rune
. . .
Humans branded us monsters,but they were the ones who ripped the DNA from my veins and replicated it to murder us.
Rage simmered through me every time I thought about it.
Even as I stood in the common area of House of Twilight with my housemates around me, anger flared hot in my gut, seeping into my matebonds.
“Okay, little spies, it’s time to vote on House Head for the House of Twilight.” Vel’s voice rolled over us, sweetness leaking into every word.
Her pheromones drifted through the common room in a soft, spiced-vanilla haze that clung to the back of my throat. Her smoky lavender eyes slid over our reduced group.
I stood between Dimitri and Cora, my pinky hooked with Dimitri’s. On Cora’s other side, Ominous stood like he had no care in the world. Seth stood beside him with a professional expression.
There were too many empty spaces in the circle. We’d started in House of Twilight with ten students. The fact that we were down to half felt weird.
Vel folded her arms, hip cocked. “Who are we voting for this year?”
“Dimitri,” I blurted.
He snapped his gaze to me, red eyes flaring with surprise that echoed along our bond.
I grinned.
“Yeah, I agree,” Cora chimed in, brushing her long blonde hair back over one shoulder. “He’s always making us study. We might as well make it official.”
Ominous snorted. “Yeah, no, that checks out. He’s already bossy.”
Seth gave a solemn nod. “I agree. It should be Dimitri. He’s practically the dad of the house, anyway.”
Vel giggled, and the look she gave my mate made something in me twitch.
Dimitri wasmy mate.
I laced my fingers fully with his.
He tightened his grip instantly, tugging me closer until my shoulder brushed his chest.
Vel’s smirk grew. “If there are no objections, then Dimitri Nocturnus will be House Head for the year.”
I felt his resigned huff against my hair.
“Congratulations, Dad,” Ominous muttered.
Dimitri shot him a look.
Vel’s gaze softened. “I know everyone is concerned about the humans’ civil war and the DNA threat they announced.”
My fangs dropped on instinct. Venom burned under my tongue.
Dimitri’s hand crushed mine as his comfort came through the bond.
Vel spread her hands. “Regardless of what is going on out there, in here, you still have exams, missions, and evaluations.So hurry up and learn, little spies, so you can help out there when it’s time.”
“Easier said than done,” I muttered.
“Right, well, carry on and go to your advisor meetings. The House of Twilight’s advisor, or guidance counselor, if you will, is a temporary one. He’s from Cursinia’s Academy of the Enchanted Arts, standing in because your last advisor quit. Anyways, I’m going to let Dimitri handle the rest. Don’t forget to let the other years know who you are,” she added. “And I’ll go assign the other House Heads.” She winked at him and turned away, heels clicking against the stone floor as she stalked out.
