“I don’t think that’s fair,” I mumbled more to myself since none of them were listening.
“Oh, you must not know about their families, then,” Nightwind chuckled, bumping my shoulder with his.
I didn’t think their families mattered much. I cared more about who the individuals were rather than the actual families. If I were to be judged based on who my mother was, I would be regarded terribly, I was sure. I didn’t want to do that to someone else. The only reason they were being so kind to me was because of who my father was—not because of who I was.
Demonic society was tedious.
The cafeteria entrance loomed ahead, the double doors ajar, revealing glimpses of bustling activity within. Chatter of other students filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery and occasional burst of laughter.
As Dreadful yanked at my arm, I followed her but kept tripping over my own feet.
The transition from the classroom of Introduction to Ceremonial Magic to the cafeteria felt like stepping into a different building altogether. Tantalizing aromas of food drifted through the air, a blend of savory spices and sweet pastries. It reminded me of the smells I’d been introduced to back at Daryl’s manor. His chefalways cooked a variety of meals, and I had a suspicion Daryl had asked him to do so when he had found out I’d only ever eaten bread and carrots.
Before I knew it, I found myself amidst a group of nobles, their voices echoing around me. Dreadful settled beside me, with Nightwind on my other side.
The chatter around me was overwhelming and exhausting.
“This is my roommate and new bestie, Gravesend.” Dreadful gestured to me like she was showing off a toy.
I frowned as everyone started asking about Daryl and how they hadn’t heard of him having a daughter until I was enrolled. I managed to avoid all of the sensitive questions, thankfully.
“I’m Voidfire!” A demon with red hair cut in a bob like Dreadful’s smiled fakely at me. “I’m Dreadful’sbestfriend, and I’m a fear demon.”
“Oh, that’s cool.” I forced my lips to curl into a smile.
Her brown eyes narrowed accusingly at me. “Yes, it is! We’ve been best friends forever. I was here first, you know.” She giggled enthusiastically, but I caught the underlying message.
Dreadful washerbest friend. Not mine. Not that I cared in any way about that. Dreadfulwasn’t very nice, but Voidfire seemed just as rude. They made a good pair, in my opinion.
I ate a few bites of the pasta on my plate before scanning the room and spotting Dex, Hemlock, and Grimshaw seated by themselves at a table in the back corner. Part of me wanted to be isolated like that instead of forcing small talk with nobles who thought they were better than anyone else here.
“Oh, my Fates! Do you see those three delinquents over there?” Voidfire gushed. “That’s Hemlock, Grimshaw, and Shadowheart…”
“Who doesn’t know about those three?” Dreadful laughed. “They’re outcasts in the Demon Capital.”
The other nobles with us began to gossip about them, their words cutting through the air like daggers.
Discomfort gnawed at me, the weight of their disdain weighing on me. It felt like I was being tainted just by associating with them, and maybe I was since I hadn’t said anything to stop it.
I sucked in a deep inhale before interjecting, “Isn’t this kind of gossip wholly unproductive?”
Dreadful was quick to respond. “I’m sorry, what? I can’t hear you.”
“It’s her voice,” Voidfire giggled. “What the Blezen is up with that?”
Laughter rang out around the table as theynoticed my raspy voice and seized the opportunity to mock me.
“Grow up, Voidfire,” Nightwind stated with a roll of his eyes. “Her voice is raspy and different. What’s wrong with that?”
“It sounds so gross!”
My ears started to ring as my gaze clung to a man leaving the cafeteria.
“Now she’s checking out the demon with ahumanmother?” Voidfire howled with mirth as the rest sneered at him. “You sure know how to pick them, don’t you, Nightwind?”
Voidfire's mocking laughter reverberated around the table, and the weight of their words felt like Mother’s shadows shoved down my throat, closing off air from my lungs. It wasn't just the mockery of my voice that stung—it was their cruel taunts directed at Reed. He didn’t deserve a single bad word about him.
Rage surged through me, and I pushed to my feet. “Shut up!” The words burst from my lips, cracking through the laughter like a whip.
