A Demon's Wings: Vice College For Young Demons: Year Three

by Marie Mistry

  “They're used to culling the herd in the first year,” Daron added. “Barren only expects fifty students to go through a showing. Having to find places for over two hundred is forcing them to ask for more money from the elders, which makes them look weak and dependent.”

  “They're also worried that without the unshown, they'll have no one to do their dirty laundry,” Bane grumbled. “The idea of having to iron their own shirts has them absolutely terrified.”

  The discussion was cut off by a throat being cleared behind me.

  I swivelled in place, looking back at the first-year who bowed, clearly comfortable with all the attention he was receiving. Behind him, another first-year echoed his bow before retreating, hiding behind her thick mane of glossy, black hair. They were both wearing uniforms that had been impeccably tailored to fit them but whilst the boy seemed to try his best to fill his out, the girl beside him looked as though she were trying to disappear into hers.

  “Lady Carazor.” He smiled a slick, charming smile that put my hackles up and stuck out his hand in greeting. “It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Morpheus Ajax and this is my half-sister, Vivienne Ajax.”

  I didn't extend my hand in response but he reached forward and took it anyway. The instant our palms touched, he doubled over in pain, screeching like a banshee as he hugged his right hand.

  Eyes wide with fear, his sister flew towards us. But instead of grabbing her brother, like I expected her to, she grabbed my hand as well.

  She collapsed just as Morpheus rose to his full height, staring at the glittering yellow, Greed crystal on his hand with undisguised satisfaction. He didn't get a chance to open his mouth because Bane had him by the throat in the next instant.

  “What the fuck do you think you're doing?” my Greed mate demanded.

  “Taking what our father paid for.” Morpheus didn't look phased as he brushed off the grip Bane had on him. My Greed mate stayed by my side, glowering and ready to interfere as Morpheus glanced back at his half-sister while adjusting his uniform. “Viv, did you have yours?”

  The girl slowly got to her feet, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. “Yes.” Her voice was quiet, almost inaudible, despite the near silence of the room.

  “And?” The more I heard Morpheus speak, the more I disliked him. His presumptuous voice and demanding air made me angrier the more I heard him.

  Vivienne didn't speak, and I wondered for a long moment if she was going to.

  “Lust.” Her voice cracked slightly, and I couldn't help but sympathise. I'd been in her shoes before, but at least my showing hadn't been in front of the entire Great Hall.

  A single moment of dismay crossed Morpheus' arrogant features before his expression shuttered entirely. “I see. Well, I shall inform our father on your behalf. In the meantime, Lady Carazor, I have some other friends who would benefit from your gift.” He waved a hand at the group of first-years tentatively leaving their table to approach us.

  Who the hell did this guy think he was? I raised one eyebrow and stared him dead in the eye. I barely managed to bite back the curses I wanted to level at him and instead kept to a one-word answer. “No.”

  He had the nerve to look surprised. “Pardon?”

  “I said no,” I repeated, standing and brushing down my uniform. “I am the Head of House Carazor and a Lady of the High Chamber. I'm sure Professor Pruitt will be happy to go through the hundred or so etiquette rules you just breeched with your little display of self-entitlement. Till then, you should know that the next one of your friends who tries to touch me without my permission will be subjected to my other gifts and I promise you I can make your showing look like a cake walk.” I wasn't sure what possessed me to say it but I knew I couldn't back down once I had. I glared over his shoulder at the assembled group of students. “Now scram and let me finish my breakfast in peace.”

  Morpheus had slowly paled as I spoke, backing away. He all but turned tail and ran as I turned my gaze back to him.

  His half-sister, Vivienne, didn't move. Instead, she quivered in place behind her large dark bangs. Something about her made me feel protective but I wasn't about to let her looks deceive me. Lucinda had looked about as dangerous as a fluffy bunny rabbit but she'd still almost ended up killing me.

