Page 32 of Demon Found

A hulk of demon barrels into Raff, taking them both to the floor, fur and fists flying.

“Raff, Chano . . . Mr. Maverik! That’s enough.” The professor sounds like a strangled cat. The two guys are lost to the fight, rolling away as they start to throw magic into their brawl. Students scatter as chairs start flying.

Holy shit. Did Chano just take out one of his own gang for disrespecting me? I turn to Val, but she’s jumping up and down on the spot, cheering.

“I swear on all things divine I am not paid enough to break up a gang fight,” the professor grumbles half under his breath before turning to me. “Swap and partner with Naeve. I have to deal with this.”

The professor pulls at the lapels of his gown, straightens, and picks his way through the debris, following the wrestling duo.

Naeve gives me a halfhearted smile and holds out her hands. She doesn’t believe I can do this.I have to try.I give her a firm nod and roll my shoulders.I like Naeve, I trust Naeve. I repeat the mantra over and over in my head. It is true. Mostly. I push my power at her, tight-lipped, with my eyes scrunched up.

“Not like that, silly. You need to relax.”

I force a few measured breaths and try desperately to think of something happy. Dog and his stupid little high-pitched yap as he chases pigeons around the graveyard. Dog nomming-out on the cat food I stole. His ridiculous swollen belly upside down in my lap afterward, as he fell asleep. I focus on the feeling. My heart rate gradually settles, and I finally see it—little fronds of power swaying in the air, reaching from me toward Naeve.

Keeping my eyes shut, I focus on Naeve, on how I feel about Naeve. The warmth blooming in my chest surprises me. Magic stretches out from her, reaching for me. The strands of our magic weave together, tangling before aligning side by side.

My fingers tingle, and sparks explode behind my eyelids. Water droplets coat my skin, and a tang of cool earth fills my nostrils. Recognition buzzes across my entire body, and a fullness spreads out from my stomach. It’s amazing, it’s like arriving where I’mmeantto be . . . but somehow far too much at the same time. It’s as if Naeve’s here with me, under my skin. Her elements are my elements.

I pull my hands back, unable to take the foreign sensations any longer.

A blood-curdling scream rents the air. Naeve dances around, hopping from foot to foot, gasping. Shit. Did I hurt her pulling my magic away so quickly?

“Look! Look at my wrist!” She waves her arm in my face, then dances away before I can focus on it.

“What? What’s wrong? You’re acting like you’re high on faenip.”

“We’re bonds!”

I back away, my head shaking of its own accord.

“Allegiance bonds. Look—I’ve got a third allegiance symbol now. It’s you.”

Yanking my sleeve up, I peer at my wrist. Nothing. I shake my head again. Naeve grabs my wrist fiercely, holding it up to the light. There, very faintly, is a damn allegiance mark.

“Wait, you already have two others?”

“Of course. Zephyr and Farrell, silly. They’ll be your allegiance too. We just need to practice.” She dances away again. “Oooh, this is so awesome.”

Fuck no. I can’t be linked to those assholes. One of them is so drugged up he barely functions, and the other has some kind of god complex. And people wait for years to find their allegiance. No, there has to be a mistake. Or . . .

“This isn’t funny, Naeve. Stop it.”

She just shrugs and continues wiggling her butt in a ridiculous happy dance. Shit. She’s serious. This can’t be happening. Being friends with Naeve is one thing, being permanently linked and dependent on her is entirely different. And Farrell and Zephyr too? My skin tingles in rage. I’m so hot it hurts.

I glance down.Fuck.I’m on fire. I’ve set myself on fire. With one last glare at Naeve, I dive out of the classroom.

It takes a full ten minutes to put out the iridescent purple flames licking over my skin. It’s not very painful, but dammit, I need to get a hold on my elements. I can’t go bursting into flames whenever I get upset.

It’s too late to go back to class, and what would I say? Ask how I undo it? I can’t tell Naeve I don’t want this. She was so excited. And if I’m going to ascend, Ineedat least one allegiance. And that’s the only way I’m escaping Venez. Maybe the only way I’m escaping Las Ratas.

I drift away from the buildings toward the edge of the wood, breathing in the sharp, clean aroma of the tree sap. The birdsong penetrates my panic, and my shoulders start to relax. I wander between the trunks, trailing my fingers across the rough bark, allowing nature to dilute my anger.

Maybe there’s a way to cultivate the bond with Naeve and reject the others? I’d still be reliant on her, but not tied to those idiots. I could work with that. She’s not so bad.

A twig snaps up ahead, and I dive behind the nearest tree on instinct, holding my breath and squinting through the branches. No one should be out here. Everyone’s in class.

A figure ambles out from the bushes up ahead. One single blond hair toss, and my pulse picks up. Zephyr. Exactly who I donotwant to talk to. Bloody Naeve sending him after me. I needtimeto get my head around this damn bond and what to do about it. Although . . . was he even in class?

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