Page 81 of Tempted Angel

Demonology is another matter. Karloff seems to throw letters in his grade book randomly. And since he doesn’t care that I’ve missed the first month of classes, I have a month’s worth of zeros in that class.

I caught up in Arithmancy by turning in all the assignments from before I arrived.

But Demonology…

Well, it’s all practical. I can’t exactly make it up and turn it in late.

I shouldn’t care. Learning isn’t why I’m here. But that doesn’t keep me from wanting to beat Axe at everything.

Every test, every assignment and project, I’m comparing my grade to his.

“Leandra, eyes on your paper, please.”

When I finish the quiz, I look over to see Axe has already finished his. And he’s looking at me with a satisfied smirk on his face.

Guess I’m not the only one competing.

Another week goes by following the same routine. Another week where Stevie insists I each lunch with them at least once, Axe tells her no, and she tells him to fuck off.

Then a third week.

And still, no one has seen Vlad. I’m tempted to bring that up. To argue that it’s safe for me to return to my dorm, but being in the Cinder Realm, in the house the demons share, has given me plenty of opportunities to find out everything I can about the Syndicate.

And I’ve taken advantage of every one of them.

I’d hoped to find enough information to figure out where Gael was without asking the heirs anything. Tipping them off that I’m interested in an angel their parents likely have tied up to leach magic from didn’t seem like the best way to approach it.

But after a full month in their lair, I’ve gotten all the information I can.

I’m going to have to bring it up soon. Like now soon.

Gael can’t die. Not unless something with incredible magic rips his essence from his body and keeps him from re-materializing on Celestus.

I’ve only seen one person do that successfully, so I know he’s not in mortal danger, but the thought of him suffering…

It’s been torture taking so long to collect information. But if I’m rescuing him, I’ll have one shot. I’ve got to do it right and, like I always say, more information is always better.

I’ve got to do it right. Like he did for me.

“You’re OK. Help is on the way.”

I can’t move, and I don’t know why. The light hurts my eyes, and nothing makes sense. Why am I looking up at trees?

Why can I see the sky? Why am I breathing so fast?

“Hey! Hey, you’re OK. You’re going to be OK.” A face comes into my field of vision. Blue eyes, sandy hair, handsome. “I’m right here with you. I’m staying right here until help comes. What’s your name?”

I’m still breathing too fast, but I know the answer to that question. “Dove.”

“Dove. That’s a beautiful name. I’m Gael.”

“Where am I?”

“You were in a car accident. Your car flipped and ejected you, and right now we’re on the side of the road together.”

I wish he hadn’t told me.

Sirens, lights so bright, I have to squint against.

---