By the time the three of us reached the Grand Hall, I was fairly certain we’d walked across several countries.

After I’d finally escaped into a long, desperately needed bath and Lilith had declared I no longer resembled something the hellhounds spat out, she’d enthusiastically insisted on showing me every corner of the academy before classes began the following morning. It probably would’ve been less exhausting if she’d worked through the buildings one at a time. Instead, she’d drag me halfway across the grounds, suddenly remember somewhere she’d forgotten, and march us all the way back again. Every time I thought we’d finally reached the last stop, she’d gasp dramatically, grab my wrist and announce she’d forgotten the most important place.

Apparently there were a lot of most important places.

I’d seen lecture halls large enough to seat hundreds of students, their ceilings disappearing into darkness above rows of polished desks. We’d wandered through combat arenas where enormous stone platforms floated silently in mid-air, suspended by magic alone, waiting for battles that Lilith assured me were “mostly only life-threatening.” She’d proudly shown me classrooms that looked disturbingly similar to torture chambers, complete with chains, restraints and enough sharp implements to make me question the school’s definition of education. Then there was the classroom with an enormous bed sitting proudly at the front instead of a lectern. Lilith had cheerfully informed me that it was her favourite subject before refusing to elaborate, despite my repeated attempts to ask why. We even visited the library, a labyrinth of towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch on forever. Looking down one aisle, I was almost certain I could’ve disappeared in there for weeks and never found my way back out.

The only places she’d carefully avoided were the nine Kings’ Towers. Apparently nobody was allowed inside unless they’d earned a place within that King’s House. Every tower represented one of the seventy-two noble families, and students talented—or fortunate—enough to be accepted earned the right to replace the crimson trim on their uniforms with the colours of their chosen House. Judging by the way Lilith spoke about it, being selected wasn’t just an achievement. It was everything.

Eventually Lilith clapped her hands together and proudly declared the grand tour complete.

Personally, I’d already accepted that I was almost certainly going to get hopelessly lost within the first five minutes of classes.

Lilith either didn’t notice the growing panic on my face or simply chose to ignore it.

“Now that we’ve finished,” she announced triumphantly, “it’s time for food.”

Considering I hadn’t eaten since… well… before dying…

That sounded like the best idea she’d had all afternoon.

Which was how we found ourselves standing before the largest doors I’d seen since arriving.

Two familiar little doorkeepers stood guard beside them. The moment we approached, they bowed in perfect unison before silently pulling the enormous doors open. I’d learned they were called imps, lesser demons who served the academy. According to Lilith, trying to start a conversation with one was about as useful as talking to a brick wall.

She swept one arm dramatically towards the opening.

“Welcome…” Agrin spread across her face. "…to the Grand Hall.”

For a moment…

I forgot how to breathe.

The hall stretched so far into the distance that the opposite end dissolved into a haze of warm golden light. Towering pillars of polished black marble rose towards a ceiling so impossibly high that it vanished into shadow, while hundreds of crystal lanterns were hang around, producing more light than should be able to. Rich crimson banners bearing unfamiliar crests draped from the pillars, adding splashes of colour to the endless sea of black stone. The entire room hummed with life. Conversations overlapped with laughter, the clatter of cutlery and the occasional burst of cheering until the sound became a constant, welcoming roar.

The hall itself rose through three enormous levels. Broad staircases climbed gracefully to the second floor where balconies overlooked everything below, while the highest level seemed to float above the rest of the room without any obvious means of support. Long polished tables stretched across the floor in neat rows, almost every seat already occupied by students eating, talking or arguing loudly enough that everyone nearby could hear.

The smell hit me the moment I stepped inside. Fresh bread, roasted meat, rich gravies, sweet pastries still warm from the oven mixed with roasted spices and fruit so fresh it made my mouth water.

My stomach answered with a loud growl that echoed far more than I would’ve liked.

Honestly…

It wasn’t surprising. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten.

Then again…

I couldn’t remember much of anything before my rather inconvenient death.

“Every realm contributes recipes.” Lilith smiled proudly as she watched me stare around the hall. “We’ve got cuisine from everywhere.”

She pointed towards one side of the enormous hall.

“The western kitchens mostly prepare dishes from Gehenna, while the eastern kitchens specialise in Celestial cuisine.”

I blinked.

“You mean… angels?”

Lilith pulled a face. "Unfortunately.” She sighed dramatically. “They might be complete arseholes, but even I have to admit they make some incredible food.”

