Chapter Seven
Bechora
Classes didn’t officially start for a week.
I spent most of that time in my room, reading every book I could get my hands on about the strange new world I found myself in.
Shadrie helped by giving me a crash course in all things supernatural.
She even brought me meals from the dining hall, and I found myself enjoying the often-strange selections she made for me.
“Okay, B, you’ve been holed up in here long enough,” Shadrie spoke, causing me to look up from the latest book I’d found to see her standing in my doorway. “It’s been five days of cramming, and we both need a break. The annual start-of-term party is tonight, and we’re going.”
“I’m not stopping you, but I’d rather finish up—” I paused, flipping the book to find the title. “Creation of the Realm.”
“It’s been five days, Bechora. You need to get out and meet people, get the full Academy experience. Besides, Geordie said you’d find answers here, not that you had to avoid all fun to do it. So, get your ass dressed. We. Are. Going.”
The petite ice mage crossed her arms in front of her chest and scowled at me. Part of me wanted to laugh at how hard she was trying to appear stern, but I knew she’d just continue to argue with me until I gave in.
“Fine,” I sighed. “An hour. I’ll go for one
” I held up my index finger, “hour, and then I’m coming back here to finish this book.”
Shadrie clapped her hands and squealed. “You won’t regret it, I promise. Now put on something sexy and let’s go!”
She bounced away from my room, and I uncurled my body from my seat on my bed.
Stretching to work out the stiffness that had set in from being bent over a book for hours, I shut the door and headed to my closet.
Grabbing a clean pair of jeans and a black spaghetti-strap shirt, I quickly changed out of my pajamas.
I’d agreed to go to the party, but no way in hell was I dressing “sexy” like Shadrie insisted.
Giving myself a once-over in my vanity mirror, I applied a small bit of makeup to cover the dark circles under my eyes and ran my hands through my red hair to tame it into beachy waves.
“That is not at all sexy,” Shadrie pouted when I stepped out of my room. “You’re dressed like my grandma.”
“I am not,” I huffed. “Besides, I said I’d go to this stupid party, but I never agreed to dress sexy. This is comfortable and cute. Best I can do.”
“Ugh, fine. Next time I’ll pick your clothes, though,” Shadrie replied, motioning for me to follow her. “The party is in the woods behind Versipellis House. It’s the only place on campus where we can throw a rager without being noticed.”
“Versipellis House—that’s the shifter house, right?” I asked, working to recall what she’d told me about the Academy’s four houses. If memory served, there were originally only three; Noctus House was for the vampires on campus. The fourth was added some time later.
“Yep. They have a massive forest within the Academy’s magical protection barrier, so they can shift and run as needed.
Keeps their aggressive tendencies in line.
And it’s way less creepy than the demon house, Daemonium.
” She gave a slight shudder. “My sister was friends with a demon here, and the pictures of their house she showed me over the summer were just creepy. It’s like a freaking mortuary. ”
“And they’re into that sort of thing?”
Shadrie shrugged. “Some, but for the most part, they’re like anyone else.”
“Aside from the creepy house, you mean?” I laughed.
Shadrie stopped walking and turned to look at me. “I mean, there used to be a lot of prejudice against them. It makes sense that when the school was founded, they’d have made their house somewhere other supernaturals didn’t want to go.”
“So…not evil, then.” I laughed, causing Shadrie to blanch.
“You can’t say things like that, Bechora!” Her eyes darted around, checking to see if anyone overheard. “It’s like a slur to call a demon evil. They’re just a different kind of fae that got a bad rap because of the deals their kind likes to make.”
My brows knitted together, and I pinched my mouth shut as I considered her words.
Seeming satisfied with my response, Shadrie started walking again, leaving me to follow her through the dormitory and outside.
We walked in silence as we made our way across campus toward Versipellis House and into the forest behind it.
It was clear that even with all the reading I’d done over the last several days, I still had a lot to learn about the supernatural world.
I was pulled from my thoughts by the glow of a large bonfire and the sound of music.
Shadrie led me into a wide clearing where people were dancing and chatting around the massive fire in the center.
Music blared from the tree branches in familiar beats that made me almost feel like I was at a party back home.
