Page 20 of Dragon Unleashed
It won’t be easy being a demon and a royal.What the hell?
I scrub the corner of my eyes with my shirtsleeve. I didn’t know her. I’ve never been sad about not having a mom before now. This is ridiculous. Pushing away from the alcove, I pace up and down the shelves.
What Silas said, Chano’s reaction to mention of the royals, it’s all vaguely familiar. My hand lands on a book I put back earlier, and I sit back at the table with it, thumbing through the pages. This one mentioned demons. I was just looking for pictures, I wasn’t really… There! I slam my hand flat on the page.
With the help of the angelic order, the royals banished all upper-level demons, sent them back to…well…it doesn’t mention where they were sent. Effectively removing any demon with significant power from Eltanin, from the whole supernatural world—that’swhy Chano hates the royals. I guess all demons do. Well, except uneducated ones like me. Why aren’t we taught this stuff?
I push the book away so hard it flies off the other side of the table. Angry tutting from the librarian’s desk has me scuttling round to pick the stupid thing up.
Chano hates royals. Really viscerally hates them. But I can tell him who my mom might have been, can’t I? I mean, mydadwas a demon just like Chano. And I’m still…me.
Chano’s scowl flits through my mind. He was so furiously angry about Farrell setting himself up for the throne, so derisive. He might hate my heritage equally as much. Chano is the only person I have left.
I can’t risk it. He doesn’t need to know, not yet.
Chapter Ten: Lorelei
Cramming my Divination text into my bag, I bolt from my desk. I’m too hungry to think. I hid under the covers to avoid Naeve this morning and I damn well fell back asleep and missed breakfast. Brushing past her desk, I keep my eyes firmly on the exit. If she tries to talk now, I’ll take her head off. Not that she doesn’t deserve it.
We need some kind of truce, but not this minute. Right now I need Mrs. Cocci’s beautiful cooking. Food first. Naeve later.
I shoulder my way into the cafeteria, stepping between the grown men lounging against the walls. The bodyguards are nothing but a pain in the ass. They get everywhere—namely, between me and my lunch. The rich waft of freshly prepared food hits my nostrils and my stomach rumbles. The chefs have outdone themselves. I shuffle along the line, and pile a little of everything vegetarian on my tray. Mushroom wellington, spicy mango ginger soup, and a little avocado caprese salad. How the rich toffs can complain about the food, I don’t know.
My overloaded tray tips slightly and I have to slow my walk to avoid dropping it. It’s not until I glance up and find Farrellstaring at me that I realize I’ve headed for our old table automatically.
I change course as quickly as I dare, and aim toward Val and Hewie. I catch Farrell’s scowl out of the corner of my eye. I swear he’s boring holes in my back. What did he expect? Kiss and make up?
“Bitch! How’s it going?” The purple-haired girl grins as I slide in beside her. Hewie squeaks out a tiny “Hi,” bouncing his knee under the table and glancing over my shoulder. I guess the asshole is still glaring.
“Not much new.” The lie burns in my throat. Val raises her eyebrows, letting out a small cough of disbelief. Thankfully she lets it slide as we dig into our trays.
I finally push away my plate and rest a hand on my bloated stomach. So. Full.
Ping.
Val leans over my phone on the table and frowns.
“Nothing new, huh?”
I flick it toward me, freezing when I see a message from the Virrey. How much does Val know?
“He’s my sponsor.” Even to me it sounds weak.
Val folds her arms across her chest and purses her lips.
“Yeah, so? He doesn’t contact any of the other sponsorship kids. He’s got one in each year—” She stops, her eyes widening. “It’s true then. You and Farrell are an item? That’s why the Virrey is messaging?”
“What? No!” I shift uncomfortably in my seat. How much of the Virrey’s plan is meant to stay secret? “Well, maybe. Farrell and I are…complicated.”
“No shit. He’s been glaring at you all lunch. Barely paid attention to Camille, and she’s sitting in his lap.”
I sneak a glance over my shoulder at the pair before facing Val again.
“Look, it’s not that,” I mutter. “Notjustthat. He’s messaging because I’m his ward now, and he’s a controlling asshole. I’m not even allowed to leave the academy grounds. Not unless it’s to go to his miserable mansion.”
Val’s mouth drops open.
“And you said you had no news!”
