up?" Elyssa asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

Underborn nodded. "Someone wanted the Templars to blame them. To create an even larger rift in their already poor relations with your comrades-in-arms."

"And Elyssa and I are supposed to miraculously prove this wonderful theory of yours?" I shook my head. "We can't even get in. You said yourself there's a barrier there now."

"And this is where your remarkable skill at finding allies comes in," Underborn said. "You have befriended sorcerers who could get through the barrier. Use your resources, Justin."

"Friends are not resources," I said.

"We are all resources. Your friends are there to help you. Ask them and they will join your cause, I'm sure of it."

I shot a suspicious glare his way. "I get the feeling you're just using us to do your own dirty work."

"Oh, I won't deny it," Underborn said without a trace of shame. "I hope you succeed where I have thus far failed. But Thunder Rock can wait another day. First, you must take out the most pressing threats and then you can work your way toward peace with Thomas Borathen."

"Maybe we can wash your car and do your laundry while we're at it." I stood up, wanting nothing more than to get out of this crazy man's lair. "When will you remove the mark from my father?"

"I have no problems doing it right now, Mr. Slade. However, I do have a few minor conditions attached."

I shifted uneasily on my feet. "Conditions?"

"You may be wondering why I'm at your school."

"Because you're a creeper?"

He smiled. "No, because of your old friend, Maximus."

My face warmed at the mention of that vampiric douchebag. "What does he have to do with my school?"

"Miss Borathen is at the school for the same reason, whether she knows it or not."

It was Elyssa's turn to narrow her eyes and cast a doubting glare at the assassin. "How would you know about my assignment?"

He shrugged. "The same way I know about all sorts of things." He leaned forward on the table. "You were assigned to keep an eye out for vampires masquerading as students. What you didn't know was why they were doing such a thing."

"Maybe because fifty-year-old vampires who look like teens want to hook up with underage students." Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Creepy pedophiles."

My nose wrinkled too. "Nasty! I'll bet fifty is a low estimate. Imagine dating some dude who's a hundred years older than you are."

Underborn folded his arms and leaned back. "Some vampires were, in fact, doing that very thing. But that's not the real reason they were there."

"Spit it out already," Elyssa said, eyes growing harder by the second.

"Maximus put them there. In fact, he has agents in several metro high schools, not just here, but all over the country."

Elyssa's mouth dropped open and her eyes grew distant. "He's recruiting from the student population?"

"Indeed."

"Maximus is a poser. A loser." I snorted. "He can't even turn people into vampires."

"The average nom has no idea of vampire capabilities, blood potency, or other items on the checklist required for a successful transformation," Underborn said with a shrug. "Surely, you see the scope of his crimes. Recruiting is expressly forbidden by the Red Syndicate and the Conclave. It is even rumored that his activities aren't limited to the United States. The scope of his operation reaches far beyond that which someone of his humble standing in the Red Syndicate should be able to achieve. It points to another hand. A higher hand, moving him, utilizing him as a chess piece."

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. "And what does this have to do with me?"

"You are to return to school and root out the identity of his moles."

"Who do I look like, Encyclopedia Brown?"

"No. You look like Justin Slade, the young man Maximus hates with a passion because you stole your father back from him. He believes spawn blood is the answer to his impotency."

I creased my forehead. "What, he can't get it up?"

Underborn chuckled. "I refer to his inability to turn humans into vampires. Your father was his golden ticket. If anything will draw out his minions, it'll be his desire to capture you."

"Why don't you do it?"

"My goal is to stop Maximus for good. But first, I need to discover who is turning his recruits into vampires, because it certainly isn't him. Once I discover who it is, we can eradicate his support and bring Maximus's fledgling revolt to a stop before it further weakens the Red Syndicate."

"Again, I ask, why do I have to do it?"

"I believe my cover is compromised. Even worse, so is my organization. I may be dead in short order unless I root out the traitor. And you, Mr. Slade, need a test run. You bring me the identities of Maximus's recruiters at your school, and I'll rescind the hit on your father."

"You'll do it now, or you can forget my help."

He raised an eyebrow and studied me. "I have no problem with such an arrangement. Do bear in mind, however, I can imprint another mark should you renege on our agreement."

I slammed both fists on the table and had to bite back the howl of pain threatening to erupt. The table was hard as a rock. "You threaten to kill my father to test me and get me to come to you so I can be your errand boy, and then have the temerity to call this an agreement?" I'd been saving the word 'temerity' for quite a while and was happy for the chance to finally use it in a meaningful way. "You, sir, are an asshole of the first order and I hope the traitor in your organization rams a sharp object up your bunghole."

Underborn laughed. "Mr. Slade, you are practically brimming with piss and vinegar. Let us both hope it translates into a winning solution." He handed me a slip of paper with symbols scrawled on it. "Give this to Shelton and Smith. They'll know what to do with it."

"Okay." I almost thanked him and mentally kicked myself. This was the guy who'd put me and my dad through all the crap in the first place. Just to test me! Jackass.

"Another suggestion, Mr. Slade. Your speed and strength will only get you so far. It is time for you to explore your arcane abilities. Harry Shelton would be suitable to the task of orienting you and placing you in a respected school once you are done with Edenfield High."

"Vampire recruiters aren't the only problem I have at my school, Underborn. Coach Burgundy and his pals still have a leash around my neck."

