A strange prickling magic spread over my skin, and I could tell it was coming from her but directed at Hunter. Succubi and incubi wielded pheromones, and I had a feeling that was the magic slipping over us.
My chest tightened. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like her using her powers on Hunterat all.
“Likewise.” He gave her a tight smile before placing a hand on my lower back. “This is your roommate, Gravesend. She’s new to the demon world, and I expect another noble to be able to help her adapt.”
“A noble? New to the demon world?” A perfect smile curved her lips, but there was a sharpness to her gaze as she swept it over me that made my spine click straight. “How odd.”
“She’s a Gravesend,” Hunter snapped again.
Her glossy lips formed an O. “A Gravesend? As in Death’s daughter?”
He nodded once.
He’d already introduced me before. Was she not paying attention?
She swung her attention back to me with another sickly sweet smile, and the pheromones she’d been putting off came to an abrupt end. “Oh, Gravesend! We will be thebestof friends! Don’t you worry your little head. I’ll make sure you adapt well.” Her words were laced with saccharine sweetness.
I glanced at my ring, and while it wasn’t black—it was dimmer than the white I felt safe with. “Thank you.”
“I’m abigadmirer of your dad!” She let out a squeal and clasped her manicured hands aroundmine and tugged me into the room with her. “Oh, I have so many plans for us this year.” She smirked at Hunter. “Don’t worry, Darkmore. I’ll take good care of this sweet demon.”
Hunter’s expression was one I couldn’t read. Itlookedwarm and kind, but a chill emanated from his demeanor. His smile carried a subtle tension at the corners, and his eyes held a calculated wariness that set me on edge.
“Thank you for showing me the campus and walking me here,” I told him, gratitude saturating my words.
His white eyes flicked to mine, and concern dwelled in them. “Are you comfortable?”
My hand tightened on my bag as I forced a smile. “Yes.”
“If you need anything, you have my information.” He nodded at us both. “I’ll see you around. Have a good day, ladies.”
He turned and walked stiffly down the hall before either of us could reply.
Dreadful swung the door shut, and her fake smile dropped. There was a sharpness to her features that was no longer concealed. She strode to her side of the room and pounced on her canopy bed with flowing chiffon drapes. As she laid on her stomach, she grabbed her tablet and started doing something.
Her side of the dorm room exuded an aura ofelegance and feminine allure. Creams and whites dominated the color palette with delicate lace curtains. Soft cushions in pastel hues decorated a plush armchair tucked into her corner while enchanted fae orbs twinkled gently, casting a warm glow over the space.
I tore my gaze from her and took in my side of the room in surprise. Daryl had said he sent everything to my dorm, but I didn’t realize he’d had it all put away and decorated. It was a stark contrast from Dreadful’s style, but it was more like me. Shades of gray, black, and ivory enveloped my space, putting off a gothic allure.
A grand four-poster bed draped in rich black velvet curtains stood as the centerpiece of my side. Antique candlesticks set atop a sleek gray desk, casting flickering shadows against the walls. On floating black shelves held a collection of books that I had been reading back at the manor, and there was even a black rising stand on the end table for Nebula to be placed.
My chest warmed with appreciation for my father. Daryl was a good dad, and I knew that if he’d known about me, I would’ve been really close to him.
I still wanted the chance to have that bond with him.
I kicked off my shoes on my side of the door and padded across the rough stone floor towardthe ivory plush rug and sat down on my bed. I sank into the comfy mattress and let out a delighted groan before lying back on the pillows and tugging my bag to my side.
“The Demon Council is so amazing,” Dreadful gushed, setting her tablet down and flicking her blue eyes toward me. “It’s really awesome that your father isDeath!He’s been around for so long, and he’s practically the leader of the council since he’s the soul eater representative. Not to mention, he literally eats souls! How strong of a magical reserve do you have to have to do that? Oh, and don’t get me started on the vengeance demon representative. Hunter fucking Darkmore is the hottest vengeance demonever, and he’s best friends with the newest member of the council, Joel Craven. He’s the incubus representative, and I am desperate to sink my claws into him—if you know what I mean,” she rambled, but every word she said was said with conviction and importance.
I blinked at her as I sat up. Was this gossip? Were we gossiping? I didn’t realize that gossiping would be so…empty. I hated how she spoke about Hunter, too. He was attractive, but he was also…I didn’t know. I just didn’t like her gushing about him.
“That’s great,” I rasped, moving my hairbehind my shoulder so it would stay out of my face.
“So what’s with your voice? It’s, like, really weak and raspy. Why is that? I’ve literally never heard a demon speak like that,” she told me as she ran her hand through her hair to smooth out her bob.
“Oh, um…” My palms turned clammy, and I sank my teeth into my bottom lip.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s fine. I mean, I’m sure someone will find it cute. Wearestuck at a freaking reform academy. So many delinquent demons, surely one of them would be into that.”
