Page 38 of Demon Found

“If you agree, then sign here and here.” She leans closer, glancing over her shoulder around the office. “Is it really true? They let a gang run an apprenticeship program?”

“I’m sure they made a very convincing argument to the government. Lined some pockets. And on the surface, it’s called Ratas Rehabilitation—and has no ties to Las Ratas.” I shrug, scribbling my name on the form. “It’s just how things work. I want no part of it.”

She beams at me, patting the back of my hand. “Good for you, dear. I’ll get this all filed, stamped, and sent off. You’re as good as free of them.”

I almost skip down the steps. For once, things went smoothly. I put off going to the damn office for ages too. I should have done it days ago. I feel lighter. No more Las Ratas. Frank’s one last strike against me annulled. All with a little scribble on a bit of paper. Simple.

The last rays of the day beat down on me, and I stretch while I walk. I’m going to miss the warmth come winter, there’s nothing quite like the sun on your skin. Familiar blond hair dances in the light breeze up ahead, and I pick up my pace. I’ve decided . . . I need to make more effort with Zephyr. After their revelation, it’s the least I can do.

I’m at his elbow when Zephyr’s finger makes its way to his mouth, coated in thick blue powder. Seconds later, his pupils are blown to shit. Less than a day and he’s back on SupeZ.

I keep walking, right past. He doesn’t even see me.

Thisis what happens when friends give you a free pass for shitty behavior. I get it—the slave bond is shit and SupeZ is his escape. I really do get it. But he nearly killed a hada—he crossed a line. He seemed so determined to stop. Yet he’s back using anyway.

Arriving early for class, I scroll through the scientific papers online, reading the same statistics again and again. Naeve’s right—SupeZ is nasty shit. It burns away a little of your magic every damn time you use. It uses your own freaking magic to boost the high, destroying a piece of your power in the process. It’s not just got the physical and social impact of other drugs, it eventually obliterates your magic. And after its chewed through his magic? It will start to pull on the magic of his allegiance.Shit.

I sigh and stuff my tablet back in my bag as the professor walks in. I don’t know how I got through another week. Only Combined Magic before the weekend, but it feels like an impossible hurdle, especially with Farrell in a foul mood and Zephyr high as a kite.

“Again, Miss Smith!” Professor Maggo bellows from across the room, his academic robes bouncing with the effort.

“It’s not working. My allegiance marks keep fading.”

“This is power sharing 101. Supes can power share withanyoneat this basic level. You don’tneedan allegiance bond. You’re not trying hard enough.”

I take hold of Naeve’s hand again and reach for Zephyr. He jerks his head back and forth like a snake having a fit, waving his arms in my face. Finally, I grab hold of his wrist. Farrell completes the circle, holding Zephyr by the elbow and taking Naeve’s other hand.

Farrell stares at me, his piercing blue eyes boring into my freaking soul. “You can do this, Lorelei. Youwilldo this.”

“You’re not the boss of me.” It slips out before I can stop it.

Farrell turns an outraged expression on me. What? He assumes he’s the leader of our little allegiance. Bullshit. I shut my eyes, ignoring him. The best insult for an egomaniac.

Taking a deep breath, I center myself. Little tendrils of power ease out from me toward Naeve. Her power sparks, recognizing mine, and our magic interlocks. Beyond Naeve I can sense her connection to Farrell. Turning inward, I seek out the chaotic energy radiating from Zephyr. Gathering every scrap of control, I focus on shaping my magic into a swirling cyclone of energy to match his. A green whirlwind of power emits from Zephyr, intertwining with mine. The circle is complete, and the rush of our combined magic is like a damn high. My head is buzzing, and my whole body lights on fire. I did it. We did it!

“Struggling with a basic power share?” Camille says with disdain, and the tentative bond we’d created disintegrates. “Not even whoring yourself out to Zephyr and my Farrell is working, huh?”

I glare at her. The poisonous bitch,justas we were getting somewhere. Her Farrell? He’s my allegiance. This girl is really getting on my nerves. I’ve barely accepted this bond, and she assumes it’s something I want.To be linked to Farrell and Zephyr? That I’m so desperate for connected friends that I’m sleeping with them? My skin prickles angrily, and small flames break out across my arms.

“That’s enough, Cam.” Farrell stands up, brushing imaginary dust from his trousers. “It’s not like you and I could be an allegiance. Lorelei, get your fire under control.”

The rebuke stings, especially when a smile pulls at the corners of Camille’s mouth.

“You’re right, of course, darling. It’s probably for the best.”

“What’sbestis if you piss off, Camille. It’s best for you,” I snarl, my flames licking higher.

Everything about their friendship pisses me off. She’s just a vapid bully . . . what does Farrell see in her?

“Lorelei, let it drop. Anyway, class is over, and that means we have a party to get ready for.” Naeve sweeps past. She grabs my elbow and steers me out of the room.

“I’ve nothing to wear,” I grumble, letting her frogmarch me back to the dorm. “I don’t want to go to the stupid Mabon party, especially not in my damn uniform.”

“I’ll show you how to use the Faedrop app for ordering clothes online, but you are not going to want to miss what your little friend has made.”

That would work if I had money. Naeve really is naive at times. It’s almost sweet. Almost. Inwardly rolling my eyes, I turn to her. “My little friend?”

“Yeah, Lia, the hada you saved from Zephyr? She’s made you the most stunning . . .” Naeve pauses at our door, hands to her cheeks and eyes wide. “Well, see for yourself.”

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