Demon Marked: Shadowguard Academy Book 2

by Samantha Britt

  “You are correct. Your list may change,” he replies begrudgingly.

  Perfect.

  “I have given this a lot of thought, and I believe I would rather not learn all of the names of my potential matches until the list has been finalized. I hope to avoid disappointment if I should learn the name of someone I’m interested in, only to have them removed as a suitable match later on.” I dip my head, nearly choking on the lie.

  I clear my throat and look up. “I would rather focus all my effort on my studies, if you believe that is agreeable.”

  Again, it grates my nerves to defer to another person’s opinion about my life. I remind myself this is nothing but a strategy.

  If Assessor Larkin decides to ignore my request and share the list with me, I can’t stop him. I’ll just make a point to let all of my potential matches know they have no chance with me. I’m more than happy to pair up with Peter until we graduate and all members of our lists are spoken for. I will not be bullied into a relationship. Not with anyone.

  I wait patiently for the assessor’s response, careful not to fidget.

  At last, Assessor Larkin sighs. It’s like he’s speaking with an unreasonable child, but he no longer has the will to keep me from getting my way. “Very well, Miss Van der Klay. I will refrain from sharing your list of potential matches until the lists have been finalized.”

  YES!

  That buys me until the end of the year before I officially have to deal with this crap.

  The worst I have to face now are the awkward interactions with those who have me on their list. But my plan with Peter should free me from those soon enough.

  I can’t help but smile. It’s bright and full of happiness. Hopefully, I manage to make it look appreciative rather than victorious. “Thank you, Assessor Larkin. I appreciate your understanding.”

  The assessor stares at me for several seconds, looking shocked. Like he’s seeing a ghost.

  The smile slowly falls from my lips.

  “Assessor Larkin?”

  He opens his mouth to speak only to promptly close it again. He resembles a floundering fish out of water, and I have the fear he might be having a stroke.

  “Assessor Larkin?” I try again, leaning forward in my seat, ready to jump to his aid. “Are you all right?”

  His face turns red. I think he can’t breathe until he stutters, “I-I’m f-fine.” He reaches for a glass of water which has been sitting on his desk for who knows how long.

  He takes a large sip then begins to cough when he forgets to breathe during the process.

  I lean back in my chair to avoid being pelted with water droplets.

  I have no idea what to do. He’s clearly not having a stroke, but I can’t imagine what happened to cause this shocked reaction.

  Gradually, the coughs slow down and the dark color fades from his face. I grow even more confused when Assessor Larkin makes a point to avoid my worried gaze.

  “A-apologies, Miss Van der Klay,” he sputters, staring off at the side of the room where the grandfather clock continues to tick the time. “It appears I am not over my latest bought with the flu.”

  My confusion grows. Guardians don’t get the flu. Or, if we do, it’s immediately treated and cured by a simple healing sigil. Only a Guardian who doesn’t use magic would suffer from human ailments. And as far as I know, no one but my mother had ever allowed herself to succumb to one.

  But I don’t call out the assessor’s lie. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Clearing his throat, he says, “I think it may be best to end this session early. I’m afraid I need to seek out a healer and rest.”

  I continue to watch him, and he continues to avoid my gaze.

  “Of course.” I rise from my chair. “I hope you feel better soon.”

  He nods, turning his attention to the folder. He shuffles papers inside and closes it, placing it back on the pile at the edge of his desk. “Thank you, Miss Van der Klay. Enjoy your weekend and good luck with your next week of classes. I will see you on Friday.”

  And just like that, I’m dismissed.

  Without another word, I walk out of the office. The moment I’m in the hallway, I turn and close the door, staring at the clear coated wood.

  Assessor Larkin’s always been a little odd, but he’s never acted that strange. Part of me wants to go back in there and question his unusual behavior.

  I know it might sound crazy… but it’s almost like he recognized me.

  But that’s impossible. I would’ve remembered meeting the short, squeaky man.