Then her expression brightened again as she pointed towards another long row of serving stations. “But I have a feeling you’re going to love the Earth section.”

My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?” Panic prickled beneath my skin. “I’ve… never actually had any.”

Which wasn’t even technically a lie.

As far as I knew.

Lilith simply laughed. "Exactly.” She hooked her arm through mine before I could think of an excuse. “Everyone loves Earth food.” She grinned. “Come on. Time to educate you.”

The serving area looked more like a bustling marketplace than a dining hall. Instead of one enormous kitchen, dozens of smaller stalls stretched along the wall, each devoted to completely different meals. One displayed mountains of colourful fruit stacked into neat pyramids, another specialised in freshly baked bread whose warm aroma drifted through the air, while others served sizzling cuts of meat, roasted vegetables or steaming bowls of fragrant noodles swimming in rich broths. Everywhere I looked, cooks hurried between bubbling pots and glowing ovens, serving students almost faster than the queues could form.

The smells were overwhelming. Sweet, smoky and a little bit spicy

My stomach gave another loud, impatient growl.

Students wandered between the stalls carrying trays piled so high I wasn’t entirely convinced they could still see where they were going.

“Everything’s included,” Lilith explained as she grabbed a tray before thrusting another into my hands. “As long as you’re a student, you can eat as much as you like.”

“No one goes hungry,” Rivena added as she casually piled several enormous cuts of roasted meat onto her tray.

Lilith nodded solemnly. “Unless you annoy the kitchen staff.”

“What happens then?”

“They give you vegetables.”Rivena nodded seriously.

“The horror.” Lilith laughed

I couldn’t tell if they were joking.

Before I had time to decide, Lilith grabbed my wrist again.

“I know exactly what your first meal should be.”

“You do?”

“Absolutely.”

She marched confidently towards one of the busiest serving stations.

Wrapped in neat paper sat dozens upon dozens of identical little bundles stacked into towering piles.

Without hesitation, Lilith grabbed one.

Then another.

Then another.

Then another.

By the time she finally stopped, her tray looked as though it was in genuine danger of collapsing.

I looked down at mine.

Then cautiously picked up a single wrapped parcel.

That seemed reasonable.

Lilith stared at it. Then slowly shook her head. “No.”

Before I could react, she added another.

“And no.”

Another.

“And definitely no.”

One more landed on my tray.

“You’ll regret stopping at one.”

“What exactly are they?”

“Hamburgers.” She smiled proudly. “One of Earth’s greatest achievements.”

I looked down at the paper-wrapped bundle.

It didn’t exactly scream greatest achievement.

Still…

Considering how hungry I was, I wasn’t about to argue.

We eventually found an empty table near one of the towering windows.

Rivena was already seated, her tray almost entirely hidden beneath enough roasted meat to feed a small family.

Beside her sat someone I hadn’t met before.

He had untidy black hair that fell across pale grey eyes, giving him the permanently sleepy appearance of someone who’d rather be literally anywhere else. His skin was almost as pale as Kian’s, though where Kian looked intimidating, this boy somehow managed to look permanently exhausted.

“Lucky you,” Lilith announced cheerfully. “Ashe, this is Eryx.” She pointed towards him. “Eryx, meet our new roommate.”

He slowly lifted his head. “…What about—” His eyes landed on me.

The question died instantly.

“…Actually.” He quietly looked back down at his food. “It’s probably better if I don’t know.”

Nobody explained what he’d almost said.

Instead, Rivena casually changed the subject. “So…” She stabbed another piece of meat with her fork. “What do you reckon Kaidros is going to do to them?”

“I’d run,” Eryx answered without looking up. 

Lilith nodded thoughtfully. “Same.”

I had absolutely no idea who—or what—they were talking about.

Rather than interrupt again, I decided food was probably the safer option.

Carefully unwrapping the paper, I found a round bread roll holding a thick piece of sizzling meat together with melted cheese and vegetables.

It smelled incredible.

I lifted it towards my mouth.

The first bite nearly made my eyes close. The bread was soft. The meat was unbelievably juicy. Rich flavours exploded across my tongue, followed by sharp cheese and a sauce that somehow tied everything together perfectly.

I barely swallowed before taking another bite.

Then another.

By the time I’d demolished the first hamburger, my hand had already reached for the second before I realised the conversation around the table had gone completely silent.

I looked up.

