I stepped into room 103 and made a beeline toward an empty seat near the back. The desertsun streamed in through the windows, and I could feel the heat from it as I slid into my seat.
Other students shot varying degrees of curious glances at me, but I relied on my hair to cover and blanket me like a shield. It was one of the reasons I wanted to keep my hair long, so I could hide in it, as silly as it seemed.
I couldn’t believe Dreadful had spoken so nastily about the two men I’d been interested in. They would never want to be friends with me now, not that I could blame them. I wouldn’t particularly want to be around Dreadful if I could help it, either. Since they saw me with her, I was sure they probably thought the same about me.
Someone sat in the seat next to mine, and the air around me filled with a sweet smell that was like candy—cotton candy.
I glanced over, and it was as if time stopped.
Round violet eyes flicked to mine, and my heart thudded loudly against my ribs. He was tall, at least 6’1, but he possessed a comforting, alluring aura. His dark brown Afro was a soft cascade of spirals that framed his face, and freckles dotted his cheeks against the backdrop of his dark skin. I noticed small constellations tattooed all over one of his arms that disappeared underneath his short-sleeve shirt. He had a heart-shaped face, broad nose, and full lips that curved into a gentle smile as he stared at me.
Despite knowing I should’ve looked away, I was unable to tear my gaze away from the man sitting next to me.
“Hi,” he murmured.
“Hi,” I mumbled back.
“I’m Nyx,” he told me, crossing his arms over the table and leaning forward as the spirals of his hair bounced with the movement. “Last name, obviously. We don’t introduce with first names, but if you want to know it…”
“I do,” I breathed, answering quicker than was probably normal.
His smile grew wider. “Reed. My first name is Reed.”
“I’m Pandora,” I blurted, eyes widening. “Pandora Gravesend. First and last name, so you know both..”
“Beautiful name.” His cheeks deepened in color. “I’m glad you didn’t think that was weird.”
“Didn’t you hear her?” another demon hissed from behind us. “She’s aGravesend.She doesn’t need to be associating with a half-human!”
Half-human?
Reed’s smile dropped, and he turned his body to face forward quickly without another word to me.
I furrowed my brows before glancing back at the demon who had inserted himself into our conversation. He had dark blond curly hair andblue eyes, and he radiated an air of cockiness that made me want to slap the smirk off his face.
Tilting his head, his smirk grew. “I’m Nightwind, but since you’re sharing first names with the wrong person, you can call me Craig.”
“I’m fine with Reed, thanks.” I turned back to Reed, fully aware Nightwind could hear me. “There is no such thing as a hybrid supernatural. I mean, if one of your parents is human, who cares? You’re still a full-fledged demon.”
Reed looked back over to me, and there was surprise twinkling in his violet eyes. “Are you sure you want to be caught talking to me now that you know? I’m a social pariah.”
I shrugged. “I’m sure I will be too.”
“You’re a Gravesend.” He leveled me with a glance. “That’s impossible.”
“Give it time.” If word ever got out about my mother, I was sure I’d be a target. One thing my mother seemed to be right about was the bloodthirsty nature of demonkind. “Friends?” I stuck out my hand.
His smile slowly came back as he reached out and wrapped his warm hand around mine. “Weareon a first-name basis.”
“Good morning, demons!” a young demon, early thirties if I had to guess, greeted the class. She had black hair cut in a pixie style and bright yellow eyes that scanned over the room.
Reed and I pulled our hands back, and a blush spread across my cheeks. My hand felt cold without his.
“Welcome to Demon Basics. I want everyone to introduce themselves, explain why you’re here, and what you hope to achieve from being here. I’ll go first. I’m Respa. I’m a dream demon and your professor for a few different classes this year. I’m here to acclimate you into demon society,” she explained.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, with my heart pounding. I hadn’t been around many demons at all. Being placed in a setting like the academy wasn’t as difficult as I had imagined, but it wasn’t easy either. The thought of introducing myself made me nauseous.
My palms felt clammy as I clasped my hands together in my lap.