  Wouldn’t I?

  I decide against barging back into the office. The man looked flustered. I can wait until our next session to inquire after his unusual reaction.

  I turn around. I don’t even take two steps before I almost run into a figure leaning against the wall on the other side of the hallway.

  I suck in a breath and rear back, just barely able to avoid running right into the broad chest in front of me.

  “Logan?” I cringe when hear how breathless I sound.

  My mentor smirks. “Aspen.”

  “What are you doing here?” I glance back at the office door. How much have you heard?

  The thought of Logan overhearing Assessor Larkin and I discuss potential matches forms a pit in my stomach. I turn back around, praying I’m able to hide my unease.

  “Waiting for you,” he replies.

  “For what? We don’t have training until later this afternoon.”

  “True.” He stands straight. Not for the first time, I marvel at how tall Logan is. He has to look down to meet my eyes. “But training is cancelled today.”

  “What? Why?” I won’t deny I’m disappointed. Some of the best parts of my day involve training with Logan, and I’m bummed to be missing out today.

  But Logan’s next words immediately cure me of the negative emotion. “Because our friends called,” he tells me with another smirk. This one lights up his eyes. “It looks like we have another party to go to.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “I can’t believe we are going to a freaking gala hosted by lesser demons!” Cortney leans over and whisper-squeals in my ear. “My parents would absolutely freak if they knew.”

  “Yeah… I bet.” I’m glad Cortney is excited, but her words fill me with anxiety.

  When Logan told me a friend called, I knew immediately he was speaking about Victor. But that was where my lack of surprise ended.

  Not only had Victor reached out to Logan to say he’d found new information about demons involved in the Guardian abductions, but he insisted we meet him at a supernatural gala to share the information.

  And he also insisted we not come alone.

  I’d tried to argue against involving my roommate. Cortney doesn’t know about the abducted and transformed Guardians, and she doesn’t know Belial infiltrates my dreams. But Logan told me there was no way around it. What Victor wants, Victor gets. There’s a reason he doesn’t want us to come alone, not that he felt inclined to share that with us.

  But we couldn’t just bring anyone to a party full of vampires, werewolves, and who knows what other type of lesser demon. We needed to bring someone we could trust. Someone who could keep a secret and not report our activities to the Shadowguard or Head Minister Hendricks.

  I’d suggested Andrew Legrand. He’s a fully trained Guardian. If shit hits the fan, our chances of escaping are better with him there to help.

  But even though Andrew and Logan consider themselves friends, my mentor vetoed the suggestion. As an active Guardian, Andrew might feel compelled to tell the Shadowguard about what we’re doing.

  So that meant our options were limited to someone who isn’t an official Guardian… and someone we know has more loyalty to one of us than the Shadowguard.

  Hence, Cortney’s name was thrown into the ring. She’s a good fighter, and she’s already agreed to wear the silencing sigil which blazes brightly on her left forearm. Whatever she sees or hears tonight,
she will be unable to speak about it to anyone but me or Logan. It’s better than a mind-swipe sigil, but I still hate that it had to be done.

  In the end, I obviously acquiesced to Logan’s reasoning, but that hasn’t relieved me of my protective instincts.

  What if this was some sort of trap?

  What if Victor and his coven have decided to turn us in to the Shadowguard?

  I would never forgive myself if my actions cause Cortney to lose her chance to become a Guardian. Especially when she worked so hard to get into St. Michael’s in the first place.

  It’d been hard to ask my roommate to come with me tonight, but Cortney hadn’t shared in my reservation.

  With her characteristic positivity and enthusiasm, Cortney accepted the invitation and the stipulations that came along with it, quickly going to work on my hair and makeup before working on her own.

  She’d helped me slip into the midnight black gown Logan had provided, oohing and awing over the hundreds of crystal beads weighing down the stunning fabric. Thank goodness the gown has sturdy straps. Otherwise, I’d worry about a wardrobe malfunction all night. It’s bad enough the length of my back is exposed. I don’t need to show off the girls, too.

