“And they’re into that sort of thing?”
Shadrie shrugged. “Some, but for the most part, they’re like anyone else.”
“Aside from the creepy house, you mean?” I laughed.
Shadrie stopped walking and turned to look at me. “I mean, there used to be a lot of prejudice against them. It makes sensethat when the school was founded, they’d have made their house somewhere other supernaturals didn’t want to go.”
“So…not evil, then.” I laughed, causing Shadrie to blanch.
“You can’t say things like that, Bechora!” Her eyes darted around, checking to see if anyone overheard. “It’s like a slur to call a demon evil. They’re just a different kind of fae that got a bad rap because of the deals their kind likes to make.”
My brows knitted together, and I pinched my mouth shut as I considered her words. Seeming satisfied with my response, Shadrie started walking again, leaving me to follow her through the dormitory and outside. We walked in silence as we made our way across campus toward Versipellis House and into the forest behind it. It was clear that even with all the reading I’d done over the last several days, I still had a lot to learn about the supernatural world.
I was pulled from my thoughts by the glow of a large bonfire and the sound of music. Shadrie led me into a wide clearing where people were dancing and chatting around the massive fire in the center. Music blared from the tree branches in familiar beats that made me almost feel like I was at a party back home.
“I’m gonna grab a drink—do you want anything?” Shadrie asked, nodding toward the far side of the clearing where a table with cups and a keg sat.
“Water, please,” I replied. “I’m gonna hang here and get my bearings.”
“You better be here when I get back, Bechora! You promised me an hour,” she shouted to be heard over the music as she moved away.
I shook my head in response before scanning the crowd. There were so many people in the clearing, I was a little surprised that anyone had room to move, let alone dance. My eyes stopped on Dante Vazgurr and the dark-haired male beside him; their heads tilted in hushed conversation. I hadn’t seen the man since our encounter in the co-ed bathroom, so I was surprised to find him standing across the clearing in atight gray T-shirt and fitted jeans. My gaze shifted to the man beside him, noting the way he held himself as if he were above everyone here. As if sensing me studying him, his head turned toward me and his eyes widened. I could have sworn shock and longing flashed across his face before his expression shuttered and he scowled, turning his attention back to Dante. Weird.
A body slammed into mine from the left, and I nearly toppled over before warm hands grabbed my bare shoulders, sending an electric shock through me, and righted me. Whirling around to give whoever knocked into me a piece of my mind, I found myself staring at a hard chest wrapped in a black T-shirt that left every muscle on display. Craning my neck, I looked up—way up—into the smiling face of a gigantic blond man.
“Dilectus,” he purred, his hands sliding from my shoulders down my arms. “I never thought I’d find you, and yet here you are.”
“Uh…okay, buddy.” I patted his chest and freed myself from his hold. “I think you have me confused with someone else. My name is Bechora, not Dilectus.”
He grinned wider. “Bechora…” The way he spoke my name sent a shiver down my spine. “That is a lovely name, Dilectus.”
“Yeah, so…this is weird, and I’m gonna go.” I backed away slowly.
His brows dipped before his face split into another grin. “Ah, I see. I will prove myself worthy then, Dilectus.”
“You…do that.” I eased my way into the crowd, not taking my eyes off him.
I waited until there was a small group of people between us before turning my back on him and looking for Shadrie. I found her only a few feet away, holding a bottled water and a silver cup, her mouth hanging open in shock.
“Thanks,” I said, closing the distance and snagging the water. It seemed enough to shake her out of her stupor.
“Oh, my Selir! Bechora, what did Zypher Morningstar say to you?”
“What? The weird guy?” I tossed a glance back at him. “Ithink he had me confused with someone else.”
“Zypher Morningstar doesn’t get confused, B.” She rolled her eyes. “Spit it out—what did he say?”
“Uh, I’m pretty sure he does, because he was clearly looking for someone named Dilectus.”
Shadrie’s cup paused mid-sip, and she choked on her drink, face blanching. I grabbed it from her hand, balancing it with my water bottle, and slapped her back.
“He called you Dilectus? Bechora, do you know what that means?” she sputtered, wiping liquid from her chin.
“Clearly not. Why don’t you explain it to me like I’m from the human realm?” I deadpanned.
Shadrie burst into laughter, then sobered. “Zypher Morningstar is basically demon royalty, B. His father is Lucifer Morningstar. You’re about to be one of the most hated females on campus for taking him off the market. Honestly, the only way you could paint a bigger target on your back is to attract Vallynn and Dante’s attention.”
“I’m one thousand percent sure I’m not taking anyone off the market, Shadrie.”
