Chapter Five

A week later, all three of them were sitting in James’ room, discussing Rediunyn Jr. Matt and James were sitting on the bed, and Charlie was perched on the chair by the desk. “Okay,” Matt said reasonably. “What do we know about our protectors?”

“They’re all nuts,” Charlie said immediately, making the other two laugh.

“Martin Young:” James began. “Probably the most normal one here, even if he seems very protective of Phillip.”

“Must be the eldest,” Charlie muttered.

James nodded, “Demon, attractor and possessor. Seventeen. Born in London. Magical malfunction at birth meant he was born white, even although his parents are both black. Their dad was a racist, and severely hurt them, so at six months, Martin decided to take Phillip and go. They came to Manchester, and built this place up by themselves.”

Matt nodded in agreement. “Phillip Young: Demon also, attractor and can suck Demon abilities out of other Demons. As camp as you can get. Gay, judging by the fact I walked in on him and Kyle in a lip-lock the other day. Seventeen. Birthday: 24^th January, which- according to Stacey- is the most depressing day of the year. Fact. And the Youngs are infamous for blowing up buildings as children.”

“Lisa Turner:” Charlie took up. “Paulo Demon, meaning she can take control of someone’s body. Sixteen. Born in Hamburg, Germany. Cousin of the Young twins…somehow. Fairly emotionless face. Now lives in Edinburgh with her parents and goes to the same high school as Kyle, Deryck, Stacey, Koral, Olivia and Marie.”

“Most of them live in Edinburgh…” Matt commented.

“How d’they get here then?”

“I heard they have portals in their rooms at home, the ones that don’t live here, I mean,” James said.

“Makes sense…” Matt muttered. “Brendan McKinlay: Pyro Demon. Welsh, from Cardiff. Seventeen. Abandoned by his parents when he was three because they couldn’t handle the fact that he kept spouting out flames. Lived on the street with his cat, Mackenzie, until he was 11, when he got invited to join Rediunyn Jr. Now lives in RJ HQ.”

“Cali Roberts: Hydro Demon. Norwegian, from Bodø. Magical malfunction at birth meant she ended up looking and sounding like Stacey Mackenzie, Human. Stammer. Shot her dad at twelve, and has been declared mad by six doctors. Mum is a junkie. Now lives in RJ HQ. Mother believes she’s at school in Bristol,” James listed effortlessly.

“Raymond Dowe:” Charlie began. “Ghost Demon. Magical malfunction at birth meant he died but somehow still kept living. American, from Biloxi, Mississippi. Actor, as is his mother. Now lives in LA with said mother.”

“Olivia Williams:” James continued. “Sixteen. Born and raised in Edinburgh. Controller Demon, can will people to do whatever she wants them to, and can speak every language ever invented. Fairly normal life, Mum and Dad divorced, Mum remarried, and she has a half-sister.”

“Marie Simpson:” Matt intoned. “Small. Loud. Sucker Demon. Sixteen. Lives in Edinburgh, born there. Lives with her mother, father and older brother.”

“Deryck Wheer: Silent Demon. Seventeen. Never talks. Controlling abilities. Stacey’s best friend. Dad died in a car crash. Born in London. Moved to Edinburgh year after dad’s death, where Mum remarried. Apparent lisp.”

“Andrea Carlton-Wilson: Paulo Demon. Result of a drunken encounter between two fifteen year olds. Sarcastic. Can’t stand Matt. Edinburgh born and lives with her mum, but manages to sneak out to be here.”

“The incredible child who can use the word ‘acquaintance’ properly in a sentence…” Matt muttered.

Charlie laughed lightly. “Koral Zordoe: the famous child of Michael and Keira Zordoe. Sixteen. Powerful Detirioqi, very high up the ladder. Born in Edinburgh.”

“Kyle Wilson: Nierriao. Sixteen. Powerful, for his age. Hates his mother and father. Lives with Human mother and twin brother in Edinburgh, originally from Manchester. Mother abuses him. Is father to Andrea.”

“And Stacey Mackenzie: Meena Ran. Has emotions. Edinburgh raised. Slightly mad but seems reliable enough. Least likely to kill you, probably. Well, she’d need a gun…” James commented. Matt laughed.

“So, what d’we think?” Charlie asked.

“We could’ve done worse.”

“How?” Matt asked incredulously. “We have twins who are infamous for blowing up buildings, a living inferno, a mad killer, a famed loon, a silent person, a dead guy, a girl who can control us, a freaky baby, a girl who can control our bodies, two powerful witches who could turn on us at any moment and a girl who can have almost any of those abilities she wants.”

“Well, when you put it like that…”