Page 1 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

CHAPTER ONE

The Dark Souls Academy was eerily quiet. Not even the magical Fae trees made a sound. They usually swayed to their own rhythm, but they sensed the imminent death in the air. Or maybe, they knew me too well. All my nights involved hunting since I became Queen of the academy.

My eyes scanned our surroundings. The Fae creatures I had saved from a demon classroom watched my every move. Their beady eyes were creepy but welcomed. They were the first alarm if anyone came near. My magic was the second, and my senses the third. When hunting demons, one must use every tool at their disposal. Especially when dealing with fervent powers.

Considering we stood in an academy in Hell, death wasn’t unusual. New demons arrived every week. Some weren’t a threat, but others were strong and malevolent—a lethal combination. I wasn’t shy when it came to ending someone who deserved it, but my best friend Lilah was a different story. And tonight’s kill would be all on her.

Her fear saturated the air around us, palpable, like a skunk’s spray. I could smell the sour stench even through the humid, burnt hair and brimstone-scented air. My demon side eagerlyfed on Lilah’s emotions, savoring them like a cold drink on a hot day.

Okay, remember to be quiet. Always think that your opponent is stronger than you, so sneak attacks are the best way to hunt. One sneaky strike can put the odds in your favor no matter how big your opponent is.I spoke into Lilah’s mind through our bond.

I glanced at my mark on her arm—a half skull with a lit candle on top—and couldn’t help but smile. The tangerine and fuchsia flames, edged in lapis, gleamed brightly on her milky skin. Even the wax melting onto the bone glowed faintly.

Watching it still tripped me out. Most demons had dark, ominous marks, but mine was vibrant and full of life. It was the perfect tattoo on her lower left arm. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be permanent, not until I was over one hundred years old, but the temporary mark still served its purpose. Even if she was contracted to another demon. For a little while she was mine again. My mark was something I was proud of.It told all of Hell that she was under my protection.

I don’t know if I can.Her voice trembled with uncertainty.

I knew she had it in her. The demon side of her was feeble, but it would help. Even if I didn’t know what kind of demon lived inside her, all demons could kill.

I squeezed her shaking hand, giving her my support as we crouched in the bushes like small animals seeking shelter from a storm. The forest liked me, so the leaves and branches wrapped around us like a protective mother. But we were the storm about to hit.

Yes, you can. The Minotaur attacked you today. He deserves a much slower death. Come on, the Soul Building and I can’t always be there to protect you. With your new power boost, you’re strong, but some demons are stronger. I need you to be able to protect yourself. You know what’s coming.

Sacrificed demon souls filled the academy building. Souls that helped protect the school and had teleported Lilah away just in time, but it was close. She spent most of the day with my energy balm on her, so she could heal faster. My heart still thrashed in my chest about how close I came to losing her. It was why she needed to learn to become a killer. Hell was no place for the soft.

Are you sure you or Demarcus can’t, like?—

No. You need to do this. This demon is going to keep hurting people. He deserves this.

She shook her head and bit her lip. The fear made her eyes constantly dart around.Maybe we should do this tomorrow? You’ve been training the rest of the faction all week. Don’t you want to go watch a movie? An episode of Charmed?

Nope. Put your big-girl panties on. If you don’t want me to make you stay in the Lower Haven until I take care of Lucifer, you need to be a fighter. And demons fight in blood.

That did it. That had become the motto I told all the slaves who were too scared to fight. Only monsters could defeat other monsters.

Her soft, brown eyes hardened. Whatever the heck the Minotaur told her had scared her more than his fists did, but she refused to tell me. Now, her nod and the determined glint in her eyes made it worth all the trouble it took to get her here.

She wasn’t wrong about me being busy. I owed the building everything these past few weeks. Since I outed myself as a powerful Succubus during the Demon Trials, I’d become the talk of Hell. My kind had been hunted to damn near extinction because we could control others, so it was a big deal. Images of me running around all over the place to keep everyone safe and to find the answers I needed these past several days threatened to drain me on the spot. The constant state of flight or fight mixed with my exhaustion took a lot out of me.

Alright, once he walks by, slice his tendons. You’ll have about thirty seconds before he heals. His high-level magic means only a decapitation or removing his heart will kill him. Anything else he’ll eventually heal from.Adrenaline amped up my voice telepathically.

Her soft breaths came quicker as she gripped my dagger with the pink jewel on the tip. It cried out for blood. The animals scurried away, warning me it was almost time. A few moments later, the ground vibrated. Her target would be here soon. To be sure he was alone, I called on my third-eye magic.

Power rushed over me, brightening the world. The aura around Lilah was a cloud of blood red with yellow edges. Anger fueled her determination, but the yellow meant she was hopeful as well, so I let her be. Anger made people stupid. But she could do this, as long as it didn’t consume her.

My magic searched and found him instantly. The black and red cloud around him was massive, so he had a lot of power. This surprise attack would be the best way to bring him down. His tainted soul and hostile actions around the academy put a target on his back. Thankfully, we got to him first. Lilah needed this.

A movement beside me drew my attention. The thrill of the hunt had me salivating. My demon wanted to be the one hunting tonight, but she knew that Lilah needed this. I deactivated my third eye and gently removed my arm from Lilah’s chest, shaking my head to signal her to stay put.

You need to hide deep in the shadows. Your pink hair is too noticeable.

Her petite frame and tan skin hid well, but not the hair. Next time, she’d have to wear a dark beanie. My Fae side turned my hair black for me when I went on hunts, but Lilah was mostly human. Her power was her strength. The girl could bench a small car. Not really, but I bet she could if her powers kept growing. When I gave her too high of a power boost, she got ataste of just that. She couldn’t open a door without ripping it off the hinges.

However, exchanging magic with slaves was illegal. The last thing I needed was Lucifer finding out and using it to get his hands on me. He had already demanded I come to the castle totrainfor my Power Princess status as a leader of my kind. I could even be a part of the Dark Counsel apparently. I refused it all. He could fuck off.

My adrenaline spiked, causing my demon to purr with hunger. It had been a while since I’d fed properly. One benefit of being mated to five men was that my demon didn’t crave lust as much. She could feed off any emotion. Back when I lived on Earth—before the Light Council enforcers dragged me to Hell—emotions had been enough to sustain me. They weren’t as filling, but they did the job. It was a good thing too, because I was currently boycotting my mates.

Before my mind could take me too far down that rabbit hole, Lilah’s prey walked past me, making me focus. His shadow, cast by the low-lit night sky, that glowed like a coiled space heater, stretched out menacingly.

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