Sinful Things

8

The wrestling mats are on the ground, and Araceli and I settle down behind the Valkyries. Tanwen shoots me a look as I pass by her, and I wonder what her deal is this year. Is she preparing her next verbal attack, now that she knows I’m part demon? I realize she wasn’t behind the notes and vandalism last year, like I initially suspected, but it’s not like she’s ever been nice to me either—and that was back when she thought I was half-human. How much worse will it be this year?

Hilda talks about the proper use of the sword, including stance, grip, and footwork. I try to pay attention to everything she says, but it’s hard to keep my eyes off of Callan. Every time that asshole swings his sword, he makes sure to do it while looking directly at me. As if he's imagining thrusting the blade into me with every strike.

Or maybe he’s thinking about thrusting something else into me.

I shift a little on the mat at that thought, trying to ignore the growing heat between my thighs. It’s hard though, when Callan keeps swinging that sword like some kind of sexy barbarian warrior. I’m a modern woman who doesn’t need a man to save her, but sometimes it’s pretty hot knowing a guy could save you if you were in danger. Even if I hate him.

He glares at me like he knows what I’m thinking about, and I give him a seductive wink in return because I know it will annoy him. He practically seethes, and I only smile wider. I can’t wait ‘til he sees what I have planned for him.

By the time class is over, I could use a cold shower. The good news is, I’m pretty sure which weapon I’m going to focus on this year—the dagger. It’s a weapon of stealth and skill, perfectly suited for me, whereas Callan is more attuned to weapons that require brute strength. Maybe Hilda will be the one training me, instead of him.

As the class heads out of the gym in a big group, someone moves past me and bumps my shoulder hard.

"Sorry,” I mutter, the apology coming automatically.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" The guy that plowed into me jerks away and stares at me as if I've just vomited on him. "Don't touch me again, demon filth."

I blink at the guy as he rushes away, and it takes me a second to remember his name. Jeremy. He was in my Flight class last year, and I never really paid him any attention. He didn't seem interested in being my friend, but he wasn’t particularly rude or anything. He never gave me a reason to think badly of him, until now.

"Whoa," Araceli says. "What was that about? He's never acted like that before."

"He obviously has a strong opinion about demons, and I’m sure he’s not the only one." I push the door open to go out toward the lake and pretend the encounter didn't hurt my feelings. I'm still the same person I was last year, but not everyone is going to see that. They were already standoffish before when they thought I was half human, and I imagine it will only get worse now.

"Don't sweat it," Araceli says. “Not everyone will be a d**k, I promise.”

Probably not. But if I expected my second year at Seraphim Academy to be any easier than my first, I’m already being proved wrong.

Chapter Six

Olivia

I

’m relieved to see Raziel is teaching Fae Studies this year, and even happier when he gives me a kind smile as I step into his classroom. He looks exactly the same as he did last year, with his friendly face, salt and pepper hair, and quirky bowties. Today’s is white with black Scottie dogs on it.

I got an A last year in Demon Studies, naturally, and I’m hoping to do just as well in this class. Thanks to my research over the summer, I know more than the average angel or demon about the fae. I’m hoping this class either reinforces that knowledge or teaches me something I don’t know already. I trust that Raziel will keep things fairly unbiased, like he did in Demon Studies, even though the things I most want to know probably won’t be covered in the class. Like what the fae do with their prisoners, and how to rescue one.

I take a seat at the front of the classroom and get out my notebook, then groan out loud when Bastien walks in. I should have known I’d share this class with at least one of the Princes.

He doesn’t even give me a glance. We might as well be strangers, except he sits at the desk beside me even though most of the classroom is still empty. I arch an eyebrow at him, but he ignores me as he pulls out a black Moleskin journal and a pen. As he slowly flips to a blank page, I glimpse very precise handwriting in black ink, with no doodles or anything else. It’s all so very Bastien. “Welcome to Fae Studies,” Raziel says in his cheerful voice once class starts. “I’m so happy to see some familiar faces here. This year we’re going to learn all about the reclusive fae, along with the world they live in, Faerie. Though most of you probably won’t have any encounters with the fae other than at the school’s sports games, it’s still important to learn about them, because you never know when things might change.”

I lean forward, pen poised, greedy for whatever knowledge Raziel can impart upon me—and not just because I hope it will help me find Jonah. Surprisingly, I’m actually really curious about the fae. The Olivia of a year ago would have laughed at the person I’ve become. I never cared all that much about school before coming to Seraphim Academy.