Page 38 of The Prince of Demons

The short, dark-haired girl strolling beside us smiled. I recognized her from class. When she looked down, I felt a nudge of sympathy in my chest. She wasn’t in any of my regular freshman classes, only my magic-related classes, which meant she was a second-year trying to secure a place in a House again.

All upperclassmen were required to have magic to continue, which meant this was her last chance.

“Don’t you think it’s weird to start all over again?” I whispered to Aubrey.

“She must be weird for not succeeding the first time,” Aubrey responded. “We mustn't be like that.”

I nodded but reached out to tap Hyacinth on the shoulder.

“Good luck,” I told her. Her eyebrows raised in surprise.

“You, too.”

Aubrey shot daggers at me with her eyes. Melodramatic diva. Before she could say anything, we arrived in front of my first bargain maker.

Flora and Fae house were our first visit. She avoided eye contact, standing in front of her storybook-style castle.

“Fae are first, always,” she said by way of greeting. “We never lie, and we always end up on top. I know Aether’s best and brightest will end up here. Come, welcome to the faery cottage.”

Apple-sized pixies led us on individual tours of the pastel-decorated, woodsy home of the Fae. Enchantments made the whole house glow faintly.

It was more magical than I could have ever imagined. From the glimmers of reverie I saw when I returned to the entrance, I wasn’t the only freshman entranced by the estate.

Marble columns of Angel House marked our next stop. Their House leader fluttered her snowy white wings behind her at the entrance. Aurora, of Angel House, had glowing dark skin and curly hair braided across her head like a halo. I couldn’t tell if her beatific smile was filled with kindness or fakery.

“We have wings waiting for our angels,” she purred. “Claim your halo and join us.”

Cherubs decorated the upscale Angel mansion. Statues, paintings, and encased jewels from medieval times contrasted with modern checkerboard floors and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

If an angel dropped from heaven today, I could see her living in a house like this.

Vampire Manor came next. The entire house was painted black, save for scarlet accents. Vivienne of Vamp House launched herself off the roof to greet us, dark hair flying as she landed. With severe features and a blood-red smile, she exuded the confidence of someone who could never be toppled.

“Why slay your enemies when you can bleed them dry?” she asked rhetorically. “I’ll see the ruthless and unforgiving here soon.”

I had to hold myself back from laughing at the gargoyles, coffins, and blood-filled chalices inside. They were shameless about their gothic aesthetic, and I respected that.

Lukas, leader of Siren house, showed up with nothing but a massive golden trident and a speedo with an even more massive… well, it’s not polite to stare. He basked in the whistles, then talked up the freshmen like we were old friends. I didn’t even remember everything he said because he spent so much time cracking jokes and rambling. I was pretty sure he oiled his chest, too. Not that I was looking, of course.

“He’s built,”Gaksi mentioned.

“I’m trying to focus here,”I told him.

“You and me both,”he sniggered.

Sirens built their villa against the beach, and water flowed in rivers through the property. A dolphin jumped out at me mid-tour. I almost died of happiness. I wished Cordelia was in this group because I would have loved to see what she thought.

I shook the sand off my feet as we moved to Wolf House. Their House was built into a cave on the far edge of campus, string lights decorating the inside.

Howls greeted us as Adam received our group.

“Join our pack,” was all he had to say. Wolves trotted beside us on our tour, which comprised a confusing labyrinth of cave tunnels and dens.

Wisteria, of Rose house, introduced us to her home last. She wore a dress made of curving wisteria, which matched her short, lilac hair. “What makes Rose House unique is that it’s an all-female House.”

“Of bitches!” Hunter shouted from the back of my group. Aubrey shoved him.

Wisteria beamed and continued. “That would be the female side of Wolf House, actually.”

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