Something soft smacked me square in the face.

I jolted awake with a muffled groan, instinctively grabbing whatever had attacked me. For several confused seconds I was met with complete darkness before my sleep-fogged brain finally caught up.

…I was hugging a pillow.

“Good morning!” a far-too-cheerful voice chirped directly above me as my bed bounced slightly beneath the added weight.

“Morning…” I mumbled, though it came out sounding more like a question as I peeled the pillow away from my face.

Everything was a blur.

I blinked several times until the room slowly came into focus.

The first thing I saw was Lilith.

She was leaning over me, her face only inches from mine, crimson eyes sparkling with a subtle pink light and entirely too much energy for this time of morning. I could actually feel her warm breath against my face.

I instinctively leaned backwards.

“What,” I asked carefully, “is happening?”

Lilith pouted.

“No fair.” She sighed dramatically before hopping off the bed. “My charm still doesn’t work on you. I thought I’d lovingly wake you up.”

I looked down at the pillow still in my hands. “…By suffocating me?”

She smiled proudly. “I only do this to people I love.”

“Count yourself lucky,” Rivena laughed from somewhere across the room. “If she hated you, it’d probably be a brick.”

“I’ve seen her stab someone as a greeting,” Eryx added matter-of-factly.

That finally made me look away from Lilith.

Which turned out to be a mistake.

Rivena stood in the middle of the lounge, calmly pulling on her skirt while wearing nothing more than a delicate lace bra. She didn’t seem remotely concerned that anyone could see her.

I immediately looked somewhere else.

Which landed me on Eryx.

He was halfway through buttoning up his academy shirt, the fabric hanging open to reveal a surprisingly athletic build that looked more suited to someone who spent every day training than studying.

Nope.

Wrong direction.

I looked back at Lilith.

She had apparently decided trousers were optional because she was still wandering around in an oversized sleep shirt while searching through one of the cupboards.

Did nobody here have any sense of modesty? Or, more importantly, did nobody seem to care there were boys and girls sharing the same room?

Nobody else appeared remotely bothered.

Rivena continued getting dressed while chatting casually to Eryx, who was now attempting to tame his messy black hair using nothing but his fingers. Lilith happily hummed to herself as though this was the most normal morning imaginable.

Maybe it was.

I was beginning to suspect I was the strange one.

Then my brain caught up with something much more important.

Morning.

I practically launched myself out of bed.

“Crap!”

Three pairs of eyes turned towards me.

“What time is it?”

Lilith glanced towards the clock hanging above the kitchen.

“If you hurry…” A mischievous grin spread across her face. “…you’ll only be fashionably late.”

I bolted towards the wooden chest at the foot of my bed.

Throwing the lid open, I found a neatly folded academy uniform sitting right on top. I decided not to question how clean clothes kept mysteriously appearing in there. Some questions were probably better left unanswered. I grabbed the uniform before looking back over my shoulder.

Nobody had moved.

Rivena was now pulling on her jacket.

Eryx was still buttoning his shirt.

Lilith had somehow started brushing her hair while pulling on a skirt.

None of them looked like they had any intention of leaving.

I glanced down at the place where my uniform should be.

Was I supposed to just change out here?

My hand instinctively drifted towards the mark hidden beneath my shirt.

No.

Absolutely not.

Even if nobody cared about changing in front of one another, there was no way I was letting anyone see what was hidden over my heart.

Clutching the uniform to my chest, I made a beeline for the bathroom.

Behind me, I could already hear Lilith laughing.

“Called it,” she said. “I told you she’d use the bathroom.”

* * *

By the time I finished changing, everyone had already left the room. I grumbled inwardly as I accepted that I was about to be both late and lost on my very first day.

Just great.

I crossed to my desk and thumbed through the thick book of academy regulations and class information—something I fully intended to read… eventually. After several pages of rules that looked capable of getting me executed for breathing incorrectly, I finally reached my timetable.

