Page 26 of Demon Found

“A word, Miss Smith—I’m your guidance counselor.”

Satyr shit. This is the guy meant to help me out? He’s a damn griffin, they’re about as empathetic as a rock.Andhe hates me already.

“You have a lot of work to do and a large attitude adjustment wouldn’t go amiss.” He tugs on the front of his gown, and his features relax a little. “I heard there was an incident that required the nurse. Anything you want to tell me?”

“No.”I’m no grass.

“Very well. As your guidance teacher, I have some advice for you. You seem isolated . . .”

“I literally just arrived. It’s my first day in class.”

He continues as if I haven’t spoken. “You’ve made enemies already. That is going to make your life here decidedly more difficult. You’re at a severe disadvantage at Fates. Not only are you from the magically barren lands of Venez but you are a cross. You willneedan allegiance.”

“Being crossbreed isn’t shameful—the Purity Movement was hundreds of years ago! And I don’t need anyone. Not now. Not ever.” I clap my hand over my mouth and edge away around my desk. I’ve done it now.

Professor Maggo pinches the bridge of his nose and levitates off the round with each punctuated word he speaks.

“Stop. This. Ridiculous. Defiance.” He sighs, then deflates, somehow looking suddenly smaller. He floats behind his desk and sits down. “I understand more than you might think, Miss Smith. However, in this instance Idoknow best. Trusting people is the first step to power sharing. You have detention on Saturday morning. Bring a better attitude. If you understand, then that’s all for today.”

I nod, grab my bag, and stomp out the room. Well, I guess he calmed down, and I escaped the legendary magic-sapping griffin spit. I’m half disappointed, which is perverse. But shit, we never ever saw griffins in Venez. Too regal. It’s just my luck my first griffin is a jerk.Andhe’s my counselor.

“It’s not fair,” I whine, throwing my books into a corner of our dorm. “He picked on me. He’s supposed to be professional. Combined Magic doesn’t even make sense. I’m dropping it.”

The clack-clack of knitting needles slows to a stop and Naeve finally looks at me. “You can’t, silly. It’s a core subject.”

Groaning, I bury my head in my pillow. The bed dips beside me and I start, sitting upright again.

“You have to get your head around this, Lorelei. You don’t want to be in the lowest ten percent. No one wants that.”

“I don’t give a flying fury where I am, I just need to pass.”

“No, you don’t get it. The lowest ten percent by Winter Solstice exams are entered into a battle for their place. It happens after finals in the summer, every year.”

I look at her askance. “They set the students on each other? An actual fight?”

Naeve nods, wrinkling her nose. “Only the winners stay at the academy.”

Well, shit a brick. So, students are kicked out every year. How did I miss that on the prospectus? Now I have to do better than scrape by. Great.

“It’s a big deal, Lorelei.”

“It’s not fair is what it is! I don’t know what genus Mom was, so I can’t evenstartthat class. The stupid academy lab can’t work it out. I have to wait. I’ll never catch up. Giving crossbreed students an extra class is sucky enough without the delay.”

Naeve rubs my shoulder. “I’m not cross, I don’t have the extra subject. But I still think the negative attitude stinks. At least it’s not like we’re back in the Dark Ages with the Purity Movement. Things are changing, right? It seems unreal that it’s only a few years ago they started letting you guys into Fates.”

“Yeah, Seth keeps reminding me to keep my head down. Like it’s privilege for any cross just to be here.”

Naeve tuts, and her knitting needles start up again, super loud in my ear. The girl would win prizes at being a granny.

“You should talk to Val, she’s a cross, and she doesn’t kowtow to anyone. But shehasgotten to grips with power sharing.”

I glower at her, playing over the conversation in my mind. “Wait. I can’t drop Combined Magic, so Ihaveto make friends. Ihaveto power share?” Professor Maggo said as much but somehow I didn’t really grasp it until now . . .

Naeve grins. “You’re stuck with me.”

I swallow a lump in my throat.

I like Naeve, she’s quiet but she’s got guts. I didn’t want a friend. Sure, it’s lonely, but since Jett vanished, I won’t let anyone else in. I’ve been better off alone for six damn years. The idea of putting faith in someone else is terrifying.

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