Free Demon Storm by Justin Richards Page A

her.’
    ‘But who took her? And where?’ Ben was on his feet. ‘We have to help her – if she’s in danger!’
    Knight put his hand on Ben’s shoulder, calming him. ‘We shall do what we can. But it’s been some time now, Ben. She could be … anywhere.’
    ‘I saw her,’ Ben blurted out, though he’d meant to keep it secret. ‘By the lake, on my birthday. At least …’ He hesitated. The more he thought about it, the more uncertain he was of what he had seen. Had Sam really been there? Had he wanted her to keep her promise so badly that he’d just imagined it? ‘I thought I saw her,’ he said. ‘By the lake. And again on the way here. Only a glimpse. But … Maybe it was just wishful thinking.’
    ‘It happens,’ Knight said softly. ‘When we are hurt so badly, sometimes our minds pretend the hurting is over and that everything’s OK again.’
    ‘Will you send me back to the home?’
    ‘Do you want me to?’
    He wasn’t sure what he was letting himself in for, but Ben was sure his best chance of finding Sam was to stay close to Knight. Maybe he could persuade the man to organise a proper search. Not like the police.
    ‘No,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to go back there.’
    ‘ This is your home now, Ben,’ Knight said. ‘You’re very lucky. Most of the children we train don’t come here to be taught how to use their abilities and what they can do to help. They are identified by agents we have in the schools and the homes, like where you were.’
    ‘Mr Magill,’ Ben realised. ‘He was working for you all the time!’
    ‘And he noticed Sam, so he called me. There were several children at the home with potential, but Sam was the most remarkable. Usually, the children who can see are encouraged to develop their powers in secret. At after-school clubs and in tutorials when everyone else thinks they’re learning how to type or doing extra French or playing chess. We have a network of teachers and mentors who train them up, and the children report what they see – the ghosts and the spirits and the demons.’
    ‘And then what?’
    ‘As I said, most of the creatures are harmless. But some must be dealt with – either by the children themselves or, in extreme cases, with help from people trained here at the School of Night. Above all, though, our work is secret from most people, and it must stay that way.’
    ‘Why? Surely if people knew …’
    ‘Can you imagine? There would be an outcry, then panic or, worse, denial and we’d be closed down. Not everyone believes in what we do. There are always those who think they can tame the demons, that they can use them to further their own aims, to gain influence and wealth. Peoplewho will risk everything – their lives, their souls, the world – in the search for power.’
    Ben felt as if his head was spinning from trying to absorb so much information. ‘And these people took Sam?’
    ‘I’m afraid it’s likely.’
    ‘But why? What did they want with her? Did she escape? And where is she now? Have they taken her again?’
    Knight sighed. ‘I really don’t know. And you have so much to learn, Ben. In fact, it’s time you started. I’ll introduce you to the other children. As I say, we only have a few pupils here at the moment, until the next intake. But you can start at once.’ He rubbed his chin as he considered. ‘Yes, I think you can start this afternoon. Gemma and I have a job to do, with the help of a good friend of ours. He could manage it on his own, of course, but I need to see him anyway. You can come too and see what we get up to.’ Knight’s eyes widened slightly as he leaned down towards Ben. ‘If you dare,’ he whispered.
    *   
    Knight guessed that Ben had already met the other children, even if only briefly. The three of them weresitting in the lecture hall. Gemma and Rupam sat in the front row of the large amphitheatre-like room. Maria was near the back, scowling down at the rows of empty seats as they listened to the