by Eva Brandt
He stepped in front of me and Shiro, shielding us with his own body. “Your Highness, my apologies for interfering in your conversation with Alyssa. I was concerned for her. Her mind is not completely prepared to withstand the presence of your true form.”
Sharp shards of light manifested in the darkness as Leviathan bared his fangs at us. “Is that a fact? Do me a favor, nephilim, and don’t try to lie in front of me. I know very well who you are and what you want. You might be able to fool everyone else, but you can’t fool me.”
Mikael clenched his jaw, but didn’t answer. The shadows shifted around the sphere, a silent, ominous threat.
“Remember what I told you, little darkling,” Leviathan said after a small pause. “Keep searching. Don’t ever give up. In the end, the only person who will ever stand up for you… is you.”
Shiro snarled at him angrily. “That’s not true. I will always protect my Lyssa.”
Leviathan just laughed, and the world around us started to swirl once again. I blinked, and before I knew it, I was back in the dorms of The House of Envy.
All the other students had vacated the common room, which probably had something to do with the fact that the whole place was in disarray. Three-quarters of the furniture had been shattered, broken, or upended. Leviathan’s painting had fallen off the wall and was slithering on the floor.
Shaken and confused, I turned toward Mikael. “What was that all about? Where did we just go?”
“Leviathan likes to test his heads of house whenever they take up the position,” he replied, averting his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d do it to you, since our familiar bond makes my strength your own. I should’ve seen this coming.”
“It’s not your fault,” I automatically replied. “Nobody here ever follows a pattern or a rule, no matter how much they claim they do. And I guess nothing bad happened, so it’s okay.”
Mikael shot me a weak smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “You have to understand, Lyssa, that there’s a reason why The House of Envy never turned on either of us. It’s because of Leviathan. He protects all the members of his house. It’s forbidden for any one of us to do anything against each other.
“That doesn’t mean the others like me or support me. I had hoped that through this, I’d make them see that I haven’t changed that much, that I can still be who I was. But I suppose that was a little too selfish and ambitious.”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting something for yourself, Mikael. I will never blame you for that.”
“I know you wouldn’t,” Mikael replied. “I don’t really deserve so much kindness.”
I wrapped my arms around him, feeling even more uncertain and afraid than before. What had Leviathan meant when he’d spoken about secrets? What did I have to do to protect the people I cared about? Were my lovers keeping something from me because they didn’t want to upset me?
I didn’t know, but I fully intended to find out.
* * *
Classes began in a whirlwind, and from the very first day, it became obvious the other students wouldn’t be as accepting of Mikael as those of our house. They didn’t have to obey Leviathan’s dictates, and they took shameless advantage of that.
We walked side by side through the corridors, and the weight of the vitriolic gazes felt almost crushing. No one tried to physically attack us, not at first, but the promise of violence was there and it would happen.
Whispers reached our ears from every corner.
“I don’t understand why they’d let an angel into the school.”
“They have no choice. He’s her familiar.”
“Look at him, sauntering through the school, like he owns it.”
“That freaking abomination has to die. Just breathing the same air with an angel turns my stomach.”
“We have to get rid of him at once.”
It was a recreation of what had happened to me in the second semester, except with less flashing lights. They’d yet to find a method that would allow them to hurt Mikael too badly, but it would happen. I had to be faster, to make sure I was prepared when the attack unavoidably came.
Unfortunately for me, my time was limited, and despite the private tutoring I received, I still had to attend every other class assigned to my current year. And so it was that on the first morning, I found myself in Law class, learning about the details of demonic contracts.
It was the first time I had Professor Faust as a teacher, and I did not enjoy it. Gemma had once told me—or rather, the now deceased Jax—that Faust taught upperclassmen. I’d skipped a year and had managed to avoid him during Mundane, but that hadn’t saved me from having to cross paths with him. I hadn’t forgotten that he’d refused to help me when I’d been badly struggling with my seizures and had pushed for Mikael’s immediate execution.
The thing that irritated me most was the fact that Faust wasn’t a bad teacher. He didn’t glare at me and Mikael when we entered the class, and he seemed invested in providing information.
“Can anyone tell me the difference between magical contracts and binding spells?”
In front of me, a vampiric third-year I didn’t know raised his hand. Faust nodded at him. “Yes, Mr. Byte. Go on.”
“A magical contract can only take place between a mortal and a magical being, and involves the mortal taking the magical creature as his servant in exchange for services of different kinds. A binding spell is an enchantment any creature can cast on another in order to enslave them or create a connection between them, either of servitude, partnership, or even of a romantic nature.”
“Very good. But why are demonic contracts unique? What makes them special?”
A girl at the front of the class lifted her hand. Upon Faust’s cue, she answered, “The fact that they’re created by demons and they often involve claiming the souls of mortals?”
Faust looked like he was about to facepalm. “That is incorrect. The origin of an object isn’t enough to make the item in question unique. Keep in mind that contracts created by fae also involve mortal enslavement. Anyone else? Preferably someone who doesn’t think being a demon is enough to make you special?”
