“Oh, there are the new instructors,” Marielle says, pointing to a long table up on a platform. My heart skips a nervous beat as I locate the Immortals among several other instructors. They all seem more at ease than I would have expected, Armin even laughing at something another instructor says. “Damn, they’re hot. Just…look at the size of his arms.”
Armin really does have magnificent arms. He’s massively built, like he could break a man into two. I watched him fight in the rings as well as against the Morrigan. He looks up from his plate and our eyes connect, holding for a split second before he looks away. “Wow, did you see that? He was totally looking at you.”
I feel a strange, traitorous heat building on my cheeks. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Definitely so,” she says, walking across the room toward a table. “In general, there aren’t a lot of rules in here. No killing obviously or cursing or hexing other students. We’re here to learn, but no one really monitors our personal time, but even the Academy frowns upon students and instructors hooking up.” Her smile is wicked. “Not that I have a problem breaking rules.”
Food is arranged on large platters and we each take a seat. My stomach rumbles at the delicious smell, and I pile my plate with food. I have no idea how long we’ve been gone or how long it’s been since I’ve eaten.
“Dear gods, father sent me a gift.” A loud clatter makes me jump and my fingers curl, ready to form fists. I look up to see a startlingly handsome young man. His hair is black, along with his eyes. His school uniform fits him like a glove. His features are perfection, symmetrical eyes, sharp jawline, plump lips. His fingers are long but look like they’ve never seen a day of work in his life. They’re soft, unlike the rough, worn hands of the Immortals who have seen and experienced lifetimes of wear. Despite is body and his looks, this is a boy, not a man.
“What are you talking about, Luke?” Marielle says, obviously knowing him.
“Her,” he says, sliding into the seat across from mine. “You.” His lips curve into a wicked grin. “My father decided to beg his father for an angel. Just for me.”
Marielle rolls her eyes. “She’s not an angel, dumbass. This is my new roommate, Hildi. A Valkyrie.”
The boy leans forward, offering me his hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I reach over and shake it, feeling a jolt of energy. I reel back. His grip is strong, and he plants a warm kiss on the back of my hand. I yank it away, my heart pounding, and I try to place what I’d just felt. Not affection. Not desire. Something dark.
He watches me curiously, and I have no doubt he felt it as well.
“I heard we were getting some new students, but no one told me they were as gorgeous as you.”
I laugh. “Really? That kind of line works around here?”
“With Luke it does,” Marielle says, tearing off a piece of bread. “Feel free to ignore him, he’s all about 'welcoming' new students. Particularly females.”
There’s no doubt what that welcome wagon involves. Luke, to his credit, at least has the good sense to act affronted.
“I can’t believe you’d say that about me, your oldest friend.”
“Our fathers are friends, Luke. You and I tolerate one another.”
“That could easily change,” he says, raising a suggestive eyebrow. I want to look away, but these two gorgeous people have me sucked in like a bad reality show.
Marielle sighs and pushes her plate away. “Luke desperately wants me to drink from him. As you know, it’s a violation of like, all the rules in the Lowerworld.”
“Only because you refuse to admit I’m your true mate.”
I frown, trying to follow. “I’m confused.”
“I forgot,” Marielle says, “She’s not used to our types.”
His eyes light up with renewed interest. “Ah, I imagine not. Different sort of gods.”
“Anyway,” Marielle continues, “I can only drink from feeders, unless it’s my mate.”
Luke reaches across the table and takes her hand. “That’s the problem. How do you know I’m not?”
“Because the Devil’s son is not my mate. You just want the endorphins from the experience.”
He smiles, lips pulled in a smug grin. “I hear it’s divine.”
“You are divine. You don’t need me to drug you.”