Page 34 of The Prince of Demons

“You can’t. These are warnings against worst-case scenarios. These are not everyday demons that can be killed, only evaded.”

“But if we wanted to try, which would be worth the most points?” Hunter asked.

Professor Ansi’s eyes narrowed. “To engage in that task would be recklessly foolish. We only know of one mortal who has attempted to evade Reaper’s, the strongest’s, capture, and he died twice.”

All heads whipped toward me.

Thank you, oracle, for planting a shiny red target on my back.

“For all those who survived the Reaper’s first encounter, see me after class.”

Despite Professor Ansi’s warning, I daydreamed about Reaper for the rest of the lecture. Why didn’t teachers say how beautiful demons could be? How they clawed themselves into your thoughts, even at the most inopportune times?

Bells chimed from the ceiling again, merry notes filling the air, lulling me out of my thoughts. Students shuffled out, but slower than usual. I moved against the wave, forcing my way down to the professor.

Xavier and Adam spoke to her only briefly before departing. I didn’t know what Hunter said after, but I heard something like “your funeral” before she waved a hand, and a wind gust shoved him out.

My question was ready by the time I reached her podium. “How did he die twice?”

Concern flashed over her features, but resolve filled her voice. “A man tried to escape death by setting traps to confuse Reaper. It didn’t work. After death, he fought off demons on the other side to make it back to his home. But his family had already buried him six feet under, so he died twice upon his return.”

“So it’s hopeless, then? If you’ve already seen him once?”

She shook her head. “Fate is a fickle thing. The man’s problem was that he couldn’t accept that he had already died. But you, Luna Deokhye? You are very much alive.”

I shifted on my feet. “As of present, yes.”

She sat back in her chair, erasing her crow sketch. “The first round of recruitment is coming soon. You may find that your association with the Reaper causes you problems being taken seriously.”

“I’m more worried about my image than my reputation right now, Dr. Ansi. Gossip can’t cover the heinous state of my skin.” My hands balled into fists at my side, desperate not to scratch.

She eyed my hands with pity. “All freshmen coming in think the same things. That they get selected solely on grades, or beauty, or eagerness to fight evil.”

“Are they not?” I asked.

“The Antikythera of this school surpasses our expectations every year. Despite input, both by new and returning students, those who trust the process always end up in the House where they belong.”

Darkness tingled under my skin, upset at the idea of confinement. “What if I don’t belong?” I asked.

Her eyes drilled into mine. “Your competition may look healthier, Luna, and they may be crueler, but they are not as tenacious. Nor are they braver.”

She unfolded her earlier page of Reaper, and an image of us launched out of the page.

Of him, ferocious, glowering over me.

Of me, brassy, hand poised on my water bottle like I might bludgeon him with it. In her image, I wasn’t covered in rashes. Nor was I aghast at the mythical being dominating my space. I was drawn like a warrior, like a fighter. Like I was a formidable opponent to a beast beyond this earth.

“You’re the first student I’ve had encounter a death god multiple times and live, Luna. Never forget that.”

* * *

The next day,I woke up in an inferno.

“Gaksi!” I screamed. “I’m on fire!” I raked my arms down my face, my arms, my legs, my body, my everywhere.

I dropped and rolled onto my carpet, but that only scorched me further.

“I’m burning alive, Gaksi!”

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