Fallen University: Year One

Another student raised his hand. “If any one of us has the capacity to become a true monster, why are we here? Wouldn’t it be safer for humanity if we were all just… shut away somewhere?”

Sven gave the student a long, hard look. “Do you want to be shut away?”

The guy shrugged. “I mean, not particularly, but I don’t really want to end up eating my girlfriend’s face off, either.”

Our teacher nodded. “And that is precisely why you are here. This school is a training facility for the fallen. We give you everything you need to become defenders of Earth. Those who pass will be recruited into the ranks of Custodians. Those who fail will be banished to the underworld. We cannot afford anything in between. This is why you have all been cut off from your past lives. They don’t exist anymore. Those close to you cannot be harmed by your new status if they remain in the dark about it.”

Hannah breathed a shuddering sigh, and I squeezed her hand. Dammit. That’s not fucking fair. I’d never felt so much pain on another person’s behalf before, and it startled me. I couldn’t understand why someone as sweet and good as Hannah should be cut off from the people who loved her. I couldn’t imagine her ever going full-on monster. Me, on the other hand… well, I’d just have to apply myself a little harder to my studies, that’s all.

The rest of class buzzed by, and I took notes automatically. Between my distraction over Hannah’s predicament and my increasing sensitivity to Jayce’s presence, I was barely paying attention. I figured I’d have time to pour over the primer and notes later. For the most part, it was just the history of the school, which had apparently been around forever.

“That’s all for today, class. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”

Jayce stood up and stretched languidly. Hannah poured out of her chair like her will to live had been sapped.

“You girls have plans for lunch?” Jayce asked with a friendly wink.

“Oh, yeah, I was going to run out for tacos,” I said sarcastically.

He chuckled. “Hey, I like you. What’s your next class?”

“Uh… Demonology. You?”

“Ah, bummer. I’ve got Human Relations.”

“Wow, you come all the way out here and you still have to go to HR.” I grinned at him, feeling that intense, buzzing attraction fill me from my toes to my ears.

“Can’t escape bureaucracy,” he said with a lazy shrug. “See you around.”

My heart fluttered in my throat as I watched him go. It wasn’t quite the same as the twisted fascination I’d felt for Kingston or the overwhelming primal craving I had for Xero, but it was just as enticing. I could easily imagine spending every afternoon lying in a hammock on the beach with Jayce after a morning full of surf and mimosas. An ache swelled just under my heart as the images flashed through my mind, like I was homesick for a place I’d never been.

“Where’s Demonology?” Hannah asked.

“Um… this way.”

Dragging my thoughts back to the present for what felt like the millionth time since I’d woken up, I set off down the hall, navigating us to our next class.

I was looking at the map instead of where I was going. Only the rush of a wild, sweet, spicy scent gave me any warning before I ran headlong into the toffee-skinned demigod I’d noticed in the hall the day I arrived. My body responded instantly and —by now—predictably, jerking me to an intense arousal.

“Whoops!” It was all I could say before I was lost in the deep caverns of his dark eyes.

“Excuse me.” His voice was curt.

“Uh… sorry. I’m a little lost. Do you know where Demonology is?”

He had been looking over my head. At my question, he sighed sharply and met my eyes. His body stiffened, and an almost imperceptible flush rose on his cheeks. Then he scowled at me. “I just left there. I’ll take you.”

“Thanks. I’m Piper, by the way. This is Hannah.”

“Kai.”

“Nice to meet you, Ka—”

“It’s right through that door.” Not even letting me finish, he spun on his heel and went back the way he came. A wrenching feeling of loss clutched at my heart. What was the matter with me, anyway?

“Are you okay?” Hannah clutched my elbow, picking up our pace. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”

I shook myself. “Right, sorry,” I muttered under my breath. “Hey, did you notice anything weird about that guy?”