  “Something you wanted to add?” I demanded, knowing that the eyes of the rest of the room were still watching us.

  She nodded jerkily, sinking to one knee. “Please accept me into your house, Lady Carazor. I vow myself into your service for life, with the Strange God as my witness.”

  Of all the things she could have said, I was not expecting that. I don't know where she got the blade from, but before I could stop her, she had sliced a perfect line along her palm.

  “Who is she?” I asked Daron down the bond.

  My Envy mate tapped away at his tablet before replying. “From what I can tell, she might be your old friend Babette's cousin.”

  “Babette never mentioned any cousins.” But I could see the slightest family resemblance between the three Ajaxes.

  Daron just shrugged unhelpfully.

  “Why are you doing this?” I asked her, but she didn't lift her eyes from the floor as her bloody palm hovered in the air between us, clutching the knife in offering.

  She didn't answer my question, but her eyes widened slightly. “I swear to the Strange God, I will obey you and never betray you or harm you in any way.” Her voice wobbled slightly and I saw her glance quickly back at Morpheus who was watching, open-mouthed.

  My intuition nagged at me, telling me something was wrong. There was no greater vow she could make and she must know the consequences of it, if she was offering me that kind of control over her life. I didn't want to know what kind of desperation was possessing her that had her ready to swear fealty to a stranger. The whole hall had gone silent and I felt their anticipation.

  I sighed, softening. “Should I accept?” I asked the five of my mates who were present.

  Bane's response was immediate, even if it was muffled by our slowly-healing bond. “Yes.”

  “She seems legitimate.” Daron put the tablet down.

  “You could bring more problems upon yourself if you do this,” Jin warned. “But I hate to see any woman that scared. If it were me, I would say yes.”

  “Go with what feels right,” Kain advised.

  “I'll protect you no matter what,” Aeron added. “But if you're going to do something, do it fast. My mother is on her way.”

  With that ultimatum hanging over me, I stared at Vivienne, willing my pathokinesis to tell me what she was feeling. I couldn't know her motives but at least her emotions would give me some clue as to what was going on inside her head.

  A wave of her fear and apprehension hit me in the gut so strongly that, for a moment, I thought the emotions were my own. After a few deep breaths, I centred myself and tried again. When I finally sorted through the messy web of desperation, nerves and determination, I glanced across the room at Morpheus. His emotions were more muted, a cocktail of disappointment, excitement and resignation, dashed through with hope.

  I didn't have forever to figure this out. I could see Professor Saxon's angelic blonde hair moving closer through the crowd.

  I took the offered knife from her and slashed my palm, dripping the blood over hers. Most of the time, applications to join a different house were made on paper and contracts were signed in a civilised manner, which rarely involved the applicant changing their last name. But Nelly had told me about the older, more primal process of making the pact in blood before the Strange God. The mixing of our blood removed the need for any prior family relationship but there was a chance the applicant could die.

  “I accept your vow. By Carazor blood, you are now part of my House,” I recited, reclaiming my seat as I did so. “And you better not make me regret this. Now, sit down.”

  The whole hall held its breath, waiting to see if Vivienne would start foaming at the mouth and collapse. Mercifully, she didn't. Instea
d she did as she was told and sat beside me, just in time for Professor Saxon to reach us.

  Her face had cleared of the anger and incredulity of before and now she looked at me with that calculating gaze I'd started to learn to dread. “Lilith, may I have a word in my office?”

  I nodded, keeping my expression neutral, as though I hadn't just caused a huge scene in the middle of the Great Hall. “Of course, Professor.” I grabbed my bag and stood.

  The Headmistress turned her gaze to Vivienne, scanning the girl silently, before turning to the door. I followed, only looking back at the table to see Vivienne staring openly at my back. She ducked her head again when she realised I was watching, but it was enough for me to see the gratitude there.

  “Could you try and make her comfortable?” I suggested to Kain and Jin, knowing that the two were easy-going enough to make her feel at ease. “See if you can find out why she did that.”

