Page 65 of Demon Found

I shrug halfheartedly. In seconds, he’s wrapped me in a blanket and bundled me onto his sofa, dragging me firmly into his lap. He rubs my back and arms through the woolly material, painfully dragging sensation back to them. My teeth are chattering, and I’m cold to my core.

“Met Seth,” I grind out. “He’s not my brother.”

There’s no tears. No wailing. Just a deep heaviness on my chest. Chano sighs and rests his forehead on mine.

“Chica, we knew that already. He’s not worthy to call you family. Your allegiances are your newfamilianow. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

I want to stay here, in this warm safe space next to Chano, and never move again.

I just have to pass this, and I’m done. No more exams. Not until finals.

Two whole weeks of Solstice holiday.

I banish the anxiety that comes with that thought. I’ve nowhere to go to for break. I’ll be spending it here. Alone.

I should be used to it, dammit. I’ve spent enough time alone in my life. I shove away my hurt, packing it down. It doesn’t matter that no one asked me what I’m doing, that no one invited me to spend the holiday with them. They’re my allegiance, not my damn babysitters.

Puffing out my cheeks I focus on what’s important. This is my last exam. After this there’s the Solstice Ball and then freedom. A flicker of excitement runs through me at the thought of the ball. Finally, I’m getting to spend time with the guys and Naeve. We’ve barely had a chance to see one another with all the stupid studying.

Standing at the bench in the lab, I wipe my sweaty hands down the front of my skirt before placing them on the desk.

“You may turn your papers over. Your time begins now.”

Quickly I flip the test sheet and skim through the task. Create a potion to grow small, then revert to normal size. They even give you the ingredients. Simple. My shoulders relax, and I start to hum quietly, enjoying the process. The peppery waft of herbs and the flickering of the bunson burners put my racing thoughts at ease. I finish early and sit waiting quietly for the end of the exam.

“You will proceed to the front of the class when your name is called, consume your potion, and demonstrate its effects before exiting. This is a pass-fail exam. First up, Camille Fumus.”

“Hope you fail, loser,” Camille hisses, jostling me as she passes. I have to fight the anger down. I sneak a look at my arms. I’m not flaming up. Good. My damn fire’s so erratic and bursting into flames isnota good look in the middle of an exam.

“Lorelei Smith.” Professor Allegra calls, and I stand, making my way to the front of the room. “Proceed.” She gives me a small smile and a nod.

Swigging my potion down confidently I wait for it to take effect. Nothing. I sneak a peek at the timer on the professor’s desk. Thirty seconds. Shit, come on. Why is it taking so long? Twenty seconds. Professor Allegra arches one eyebrow. She knows my abilities. I can’t have fucked this up. SheknowsI could do this in my sleep.

Ten seconds. My hands are slick with sweat, and I throw her a panicked glance. Eventually with five seconds left on the clock I feel myself shrinking. I get down to a foot when the timer rings.

“Fail.” Professor Allegra’s voice echoes in my ears. Dammit! That’s not fair. I did it. I just didn’t get back to full-size before the time ran out. With a strangled squeak, I bolt for the door, waiting a humiliating few seconds until I’m tall enough to reach the handle and let myself out.

Shit, shit, shit. I was counting on Potions pulling my grades up. Running over every step again and again, I still can’t see what I did wrong. Got too cocky that’s what. Relaxed too much.

“Just come out with us anyway,” Naeve pleads. “It’s the first time I’ve been to a party since Hunter. Please. I need you.”

Sighing, I creak the bathroom door open and step out. Naeve flings her arms around me, enveloping me in a talcum powdery hug.

“I don’t know, Naeve. I’m not exactly going to be the life and soul of the party.”

“Your favorite hada left you another outfit,” she wheedles, and I can’t help but take a peek.

The Winter Solstice Ball is apparently a big fucking deal, and when I saw the outfits the other girls were planning, I decided not to go. Not only am I in a foul mood, I don’t own a freaking ballgown. But now . . . I finger the edge of the material.

“It’s not like I can change the grade now.”

“Yes!” Naeve squeals before shaking out the dress and holding it against me. “You are going to look stunning!”

Maybe Idoneed to let my hair down. Bursting into flames intermittently sort of suggests I’m pretty wound up. It could be good for me.

The pale-green material shimmers, falling down my back to the floor. The skirt is modest until you notice the slit that nearly reaches my hip. The bodice clings high around my neck at the back before plunging way below my boobs in front. Letting out a low whistle, I twirl in front of the mirror. I’m showing off a shit load of skin and somehow still looking elegant—the hada are miracle workers. I’ve never worn anything so gorgeous. Hellfire, I cannot wait to see Chano’s face. And Farrell’s. Shit, even Zephyr’s. I teeter toward Naeve and throw my arms around her.

“You’re awesome, bestie.” I grin into her hair. She shoots me an exasperated look before dragging me by the elbow out the door. Of course, we’re late. Always late.

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