Contract Studies

Professor Belladonna Sitri

Now…

Where exactly was that classroom again?

I stepped into the hallway only to find Eryx leaning casually against the wall beside the door, arms folded across his chest. “I told Lilith you might need someone to show you.”

I offered him a sheepish smile. "You guessed right.”

He snorted. “You’d never guess what she said.”

“What?”

“‘I gave her an extensive tour; she’ll be fine.’”

Despite myself, I laughed. “Extensive wasn’t the problem.”

“No?”

“It was more like being dragged around by a hyperactive tornado.”

That earned a crooked grin. “I thought as much.” He pushed himself away from the wall. “Come on.”

“What about breakfast?”

“They’ve already gone ahead.” He shrugged. “I figured my conscience would never forgive me if I let you get lost before your first class.”

“Sorry.”

He waved the apology away. “Just keep up.”

He set off down the corridor, and I hurried after him.

Instead of heading into the upper levels of the main building, he led me down a narrow staircase I didn’t remember seeing yesterday. The further we descended, the quieter the academy became. The chatter of students faded behind us until all I could hear were our footsteps echoing against dark stone. The staircase twisted lower and lower beneath the academy.

This definitely wasn’t somewhere Lilith had shown me.

The walls changed too. The polished black stone gave way to rougher rock, that had glowing crystals sticking out from the walls, providing the only light.

“This is Contracts?” I asked.

Eryx nodded without slowing. “The best place to teach contracts…” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “…is somewhere students won’t accidentally summon a giant that destroys the school.”

That…

Didn’t fill me with confidence.

At the foot of the stairs, an enormous pair of black stone doors stood open.

Beyond them…

I almost forgot how to breathe.

The chamber descended into darkness like an enormous amphitheatre carved directly into the heart of the mountain. Tier upon tier of stone benches curved around a vast circular platform suspended over a seemingly bottomless void. Narrow bridges no wider than a pair of outstretched arms connected the platform to the surrounding walkways, making it appear as though it floated unsupported in the darkness.

The platform itself had been carved with an intricate crimson sigil that spread across the floor in overlapping circles, stars and symbols unlike any language I’d ever seen. Towering pillars rose around the chamber, disappearing into darkness high overhead where jagged rock hung like the teeth of some enormous beast. Between the pillars hung massive banners stitched from black cloth, each embroidered in crimson thread with writing in a language I didn't understand.

Students filled the stone seats that climbed around the room, each desk equipped with books, ink and neatly arranged parchment. Despite the size of the chamber, nobody spoke above a whisper.

It didn’t feel like a classroom.

It felt like a dungeon.

Without meaning to, my hand drifted towards the hidden mark over my heart.

Eryx led me over to where Lilith bounced up and down, waving. 

"You almost didn't make it," Lilith hissed as she pulled me into a seat beside her.

What would happen..." 

My words fell silent as the heavy stone doors groaned shut.

A heartbeat later, a series of metallic clangs echoed through the chamber, one after another, until the final lock slid into place with a deep, resonating thunk.

The sound seemed to vibrate through the stone beneath my feet.

"That..." Eryx muttered as he dropped into the seat beside me. He looked sideways at Lilith and forced a strained smile. "Whose fault would that have been? You somehow forgot to include the Contracts Chamber on your grand tour."

Lilith winced. "...Whoops." Then she turned those enormous crimson eyes on me, clasping both hands beneath her chin. "But you wouldn't hold that against me, would you, Ashe?"

I opened my mouth to answer.

The sharp click of heels against stone cut me off.

Every head turned towards the ritual platform.

A woman stepped gracefully into the centre circle, the crimson skirts of her long dress swaying around her legs with every measured step. The gown clung elegantly to her figure without looking impractical, its deep neckline framed by long black hair that spilled almost to her waist like liquid ink.

She smiled. A welcoming smile. The sort of smile that made me instinctively want to smile back.

