Page 18 of Demon Found

“Eltanin has always been governed by a Royal Dragon balanced by an aether—a coalition, if you will. The balance of all five elements is essential for the very well-being and vitality of the land of Eltanin itself.” The professor pops a chocolate in his mouth and keeps talking, spraying the entire front row in little brown flakes. “Dragons havealwaysbeen the only supes to wield four elements. So when their offspring started being born mere wyvern, with three or fewer elements, the whole supernatural world looked for a reason. None more so than the Royal Aethers, desperate to help their fellow Royals. Or so we all thought.”

The professor pauses dramatically, giving me time to scribble down his spiel.

“The Royal Dragon line was slowly reduced by wyvern births and tragic accidents. Except, as our savior, the Angel King discovered these weren’t accidents but theslaughterof innocent lives.”

I mean. I’m not sure any of the royal lines were innocent. Strong, bloodthirsty leaders, maybe. Manipulative and self-serving, without a doubt. Innocent though? The professor cracking his knuckles makes me wince.

“Too late, the Angel King uncovered the dastardly truth—the Royal Aethers were behind the plot. He swept in, too late to save the last dragon, but with enough support to depose the treasonous line of Royal Aethers.”

I chew the end of my pen before poking Naeve in the ribs. “Bloody convenient that he saved the day just a moment too late for anyone but him to lead, huh?”

Naeve flaps her hands at me, eye wide. A voice over my shoulder makes me still.

“That talk could get a little harpy in some big trouble.” Zephyr’s silky tones hiss in my ear. “Not that I care. But others might.”

He leans forward and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. I jerk my head sideways, glaring at him. Enough with the touching. Between him and Naeve . . .

Biting my lip, I glance furtively at the students on either side. Zephyr’s right. The Angel King might let us starve in Venez, our land and people aren’t rich enough in magic for his attention, but he’s also left us to our own devices more than the other provinces.

The shifter on the other side of Naeve is busy making eyes at the girl in front of him, but on my left Belinda is rigidly still. She turns so slowly toward me it’s like something out of a horror movie.

“It was a throw away comment . . .” I protest.

Her head snaps forward but not before I see her eyes glistening. “Listen, you little hobo. I will tell you this for free because despite your homeless stench, I’m sure someone somewhere would miss you if you got disappeared.”

If I got what?

She continues, her voice so low there’s no way anyone else can hear, her gaze fixed straight ahead. “I don’t know how it is in Venez, but anywhere else, speak ill of the Angel King and you will vanish.”

I blanch. “I’d heard. But . . . I mean as a student in school. Surely we’re meant to question things, debate—”

“No. Not us. Not teachers. Not parents. Not grandparents. Not even little kids in nursery.” Her voice hitches. “Kids like my sister, who drew a naughty picture about the Angel King, after overhearingmetalking. Kids likethatare removed. Placed into correctional units. They don’t see their families. Ever again.”

Belinda rubs an arm quickly across her face. “So shut yourstupidmouth. Because as an adult, they won’t try to indoctrinate you. You’ll just . . . disappear.”

I don’tlikethis girl, but her words wring a semblance of pity from me. And if what she’s saying is true . . .

Fuck.

Chapter Ten: Lorelei

“Settledown.”Atasevere rap on the desk at the front, everyone falls into their seats. I’m too busy staring around the bizarre lab to pay attention. Giant portraits of long-dead royals adorn the stark white lab walls. They wouldn’t be out of place in the history lecture theater. Somehow, they still fit in here despite being interspersed with high-definition pictures of microbes and fancy 3D models of molecules. It’s like a high-end interior designer with unlimited budget went to work.

“Sit. Now.”

An immaculately dressed young woman perches on the edge of the table, and I nearly drop my damn books. Of all the people in Venez, I did not expect Alice-hotshot-Allegra to turn up as my Potions professor. She’s my hero. My poster girl. And she’shere. Here with her flawless skin, perfect hair and nails, tailored suit and . . . an utterly blank look.

“And you are?”

I shuffle uncomfortably. “Uh, Lorelei Smith. I’m a late intake student. You’re Alice Allegra.”

“ProfessorAllegra,” she snaps, her sharp gaze taking in my frazzled appearance.

A knot of disappointment forms in my stomach. She doesn’t recognize me. I thought . . . Shit. It doesn’t matter what I thought. I was a desperately lonely kid on work experience and she was a rising star in a large biotech. Of course she doesn’t remember me.What the hell is she doing here?

“Most irregular for a student to start now. I hope you have a flair for potions, Lorelei. I needsometalent in this class. Find a seat.” She turns, dismissing me easily.

Naeve waves from the front row, patting a minuscule space beside her. Stomping over, I squeeze in. The student on the other side scowls so much I swear his lips actually pull back from his teeth in a snarl.

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