I barely managed to suppress a giggle. Gemma had been right. Faust was bitter as fuck for being tied down to this blasted school. It was a shame he was taking it out on people who were blameless, like me and my lovers. Otherwise, I might have liked him for it.
But I couldn’t forget his previous attitude toward us, and neither could Mikael. He chose to do something about it and raised his hand. “Yes, Mr. Lost?” Faust asked.
“With demonic contracts, mortals are usually given a free pass to ask for anything. But they lack the ability to process and comprehend the power at their disposal, so they run out of things to ask for very quickly, which in turn means the contracted demon can claim their souls with ease.”
A shadow flickered over Faust’s face, and I wondered if he was remembering his own contract. I couldn’t help but notice that Mikael’s reply was a not-so-subtle dig at the teacher’s intelligence, but I didn’t begrudge him for it. Maybe being discreet would’ve been wiser, but we’d surpassed that when Faust had banned me from the library because I had dared to be an epileptic.
“That is correct,” Faust said. “But in order to accomplish this, you must know the specific terms you need to mention in your contract with the human. Otherwise, you might find yourself enslaved.
“Throughout this class, we will go over several important concepts. One thing you must remember is that you should never underestimate humans. As such, we will study minor elements of human contractual law and how this can be applied to us. We will then look into methods of forming our own contracts and how we can assure a contract always turns out in our favor.”
As he spoke, Faust distributed the official syllabus and manual. I skimmed through the book, taking note of all its sections. I was both intrigued and terrified by the section on runes. I’d yet to learn much on that except a handful of Norse runes
that I still had trouble writing. My immediate instinct was to skip to that page to see just how much catch-up work I still needed to do.
That was when I caught sight of something even more interesting. Familiar bonds.
The chapter on familiars was almost at the very end, but the sheer fact that it was included sent a shiver down my spine. Where did a familiar bond fit in? Was it a contract or a binding spell?
The way Lilith had explained it, familiar bonds were natural, beautiful things that were created when two creatures with a natural affinity for one another came together. Considering the fact that Shiro was my familiar, I was inclined to believe it. But if that was the case, why was the bond listed here?
Were familiars different when they were people? Clearly, they had to be.
I must’ve tensed, because Mikael reached for me and brushed his fingers over my arm. “Lyssa? Is everything okay?”
Meanwhile, Shiro placed his head on my knee and looked up at me with wide, pleading eyes. I realized that he’d leave fur all over my gown again, but I didn’t much care about that.
The two touches felt different. Of course they did. But where did that difference come from and what did it mean?
I snapped the book shut and forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just thinking that runes are going to be a problem.”
My excuse must’ve been believable, because Mikael relaxed. “I wouldn’t worry too much. The chapter we have to deal with while in Law isn’t that difficult. We have plenty of time to cover what you didn’t get the chance to study until now.”
It was Samuel Byte who interrupted my exchange with Mikael, and the question he asked made shivers course down my spine. “Professor Faust, isn’t there a law that would keep contracted familiars from approaching a demon if they are of a certain species? Like, for example… Nephilim?”
Instantly, the atmosphere in the classroom changed. All eyes turned toward me and Mikael. I forgot all about my previous concerns, because I had bigger problems.
“No, there isn’t a law like that.” Faust grimaced, and his previously professional demeanor vanished like smoke in the wind. “One other thing you’ll learn about this year is loopholes. For a long time, familiars have been a loophole anyone can use to get away with murder. If it helps, I have no doubt that there will be changes in the rules soon, to prevent such unpleasant incidents from occurring.”
“But doesn’t the Anti-Angelic Act trump all else?” another student asked. Much to my shock and frustration, it was Gemma. “Who really cares Mikael is a familiar, as long as he has a celestial parentage?”
“In an ideal world, you would be correct, Ms. Grimm,” Faust replied. “Celestial parentage should be the most important factor to be considered when discussing people we socialize with. But unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world and angels are still given a free pass far too often. Truth be told, nephilim should never even be allowed to exist.”
What the fuck? Mikael was standing right here. He showed no reaction to having just had his existence questioned. Maybe he was used to it. Maybe he’d expected it. But I would not let this stand.
“I disagree,” I said coldly. “In an ideal world, people would realize that they don’t know better than the Prince of Hell who allowed Mikael to become the head of his house and the sentient school that harbored him for years. But all of you are too arrogant and stupid to see what is right in front of your noses.”
I could see several of the students want to defend themselves, but I didn’t give them the chance. I got up and the furniture in the room started to rattle like something out of Carrie. “I don’t know much about this crazy conflict between Hell and Heaven, but I do know this. Last year, when we studied Demonology, Ammit often spoke about balance. Guess what? You can’t have balance in the world if only a type of being exists. Maybe it would be more comfortable for you, because without celestial creatures, you could run amok and feed on humans whenever you want. But not everything is about what you want. The Princes of Hell and its High Lords know that too.”
When I said that, three-quarters of the people in the room blanched. Even Samuel Byte went pasty white, which was hilarious, since he was already as pale as death. Literally.