  They both gave me subtle nods.

  “Don't worry about things here. Focus on whatever Saxon wants,” Jin insisted.

  “Keep your guard up, Sunshine,” Kain added.

  I didn't have a chance to reply as I jogged to keep up with Professor Saxon. She didn't speak at all as we marched through the corridors towards her office. Once there, she closed the door behind her and whirled to face me.

  “Reece Ajax is a powerful man,” she began, wearily. “He is head of an eminent Greed family, with enough age and experience to navigate these troubled times and come out the victor…”

  “Troubled times, Professor?”

  She waved her hand, dismissing the subject. “Lilith, why did your presence not trigger the showings of all of those first-years?”

  I looked away and stared at the floor as I answered her. “I honestly have no idea, Professor.”

  “None at all?”

  “No. I walked in there expecting them all to have their showings straight away … maybe it's slowly wearing off and I just can't do it anymore.”

  “This is disturbing news…” She crossed to the window and stared out of it. “I'm sure you're aware that the school has received substantial interest since your ability became known. Our number of applications has quadrupled since last year and the number of donations we've received from parents has risen in line with that. It would be in the school's best interest if you were to allow the remaining first-years to touch you.”

  I felt my brows drawing together as my hands fisted. “It's not my responsibility to ensure every rich kid who bought their way into this college has a showing.”

  The Headmistress scoffed. “You speak so derisively. Do you know how much money your mother paid into the school when you were accepted? It makes some of the other donations look like pocket change.”

  Grimacing, because that's exactly the sort of thing my mother would have done without telling me, I stood my ground silently.

  “I can see this discussion will be as productive as our other ones on the subject.” Saxon groaned, and I felt like a stubborn child under her yellow gaze. “How about we make a deal instead? If you agree to shake hands with the new students under controlled conditions, I will ensure that Reece Ajax doesn't hear of Mr Krossian's manhandling of his heir.”

  “Are you blackmailing me, Headmistress?”

  “Yes.” I was surprised by her bluntness, but she didn't seem to care. “I've made it clear to you before. I will do everything in my power to ensure every student at this college has a showing. Personally, I think your lack of willingness to help achieve that goal shows extreme selfishness on your part.”

  I wanted to throttle her because I knew exactly how selfish I looked. The problem was, I didn't trust the supposed altruism of her motives. The 'gift' she insisted I had was responsible for the horrific deaths of those who weren't strong enough to have a showing in the first place. “A man died last time.”

  “And dozens more die every day. Unshown have less than half the life expectancy of shown demons.” She tugged her sleeves down her arms and turned back to me. “My offer stands. I will smooth things over with Ajax, if you agree to touch the remaining first-years before the end of the day. Refuse, and Krossian is on his own.”

  My mind warred with indecision and I knew she could sense the weakness when she added, “It's really better to do it in a controlled and managed environment. If you refuse, you might end up ambushed in the corridors by the most desperate ones.”

  I ground my teeth in frustration. “Fine.”

  She beamed as though she'd not been threatening my mate five seconds before. “Excellent, I'll arrange it for after dinner. Also, I believe it would be best if you were the mentor for young Vivienne. I know you didn't sign up to be a mentor but we won't have enough older students as it is and you have already claimed responsibility for her by accepting her into your house.”

  I sighed but didn't bother arguing. I didn't want to know what blackmail awaited me if I dared refuse again. Besides, I had my own share of questions about Vivienne. “Yes, Headmistress.”

  Chapter 11

  I was late to Maddox's lesson but, once I did arrive, I could only half-listen to his overview of our modules for the year. My focus was on the conversations going on along my mating bonds. Kain and Jin filled me in on their progress—or really, lack thereof—in getting Vivienne to talk to them. Apparently, she'd clammed up as soon as I left, only talking to accept Rina's quiet, yet surprising, offer of a testing.