Her crimson eyes drifted slowly around the chamber and for the briefest moment I could have sworn they stopped on me.

Impossible. There had to be over two hundred students in the chamber.

"Good morning, everyone." Her voice wasn't loud. Yet somehow every syllable reached the furthest seat as though she'd spoken directly beside each student. "I hope none of you spent yesterday making contracts you couldn't honour."

A ripple of laughter spread through the room.

"Oh?" She placed a finger thoughtfully against her lips. "Nobody?" She sighed dramatically. "You're all becoming disappointingly responsible."

More laughter. Even Eryx chuckled.

She smiled again. "I see we've also gained a new student." Her gaze found mine with unsettling precision. "Miss Ashe Gaap."

The entire chamber turned. Hundreds of eyes settled on me at once. Whispers immediately spread through the lecture theatre.

"A Gaap?"

"I thought they were extinct."

"How did they hide one?"

"Wonder how long she'll last."

Someone behind me quietly muttered something about starting a betting pool.

Wonderful. I hadn't even finished the first class before becoming entertainment.

The woman raised a single hand.

Silence swept through the chamber almost instantly.

"I suppose introductions are appropriate." She dipped into a graceful curtsy. "I am Belladonna Sitri."

A playful smile touched her lips.

"I teach Contract Studies." She paused. "And Succubus Studies."

Her eyes lingered on me just a fraction longer than everyone else.

"If you survive the Trial of Allegiance, Miss Gaap..." Her smile somehow became even softer. "...I do hope you'll consider taking my elective."

She tilted her head. "I even offer private tutoring."

Heat rushed into my face.

Private tutoring.

After yesterday's conversation with Dmitri...

I suddenly wasn't convinced that meant anything about classwork.

"Professor," someone called from higher up the theatre, "you're not allowed to recruit students until second term."

Belladonna blinked. 

"Oh..." She rested one finger thoughtfully against her cheek. "I did promise the faculty I'd stop doing that."

The chamber erupted into laughter.

She laughed with them.

"Quite right." She waved one elegant hand dismissively. "Forget I said anything."

She waited patiently until the room settled again.

"Now then." Her hands folded neatly before her. "Let's help our newest student catch up."

She looked towards the upper rows.

"Why does appearance matter to demons?"

A student immediately stood. "Humans trust beautiful things."

"Good." Belladonna nodded approvingly. "But why?"

Another hand rose. "Because beauty lowers suspicion."

"Excellent." Another nod. "And?"

A third student answered without hesitation. "It encourages desire."

Belladonna clapped once. "Precisely."

She began pacing slowly around the glowing ritual circle.

"Humans willingly approach what they find beautiful." She smiled almost apologetically. "Predators rarely chase prey that's already walking towards them."

A quiet murmur of agreement spread through the chamber.

"So..." She stopped. "If that's true..." Her crimson eyes settled on me. "...why do we continue wearing these fragile little human disguises?"

For one horrible second...

I genuinely thought she'd somehow discovered I wasn't a demon.

Every eye returned to me.

My mind emptied. Completely.

Belladonna waited patiently. 

"Come now, Miss Gaap." She smiled encouragingly. "Any demon could answer."

Panic flooded my chest. The first word that reached my mouth escaped before I could stop it. "...Fear."

Belladonna blinked.

Then...

She smiled. 

"A wonderfully simple answer." She inclined her head. "And not entirely wrong." 

She turned away before my knees gave out beneath me.

"Fear," she repeated thoughtfully. "Humans fear what they cannot understand."

She spread her arms.

"So..."

Her body changed. The transformation happened so smoothly it took my mind several seconds to understand what I was seeing. Her graceful figure stretched taller. Grey skin flowed across her body like liquid stone. Two magnificent dark violet horns curved proudly from her forehead while vast black wings unfurled behind her with a heavy rush of air. Her elegant fingers lengthened into black claws. Only her crimson eyes remained the same. Except now they belonged to something unmistakably inhuman.

