Page 96 of The Prince of Demons

When in sight, I yanked my first dagger out of Bulgae flesh, smiling at its misery.

How much hell could a hellhound take?

“Should I make you my sacrificial lamb?”

He growled, and I thrust the dagger back in. Rough sinew vibrated against my blade.

“This is for every one of you who mocked me for having bad skin.”

Out. Gushing blood sprayed my face. In. Warm flesh coated my hand.

How much time had I spent worrying about what was out of my control? I could controlshadows. I wasmorethan my appearance.

“This is for everyone that’s mocked my association with demons.”

Out. My shadows constricted around its throat, cutting off circulation. I removed my last dagger from my pocket, holding one in each hand.

My family never spoke ill of me the way this two-faced, self-righteous, hypocritical community has.

“This one’s for my fans.”

I plunged both daggers in, and the Bulgae ignited, dissolving into a haze of red dust.

I turned and bowed to the drones, laughing at their red eyes and blaring white flashes.

“I hope you enjoyed the show!”

ChapterTwenty-Five

THE ORACLE MUSINGS

After a smoke show of footage was released yesterday, it has become clear that campus busybodies lack proper filming techniques. Despite many of you fools attempting to clarify film today, there’s too much residual magic in any of the drones for the efforts to be worth your while. Only Luna’s audio speech, and the Bulgae’s roar of defeat, are salvageable.

As a whole, campus is covered these days with simpering fools. Just this morning in the dormitories, I counted nearly a dozen freshmen attempting to break into their classmates’ rooms, looking for the coveted Fae Masquerade invite. It is difficult to discern who, of all the ridiculous freshmen, is most desperate, but I would have to suggest our leaderboard queens: Misses Luna, Aubrey, and Cordelia arenotas composed as they appear.

I dugmy hands in the dirt, fulfilling the compulsory volunteering the school required of us each year. Cordelia and Aubrey pulled out weeds beside me.

“Can’t Rose House just do this themselves?” Aubrey complained.

“No, they can’t,” Wisteria shouted from her megaphone. Every House had charity events we could sign up for, but I wanted to guarantee I’d be with friends, so we all picked Rose House together.

There were only a dozen freshmen here.

And only six of them were new freshmen. Hyacinth was here, along with six other sophomores.

“I heard the Sirens are going surfing,” Aubrey muttered. “Next time, we might have to go our separate ways.”

“It’s not that bad—ah!” I pricked my hand on a rose thorn.

A girl who got cut from the first exam ran over. “Here, let me help with that!” She pulled my finger, squeezing out the thorn. I fought a grimace.

She was trying to prove herself, I supposed. Cuts could rush again next year. Hopefully, if they made enough friends the first year, they could easily slide into a House with them.

Everywhere I went, people were being oddly nice to me.

When I so much as glanced at a cafeteria table, people picked up their plates and left.

Students I’d never spoken to were making their way to approach me.

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