Fallen Kings

10

“Welcome, third year students, to Immortal Ethics,” Simiel says, once class begins. “This is a required course to graduate, and while many write it off as boring, I suggest you take good notes because we’ll be discussing things that will affect you for hundreds of years to come. Possibly thousands.” He drones on and on about what we’ll be learning, from angelic laws about marriage and property to the proper way to behave around humans so they never learn about our presence. I’m sure it’s all very important, but it also sounds really dull. It doesn’t help that he keeps giving me a creepy smile as he talks either.

The bell doesn’t ring soon enough, and I make a beeline for the door, vowing to never, ever come to this class early again.

My next class is Human Studies with Raziel, and to my delight he’s wearing a green plaid bowtie today. Since I grew up among humans this class should be a breeze, at least. Jonah is in this one too—he took Fae Studies his first year, so now he has to double up and take both Human and Demon Studies in order to graduate on time. I already told him I’d be happy to help out with either of those areas if he needs. Plus my brother can be my partner on whatever group assignment we’ll no doubt be given.

That asshole Jeremy slides into class just before Raziel closes the door and I nearly groan out loud. He takes a seat on the opposite side of the room, just before Raziel launches into his usual jovial welcome speech. I glare at Jeremy as he sits down, and he sneers at me. He may not know where Grace or the Staff is, but he’s still a member of the Order, and I’m going to keep an eye on him. He’s our one link to the Order’s activities on campus, and soon he’ll lead us right to them. I’ll make sure of it.

Chapter Seven

Bastien

F

or the last few years I’ve been the headmaster’s assistant while also being a student, but this is my first year as professor.

I didn’t plan to become a professor right away. I was supposed to continue as Uriel’s assistant for a few more years. However, Kassiel’s sudden departure left a gap in the roster that needed to be filled, and Father thought I would be a suitable replacement. I hope he’s right.

I teach six classes a day, two per school year. I’m going off of Kassiel’s lesson plans, which he kept in very neat order. I admire his organization and the way he covered the material with seamless transitions, and I only made a few modifications to the curriculum.

Olivia walks into my last class of the day. I’ve been waiting for this moment. A true test of my skills as a professor. Can I be unbiased when it comes to her? Can I give her a fair grade and not treat her better than any other student? I’m not sure. I’m even more impressed by Kassiel, knowing he was able to do it for two years.

At first I was worried that some of my former peers might have a hard time adjusting to me as their professor, but so far that hasn’t been a problem. Being one of the Princes probably helped. No one questioned my authority then, and no one questions it now.

Olivia gives me a little smile and a thumbs up as she sits down. I keep my face free of emotion and don’t respond in any way, instead letting my eyes wander to the other students. That ignorant fool Jeremy is in this class too. He’ll also be a test of my ability to be unbiased. Every time I see him, I remember the way he spoke to Olivia in Fae Studies last year and I want to grab him by the throat. I’m not a violent man, but he brings it out in me.

The minute the clock hits the hour, I clear my throat. “Welcome to Angelic Studies. I’m Professor Bastien, and this year we’ll be covering the last one hundred years, including the founding of Seraphim Academy, the destruction of Heaven, and the signing of the Earth Accords. First I shall give a brief overview of what you should have learned in the previous two years.”

The class goes by quickly, and I find it easy to tune out the audience and lose myself in the subject matter. Last year Olivia asked me if I ever wanted a different fate, but I’ve always felt my place was here at Seraphim Academy. I was a student, now I am a professor, and someday I will be headmaster. Uriel has been grooming me for the role my entire life. I’ve never wanted anything else.

Until Olivia, anyway.

At the end of class all the students file out of the room, but Olivia hangs back until everyone is gone. Now that I’m her professor, we must keep our relationship discreet. I prefer it that way, truthfully.

“That was great!” She throws her arms around me and I stiffen, but then relax and return the embrace. I’m not used to people hugging me. “How was your first day as professor?”

“It went well, thank you.” I touch the gold and aquamarine necklace hanging above her breasts. It blocks me from seeing her magnificent aura and I’d rather she took it off, but I understand why she wears it. “How was your day?”

“Pretty good, although Professor Simiel was weird and asked me about my mother.” My brow creases. “He’s always been rather odd, but he’s been here many years. No one has reported any issues with him before.”

Olivia waves it away. “He was probably just being nosy.”

I hope so, but I can’t help but worry about her. I feel this overwhelming desire to protect her, and that includes from nosy professors. “I’ll look into it.”