Page 8 of Demon Found

Farrell’s broad back disappears around the corner as my words trail off into silence.

Dammit. Ofcourse,I’m part harpy, of course,I’d take after my dad. Why am I disappointed? Farrell’s words sting a shitload more than they have any right to.

I need to shift back, but my mind’s spinning. I can’t concentrate. It’s not like I need his approval. He’s just a rich kid with an easy life. And the arrogant asshole just judged me for my genus too. There is no way I’m kissing him again. He got his payment, he can’t just demand more. I won’t do it.

Closing my eyes, I let out a grunt of annoyance. I’ve dealt with far worse than a snot-nosed spoiled brat. I’ll tough it out. He’ll get bored eventually.

A twisting viselike grip behind my sternum takes my breath away. My hands ball into fists and I clench my teeth, smothering my yelp. The weight of my wings disappears from my back, and I stumble, completely off balance.

A hand steadies my arm.

“Careful there, Miss Smith. You’ve done rather well to shift back so quickly. Don’t spoil it now by falling on your face.”

The fae who helped me emerge peers down at me.

“There’s something about you, Miss Smith . . .” He pauses. “Do let me know when your mother’s genus emerges. I’m ever so curious after the light show you put on.”

He thrusts a business card into my hands and strides off. What the hell? A supe taking two genera forms is about as common as dragon shifters. And they’re extinct.

Chapter Five: Lorelei

Thisisit.Mychance at a new start. My mouth’s as dry as dust. I wasn’t expecting nerves—excitement yes, nerves no.

I’ve got this. I’ve faced down guys three times my size in back alleys, I’ve brought myself up, I’ve fought to survive. I got myself through the exams to get here. Four little years in a posh academy should be easy as a satyr taking a shit.

The innocuous-looking archway in front of me is the answer to all my problems. I pat the pale sandstone nervously as the very air between the pillars distorts in the evening light. My breath escapes in a hiss.

A fiery-haired bombshell in a pristine Fates Academy uniform steps delicately out onto the grass. Stumbling back a few steps, I gape at her.

“You’re late,” she snaps, staring me up and down like I’m a piece of dirt under her pristine heels.

“I was here before you.” My blustering sounds weak.

“Three weeks late,” she continues. “Hellfire knows why they still let you in. I mean . . .” She pauses and sniffs the air.

Did she just smell me? That’s creepy.

“Anyone can tell you won’t fit in. Just look at you. Where do you shop? The Dollar Store? And you’re aharpy? Don’t expect any of the boys here to take an interest in you, hobo.”

Tugging at my too-large shirt, I shuffle my feet and stare hard at the ground. Dammit, my clothes are clean, and relatively new.Maybethey’re stolen, but who cares? What’s her damn issue anyway? Sure, I stand out right now, but once I get my uniform, I’ll look just like everyone else. Having to wear a uniform at university is pretty shitty, but if this girl’s anything to go by, maybe it’s for the best. No way I could ever compete with this bitch. She has designer-label queen written all over her.

“And, of course, you’re a crossbreed.”

“So? What the fuck does that matter?” The heat creeps up my face, and my fists ball so hard my nails cut little crescents into my palms.

A malicious grin flashes across her face. She got the rise out of me she was after.

“I do wish they’d stop giving out scholarships. You scholarship kids rarely last, and you never fit in. Especially the crossbreeds.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. I will not lose my cool. I willnot.

“Perhaps you don’t fit in yourself? Being a cold-blooded shifter in a world with hot-blooded males can’t make you very desirable.”

The sharp intake of breath indicates I’m spot on with her genus.

“Do the boysalwaysprefer a hot-blood over you?” I add.

Wyvern. Bet she’s got a forked freaking tongue too. Refusing to catch her eye, I march toward the portal.

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