Every instinct I possessed screamed at me to run.

Around me nobody reacted. Students calmly continued writing notes.

Belladonna glanced down at herself. 

"Oh dear."  She smiled sheepishly. "I always forget how unsettling this form looks to first years."

As casually as someone adjusting their hair, her body flowed back into that of the elegant woman she'd been moments before.

"There." She dusted off her sleeves. "Much better." Then she smiled at the class. "Now why do demons make contracts with humans?"

A boy several rows above me leaned back lazily in his chair. Messy red hair framed a cocky grin, while his rolled-up sleeves exposed forearms that looked more suited to a blacksmith than a student. "Power."

Belladonna nodded. "Go on."

"The stronger the human..." He shrugged. "...the stronger the demon." His grin widened. "We offer them something they desperately want."

A pause.

"They give us everything else."

"Very nicely put." Belladonna reached beneath the slit of her dress, drawing a slender dagger from a sheath strapped against her thigh. The movement was so effortless that it somehow seemed completely natural. Without hesitation, she drew the blade lightly across her palm. 

A single crimson drop fell. It struck the centre of the ritual circle. The carved symbols erupted into brilliant scarlet light and the chamber trembled as something rose slowly from the glowing circle. Turning into a man. He was barefoot and bare-chested. Only worn black trousers covered him, while delicate silver chains encircled his wrists and ankles. They weren't attached to anything. He looked at Belladonna with absolute devotion as though she was the centre of his universe.

Belladonna smiled fondly.

"This..." She gestured towards him. "...is one of my contractees."

She looked back at the class.

"The details of our agreement remain confidential." A playful smile crossed her lips. "I'm afraid I don't kiss and tell."

A few students laughed.

Belladonna waited for the sound to fade.

"What matters..." She looked back at the man. "...is what happens after both parties fulfil their obligations."

Her voice became almost clinical.

"The contract no longer grants power." She paused. "It grants authority."

She looked at the man.

"Kneel."

He obeyed instantly.

Not even a heartbeat passed before Professor Belladonna gave a new command, "Stand."

He stood.

"Smile."

He smiled.

"Cry."

Tears immediately streamed down his face even though his smile never faded.

A cold shiver crawled up my spine.

Belladonna continued speaking as though demonstrating a mathematical equation.

"Once the contract is complete..." She walked slowly around him. "...the contractee no longer possesses the right to refuse."

My hand found the hidden mark beneath my uniform.

Belladonna stopped. She slipped one shoe from her foot and held the foot out in front of him.

"Lick it."

The man gently lifted her foot into his hands. There wasn't a trace of embarrassment on his face or reluctance. Only obedience. He began carefully licking the pale skin as though he was devouring the finest meal.

Belladonna didn't even look at him.

Instead, she addressed the class.

"Many humans mistakenly believe the contract ends once payment has been exchanged." A faint smile crossed her lips. "That..."

She glanced down at the kneeling man.

"...is merely the beginning."

My stomach lurched. Without realising it, I'd dug my fingernails into my own palm.

Somewhere...

Someone held my contract.

Someone believed they owned me.

Belladonna gently withdrew her foot. The man remained kneeling until she spoke again.

"Rise."

He obeyed instantly.

She smiled warmly.

"Always remember." Her crimson gaze swept across the lecture theatre. "Contracts are never free."

She paused.

"The contractor gains power." Her eyes found mine once more. "The contractee surrenders something far more precious."

A long silence filled the chamber.

"...Their freedom."

No one around me seemed disturbed. Students calmly packed away notebooks. Some were even discussing the lecture.

I couldn't move. My hand remained pressed against the mark hidden beneath my uniform. For the first time, I truly understood why Xael had looked so worried.

If whoever owned my contract ever found me...

They wouldn't kill me.

They wouldn't need to.

They'd simply take back what they already believed belonged to them.