So yeah. I’ll take what I can get. The first sign she’s involved in the occult, the interrogation begins. Until then, I’m going to play friend. At least being around her will dull this stupid ache in my chest. I’m going insane.

And, apparently, losing.

Jacobi’s blade hits my shoulder. While the strike doesn’t tear through my armor, it startles me. “Ah!”

Jacobi falls back, laughing again. His teeth match the soft white walls and hard floor surrounding us.

“You’re so distracted, Shy. It’s unlike you.” Jacobi twirls his blade once and then sticks it into the floor. “Are you seriously obsessing over that pretty new human girl?”

“No.”

It is against the rules of the Order for a Valryn and human to have a relationship, and any offspring born of a coupling between the two races are referred to as abominations, as they’re often disfigured, with bones and feathers protruding where wings and skin might have been. Something in our blood—maybe the part that gives us wings—doesn’t mix well with human DNA. Not to mention a lot of my beliefs don’t exactly line up with the human world. I don’t believe in God or heaven or any of that. My creator is Charon, the keeper of the Adamantine Gates—the only way for spirits to enter the afterlife.

“Did you see that catch she managed when the ball was heading toward her? Pretty good reflexes,” Jacobi muses.

I grunt and try to kick Jacobi’s blade from where he’s planted it in the floor, but he’s too quick. He’s right, though; Anora’s reflexes matched ours, as if she’s been trained by an elite from the Order herself. Another thing that doesn’t sit well with me—who taught Anora to fight, and why is it necessary?

“Natalie doesn’t seem to think it’s a good idea for you to hang out with her,” he continues.

“Natalie just doesn’t want anyone to steal her spotlight.”

Natalie can’t stand to be outdone by anyone, much less a death-speaker.

“Ten bucks says the new girl bests Natalie.”

“Don’t encourage them. It’s going to be hard enough for Natalie to leave Anora alone at school.”

“What do you care?” I know what he’s thinking—she’s just a human.

“I don’t. Anyways, we have bigger things to worry about.” And if Natalie needs a reminder, all she has to do is turn on the television to see Influence’s handiwork.