Chapter Fifteen
Olivia
Next on the schedule I have the class I’ve been dreading, Angelic History. It’s also in the main hall, but on the third floor, and it feels like I’m marching to my doom as I walk down the long hallway. I try to think of a way to get out of taking this course, but if I reveal that I’ve been well-versed in both angelic and demonic history, I’ll ruin my cover and expose what I am. I have to keep up my clueless half-human act, and that means I need this class.
Professor Kassiel is already inside, sitting at his corner desk with a book in his hand, but he doesn’t look up when I enter. I let out a relieved breath and stick to the far wall as I hurry to the back of the class, keeping my head down and trying to draw as little attention to myself as possible. I find a seat in the back behind a tall angel and slouch down in my chair. So far so good. Now I just need to make it through the next few months without him noticing me.
Fat chance.
More First Year students file into the class, and I see a few familiar faces from my other classes, but no one I know by name. I’m sad Araceli is in a different Angelic Studies period, but not sad that Tanwen isn’t here.
When the clock strikes the hour, Kassiel rises from his desk and moves to the center of the room. He’s wearing another impeccable, perfectly tailored suit that obviously cost a fortune, and I can’t take my eyes off him.
“My name is Professor Kassiel and I’ll be teaching you Angelic History 101 this year. We’re going to be covering the basics, and while some of you might think you know this stuff, you might be surprised by what you learn once we get into the details.”
His voice is exactly as sensual as I remember with the lilting British accent, and it’s impossible not to stare at his striking green eyes. I’m not the only one who notices. The desire in the air is palpable, and I shift in my seat uncomfortably, suddenly starving—and not for food. I knew being a succubus at an angel school might be a problem, but I didn’t realize just how much until now. I bet the Lilim at Hellspawn Academy don’t have this issue.
Kassiel clasps his hands behind his back as he begins pacing in front of the classroom, cutting a sharp profile. “History is important both to know where we came from and to learn from the past so that we don’t repeat it. Unless you know what we’ve done, you won’t know how to do better in the future. It also gives insight into the present and why the world is the way it is at the moment.”
I can barely concentrate on what he’s saying. All I can think about is how he tasted and felt under my hands. I cross my legs and shift in my seat, trying to ignore the growing ache between my legs.
“Let’s begin with a quick overview, as I’m told at least one person in this class grew up in the human world.”
Oh crap. That would be me. I sink a little lower in my seat, even as people glance at me and make it obvious I’m the one he means.
Luckily Kassiel keeps talking and doesn’t notice. “There are four known worlds—Earth, Heaven, Hell, and Faerie. The one we’re in is obviously Earth and is the world of humans. Angels all originally came from Heaven, while demons came from Hell, and fae from Faerie. Thousands of years ago, the fae learned how to open gateways between the worlds, and they shared this magic with angels and demons. This one action had many long-lasting consequences, including many wars, and the fae came to regret sharing that magic—but that’s something for your Fae Studies course, perhaps. All we need to know right now is that it allowed angels and demons to visit Earth.
“Angels kept their gateways heavily regulated so only a few people came to Earth at any one time, and at first they sent people like Sandalphon and Metatron, who we will discuss in detail in a few weeks. Others later visited different parts of the world, bringing knowledge from the more civilized and advanced society in Heaven. Meanwhile, demons and fae also began to influence Earth, and humans started to worship our three races as gods. Many scholars have wondered why there are so many winged gods and goddesses in mythology, both good and bad—Valkyries, Harpies, Cupid, Isis, and so forth. Those are all angels, while some of the other gods, like the half-animal ones such as Horus and Pan, are demons. Many of the elemental and nature gods are based on the fae. As you can see, angels, demons, and fae have been impacting the human world for as long as we have recorded history, and we’re going to learn more about that this year.”
I know all of this already, but it’s fascinating to hear it from his mouth. There’s something about the way he talks that makes me want to prop my hand under my chin and watch him talk about history—never one of my favorite subjects—for hours.
“For most of history, angels, demons, and fae all lived in their own worlds, with a few exceptions. Angels were always very strict about who they let travel to Earth, and the gateways were controlled by the Archangel Council. Demons, on the other hand, allowed anyone to go through as they please, and many demons decided to live on Earth instead of in Hell, creating bloodlines that go back centuries. The fae rarely go to Earth and prefer to stay in their own world—and don’t like people going to it either, especially after the Faerie Wars, which we’ll cover next year. This year we’ll be going in depth about the long war between angels and demons, which I’m sure you all know came to an end thirty-two years ago, when Michael and Lucifer signed the Earth Accords. Does anyone know why they did this?”
A girl in front raises her hand and seems a little flustered when he nods at her. “We’d lost so many angels that the council was worried we might be wiped out.”
“That is a part of it, yes. Demons had the same problem. After thousands of years of war, with very few new angels and demons being born every year, both races were at risk of extinction. What else?”
“Heaven and Hell were both destroyed,” a guy on the right calls out.
