Taylor's pov

Okaaaaaay, so I think I just discovered why Callisto is here. And oh, how desperately I wish I was wrong! And yet, it's right in front of me.

That, on the list of new teachers this term, is a picture of the being Callisto was watching! The name I do not recognise, but that is to be expected. Names are easy things to change. As for the picture, supernaturals have a distinguishing facial mark that only appears in photos, and is, naturally, visible to only supernaturals. In person, supernaturals can see through the disguise another supernatural may wear, to pass in the human realm.

The picture in question is that of a pretty-faced, golden-haired woman, with red lips and a perfect smile. The red, star-shaped mole right below her right eye, is the only reason I recognised her for what she truly was.

I sidled over to Luke, elbowed him, and just barely nodded towards the picture. To my astonishment, Luke didn't seem surprised concerning the picture, but rather, he seemed surprised at my surprise.

"Wait...Did you-Did you already know about this?"

He looked away sheepishly. "Y-yeah. Didn't you?"

I nearly blew up with indignation at his question. I took a deep breath and told him we'd discuss it later. Just then, Luke's locker popped open, and his math book fell out.

A murmured 'finally' escaped Luke's lips, and he bent to pick up his book.

The abrupt opening of Luke's locker and the book that fell out of it jogged my memory.

I rapidly said something about having to sign up for a club, then I dashed off down the hallway.

Seeing Luke's math book had reminded me that I still needed to talk to Callisto. Well, even now that I knew why he was here (and finding out that Luke knew as well, other Protectors in the school must know too) I still needed to know just how it happened. What I couldn't figure out, was why I was quite possibly the last one to know about this.

I reached, breathless, at the door of the math room. I put my hand on the handle, then stopped.

Callisto wasn't in there.

Cursing, I looked around both ends of the hallway. Then I let out a deep breath, and cleared my mind. The multitude of souls I could now sense nearly overwhelmed me, making my focus waver. I sorted them out, focusing on those from supernaturals, until I found the very one I was looking for. I turned on my heel and began following its trail.

Being a demon, Callisto shouldn't have a soul. But after being chosen to be a Protector, he developed one. Granted, it was small and twisted, but there all the same. It's what separates Protector demons from regular demons.

The trail led me to the rooftop. I slowly eased the door open, and peeked out through the small gap. I couldn't see Callisto, so I opened the door all the way, only to have it hit something, and that something hissing in reply.

I winced and slipped out onto the rooftop, shutting the door behind me.

Callisto rubbed his face and glared, then glared harder when he saw my sympathetic face.

He walked right to the edge of the rooftop, separated from the void by a waist high wall. I followed behind him, and stopped halfway between him and the door.

A moment of silence passed between us, and then we both spoke at the same time.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to bother you-"

He turned to lean against the wall and face me.

"I thought you might need some...time after what happened."

"What happened?"

Callisto blinked in surprise, and glanced to the side.

"Yo-you don't remember?"

"What exactly should I be remembering?"

My reply made him tongue-tied. I didn't actually forget, I was only curious to see if he would say it. I wanted to know if he would risk it by mentioning those events that occurred a little over 3 months ago. Events that he caused, and that he was ignorant that I knew he was the reason. And maybe it's a bit mean, but, if we're going to get anywhere as Protectors, we need to trust each other.

Callisto scratched his head.

"Uh, like 3 months ago? The insanity that went down then?"

I kept a blank expression.

"When they...uh, kidnapped...your...You know."

I only shook her head, and sighed internally. I highly doubted we would get to that confession today.

"...you really don't remember then? Ah, geez."

Thinking about 3 months ago was taking its toll. My eyes began to water, and I realised I'd start crying if this kept up.

"Okay, whatever. It doesn't matter." I said, furiously blinking my tears away. " Whatever reasons you had for keeping me in the dark, now that I've found out, you have to tell me what's going on."

A beat of silence, in which none of us said anything, and Callisto only looked surprised at the sudden change of topic. Judging by the look on his face, he thought I'd probably remembered.

Does he really think I'll let him off that easily?

"How could you let her come here?! I thought you were keeping an eye on her?"

The sudden outburst caught Callisto off guard.

"I am keeping an eye on her! She's here, I'm here!"

"But she isn't supposed to be here!"

"Okay, look, I looked away for a second and she was gone, okay?'

"GONE?!"

He held up his hand gesturing for me to calm down. How could he expect me to do that, when one of the Siordere had gotten loose, and was now roaming around in the human realm?!

"Luckily I tracked her here. And I even managed to make myself one of your teachers."

"Yeah, after getting rid of our old one!"

Callisto looked offended by my comment. "That wasn't me. Believe it or not, the old hag can't drive to save her life. I merely took an opportunity when it arised."

I huffed. "Whatever. Now that she's here we'd better keep a close eye on her. I wonder why you didn't tell me."

I murmured the last part, but Callisto, being a demon from the 4th ring of hell, probably heard what I said anyway. Before he could say anything, however, I'd run off down the stairs.

I hoped to meet her fully prepared.