  It turned out that there were now two Succubae enrolled at Vice college.

  It almost seemed like too much of a coincidence to be true, but Rina insisted she was right and I didn't doubt her.

  We tried getting Vivienne to talk at lunch, when she sat sullenly beside us, not saying a word and eating silently. I could have demanded she speak to us, with the incredible power of the vow she'd taken to obey me. But I knew if I did that, I would cross a major line that would kill any trust we might develop in the future. For now, Vivienne might as well have taken a vow of silence.

  I didn't like not knowing anything about her and it left me in a foul mood as I wandered into the chapel with Bane and Rina for our afternoon lesson.

  Even though the two of them sat on either side of me, ready to shield me the moment the vision inevitably took hold, I still felt tense. The Acolyte's words washed over me like the smoke from the burning incense as I focused on the goblet of blood being passed around.

  Rina took her gulp, wiping the red from her lips as she carefully passed the goblet to me. I looked into the dark liquid and grimaced, lifting it to my mouth and tipping.

  The metallic taste coated my mouth as I quickly passed the goblet to Bane and waited for the blood to take effect.

  My vision began to blur, but unlike last time, a feeling of nausea accompanied it. A noise, like static, swamped me and when I finally looked down at my body in the chapel, I could see a trickle of blood leaking from my nose.

  “You ... trust ... even … blood … connection … shadow...” I recognised the Strange God's voice but the static made it nearly impossible to understand his words. “… vision … could … damage...”

  “I can't hear you,” I yelled into the emptiness, but it felt futile.

  The view of the chapel below blurred again, flickering back to the London meeting room I was familiar with. Only now, everything was out of focus.

  “You risk ruining all of my research!” I heard Professor Saxon's voice, but barely recognised it. “Grand Master, please reconsider. The Carazor girl presents interesting possibilities for expanding the scope of our plans for the shadow realm. If I can just isolate what makes her able to put young demons through their showings, I could have the answer to all of our wildest dreams.”

  “Are you going soft, Aoife?” The next voice sounded distorted, almost beyond comprehension. “You had promising leads before the Carazor girl. Go back to those. Her fate is sealed at this point…” There was a long pause, during which the buzz of static grew almost unbearable before the same distorted voice s
poke again. “We have lost too many of our own, despite your incredible discoveries. It is time to cut our losses and deal with her once and for all. With Lucinda, Fraxis, Portinax and Abrosiax gone, it falls to us four to complete our great work and we must not fail.”

  “Of course, I agree completely,” Professor Saxon quickly concurred. “By all means, kill her, but it doesn't seem … prudent to do so, so soon. Killing off the girl too hastily could undo the progress I made recently. A handful of months with her working with us could be more productive than decades without her. And she's easily manipulated through her friends.”

  “The decision is made and the plan already in motion,” the Grand Master insisted. “There will be no delaying her death any further. She's caused too many changes in our plans already.”

  A different voice swiftly interjected. “If we time it right, Grand Master, we may be able to take two birds with one stone. The Resistance is becoming more of a problem—”

  A hand reached into my gut and yanked me back to the real world so fast I retched and choked on air. The rest of the class had left and it was only Bane who remained with me, gently rubbing my back as my lungs burned and my vision tinted red.

  “Thank the Strange God,” my Greed mate whispered, pulling me closer to him. “Don't try and talk, just breathe … Just breathe.”

  Easy for him to say. I choked again, my gag reflex disagreeing with my need for air and the violent way I'd been dragged back into the land of the living.

  “Where did everyone else go?” I gasped as oxygen finally agreed to enter my lungs.

  Bane hesitated, still stroking small circles on my back. “Class ended almost an hour ago, Lilith. I managed to convince them all you were deep in prayer and not to disturb you and Rina went to fetch Blaze not five minutes ago when you started bleeding."

  “It was all wrong,” I mumbled. “The vision was all fuzzy and I could barely hear him.”