Valkyrie's Harem (Academy of Immortals 1)

“I wasn’t. I had it under control.”

“The Nephilim is strong, more than you realize. His father…”

“Is the devil, I know.”

“He’s the King of Hell, Hildi. He controls an entire realm and is looking for an opportunity to spread his empire. Luke is not used to being told no.” He holds my eye. “Just be careful.”

There’s an intensity in Agis’ eye that I’ve witnessed before—in battle. My stomach clenches and I look away, feeling overwhelmed. Why is Luke bothering him so much? Logically I know this means I should heed his opinion, but these men aren’t logical. They brim with quick emotions, especially Agis.

“I will,” I say, relenting. “But you be careful, too. If Luke is so powerful, then I’m not sure he’ll take kindly to being assaulted by an instructor.”

His lip twitches. Basically, admitting I’m right. “Have a good afternoon, Hildi.”

“You too, Agis,” I reply, and we go in opposite directions, thinking one or the both of us will need to do some damage control with Luke before long.

It’s late afternoon and I’m stretched out on my bed, reading through the book Dylan gave me. Now that Agis has put the idea of looking for symbols or patterns in my head, I can’t stop thinking about it.

I’ve stripped down to the tank I wear under my uniform shirt, but never took my skirt off. I figure I’ll need to be back in uniform for dinner.

I’ve just found the section on the four horsemen when a knock at the door interrupts my reading. I mark the page and walk to the door. Armin stands on the other side. His eyes flick down to my chest, then back to my face.

“Hey,” I say, glancing up and down the hallway. Instructors aren’t really supposed to be down here. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he says, scratching his neck. “I just uh, well…”

“Spit it out, Armin.”

“No, it’s no big deal…never mind.”

He starts to back away. I step out of the room and grab him.

“What’s going on?”

I search his face and that’s when I see the dark circles under his eyes and the weight of exhaustion.

“I tried sleeping again. In the bed, but, I’m having a hard time settling down.” He runs his hand through his hair. “It feels wrong.”

“You took a nap yesterday when I was there.”

“Somehow,” he confesses, “that made it easier.”

He looks at the floor and I say quietly, “Are you saying you need me to take a nap with you?”

“Maybe.” His cheeks flush. “Only if you want.”

I had a bit more research to do, but he looks so sad, so desperate, and to be honest, my head still hurts from drinking the night before. “Okay. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes, okay?”

If it was any other guy, I’d chalk this up to an unconventional, afternoon booty call, but Armin? He probably just needs to sleep. I slip on my sweater and shoes, then head out the door with the book tucked against my chest.

I’ve made it to the stairwell that leads to the instructors' dormitory when I hear a familiar voice call out, “Hey roomie! Where are you headed?”

I turn and see Marielle and the twins. One of the girls, Cora, I think, sucks on a lollypop.

“To a, uh, study session.”

The instructors' offices are in the same building.

“I noticed you missed class this morning,” Marielle says.