Page 36 of The Prince of Demons

“Yes, my parents had excellent foresight,” Aloe said gently.

My cocoon pressed in tighter, relieving the worst of the burn. With a start, I realized they contained my shadows comfortably as well. They swirled around the aloe gel, comfortable.

“Are you still rushing a House?” Aloe asked.

“Yeah,” I said, trying to look dignified in my new enclosure. I heard Gaksi chortling in my head.

“You should consider Rose House,” she said mildly, tying the wrapping tighter. “The best plants bloom at night.” Her hands pressed down, and my shadows concentrated on meeting them.

Aloe knew about the shadows.

How many people knew?This went from bad to worse.

She handed gauze to Cordelia. “Make sure she takes this pack with her.” To me, she nodded. “Stay in there for an hour or so. The leaves will fade away on their own.”

She left.

“I like her,”Gaksi voiced in my brain.

“She knows about my shadows!”I screamed internally.

“Yeah, and is she calling you out on it? Or blackmailing you? Some people are just nice, Luna.”

“She might come after me in the future.”

“Nobody knows that for sure. Focus on how you feel in the present.”

“I’m itchy at present,” I replied.

“I know, sweetheart,” Lukas said. Did I say that out loud? My cheeks flushed. How embarrassing.

He turned to Cordelia. “We think it was Hunter. Supposedly all the dorms had students reschedule their exams today—which has already been taken care of for you, so don’t worry—except his.”

“Let’s kill him,” I mumbled. Lukas chuckled.

He must really like me. The sun had nearly set, meaning he’d been with me all day. Were students allowed to date their T.A.s? Probably not.

Which meant he was risking trouble to be here for me.

“As much as I wish that was allowed, you have to get back at him some other way. You can only harass fellow students. Killing them takes away points,” Lukas said.

“How do I get power over someone whose dad owns this University? I mean, isn’t he immune to consequences?” I moved my hands to scratch, and Lukas caught both wrists with one hand.

I ignored what that move did to my imagination as he squeezed a little tighter, smug.

Cordelia cleared her throat. “Maybe you should try to beat him at his own game?”

“Sabotage?” My voice hitched in excitement.

“Not necessarily,” Cordelia said. “If you become the most alluring candidate for recruitment—which ultimately, is what I think he wants for himself—then you can beat him at his own game without stooping to his level.”

But I was already doing my best for recruitment. That wouldn’t satisfy me.

“Lukas?” I asked.

“Sabotage is only frowned upon if you get caught, Luna,” he answered with an impish grin.

An idea festered in my mind.

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