Salt by Danielle Ellison Read Free Book Online Page A

stands with dark-black hair hanging in braids over her baggy shirt and yoga pants.
    Mrs. Bentham smiles. “Hello, Eva.” Eva says hello back, obviously nervous. “What are the first three verses of every family Umbra?”
    I guess we’re starting now.
    Eva clears her throat. “In the beginning, there were angels and demons. Then God created humans, creatures designed more in his likeness than ever before. The humans had a special link to God that caused the demons to burn with jealousy, so the demons set out to destroy them. Though the angels were also touched by the stain of jealousy, they stood by God, and defended his new creations.”
    “Annah Jelowski.” A girl in the front stands up, her hands shaking and flapping around in the air. All I can see of her is the back of her short red hair, a blue shirt with her jeans, and a flash of pink on her nails. “What did God do to reward the angels for their loyalty?”
    Annah moves her lips robotically. “God plucked the strongest man from humanity, and bound him to the essence of the angels, to bring them closer and to assist in the war against the demons.”
    “Stephanie Dudley, what was the result?”
    Stephanie stands up quickly, and her purse tumbles off her lap, the contents spilling out over the floor. Mrs. Bentham gives her a chiding look, but Stephanie is quick. “The witches were born.”
    She stands at attention, eyes on Mrs. Bentham. “And our sole purpose?”
    “Saving those without magic, the Nons.”
    Mrs. Bentham walks around the room. I sit forward, ready to spring to action. This isn’t something that we can fail.
    “The witches were given something upon their creation. What was this, Shiloh Hearns?” Mrs. Bentham asks.
    Shiloh stands quickly, middle of the room, yellow dress. “The witches were given the secrets of angels: language, power, and knowledge.”
    As soon as she finishes, she sits. Mrs. Bentham moves toward her. “You are dismissed.”
    The whole room is still. Shiloh Hearns looks confused. I’m pretty familiar with train wrecks, so there’s no doubt this is about to be one.
    Shiloh shakes her head. “B-but I answered the question.”
    Mrs. Bentham shakes her head. “You answered too much. The question was, The witches were given something upon their creation. What was this? Your response was the answer, yes; however, it was too much. The correct response would have been: The witches were given the secrets of angels. That would be all.”
    Shiloh starts to protest. Mrs. Bentham holds up her hand. “One of the rules in the Enforcer Handbook is article 2, number 8.” I close my eyes. Do as he or she is told.
    “‘A good Enforcer listens to directions and does as she is told.” Got that one. “Anything different, even to the slightest degree, can be the difference between life and death. There is no room for under- or over-service when it comes to safety. Miss Hearns, you are dismissed.”
    With tears in her eyes, Shiloh Hearns flips her hair over her shoulder and struts through a row of girls. Everyone is breathless as she goes. It’s not until the door closes that I’m sure I hear her crying.
    To say the room is intense would be an understatement.
    “Since Miss Hearns answered half the question, I’m sure that you can tell us, Che Lin, what are the three secrets provided to witches?”
    Che Lin stands up, right next to me. “Language to understand and speak the words of God. Power from angels. Knowledge of the weaknesses of demons.”
    Mrs. Bentham gets this funny look on her face. “Well learned. What are the weaknesses of the demons, Miss Lin?”
    Her head held high, she answers. “Expulsion, entrapment, and the sacraments: In—” Che Lin stops suddenly and Mrs. Bentham points at Che Lin to sit. I almost feel the relief wash over her. She smiles at me, like she knows she barely escaped some sudden death, before she looks forward.
    “Miriam Dunlap, what are the sacraments?”
    Another girl stands. “Incantation,