Page 116 of Demon Found

I shrug and jerk my chin at Naeve.

“’Course not, she’s been locked up reading all day like damn a nun,” Chano grumbles behind me.

“The FFB are making an announcement,” Hewie shrieks, grabbing my hand and towing me along toward the academic offices.

There’s already a crowd gathered. Straining on tiptoe, I can’t see more than the dandruff on the shoulders of the student in front. Chano nudges me, then bends down, letting me scramble onto his broad shoulders. Swaying gently, miles above everyone, I get a clear view of the front steps as the FFBandthe PIG file out.

An eerie hush falls, and several cameras flash from the sidelines. Shit, how did I miss the media being here? I guess a fire-retardant building burning for hours on endisnewsworthy.

“The FFB and PIG have finished their investigations,” a burly looking older man booms into a microphone. “A suspect has been arrested and will be taken to our headquarters and formally charged. I am pleased to announce this is more a case of student high jinks and jealousy than a serious attempt at taking anyone’s life.” The inspector’s gaze rests briefly on me, and suddenly I feel exposed.

Three figures spill out of the building behind the inspector and the students around us begin to mutter.

“It’s the succubus girl.”

“It’s the girl Lorelei scarred!”

I flinch inwardly, trying desperately to keep my face impassive. Belinda’s indignant squawking is audible even from here. Her head swings wildly from side to side as she scans the crowd before she narrows in on me.

“You! You bitch! You stole my man. I’m scarred for life and it’s your fault. What was I supposed to do? Just sit back and take it?” She lets out a sob, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks as she turns to face the camera crew. “Of course I was going to fight for my man. Any demon worthy of a place in hell would.”

The fucking cameras are lapping it up, panning between Belinda, who looks suspiciously immaculate despite her arrest, and me. I feel every inch the grotty, unwashed student. Slithering quickly down from Chano’s shoulders, I duck out of view.

Fuck. It wasBelindanot Seth.

“She’s super vindictive, you better watch out, Lorelei.” Hewie’s eyes are wide with the drama. “Herman? Pfft!”

Just what I need. A crazy psycho bitch with a taste for vengeance. It doesn’t even sound like they’re throwing her in jail. Charging her is not the same. Will the academy let her stay a student?

They let me stay.

Rubbing a hand over the back of my neck, I bite my lip. I caused this. Okay, I didn’t set the dorm on fire this time, but I did set it in motion. I made Belinda into my enemy.

But when I lost control, it was an accident, dammit. What she did, she did in cold blood. With the intention to harm and potentially kill. No. I can’t wallow in this. She could have killed Naeve, and she did kill Lia. This isn’t my fault. Not really.

“Who the fuck helped her?” Chano growls.

“What?” Hewie pipes up. “The FFB just said—it was Belinda. Out of jealousy.”

Chano pinches the bridge of his nose. “Belinda doesn’t have the power to keep a stunt like that up, screamer. She had help. Plus, those blue flames . . . that’s fae magic.”

An awkward silence falls, as half the camera crews hustle toward us and half of them follow Belinda’s progress as she sobs her way toward the portal between two bulky officers.

An imp with a microphone bounces on his toes in front of us, blocking our escape. “Any comments, Mr. Maverik, sir?”

“As the Inspector says, just a silly succubus filled with jealousy. She’ll be on to her next conquest in a week.” Chano flashes a charming smile at the camera as it pans in. He throws a protective arm around my shoulders.

“Do you blame any of this on Miss Smith for scarring a fellow student?”

“No,” Chano growls, and the reporter backs up a few steps.

“Of course, hewouldsay that.” The voice rings out from behind us, and I swear the reporter’s eyes light up. “Chano Maverik and Miss Lorelei Smith are mates. Of course, he’d protect her.”

Shit shit shit.How did I forget Seth knew? Chano didn’t want to tell anyone. Not yet. He thought his uncles might put a target on my back. The select few friends who know are sworn to secrecy. Everyone else thinks we’re just dating. A college fling.

Seth steps into full view of the cameras. “My little sister has found her Aeternum. And I’m sure Chano is using every bit of his power and influence to ensure she’s protected, even from her own actions.”

What’s he doing? Trying to unsettle me as much as possible before the battle? It’s working.

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