“The more slashes, the more powerful that demon is. It’s a nice clear warning, actually. Gives you a bit of an idea of what you’re getting into.”
I nod, my mind replaying that fateful night in my head. I was so scared when Professor Dal showed up and told me I had to fight the demons or die—for good. But I also felt exhilarated. Empowered. I was doing what I was meant to do and I just know, deep in my bones, that for I’m going to be really fucking good at this.
“And that is why defensive spell casting is so important,” he says, but now he’s distracted, eyes darting to the academy behind us. Right. He’s eager to get inside and…go do whatever it is that’s more important than tutoring me.
I sigh, looking at the meaty textbook. “I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
“You do,” he agrees. “But don’t worry. You won’t be put in a situation the professors don’t think you can handle.”
“Unless I sneak out and try to kill a demon on my own,” I deadpan.
To my surprise, he smirks. “Give yourself a week or two before you try that. You’ll want to wait until you get your scythe first, too.”
“Good points. So expect me to be sneaking out in about thirteen days then. I’m warning you now.”
He chuckles, and the breeze picks up, bringing with it the fresh scent of rain. It blows my hair in my face, and Max reaches out to tuck it behind my ear. A shock leaves his fingertips the second his skin brushes against mine, and I jolt. His touch feels good, but I know it’s wrong. He’s engaged, and I’ve never been interested in being the other woman in a relationship. Especially when the guy in question seems to hate my guts half the time.
“Read,” he says, and stands abruptly. “I have detailed notes to go with that chapter. You’ll want to go back and forth between the book and my notes.”
“Okay,” I say as a bell sounds from a tower above us. I take a few paces back, bringing my hand up to shield my eyes so I can look at the bell tower. The academy is a large, gray stone building with moss and ivy growing along the sides. It’s cathedral-like in appearance, reminding me of a medieval church, only much, much larger.
Max puts his cloak back on, fastening the clasp under his chin. “You have half an hour to study or do whatever, really. You’ll hear another bell when the half hour is up.”
He taps the textbook. “Make sure to read all of chapter one. I’ll quiz you this evening.”
“For real?”
“Yes, for real. I was ordered to tutor you,” he says, his annoyed expression firmly in place once more. “And if you want to catch up, you’ll follow my instructions.”
“Jeez. No need to get snippy.” I open up the textbook.
Satisfied, Max gathers the rest of his stuff and starts to leave.
“Max?”
“Yes?” He doesn’t look at me.
“Can I stay out here?”
“Sure. Make sure you’re in by the next bell for lunch. If you’re late, you won’t eat.” Before I can say anything else, he strides away. I twist in my chair and stare after him until he disappears into the building. Then I shake myself and turn back to my textbook. I have a lot of studying to do if I want to catch up.
Chapter one in the spell casting book is all about the fundamentals of using magic. Reapers are corporeal beings made up of energy, which sounds confusing as fuck but really isn’t that different than humans. At the core, that’s what everything is, right? Particles of energy, too small to see with the naked eye.
“Excuse me.”
I look up to see two girls slowly making their way over. They both have thick red hair and look strikingly similar, yet not identical. “You’re the new girl, right?”
“Yeah, I am.”
She looks at her friend and smiles. “Told you.” She looks back at me and smiles. “I’m Neve and this is my sister, Nova.”
“Hi, I’m Addy.”
“We’re fourth years, but we of course heard all about you.”
“I have a feeling the whole academy has at this point.”
They both laugh. “It has.”