  Naturally, Cortney already had a dress befitting a gala.

  I look at my roommate. Even in the dim light of the limousine, my friend’s tan skin and dark curls look amazing in the scarlet gown she’d pulled from the depths of her closet. The bodice comes together in a sweetheart neckline and the skirt flows freely down her long legs. It’s less sultry and formfitting than mine, making me feel just a little bit self-conscious. It’s one thing to pretend to be seductive and enticing when only Logan is there to witness it, but it’s a different matter with Cortney around. I don’t want her to think differently about me. I value her friendship too much to risk losing it.

  Nervously, I’d warned Cortney about the role I have to play at the party. And like the trusting friend she is, she didn’t question it. If anything, I’d say she’s excited to see me in action.

  “You’re sure about this?” I must ask her for the tenth time since we stepped inside the luxury vehicle. “You can always back out if this is too much.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Cortney’s curls sway from side to side as she shakes her head. “I knew something was going on with you two, but I had no idea it was a secret mission to save Guardians! You, my friend, are a bad ass, and I’m super happy to finally be in the know.” She beams at me. “I just wish Peter was here so we didn’t have to keep it a secret from him, too.”

  Yeah… I couldn’t disagree more.

  Endangering one friend is bad enough. I don’t want to press my luck.

  “Totally,” I say emptily.

  “Anyone else know about all of this?” Cortney asks, looking between me and Logan on the other side of the limo. “Lex?”

  “No.” And thank God. There’s no way my foster brother wouldn’t rat me out if he knew I was hanging out with lesser demons. Vivian would lose her mind.

  “Oh, bummer.” Cortney deflates, looking disappointed. I note her reaction and press my lips together. This isn’t the first time I’ve gotten the vibe Cortney has a crush on my brother. The two had seemed pretty interested in each other at the bar, before the demons broke in and started their attack.

  I refrain from asking Cortney about her feelings. I figure she’ll tell me when she wants.

  I look across the limo to Logan, only to find he’s already looking at me. Just like our last vampire party, he wears an expensive tuxedo that will make any woman’s mouth water, no matter her supernatural species. I think of Isabelle, Victor’s second in command, and suspect she will attend the evening’s gala. I wonder if she will fawn over Logan like last time.

  Lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize I’m staring until Logan raises an amused brow.

  I blink, clearing my mind, then quickly come up with something to say. “How long until we reach the museum?” I could just look outside at a street sign and figure it out. But hey. It’s something to distract from my mortifying behavior.

  Logan wears the ghost of a smile. “About five minutes.”

  I nod, then tear my attention away and focus on the LED lights lining the sides of the cabin.

  The supernatural gala is being held at the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. I’ve realized Victor is wealthy, and I imagine many other leaders in the lesser demon community must be as well. I don’t think they would choose such a prestigious, a.k.a. pricey, venue otherwise.

  “Care to go over your background, Cortney?” Logan asks my friend. Knowing his attention isn’t on me anymore makes some of my embarrassment fade.

  “Sure,” she chirps excitedly. This is her first mission, and she’s amped. “I’m sticking to my real name, Cortney, but not giving my surname. You’ll introduce me as an active Guardian.” She pauses to pull her stylus out of the pocket which blends seamlessly within the gown’s skirt. “And I’ve got the ability to demonstrate should any lesser demons press the issue.”

  That had been another reason I objected to Cortney’s involvement. If Logan truly feared there could be trouble with my friend’s cover story, I didn’t want her anywhere near the gala.

  But I lost the argument. Cortney would bring her stylus with her, but only bring it out if absolutely necessary.

  I assume the plan is simply a precautionary measure. Should anything go south, Cortney has a decent grasp on protective spells whereas I am magically inept. I suppose Logan may feel better knowing he has magical backup.

  “Good.”