"Ah yes, their threats against your classmates. Their little old boys club is actually worse than you can imagine. Coach Burgundy, Principal Perkins, Sherriff Skinner, and Police Chief Amerson all graduated from Edenfield High back when Decatur was a sleepy little hamlet in the suburbs of Atlanta. They've been in power for this long because they're ruthless. However, I would be more than happy to help. Would you like-"

"No!" I shouted. "I won't have you murdering anyone, even if it's lowlifes like Burgundy and his pals. I'll take care of them myself."

Underborn's eyebrow arched. "I wasn't offering to kill anyone."

"Then what were you offering?"

"Their vulnerable spots. Children, wives, addresses. With very little effort, you could turn this around. Make them-how do you kids say it nowadays? Ah yes, make them your bitches."

"You're insane." I gave him my best look of wide-eyed disbelief. "I'm not stooping to your level." I had to admit, though, a part of me relished the idea of turning the tables on those rednecks.

He shrugged. "Very well. However, once you realize the fight ahead will require a little dirt on your hands, perhaps you'll see things my way."

"Not likely." But a part of me doubted my own words. To save my father, I'd had to put my girlfriend in danger. I'd had to ignore my missing mother and sister who were likely being held against their will by the Conroys. My demon side carried with it not just strength and sexual super powers, but an infernal rage which could transform me into a mindless killer. Was it really only a matter of time before I started down the dark slope Underborn had traveled? Before I decided it was okay to kill someone to protect my own interests? I'd wanted to kill the vampires who'd kidnapped my father at the time. But having met Felicia, I realized they were a brainwashed bunch. Killing them wasn't the answer. Taking Maximus out of the equation might be.

"Is there anything else?" Underborn said, rising from his chair.

"Remove all the bounties on his father too," Elyssa said, steel in her voice. "Wipe the slate clean, or I'll be sure my father finds out about you."

A sly grin crossed his face. "Excellent, bargaining Miss Borathen. The moment Mr. Slade has fulfilled our agreement, the bounties on his father will be rescinded."

I was really happy Elyssa had remembered that rather large detail-I'd practically forgotten about it. But I didn't like how happy it made Underborn after she'd threatened him. "Aren't you worried she'll tell her father?"

"If she does, I'm sure I'll find out about it. However, I doubt he'll believe the story, and even if he does, Thomas Borathen has little time to worry about me. In case you hadn't noticed, the Conclave is weakening. Internal strife and turmoil threaten to tear the delicate threads knitting it together. The Red Syndicate fighting Maximus's rogue organization on one hand and dealing with the Arcane Council on the other after one of their schools was attacked by vampires. The spawn and Templars are at each other's throats due to Thunder Rock, and even the spawn have internal conflicts thanks to your dear father Daevadius Slade and his rejection of Kassallandra Assad."

"Things are that bad?" Elyssa said, her eyes filled with shock.

"Indeed, Miss Borathen. Whoever is pulling the strings is masterful." He seemed more awestruck than worried, however, and I had the feeling he'd be more than happy to be on the other side.

What surprised me the most about everything he told me was how little I cared. So what if vampires and assassins and even my dear old demon spawn relatives were having issues? The world would be better off without them. "Dude, you've got issues." I took Elyssa's hand and headed for the door.

"Remember, Mr. Slade, your decisions may impact us all."

I looked back at him. "As long as you don't flunk me out of English class, I don't really care."

He stood and walked to the door, opened it. "Safe travels, Miss Borathen, Mr. Slade." With his other hand he held out the red folder he'd brought to the table. "Read this in your spare time. If nothing else, you may find it entertaining."

I stared at it for a moment. "It's not poisoned or anything is it?"

He chuckled. "Of course not."

I took it, shaking my head slowly. "An assassin English teacher. That's just wrong, man."

"I'll hold on to it," Elyssa said, and slipped it under her arm.

Phissilinth appeared from nowhere. "Shall I see them away, sir?"

"Please do," Underborn said.

Phissilinth nodded. "Very good, sir."

I glared at the small man. "Hey, that's not code for 'kill them' is it?"

"No, sir, I can assure you it is not."

We followed the small man back through the maze of hallways until we reached the door he had used his magic key on earlier. He stopped and looked at us. "Is there anything else you require before you return?"

"Yeah, I want you and Underborn to give up killing people and start a charity going door-to-door and selling cookies to raise money for orphans."

An amused grin formed on the small man's lips. "You may think we kill for money, sir. I assure you, we are not as bad as you think."

"If you're even half as bad as I think, then you're scum in my book." I smiled. "No offense."

"None taken, sir." With that, he twisted the key in the lock and opened the door.

An alley lit by tiny blinking lights waited on the other side.

I stuck my head out the door to make sure we weren't about to drop into a pit of spikes and tentatively tapped my foot on the cobblestones. After assuring myself nothing dangerous waited, we stepped through. The little man shut the door behind us and we were alone.

"Unbelievable," I said. "What a manipulative jackass. He's insane." I looked up at the blinking lights overhead and realized they were tiny lightning bugs. Their little abdomens glowed much brighter than the ones I remembered, casting a yellowish glow illuminating the place bright as street lamps.

"Underborn didn't tell us everything," Elyssa said as we walked toward the park. "He has other reasons for using you. I just wish I knew what they were."

I slashed a hand through the air. "Whatever his reasons, I don't care. Once I'm done with the recruiters, Maximus can rot in hell."

She squeezed my hand. "I wish he would."

We made our way to the Grotto's exit. Nightliss appeared from an alley and trotted up to us.