Page 69 of The Devil's Trials

Sierra waves away my concern. “It’s not a problem.” She keeps walking toward the front doors, pausing to look back when she realizes I’m not beside her. “Aren’t you coming?”

“I got a ride with Noah, actually. We live in the same building.”

“Oh, that’s convenient.”

I laugh. “Not the word I’d use, but sure.”

She walks back to me, pulling her phone out. “Here. Send yourself a text so we have each other’s numbers, and we can meet up tonight.”

I take it and send a quick message before handing it back.

“Awesome!” She slips her phone into her pocket and smiles at me again. “See you later.”

“See you later,” I echo before she walks away. I wander back to the training room to find Noah, pausing outside the door when his voice reaches me. It’s deep and harsh, and I press my lips together when I realize he’s talking to Cody.

“…I suggest you focus on the reason you’re here.”

“I am,” Cody insists. “That doesn’t change the fact that she shouldn’t be. How do we know she isn’t a spy for the demons?”

“That’s not your concern.”

“Evidently it’s not yours, either.”

“Watch it,” Noah snaps. “You disrupt another class of mine, and you’re out. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

There’s a stretch of silence before a low, very reluctant, “Yes.”

Tension unfurls in my chest at Noah standing up for me. I’m not entirely sure why he felt the need—I can take care of myself just fine—but I can’t ignore the piece of me that is grateful for it.

I feel weirdly…protected.

Heavy footfall makes me quickly shift back from the doorway seconds before Cody storms through it, throwing a vicious scowl in my direction.

I have a crude retort on the tip of my tongue, but bite it back as Noah walks out, catching my gaze.

“He’s not worth it, Cam.”

“I know,” I force out, glancing after him despite myself.

Noah claps me on the shoulder, and I wince at the ache in my overexerted muscles. “Come on,” he says with a chuckle. “I’ll take you home.”

I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror after drying my hair and applying a bit of makeup. I’m not sure if I’m trying to talk myself into goingtonight or trying to talk myself out of it. I don’t know who besides Sierra is going and I don’t bother asking, considering I don’t know anyone’s name anyway.

She texted to make sure I was coming, and I didn’t want to let her down by bailing. Especially when she’s the first potential friend I’ve made since reenrolling at Ballard Academy—because Noah most definitely doesn’t count.

As it gets closer to when I need to leave, I find myself pacing, tidying random things, even fluffing the couch cushions. I’m doing anything to keep busy enough to prevent my thoughts from sabotaging me into thinking tonight is a bad idea. These are new potential friends. I should be excited to hang out with them, and I am. But there’s also a voice of doubt that refuses to leave me alone, trying to convince me these people will never actually want to be friends with the girl who fell in love with the devil.

I stop in the middle of the kitchen, pressing my hand to my chest and swallowing past the sudden dryness in my throat. I fell for Xander before he became king—before I knew he was a demon. Even after the way we met, it didn’t take long for feelings to develop, and while I could easily over-analyze why it happened that way and drive myself crazy, it won’t change anything. And that makes the chasm in my chest feel bigger with every breath.

When I walk into Two Boots at the corner of Avenue A and East Third Street, I’m immediately overwhelmed by bright red booths, teal, mosaic-decorated walls, and the mouthwatering aroma of freshly-baked dough and of cheese. My stomach growls, reminding me I didn’t eat nearly enough for lunch after this morning’s vigorous workout.

“Camille!” Sierra’s friendly voice snags my attention from the glass case of pizzas, and I find her in a booth across the room with some of the other trainees from this morning, a few girls and a couple of guys.

I swallow my nerves and approach them, wiping the dampness from my palms on my pants and forcing what I hope appears to be a pleasant smile as I offer an awkward wave. “Hey, everyone.”

Sierra smiles at me before going around the table and introducing me to each person. No one immediately seems upset at my presence, and theguy Sierra called Paul slides out of the booth and offers me his seat, while he grabs a chair from a nearby table. He has soft brown eyes and matching floppy curls—definite teddy bear vibes, which really contradicts the whole demon hunter thing.

“Thanks,” I tell him with a more relaxed smile, then add to everyone, “I’m Cami.” I glance around the booth as they introduce themselves.

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