  I look up and see Logan nod to Cortney. “And remember, don’t let any of the demons get you alone. Even with your silencing sigil, some of them have powerful manipulation skills. I don’t want you to be pressed for information without one of us there to run interference.”

  “Got it.” Cortney continues to beam; her excitement flows off her in powerful waves. It’s almost enough to make me laugh. If I weren’t worried about her safety, I just might.

  The limousine slows. A quick glance confirms we’ve turned onto Central Park West, closing in on Theodore Roosevelt Park.

  The driver stops. I take a breath. Just like last time, I remind myself of my role and tell myself I can do this.

  The driver rounds the vehicle and opens the door. I’m closest to the exit. Without wasting another second, I put on an aloof and intriguing mask, then accept the offered hand hovering in front of me.

  “Thank you.” I turn and meet the man’s eye, surprised to see he is young. Logan had escorted us into the vehicle when we were picked up at the academy, so I haven’t seen the driver’s face. Without any evidence to the contrary, my mind had imagined him to be an older man like Morty. But that is certainly not the case.

  Warm chocolate eyes meet mine, accompanied by an equally warm and inviting smile. His auburn hair is swooped to the side, but not slicked down like most men I see working with the Shadowguard. Which makes sense. Logan couldn’t involve anyone familiar with the Shadowguard on this mission. Not if we wanted to keep it a secret. Sigils don’t work on humans. Which this young man definitely is.

  I swear I can sense his lack of magical influence. And after so many weeks surrounded by academy students and their blossoming powers, not to mention Belial in my dreams, his ordinary aura is refreshing.

  “My pleasure, ma’am.” Yikes. Even his voice is attractive. It’s smooth yet strong. If I were a lesser woman, I believe my knees would grow weak.

  A throat clears behind us, and I jolt.

  That’s when I realize I’m still holding the driver’s hand.

  I quickly pull away, then turn to see Logan climbing out of the limo.

  He straightens, turns, and holds out a hand to help Cortney. My friend exits the vehicle with a grace that is so natural and easy, I can’t help but envy her. She loops her hand through Logan’s offered arm, and I’m momentarily rendered speechless. Standing beside one another, I can’t help but thin
k the two make a striking pair.

  For the first time, I wonder about Logan’s love life. He’s never mentioned anyone, not that I expect him to. That’s an appropriate conversation between friends, not a mentor and mentee.

  But Logan has graduated from the academy…

  Which means he’s received a completed list of potential matches. And judging by who his father is, I’m certain Logan will be pressured to choose the one with the most powerful connections in Shadowguard society.

  Honestly, now that I’m thinking about it, it’s a wonder Logan’s not already engaged to be married. I would imagine Head Minister Hendricks forcing the issue sooner rather than later.

  “That will be all, Joshua,” Logan states in a borderline rude tone. “Your services won’t be needed the rest of the evening. Enjoy the night off.”

  “Of course. Thank you, sir.” The driver—Joshua—turns to leave, but not before he shoots me a bold, flirtatious wink.

  Thankfully, my new persona isn’t so affected by a handsome man’s attention. I watch him slide back into the vehicle and drive away.

  For the second time, it takes the sound of a throat clearing to bring me back.

  I look towards the sound and see Logan’s scowl.

  “If you’re done drooling over the incubus, we should go inside.” Without a backward glance, Logan begins escorting Cortney up the stone stairs, leading toward the museum’s entrance.

  I nearly fall over in my silver pumps. An incubus? As in… the sexually deviant lesser demon species who survives off the soul energy of their lovers?

  I spin around and look at the limousine’s fading taillights. But Joshua can’t possibly be an incubus. I hadn’t sensed anything magical about him.

  I’m still staring at the road, debating if Logan is messing with me when I feel a new presence appear beside me. I’m careful to school my features before I face the newcomer.

  But I’m unable to hide my shock when my eyes lift and meet the golden gaze of a tall werewolf shifter.

  Chapter Twelve