I pursued my advantage and continued to speak. “Who are you to question what your betters have already decreed correct? Do you think the school founded by Satan himself would have allowed him to set foot on the island if he didn’t belong here? And what about the Watchers? Do you think they were blind when they granted him entrance?”
I fully intended to continue my rant and give Faust a piece of my mind too, but Mikael shot to his feet and grabbed my wrist. “With your permission, Sir, we’ll bow out of the class now.”
“Yes, Mr. Lost,” Faust replied, and for the first time, I noticed his hands were shaking. “Perhaps that would be for the best.”
Moving almost as fast as he had when he’d wanted to fuck me, Mikael gathered my things and made a beeline for the door. Shiro rushed after us, with TB on top of him, scanning the room for potential attackers.
In the end, we managed to leave with no incident, but Mikael didn’t stop moving even after we were outside. He dragged me down three winding corridors, and up two sets of stairs, and he only stopped when we reached the library.
I’d always enjoyed being here, ever since I’d first discovered the place on my first day in this crazy school. Mikael had been the one to show me this haven, because I’d helped him with TB. He wasn’t as aloof and cool to me now as he had been then. If anything, he seemed to be panicking.
“That wasn’t a good idea, Lyssa,” he said once we were safely inside the library, stabbing a hand through his hair in clear agitation. “I know you wanted to help me and I appreciate it, but you shouldn’t have said all that. You came very close to treading some pretty dangerous ground.”
“But Mikael, that’s absurd,” I protested. “Anyone with a brain can tell the Watchers should’ve known about your nature. The power they have can’t be fooled so easily.”
“Maybe, but it’s not something you should mention,” Mikael replied. “Please, don’t do it again.”
I might have tried to reason with him and point out how insane the whole thing was, but this was not my lucky day. The familiar figure of Dean Mephistopheles emerged from the shadows, his wings folded neatly behind his back. “I’m afraid I must agree with Mr. Lost. It would appear I’ve been remiss in your education, Ms. Michaelis and it’s time to hammer the point home.”
He sounded perfectly calm, but even so, I got the feeling I was in real trouble. Still, I wasn’t willing to back out so quickly. “I didn’t say anything untrue.”
“That’s precisely the problem and you know it, Ms. Michaelis. You’re too smart to not realize certain truths aren’t meant to be looked at too closely because they will not stand up to scrutiny.”
He wasn’t wrong, and I’d held my tongue before about the fundamental flaws of the demon world. But I had to draw the line somewhere, damn it. “I couldn’t just let them get away with saying things like that about Mikael.”
“I’m sure you meant well, but as you might have already heard, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” He smiled, exposing sharp, glinting fangs that reminded me an awful lot of Leviathan. “Detention, Ms. Michaelis. You’re to come with me. Alone.”
By my side, Mikael went rigid. “Sir, I really must protest. We have another class after Law. Besides, if you want to give her detention, I should be—”
“Enough!” Mephistopheles cut him off. “Don’t pretend to be concerned about her classes when you know very well that, if there’s an issue, I can easily handle it. I’ve indulged your little game so far, but I will not allow this to escalate any further. If you cannot control this, I will. Take your familiar and that of Ms. Michaelis to your dorm and wait for her there. Do not make me force matters, because I will.”
TB hissed at him in anger and Mikael took a step forward, his eyes flashing. The air behind him blurred,
and all of a sudden, I could see his wings there, beautiful and black, glowing with divine magic.
Uh-oh. No, we weren’t going there. I might have been reckless enough to point out some harsh truths to the other students, but this was much worse and ten times more dangerous.
I stepped between the duo and pushed them apart. “It’s okay,” I told Mikael quickly. “This isn’t a big deal. I’ve done detention before, remember?”
“Not with him, you haven’t,” Mikael replied, his voice thick with a mix of anger and apprehension.
“You asked me once to respect your choice, Mr. Lost,” Mephistopheles replied in my stead. “Now, if you don’t mind, respect my position and Ms. Michaelis’s decision. Leave.”
Mikael cursed under his breath, still infuriated. Then, much to my surprise, he turned toward me and smiled. “All right, then, Lyssa. I’ll wait for you at the dorms. But no matter what happens, I’m with you.”
I didn’t get the chance to decipher the meaning of his cryptic statement. Pivoting on his heel, he left, with Shiro and TB following him. Now alone with the dean, I began to question the true wisdom of my actions.
“Come with me, Ms. Michaelis,” he said. “We will be taking this conversation to my office.”
I gulped, but complied. Somehow, I had the feeling that whatever he and I spoke out would be far tougher than Ammit’s detentions.
Detention
“Well, here we are, Ms. Michaelis. What a complicated situation we find ourselves in.”
I was once again in his office, seated at his desk, much like I had been the day after Mikael had brought Shiro back from the dead. I forced myself to not fidget in my chair and said nothing, knowing the dean explain what he needed me to do for his detention.
Mephistopheles sat on the other side of his table, scrutinizing me with piercing crimson eyes. “You know, it’s rather interesting, but I don’t think you and I have ever been alone.”
