Wicked Wings

29

As he goes on about the Fallen, I wonder how this class would be taught by the other side. The Seven Deadly Sins are an angel creation—demons don’t talk about themselves like that. And I notice Raziel doesn’t mention that the Fallen represent the sin of pride because angels are so damn prideful already.

Also, demons tell a different story as to why Lucifer fell. According to them, he left for freedom. Not just for himself and for those who followed him, but freedom for humankind. Lucifer disagreed with the angels’ belief that humans need to be guided, or as demons call it, “controlled.” Demons believe freedom is the most important value, sometimes even to the point of anarchy and chaos. As such, Lucifer left the angels and banded together the demons to enact his own plans on Earth. That’s not to say he didn’t also do it so he could gain power and have his own people to rule. There are multiple sides to every story, and a little bit of truth in all of them.

Before we leave the class, Raziel says, “Oh, I almost forgot to mention. I’m going to pair you up with another student, and together you’ll do an in-depth report on one type of demon, which I’ll assign to you. I’d like you to focus on finding historical, religious, and mythological figures from Earth who are known to be that type of demon, and write an essay on them. This will be due at the end of the year and will count as your final exam. Now, let’s see here…”

He begins to pair people up, and I already know I’ll be paired with Marcus because that’s just my luck. All I can hope for is that we won’t be assigned the Lilim to study—that would be way too close to home.

“Marcus and Olivia,” Raziel says, as I expected. I think even the professors have something against me. “You’ll be studying imps.”

Well, at least there’s that. A

fter another awkward Angelic History class with Kassiel, and an unproductive session with Bastien, it’s a relief to head back to my room to relax. Although there won’t be much relaxing, because my succubus hunger is strong, and I need to do something about it before it gets so bad I’m giving f**k-me eyes at every angel I see. That’ll lead to doing something that can blow my cover. Nope, I need to nip this problem in the bud fast, but first I need a cup of coffee and a few minutes to chill after a long day.

I exit the elevator and pull out my key, but then I freeze. Spray-painted on my door are the words YOU DON’T BELONG HERE in long black letters. It’s a shock to see something like that, and for a long moment I can only stare at it. Then I glance around, but there’s no one else around. Even if there was, I doubt anyone would be sympathetic, or tell me who did it. Not that I can’t guess. I’m sure it was Tanwen, and I grit my teeth as I unlock the door and step inside. She can bully me all she wants, but it’s not going to work. I’m here to stay.

Chapter Nineteen

Olivia

A

fter spending so much time around so many tempting men, I need to feed sooner than I expected. Most succubi need to feed on a human once a week, and before I got my angelic powers I was the same. After I turned twenty-one, I learned I can feed on light the same way angels do, although it doesn’t completely sustain me. I still need to feed my succubus side once every few weeks. s*x with Kassiel lasted me longer though, and Mother said that would be the case if I fed off of supernatural beings, especially powerful ones.

Only problem is I can’t feed at the school, because it’s way too risky. I’ve never fed on an angel before except for that time with Kassiel, and we all know how that went. I have to assume some of the other angels might be able to recognize me as a succubus too, which means I’m going to have to go somewhere off campus, and not to Angel Peak either. There’s a small town on the main road at the bottom of the mountain, and I should be able to find what I’m looking for there.

I wait until Araceli is asleep, which is easy because she snores, and then I sneak out and head for the parking lot. I hop in my car and drive off, narrowly missing what Araceli told me is Callan’s convertible. I’m tempted to nick it, since it wouldn’t be more than he deserves, but I leave it be this time.

No one stops me on my way out, but I feel a keen sense that someone is watching me as I drive out of the gate. No doubt there are cameras recording me, but why should I care? This isn’t a prison, and I can come and go as I please.

It feels like an even longer drive down the mountain, especially in the dark. I take it extra slow around some of the sharp turns near steep cliffs. By the time I reach the bottom of the mountain, I’m seriously regretting not flying. I’ll have to make this quick if I want to get back in time to actually get some sleep before class tomorrow.

I stop at a dive bar with several trucks and cars outside, and figure this is probably my best bet for tonight. I check my makeup and smooth my hair in my rearview mirror, and then I get out of the car. I’m wearing a tight little red dress and some f**k-me heels that always get attention, especially with my curvy legs and hips. I’m not vain, but I am a succubus after all, and we’re pretty damn good-looking. It’s part of my nature to use my looks to my advantage to feed.

The bar is dark inside, with tacky neon beer signs, clichéd sayings framed on the wall, and sawdust on the floor. The pickings tonight are slim, but I survey the bar, taking everyone in. My eyes immediately hone in on a hot guy sitting against the wall with dark hair, a short beard, and no wedding ring. Perfect.