Page 89 of Dead Wolf Falling (Bad Moon Academy 2)

Chapter 25

RAVEN

We read well into the night. I’m staring at a book about lower demons, the words blurring together whenever I blink. My head is resting on my hand and I yawn, flipping the page to read about edax animae. Glancing over the picture, my gaze catches on a black shape bent over a human; a white mist floats out of the dead person’s mouth and the demon takes it in.

“Oh,” I whisper, but no one hears me because they’re all snoring.

I set my finger on the caption and read.

Edax Animae, or Soul Eaters, are common lower demons who can be found feeding off of the newly deceased. Their powers are amplified with each soul consumed. They can be parasitic in nature, feeding off of live beings until they die, but the majority of historical accounts link Soul Eaters with the deceased.

“Holy bananas,” I mutter, glancing at Carter. “Hey,” I whisper before shoving my foot against his leg. “Wake up.”

He snaps awake, eyes blazing yellow until he realizes it was me who woke him. Running his hands through his hair, he yawns. “What is it?”

“I found something.” Turning the book, I show him the picture.

Leaning forward, his eyes skate over the page, widening the more he reads.

“This is good, right?”

He nods, jumping up from his seat. “I’ll be back.”

“Wait, you can’t go alone!” I shout, but he runs away with his supe speed before I can stand up. “Damn it.” Sighing, I get ready to wake one of the other guys up so they know where we went, but the library door bangs open, and Carter runs back to the table.

“I have two books.” He slams them on the table, and Adler jerks awake. “Luckily, they’re short.”

“Good, I’ll take one.” Snatching the smaller one, I settle into my seat and turn it so Adler can see.

With a nod, Carter plops into his seat and buries his nose in the book, skimming each page.

Adler and I are halfway through our book, having no luck finding anything about soul eaters when Carter clears his throat.

“I found it,” he says in a groggy voice. Lack of sleep is getting to him but there’s a small smile on his face. “Soul Eaters are impervious to almost all types of demon magic, except their maker’s.”

Oh great, Jinx is hard to kill. Why is he smiling? This isn’t good news, if the only way to get rid of her is to have her maker take her out, we’re screwed. Unless. . .

Blinking, I glance at Adler. “Wait, who is their maker?”

Carter full on grins. “Death.”

* * *

Parties usually mean cute dresses,make-up, and hours spent on hair. By the time the clock strikes eight on Friday night, well after classes and dinner have finished, we’re gathered in the library as one group. Whatever she has planned, we’re doing it together. Even the guys who stormed off last night agreed to stick with the group instead of attempting to stay on their own.

Jinx struts into the library wearing a bright pink bandage dress. Her hair is styled in a ballerina bun and her make-up is over the top smoky eye. Instead of looking cute, she’s terrifying. The whites of her eyes seem whiter, if that’s even possible, and the bright pink lipstick isn’t pretty on her.

“Oh, don’t look so unhappy,” she says, waving her hands at us. “We’re going to party tonight! You should be excited.” She whoops and spins.

Is this her first party ever or is she simply delighted she’ll end it with a snack?

Thanks to our hours of research, we might be able to defeat her. The plan relies completely on me, so you know, no pressure or anything.

You are going to do great,Joan says.I have every confidence you’ll zap her ass back to the Underworld.

I laugh in my head.Thanks, Joan.

Jinx claps. “Well, what are you waiting for? Follow me!” With a big smile, she spins on her heel and leaves.

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