He frowned. “What makes you say that?”
“Because I met my aunt, his sister.”
Elder Sam started to choke. “You went to the Nether?”
“No, I met her in Faerie. It’s a long story, but she’s back in the Nether now. I imagine she’ll tell him about me. I wonder if he even knows.”
Elder Sam’s knuckles grew white as he gripped the edge of his desk. “Your father is alive and your aunt is probably going to tell him that she met you.” He sounded dazed. “She must be mistaken.”
“I don’t think so. There was something about her.” I couldn’t quite explain it. “If it’s any consolation, Rafe hates me now.”
“Why? I thought he fought beside you.”
“He did, but he didn’t know then that I’m a royal demon of death.”
“Let’s not be dramatic,” he said. “You’re not running around the mortal realm killing people.”
“But I probably have sisters and brothers that do. What if they know about me and have been trying to find me to drag me back to the Nether? Or worse, kill me because I’m half human?” Maybe meeting my aunt wasn’t so brilliant after all.
“Then being hidden away your whole life at Domus was a stroke of luck for you.”
“You should have seen Rafe’s face when he realized…” I shook my head, trying to clear the awful memory. “It was like he’d never seen me before.”
“Why should it matter to him?” Elder Sam asked. “He already knew you were a cambion. You could have been any type of demon in the world.”
“But I happen to be one of the most feared.” I tapped my fingernails on the desk, trying to decide how much to divulge. Given that this was Elder Sam, my most trusted confidante outside of Mariska, I decided to go ahead. “I showed off some new powers during my time away, not just that white light with the Whistler, but even more. I think you should know about them.”
Elder Sam shook his head. “There’s plenty of time for that, Cassia. Right now, I’d just like another hug.” He moved around the desk and wrapped his arms around me. I settled against his chest, breathing in the scent of my childhood. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I hated knowing you were out there on your own.”
“I wasn’t on my own. I had help.” I closed my eyes and tried not to think of Rafe or I knew I’d burst into tears. “It’s been quite a learning experience. I think all field trips should be this productive.”
He kissed the top of my head as his arms slid back to his sides. “I want you to go back to Spire 10 tonight. Rejoin your kenzoku.”
“I’d like that.” I’d gotten to know Sage and Barris. Now I could learn more about Rylan and Zeph as well. The more, the merrier.
Elder Sam wagged a finger at me. “I’m not going to go easy on you during training just because you’ve captured a killer. No special treatment.”
I smiled. “Good, because I don’t plan to go easy on you either.”
He escorted me to the hatch but declined to step onto the ledge with me. “I think you can take it from here, Cassia.”
I peered at Spire 10, where a downy layer of clouds swaddled the spire like a soft blanket. My new home—for now.
“I know I can,” I said, and flew.
You can preorder Demonspawn Academy: Trial Two now.
Also by Annabel Chase
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More urban fantasy books include:
A Magic Bullet series:
Burned
Death Match
Demon Hunt
Soulfire
Spellslingers Academy of Magic
Outcast, Warden of the West, Book 1
Outclassed, Warden of the West, Book 2
Outlast, Warden of the West, Book 3
Outlier, Sentry of the South, Book 1
Outfox, Sentry of the South, Book 2
Outbreak, Sentry of the South, Book 3
Outwit, Enforcer of the East, Book 1
Outlaw, Enforcer of the East, Book 2
Outrun, Keeper of the North, Book 1
Outgrow, Keeper of the North, Book 2
Demonspawn Academy: Trial One Page 20
