Page 56 of Demon Found

There’s a letter from my sponsor, Farrell’s fucking father, also requesting I be reassigned to Fates Academy. More demanding than requesting really. My fist clenches, scrunching the paper. It’s not until Chano’s hand slides over mine that I force myself to relax and smooth it out again.

I don’t understand. Why would Seth want me here that badly? We barely talk. And Virrey Cuelebre, I’ve never met the guy. What the hell do they want? Does Farrell know?

Chano takes a few snaps of the file’s contents before firmly shutting the folder and placing a hand on my shoulder. I let him steer me out the dean’s office and watch woodenly as he disables the fire exit before slipping out behind him into the night.

He guides me into his dorm and I’m too distracted to take much in.

“You need to calm down before you go back out there, chica. Not exactly subtle at the moment.”

He gently takes me by my shoulders and turns me to face his mirror. Blinking stupidly, I study myself. I’m glowing. Fucking glowing, dammit.

Great.

So, this just confirms what we already knew, that I can channel my fire element when I’m spitting mad, even if I can’t at any other time.

It strikes me how plush Chano’s dorm is. Farrell’s not the only one with a cushy number. Nothing here is the same ridiculously overstated crap—it’s all antique hardwood furniture and expensive-looking throws.

Chano thrusts a mug of steaming hot chocolate into my hands and waves me at a giant sofa.

“Sit, chica. Before you fall.”

I take the mug, my hands shaking, and sink into the cushions. I don’t know if it’s adrenaline or anger, but I’m suddenly exhausted. This? This is why I don’t do people. You can’t trust anyone.

“Why are you so pissed?”

“I didn’t ask to come here.” A little glob of spittle flies out of my mouth but I’m too furious to be embarrassed. “That wasn’t my fucking signature. Why would my brother do something like that? It’s not like he wants to spend time with me!”

In fact, other than the pastry that’s delivered to my door every morning, Seth’s shown me no affection. My gut clenches as the realization hits home.

“I’m dirt-poor, Chano. I have a sponsor—the Virrey, but I’ve never met him. It shouldn’t matter tohimwhere I study. There are hundreds of kids looking for a sponsorship place. Why was he so determined to have me come here?”

Chano lets out a hiss of air, shaking his head. “The Cuelebres aren’t trustworthy, chica. Especially not the Virrey.”

It makes me uneasy. But the thing my brain keeps circling around is Seth. I stupidly hoped we’d bond, become proper family. I hoped he was trying. Even when he killed someone, he made it sound like it was to protect us both.

Words, it was just words. The secret he was protecting was entirely different. He didn’t want me to find out he’d twisted the truth, that he got me pulled out of Starlight and sent here. This gut-wrenching sensation? It’s the loss of something I never really had, and it’s tearing me in two.

I let out a soft hiccup and sink my face into my hands.I won’t cry. I won’t.I’m just so tired of shitty things happening. The sofa cushion dips, and a large arm snakes its way cautiously over my shoulders. I turn into his chest.

“Why would your brother do that? If Lottie got into Starlight Academy, I’d be so damn proud.” His voice sounds rough.

“L-Lottie?”

“My little sister. She hates being called Lottie, her name is Scarlet. So, I always call her Lottie.” A mischievous twinkle in his eyes lights up his face.

“You sound like you care about her a lot.”

Chano just pulls me hard into his side, his chin resting on my head. Taking deep slow breaths, I let his presence calm me. He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t mouth off about Seth, just holds me.

I tilt my head up and peer at Chano though my fringe. Slowly, like he’s trying not to startle a wild animal, he places a finger under my chin and tilts my face toward his. His hot breath caresses my cheek. He kisses both cheeks, then lowers his mouth slowly until his lips are pressed against mine.

I freeze, breath hitching, before I melt into the kiss. He groans, and the sound vibrates through my whole body. He nips my lip before deepening the kiss, dominating my mouth.

Fuck, can he kiss.

Breathing heavily, he pulls away and stands in one fluid movement, pulling me up beside him.

“Go home, Lorelei.”

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