Page 84 of Demon Found

“It’s my office . . .” One look at Chano’s face and the professor turns tail, shutting the door gently behind him.

Swallowing hard, I sit upright in my chair.He does not intimidate me.I force a smile on my face.

“What’s up?”

“You! You’re avoiding me. As if I did something the fuck wrong.” He looks indignant. “You’re hiding away, letting our bond stagnate.You’repunishingme, and it’s you who fucked up.”

Blinking, startled, I don’t know what to say. I needed some time to process and then . . . then when no one came looking for me, I figured they’d rather spend time without me. I didn’t consider that by avoiding them I was letting our allegiance weaken. Add it to the list of “bad things Lorelei has done this week.”

“None of you seemed like you wanted to see me. So, I made it a bit easier for you all by staying away.”

“Fuck them,” Chano growls, his eyes glowing. “I’m not them. If they don’t want you around they’re idiotas. You are more to me than an allegiance.”

My heart does a funny flip-flop as I search his face. He’s looking at me with such intensity I swear he’s going to combust. Or I am. I squirm in my chair, squeezing my legs together, suddenly hot and flustered.

“Say something . . .”

“I didn’t think we were meant to . . . y’know . . . in an allegiance.”

He drags my chair toward him, crouching down so he’s peering into my eyes. Fuck, into my soul. My heart hammers in my chest, and I want to fling myself into his arms. But it’s wrong. Hellfire, it’s wrong. He might be a demon, used to getting what he wants but I can’t do this. Not to the others.

“I think you’re mine.” He grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger, watching my face. “If you’re it for me, Lorelei, I won’t put you second to any allegiance.”

I giggle nervously. I can’t help it, it just slips out. Chano rears away, standing to his full height, and I slap my hand over my mouth. His horns out, he lets out a strangled snarl.

Does he really think that? That I’m his Aeternum? Demons have one mate. He can’t . . . I mean, it’s not possible. Yes, I want to climb all over him, explore his body, get to know how his crazy fucked-up brain works. But I’ve had those thoughts about Farrell and Zephyr too. So? So, I’m just a horny little shit.

“I’m sorry Chano. I . . . I don’t see how.”

The purple swirling in his irises takes over his whole damn eyes. For a second I think he’s going to rip through his clothes and go full demon. Instead, his shoulders slump and he turns away. I’ve never seen Chano defeated, and it fucking tears at me. He shoots one last look over his shoulder before pushing out the door and vanishing.

Shit. At least I did the right thing.

My gut clenches.

Didn’t I?

Chapter Forty-two: Lorelei

Ipeeralongthelength of the pool cue, angling my aim just right.

Plop.The ball rolls into the pocket with a satisfying smack, and I give Val a victorious smile. With just the black to pot, I’ve totally won. So what if she’s never played pool without magic before? I’m still winning—

“Lorelei Smith!”

My hand wavers at the unexpected shout. The white ball shoots forward, potting the black with a spectacular thump before promptly rolling into the pocket behind it. Fuck. I lost. How did I lose? Val still has all her damn balls on the table.

I fling the cue down in disgust, ignoring Val’s stupid dancing, and finally take in the figures strolling into the common room.

Camille looks like she just stepped out of a photo shoot, and towed along behind her are two of the scruffiest-looking guys I’ve ever seen. They slouch forward, sweats hanging low, eyes everywhere. Jittery fucks. What are they doing with Camille?

“Well, here she is . . . your friend,” Camille says. “I just knew you had to be acquainted as soon as I saw you. You’re very much more like Lorelei’s type than any of the boys here.”

Boys? Those aren’t boys. They’re men. Men with hard faces. One tiny glance at the arm of the closest and I bite back my retort.

A Chinese symbol is etched in red ink on his biceps. Even I know what that one means. Rat. What the hell has Camille done? Without turning away, I reach out behind me, searching for the pool cue, the tips of my fingers brushing it.

“Lorelei, you’re a hard bitch to get hold of.” The shorter of the two guys grins at me before sliding a nunchuck out his pocket and turning to the rest of the common room. “You lot, get the fuck out. Now.” Electricity crackles in the air, and he sends an impressive shock into each student to emphasize his point.

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