“Correct. Due to the war, both worlds were in ruins. They’d become desolate battlefields, with empty cities and burned fields. Both the Archangel Council and the Archdemons realized that in order to keep both our kinds alive, our future was on Earth. They called for a truce, and after many weeks of negotiations, they ended the war with the signing of the Earth Accords. Working together, Michael and Lucifer used a magical item created by the fae known as the Staff of Eternity to send every last angel and demon to Earth and seal off Heaven and Hell for all time. As part of the truce, there is to be no fighting or breeding between angels and demons, and we must keep our existence a secret from humankind.”
“But what about demon attacks?” another girl asks. “They keep happening, even with the truce.”
“Yeah, and what about Michael?” the tall angel in front of me chimes in.
“Demon attacks do still occur, but they’re pretty rare, just as angel attacks on demons are also rare. When they do happen, the perpetrators are punished swiftly and decisively, so they are not seen as the beginning of a new war or a threat to the truce. Both angel and demon leadership take these attacks very seriously. As for Michael’s death…”
He turns toward the student who asked the question, but then his eyes land on me. Shit. I was so intrigued by his words I forgot to slouch, and now it’s too late. He does a double-take, his words forgotten, and his jaw falls open as his eyes rake over me. Everything that happened four months ago is laid bare before us, and I know he remembers it all, just as I did. Any hope that he’s forgotten me or that I could stay under the radar is out the window.
I can see it in his eyes—he knows what I am.
He tries to recover from his shock and turns back to the board, but stares at it like he’s completely forgotten where he is and what he’s doing. Great, I broke our professor.
He glances at me one more time, while the other students send each other quizzical looks, and then he runs a hand over his face and takes a moment to recover.
“As I was saying,” he begins. “Michael’s death is a mystery, and since Lucifer had an alibi, at this time no one can prove it was demons who did it.”
“Bullshit,” someone mutte
rs under their breath.
Kassiel clears his throat. “The investigation is ongoing. What we do know is that in the last thirty-two years both sides have tried to make peace, but it hasn’t always been easy, and many people on both sides wish to start the war again. Old hatreds die hard, especially among immortals who were at war for thousands of years. But others hope that this younger generation, all born on Earth, will be different and can learn to live among both humans and demons peacefully.”
His eyes meet mine again and my heart skips a beat as our gazes lock. Is he saying he won’t turn me in, or that he accepts me even though I’m half-demon? That he doesn’t hate demons as much as some others might? Or am I reading too much into his words?
What I’m not reading too much into is the sexual tension between us. Even across a classroom with a dozen other students around us, the heat is there. I know he can feel it too, and my inner succubus wants to leap over the desks, push him against that chalkboard, and wrap my legs around him until we’re both gasping with pleasure. I tear my eyes away before I start drooling, and squeeze my thighs together. Not now, I tell the hunger. I’m definitely going to have to feed soon, or I’ll never make it through the week.
He keeps talking, and I somehow manage to get through class without ripping off my clothes or Kassiel’s, despite his many heated looks. It’s a huge relief when class is over. I grab my bag and start to hurry out with the other students, but then his voice stops me.
“Olivia, may I speak to you for a moment?”
Shit. This can’t be good.
I stay to the side until everyone has left the room and then I approach Kassiel slowly, where he perches against the side of his desk. He watches me come closer with a heavy, unreadable gaze.
I draw in a breath. “If this is about that night, neither of us knew who the other was, and—”
“That’s what I need to speak to you about.” He furrows his brow and I know he’s going to bring up the succubus thing.
I interject quickly to stop him. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about what happened. In fact, the less we speak about that night the better, I think.”
He frowns as he studies me, and I desperately want to know what he’s thinking. “Of course.”
“Is it a problem for me to be in class? Because we could ask Uriel to move me to another professor.”
He stands up straighter. “No, it’s not a problem. Our relationship will remain completely professional. Student-professor relationships are strictly forbidden, and I don’t think either of us wants to jeopardize our position here.”
I nod. “Agreed.”
Except knowing it’s forbidden? That only makes me want it more.
Chapter Sixteen
Kassiel
I can only stare at Olivia as she leaves the room. How can it be?
I never forgot her after that night in Los Angeles. She ran away once I realized she was a succubus, and after that I did a little digging, but no one knew who she was, and eventually I let it go. There are many demons who don’t wish to be found, and it was obvious she was one of those by her reaction. But what is she doing here now? How can a succubus attend Seraphim Academy? Is it some kind of mistake?
And the biggest question of all, does she know my secret too?
I pack up my things and leave the classroom, since I’m done teaching for the day. I walk across campus to the professors’ building, which has all of our offices and a lounge area. It also acts as a dorm for those professors who live on campus, like me.
I head into the professors’ lounge and grab one of the sandwiches there, then lean against the counter. Hilda and Raziel are in here, each doing their own thing at separate tables. Hilda is wolfing down a sandwich like she hasn’t eaten in days, while Raziel is reading a newspaper. I haven’t talked to either of them much since arriving at the school, but they’ve both been friendly so far.