“I’m gonna grab a drink—do you want anything?” Shadrie asked, nodding toward the far side of the clearing where a table with cups and a keg sat.
“Water, please,” I replied. “I’m gonna hang here and get my bearings.”
“You better be here when I get back, Bechora! You promised me an hour,” she shouted to be heard over the music as she moved away.
I shook my head in response before scanning the crowd.
There were so many people in the clearing, I was a little surprised that anyone had room to move, let alone dance.
My eyes stopped on Dante Vazgurr and the dark-haired male beside him; their heads tilted in hushed conversation.
I hadn’t seen the man since our encounter in the co-ed bathroom, so I was surprised to find him standing across the clearing in a tight gray T-shirt and fitted jeans.
My gaze shifted to the man beside him, noting the way he held himself as if he were above everyone here.
As if sensing me studying him, his head turned toward me and his eyes widened.
I could have sworn shock and longing flashed across his face before his expression shuttered and he scowled, turning his attention back to Dante. Weird.
A body slammed into mine from the left, and I nearly toppled over before warm hands grabbed my bare shoulders, sending an electric shock through me, and righted me.
Whirling around to give whoever knocked into me a piece of my mind, I found myself staring at a hard chest wrapped in a black T-shirt that left every muscle on display.
Craning my neck, I looked up—way up—into the smiling face of a gigantic blond man.
“Dilectus,” he purred, his hands sliding from my shoulders down my arms. “I never thought I’d find you, and yet here you are.”
“Uh…okay, buddy.” I patted his chest and freed myself from his hold. “I think you have me confused with someone else. My name is Bechora, not Dilectus.”
He grinned wider. “Bechora…” The way he spoke my name sent a shiver down my spine. “That is a lovely name, Dilectus.”
“Yeah, so…this is weird, and I’m gonna go.” I backed away slowly.
His brows dipped before his face split into another grin. “Ah, I see. I will prove myself worthy then, Dilectus.”
“You…do that.” I eased my way into the crowd, not taking my eyes off him.
I waited until there was a small group of people between us before turning my back on him and looking for Shadrie. I found her only a few feet away, holding a bottled water and a silver cup, her mouth hanging open in shock.
“Thanks,” I said, closing the distance and snagging the water. It seemed enough to shake her out of her stupor.
“Oh, my Selir! Bechora, what did Zypher Morningstar say to you?”
“What? The weird guy?” I tossed a glance back at him. “I think he had me confused with someone else.”
“Zypher Morningstar doesn’t get confused, B.” She rolled her eyes. “Spit it out—what did he say?”
“Uh, I’m pretty sure he does, because he was clearly looking for someone named Dilectus.”
Shadrie’s cup paused mid-sip, and she choked on her drink, face blanching. I grabbed it from her hand, balancing it with my water bottle, and slapped her back.
“He called you Dilectus? Bechora, do you know what that means?” she sputtered, wiping liquid from her chin.
“Clearly not. Why don’t you explain it to me like I’m from the human realm?” I deadpanned.
Shadrie burst into laughter, then sobered.
“Zypher Morningstar is basically demon royalty, B. His father is Lucifer Morningstar. You’re about to be one of the most hated females on campus for taking him off the market.
Honestly, the only way you could paint a bigger target on your back is to attract Vallynn and Dante’s attention. ”
“I’m one thousand percent sure I’m not taking anyone off the market, Shadrie.”
“B, Dilectus is what demons call their mates.” It was my turn to blanch. “They find their mate through skin-to-skin contact, and they never use the term Dilectus with anyone that isn’t their mate.”
“Absolutely not. No way in hell am I anybody’s mate,” I argued. “Especially not if that means what I think it does!”
“It absolutely means what you think it does, and you don’t really get a choice in the matter, B.
” Shadrie sighed. “I mean, I guess you could reject the bond, but why would you want to? Fated mates are rare—super rare—these days. Supernaturals spend their entire lives looking for theirs because they’re supposed to be your perfect match in every way. Fully dedicated to your happiness.”
“Why would anyone want to be with someone who doesn’t have any choice but to be with them?” I retorted.
“It’s not like that, B.” Shadrie winced.
