Page 53 of The Prince of Demons

She got invited back to her tops: Fae, Angel, and Vamp. Dropped from Wolf, Rose, and Siren. I was shocked. This round wasn't where I thought she would be cut. Her grades were perfect. The Houses must have been nitpicky, but on what criteria, I’d never know.

“I think it’s a yield protection thing,” she told me. “I’m a little above the cut for Wolf, Rose, and Siren, so they probably don’t think it’s even worth wasting their time on someone who’s not returning.”

“I see,” I said. I owed it to Flora for not getting dropped from any house, unlike others.

My phone rang. Cordelia was also calling. “Call you right back, Aubrey.”

Cordelia's voice shook through her sobs. “Siren house dropped me, Luna!” she wailed. I offered her a reassuring, “those witches!”

To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. Cordelia was beautiful, sure, but she wasn’t a massive, sneaky witch (excuse me, a cunning manipulator), so I never saw her as much of a Siren.

“What if I end up Houseless? I don’t even like most of the remaining houses! I have nowhere else to go!” Her distress was palpable even through the screen.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, desperately searching for the right words to say.

“It will be alright,” I told her, trying to keep doubt out of my own voice. She had only two Houses left—Rose and Wolf House—and they were both considered bottom tier. Wolf House lacked surprise for me. It was obvious Xavier had a thing for her, and was saving her a spot. Rose House took all women. It was almost worse to be in Rose House than Houseless. If you become totally Houseless, you could argue that you left out of your own accord. But if you ended up in Rose, it was obvious that you got rejected everywhere else. At least, that was what Aubrey said.

Cordelia’s voice oscillated between frustration and envy.“Easy for you to say! Everybody wants you!”

Her words caught me off guard, as nobody had ever described me as desirable before. A surge of shame washed over me. Her plight would have been mine if I hadn’t made this bargain.

“Melody told us to give all Houses a chance,” I said, instilling hope in my voice. “And I know you’ll make it. Have faith in yourself!”

The words slipped out of my lips, but I doubted it would repair her shattered confidence.

“But I only came here to become a siren! I took such a huge risk in coming here, and I don’t know what to do next—”

“It’ll be okay!” I insisted. “Fortune always favors the bold.”

She hung up.

The dial tone felt as empty as I did.

* * *

The next day,I wore my angel hoodie with the rest of them. Campus was quieter than usual. The first round of cuts humbled people. Multiple people who told me Angel House was their top were not matching with me today. It was a somber day for everyone.

“Today is the deadliest day of the year for first-years,” Professor Ansi boomed from her podium. “Why?”

“Because the presence of so much supernatural energy already draws demons to this campus, but the full moon, especially, will bring in extra,” Aubrey answered.

“Halfway there. Elaborate on why it’s deadly.”

“Because first-years are eager to prove themselves and fight when they should run or capture,” Brayden said.

“Correct. I recommend you all move in groups tonight if you’re daring enough to slay demons and move up the leaderboard.”

“Want to work together?” I asked Cordelia and Aubrey.

“No, thanks. I’m going solo tonight,” Aubrey said. “I’m kind of messy when I fight, and I wouldn’t want you to get caught in the crossfire.”

“Fair,” I said. “Cordelia?”

“I… think I’ll sit this one out tonight. It would be foolish for me to fight with no powers yet,” she added sheepishly.

“Last year, there were hundreds of demons spotted roaming the campus property,” Professor Ansi said.

She scanned the room, noting our inhales. Some scared, some excited. “Choose your plans for tonight carefully.”

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