“What do you know about that student, Olivia Monroe?” I ask, trying to keep my voice casual. I’ve heard the other professors gossip about their students before, so hopefully my question won’t seem too odd.
“The half-human?” Hilda snorts. “She’s going to need a lot of help if I’m going to get her into fighting shape.”
Half…human? That can’t be right. “Are they sure she’s part human? How do they know?”
Raziel folds up his newspaper. “Her mother was a human.”
“And her father?” I ask.
“No one knows who is he is,” Raziel says.
“Coward,” Hilda says. “He should step forward and own up to his mistake, for his daughter’s sake. It’s the right thing to do.”
“Yes, it is,” I say. “But how do they know she’s an angel and not Fallen?”
Raziel’s head tilts. “Well, she has wings, although they are black, which is a bit unusual I’ll admit. But she can create light, so she’s definitely not Fallen.”
“There’s a video of her Emergence, and it’s pretty clear she’s an angel from that,” Hilda adds. “It should be in her files, although it was taken down from the internet by Aerie Industries.”
My eyebrows dart up. “A video?”
Hilda nods. “Yeah, she got her wings at a party when she fell off the balcony. You should watch the video, it’s pretty shocking.”
“It must’ve given those angels at Aerie a lot of cleanup work,” Raziel adds.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’ll check it out.”
I grab another sandwich and head to my office. Once I’m inside, I pull up the school file on Olivia, which is only accessible to Headmaster Uriel and professors. I read through what little they know of her, including information on her mother’s death, and feel even more confused. When I met her in the bar, Olivia mentioned she had a complicated relationship with her mother and father. She was either lying then or she’s lying now. I have a suspicion I know which it is.
I hit play on the video. Someone caught the incident on their camera phone, and at first they’re filming someone doing shots by the pool at a St. Patrick’s Day party. There’s a scream and the camera pans up to catch a girl flying above the pool, with black wings spread and light glowing from her entire body. She hovers there for a moment and then she falls into the water, where her wings vanish along with the light. Things turn into total chaos next as a bunch of people dive into the water to rescue her, and when they pull her out, she’s unconscious. That’s where the video ends.
I lean back with a frown. She’s definitely an angel. Was I wrong about her being a succubus? No, I know what they feel like, and I recognized that black glow in her eyes after she fed on me. But she clearly has wings too, and I might have believed she was a Fallen except for the glowing light. Unless that was all fake, but Aerie Industries would have investigated her thoroughly after this incident.
Which means she’s something that should be impossible. Something so forbidden it’s never spoken about. Something that could change everything if people knew.
She’s half angel and half demon.
No wonder she looked so nervous when our eyes met. And now that I know the truth about her, I’m not sure what to do with it.
I know her secret, but does she know mine? Did I say anything that night about my past? I wrack my memory trying to remember our conversation. We spoke of my father, and I mentioned I was a history professor, but little else. I don’t think she knows anything about me, just as I know nothing about her.
Does Uriel know what she truly is? He must. He knows everything that happens at this school. If so, there’s no reason for me to bring it up. She’s obviously keeping that side of herself a secret, but what is she doing here? She must know it isn’t safe, although I doubt the demon school would be any safer for her.
I stare at her photo on my screen, gazing into those mysterious green eyes. I’ll keep her secret as long as she doesn’t interfere with my own plans. I’ll be her professor and nothing more, no matter how much my blood sings when she’s near. It will be torture having her i
n my class, but I’ve survived worse before. If anyone can resist a succubus, it’s me.
But damn, it’s going to be a long year.
Chapter Seventeen
Olivia
Just when I think my first day of class can’t get any worse, I remember I have to meet with Bastien.
I head to the library, which is on the other side of the lake and set back against the forest. The front of the building is covered in mosaics depicting angels fighting demons, and a grand door leads me inside.
Bastien is waiting by the front desk, and he gives me a sharp look as I enter. “You’re three minutes late.”
“Sorry, Professor Kassiel needed to speak with me after class.”
Bastien’s eyes narrow a little, but then he turns on his heel. “Follow me. I’ve reserved a private room for us to begin our testing.”
He leads me through the library, which has tall shelves completely filled with books both new and old. I catch glimpses of ancient texts on demons combined with new texts on biology. Father told me that when angels had to leave Heaven they only had a week to gather the most important things to take with them. Most libraries had been destroyed in the war already, but the few texts that were saved were sent to this library. It’s a strange feeling, knowing that most of angelic literature and knowledge is contained within these walls, going back thousands of years. Maybe that’s not so impressive to immortals with such a long memory, but it is to me.
On the far side of the library are private rooms for studying, and Bastien leads me to one of those. He flips the lights on and takes a seat on one side of the table, his back straight and his posture perfect. I take a seat across from him much more slowly.
“By now you should know about the four Choirs,” he starts. “I am one of the Ofanim, who can detect lies and see the truth, among other things.”
Seraphim Academy 1: Wicked Wings Page 8