“Okay, maybe a little. But you do have a choice. People can reject the mating bond if they want to. I know you grew up in the human realm, so you’re not used to how things work, but I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to be with the person literally made for you. ”
I scanned her face, taking in the wistful expression she wore. “I’m not saying I’m rejecting him, Shadrie. It’s just weird to me, y’know? Like, maybe I’d like to get to know someone before I’m supposed to be theirs forever.”
Her face split into a grin. “That makes sense. Just don’t let all these jealous bitches get to you before you get to know him. The second they realize he’s off the market, they’re gonna have it out for you, girl.”
“Real comforting, Shadrie.” I drawled.
“Don’t worry, I’ll ice their asses for you.” She laughed. “Now, come on, you promised me an hour, and I want to dance!”
I let Shadrie drag me into the dancing crowd, and before long, I was lost in the music. We danced until my legs burned, and I was shocked at how quickly time slipped by. Wiping sweat from my brow, I leaned toward Shadrie to be heard over the music.
“I need another drink!”
“I’ll come with you!” she yelled back. “I’m dying of thirst!”
“B!” A familiar voice cut through the noise. I scanned the crowd and grinned when I spotted Miles from orientation. “I was wondering if we’d see each other again.”
“Hi, Miles.” I threw my arms around him for a quick hug. “It’s good to see you!” A throat cleared beside me, and I grinned. “This is my roommate, Shadrie.”
“Nice to meet you, Shadrie.” Miles gave a small wave.
“You didn’t tell me you knew anyone else at the Academy, B. I’m mad you kept this cutie away from me.” Shadrie smirked, elbowing me.
Miles flushed red, the color traveling to his ears.
“You’re embarrassing him, Shadrie,” I scolded, before turning to him. “Sorry about her. She’s had too much to drink and lost her brain-to-mouth filter.”
“It’s alright. Thank you for the compliment, Shadrie.” Miles smiled uncomfortably.
“Apologize, Shadrie—you’ve made the poor boy uncomfortable as hell.”
“Sheesh, alright. I’m sorry. Can’t blame a girl for shooting her shot when he looks like that.”
“Oh, um…that’s very kind, but I’m…not into girls.” Miles rushed out.
“Figures.” Shadrie pouted, making him shift again.
“Shadrie!”
“Oh no, I didn’t mean anything bad by it!” she nearly shouted, moving toward him. “It’s just—B found herself a mate and you’ve got this whole sexy-nerd thing going on, but we could totally wingman for each other.”
The corners of Miles’s lips ticked into a smile. “I can get on board with that.” He chuckled, eyes flitting to me. “You have a mate? Congratulations. They’re incredibly rare. My coven has hosted a few wolf shifters who came to the human realm hoping to find theirs there.”
“See? I told you.” Shadrie smirked, poking her tongue out at me. “Bechora isn’t happy about the whole mate thing. I practically had to beg her not to reject him and at least get to know him first.”
“You did not.” I scoffed. “There was no begging. I just think the whole thing is weird.”
“Oh, you’ve got your hands full with this one, Shadrie.
” Miles laughed. “I’m honestly surprised she didn’t run to her head of house the first chance she got and ask to have her magic bound so she could go back to the human realm.
B was really freaked out by the supernatural stuff when we met at orientation. ”
“I know, right? She probably would’ve, too, if Magus House knew who our replacement head was already.”
“No way! I’m Magus House, too. Electricity mage.” Miles grinned.
“Ice mage.” Shadrie beamed, raising her hand and calling ice to her fingertips. “They said Bechora is a fire mage.”
“How have I not seen you in the common room?” Miles gaped.
“She’s been locked up in her room for the last five days. If I hadn’t brought her food, she’d probably have starved to death by now,” Shadrie answered for me.
“What the hell? What is this—gang up on Bechora hour?” I snapped. “I was literally just trying to learn what I could about the place. It’s not like I even knew it existed before I was dragged here against my will.”
Miles reached out like he might pat my shoulder, then dropped his hand. “I get it. I grew up hearing about the supernatural realm and the Academy, but it can still be overwhelming. If you want, I’d be happy to help and tell you everything I know.”
“That would actually be really nice, Miles.” I smiled.
“I have a feeling we’re all gonna be the best of friends. I’m so excited!” Shadrie squealed.