A Walk Through History

DELLA

Kade and I stroll into our history of the realms class, his neck adorned with a fresh hickey. Micha and Sorin are already there, so we decide to join them.

“Hey, guys,” I greet them, rummaging through my bag for my books.

Micha makes a strange sound, which isn’t unusual for him. I find his odd noises endearing.

Glancing up, I catch him blushing furiously as he stares at me. “What?” I question.

He just shakes his head and diverts his gaze to his paper.

I shrug it off and reach for my pen and paper, but then I notice Sorin shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

“What’s going on?” I ask, looking between them.

Kade leans in and whispers in my ear, “Your button is undone.”

My eyes widen in surprise, and I quickly fix my button. Great, I’ve been flashing everyone. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as I try to focus on the teacher, but it’s hard—especially when someone starts playing footsie with me under the table.

The lecture is about how God, Satan, and the Universe created the earth and everything in it. When things got out of hand, angels were created to maintain order. These angels had affairs—yes, that’s the term they used—with humans, vampires, mages, and so on, resulting in the creation of demons and Nephilim. And somehow, we got roped into this mess.

I don’t catch any more details. The lesson reminds me too much of what I learned last night, so I let myself get distracted by Kade’s hand, which has found its way to my thigh, his warm, rough fingers tracing patterns on my skin. I can’t concentrate on anything else.

After class, we head to the gym for power training, but we’re stopped by Raziel in the hall.

“Della, just the girl I wanted to see. Do you mind stepping into my office for a moment? I won’t make you late, I promise,” he requests.

“Sure.” I nod and tell the guys that I’ll meet them in class.

Raziel’s office is immaculate. Everything is in its place. I feel like he must white-glove the surfaces every hour.

“I’m sorry for interrupting. I just wanted to check in on you after yesterday,” he says as he sits behind his desk.

“I’m okay. It’s just a lot of information to take in,” I admit.

“I don’t doubt it.” He nods. “Well, your father called me this morning. He and I go way back.” A streak of white flashes through the normal protective blue of his aura. They must be really close.

“Really?”

“Oh, yes. He wanted to know how you were doing since your mother told him about the meeting. He’s worried about you.”

“I really am okay. Just trying to sort everything out,” I confess. I pause for a moment. If my father is really good friends with Raziel, then he must be safe to ask. “Actually, I had a question.”

“Of course, ask away.” He smiles.

“Do you know anything about Sin-Eaters?” I ask.

He frowns and shakes his head. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t know much about them. I’ll look into it, though, if you want.”

“Thank you,” I say gratefully. At least I have one more person who I can talk to.

***

I’m wearing shorts and a T-shirt as I enter the gym. I overhear a group of girls whispering and catch my name. I turn to see if they’re talking to or about me. They’re all facing away from me, so I guess it’s the latter. I clear my throat loudly as I pass them, then join Kade and Micha, who both look a bit off. Their auras are tinged with red.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Those girls need to mind their own business,” Kade grumbles.

“Let them gossip. I couldn’t care less,” I say dismissively, having faced far worse than petty gossip.

“Did you hear what they were saying?” Micha inquires.

“Not really, and honestly, I don’t want to waste my time on it,” I reply, and Kade grins at me. “Are you guys okay?” I ask.

“I don’t like it, but I’m fine,” Micha says, shaking his head.

“As long as you’re good, I’m good,” Kade says, still smiling.

“I’m good,” I confirm, returning his smile.

Just then, Professor Coach blows his whistle, startling me and causing the guys to laugh.

“Shut up,” I hiss, but Kade’s chest is still shaking with laughter as we join the huddle.

“…this is for demons only. We’re going to be doing breathing exercises and discovering where our hunger comes from,” Coach explains. “I need all of you to get into pairs. You will feed off each other. Cooperate with each other. Be professional,” he warns, pointing to a few people. I’m guessing he’s referring to lust.

Kade steps aside to observe the lesson, and I see Micha heading over to me, looking strangely determined. His steps falter, and I hear those same girls again.

“They’re all over her! She’s so gross. Did you see that cross? She’s got all those guys fawning over her, but they’ll all hurl when they see those,” a blonde girl says to her friends.

“Maybe she just lifts her skirt so they don’t have to actually see her body.” Her friend cackles.

I see the black wisps start to coat their auras, and I move closer so I can snack on a few before I cough again. They whip their heads around, their eyes wide.

I smile wickedly and take off my shirt. They’re all wearing their sports bras as shirts, so why not? “Ladies,” I grin, walking away with my head held high and my scars on display. “Huh! No vomit. How odd,” I muse, returning to my spot.

I sit down next to Micha and try to start my breathing exercises, but it’s hard to ignore the shrill screeching of the outraged gossips. “Hungry, Micha?” I ask.

“Starved,” he chuckles. The class settles down, and we finish up.

I head toward the changing room, but Kade stops me to whisper in my ear. “Two handfuls,” he says, making me laugh as I go to change.

I walk out and head to the cafeteria, feeling the eyes of everyone on me. Word of my impromptu striptease has spread. Oh well. I refuse to be ashamed of my past. I survived it.

“Hey, there,” a sleazy voice says far too close to my ear.

I step away and turn to see Handsy the cupid. Ugh. I give him a look that clearly communicates my disdain for his existence and move on.

“I heard you like to have fun. I do too,” he says, reaching for me.

~Look.~

I see his hand moving toward my skirt.

I kick my foot up behind me, grabbing my knife. It’s open and pressed against his wrist before he can touch me. “What did I tell you about your wandering hands?” I hiss.

His eyes go wide and I smell urine. He’s wet himself. I didn’t realize I was that intimidating. Interesting.

“Last chance. Leave me alone. And while you’re at it, maybe wait until a girl says yes next time,” I warn.

He nods and backs away. I watch him retreat before putting my knife away.

I grab a plate of chicken fingers and fries and head over to Oz. He’s sitting alone, so I nudge him with my elbow. “What’s up?” I ask, smiling.

“Hey,” he replies, sounding distant.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned.

“He doesn’t like me,” he mutters.

“The vampire?” I ask, and he nods. “What do you need? I can stab a bitch,” I offer, making him laugh, but I’m serious.

“No. I just need to get over him,” he says. “And don’t say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”

“Um…no. That’s not healthy. I was going to say take your time, and I’m here if you need to talk. Or if you change your mind about the stabbing thing…” I give him a gentle nudge.

He chuckles and pulls me into a hug.

“I’ve got you,” I assure him.

We sit and eat in companionable silence, letting him soak in the support.

After a while, Sorin joins us, a huge smile on his face.

“What’s he up to?” I mutter.

“I don’t know, but it can’t be good,” Oz agrees, shaking his head.

Sorin sits down and stares at me.

“What did you do?” I ask.

His grin widens. Oz is right; this can’t be good. “Kade heard about what happened with Caleb,” he says, as if that explains everything.

“What happened?” Oz asks.

“Handsy the cupid tried to grope me again,” I reply. Oh, shit.

“Where are they?” I ask.

“Over by the gym,” he answers.

I’m up and out of the cafeteria before he can say anything else.

I round the corner and sprint down the hall, but I’m suddenly grabbed around the waist and pulled into a room.