“You are in a good mood.” Brynna started to scowl until her gaze went past him. By the shift in the air, his instincts told him someone with the highest level of supernatural abilities approached him from behind. Someone who was lethal and could kill him in a heartbeat. And without looking, he knew exactly who it was. A gifted celestial being whose qualities he was more than well acquainted with.

His heart even lighter, he turned and, blatantly ignoring the PDA laws of his school, wrapped his arms around Nekoda so that he could breathe in the light vanilla scent that was uniquely hers. Her brown hair was twisted up into a messy braid that framed a beautiful face. A face that held a pair of bright green eyes that never failed to set his blood on fire. Even though she’d originally been sent here to assassinate him before he fulfilled his prophecy of doom, and Caleb still had his doubts about trusting her loyalty to them, Nick couldn’t help his feelings for her.

She was his first love.

Honestly, he couldn’t imagine ever feeling like this about anyone else. And if he had to die, he’d rather it be by her hand than that of an enemy. His heart would always be hers, and no one else’s.

He gave her a tight squeeze. “And here’s the brightest part of any day. Good morning, cher.”

With a fierce frown, Nekoda brushed the dark hair back from his face. “You okay?”

Brynna smirked as she opened her locker. “Girl, he’s in a strange, strange mood. I’m wondering if Madaug’s been programming games again.”

Nekoda laughed nervously at the reminder of the Zombie Hunter game Madaug St. James had created that had accidentally turned half their football team into mindless zombies and caused their former coach to eat their previous principal.

“He hasn’t, has he?”

“No. Definitely not. He hasn’t even played Solitaire on his PC since that night.” Nick took Kody’s backpack from her hand so that he could carry it for her. “I’m alive. In New Orleans, where I’m supposed to be. Here with you, the most beautiful girl in the entire universe.” He kissed her cheek before he jerked his chin toward Caleb. “And we have King Grump scowling at us and plotting my death and dismemberment. All is right in this world. And I’m just really glad to be at this school, in this time where I belong, with all of you thinking I’ve lost my ever-loving mind.”

Caleb scoffed. “For the love of all that’s holy, would you stop saying that crap?” he ground out between clenched teeth. “Personally, I wouldn’t tempt the Fates, kid. They have a nasty way of ramming those pleasant thoughts down your throat and making you weep for them.”

Nick considered that for a moment. Then, closing the distance between him and Caleb, he couldn’t resist whispering the question that comment most begged for, “In a fight between the Malachai demon and the Fates, who would win?”