Three pairs of eyes were staring directly at me.

Lilith rested her chin on one hand, smirking triumphantly. “I told you they were good.”

I quickly swallowed. “They’re delicious.”

Eryx looked genuinely horrified. “I still can’t believe people willingly eat those.”

Lilith immediately folded her arms. “What’s not to love?” 

She gestured dramatically towards my food. “It’s meat.” Another gesture. “It’s bread.” Then she pointed triumphantly at the hamburger itself. “Perfection.”

She turned back towards me. “Tell him I’m right.”

I looked down at the half-eaten burger.

Then back at the three expectant faces watching me.

“It’s…” I shrugged. “…pretty good.”

Silence.

Then all three burst into laughter.

Lilith wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

“That,” she said between laughs, “was definitely your first hamburger.”

I frowned. “…Was it that obvious?”

Then, without warning, every conversation in the hall died. The laughter. The clatter of cutlery. Even the footsteps echoing across the stone floor.

Everything stopped.

The only sound left was the scrape of hundreds of chairs as every student rose to their feet almost in perfect unison.

I looked around in confusion.

Every single student on the first and second floors was standing.

Before I could ask why, Lilith grabbed my sleeve and hauled me upright.

“Stand,” she whispered sharply, never taking her eyes off the third floor.

I followed her gaze.

Above us stretched an elaborate gallery overlooking the entire Grand Hall. A long table occupied the centre, behind it stood nine magnificent chairs carved from black stone, each more ornate than the last. Hanging behind them were nine banners, each bearing the crest of one of the King’s Houses.

A door opened and nine figures entered. Four approached from one side. Five from the other.

Although they wore the same academy uniform as everyone else, each jacket was trimmed with a different colour instead of crimson.

The student in the centre reached his chair first. Dmitri. The same boy I’d met outside Headmaster Xael’s office.

He sat.

Only after he had taken his seat did the other eight sit beside him.

A servant filled his glass. Dmitri casually lifted it and swirled the liquid around before he took one sip.

As though someone had broken a spell, the entire hall erupted back to life. All students sat. Conversations resumed. Plates clattered.

Within seconds it was as though nothing had happened.

I frowned as I took my seat. "Who are they?”

Eryx sighed through a mouthful of food. "The King’s Representatives.”

I must still have looked confused because Rivena continued.

“They’re the highest-ranking students in the academy. They like to think they’re the strongest,” she added with a shrug. “Most of them are expected to inherit leadership of their Houses one day.”

“Or they’d like to think they will,” Lilith muttered, glaring towards the gallery. “Some people forget they’ve got older siblings who could flatten them without trying.”

“Who might you be talking about, dear sister?”

The voice came from directly behind us.

Lilith visibly stiffened.

I instinctively looked back towards the gallery.

One chair sat empty.

Slowly…

I turned around.

Dmitri was standing beside our table. He smiled pleasantly, which for some reason made him even more unsettling.

“It definitely wasn’t about you, brother,” Lilith said with a strained smile. “You know how much I adore you.”

“Of course.”

His smile never slipped.

“So…” He turned his attention to me. “I thought I’d introduce myself properly now that the mutt isn’t hovering over you.”

The instant he said mutt, Lilith’s expression darkened.

Rivena stopped eating.

Even Eryx looked uncomfortable.

Dmitri either didn’t notice or simply didn’t care.

“I’m Dmitri Paimon.”He gave a small, mocking bow.“King's reprasentative of House Paimon." His crimson eyes settled on me. “And you must be…”

“Ashe Gaap.” The words escaped before I could think.

He looked me up and down slowly. 

“So.” One eyebrow rose. “Another mongrel?”

I opened my mouth. “I—”

He lifted a hand.

“Actually…” A look of open contempt crossed his face. “Don’t answer.” His smile returned. “I doubt you’ll be around long enough for it to matter.”

My temper flared before my brain had a chance to stop it.

“And who says you get to decide how long I stay?” The words left my mouth.

Silence followed.

The colour drained from Lilith’s face.

Rivena stared at me in horror.

Eryx slowly lowered his fork.

…Oh.

I’d said something wrong.

Very wrong.

I braced myself, expecting shouting or some kind of punishment.

Instead…

Dmitri laughed. It wasn't loud.  Just enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“Interesting.” He folded his arms. “Either you’re remarkably brave…” His smile widened. “…or you’re exactly as ignorant as every other mongrel.”

He stepped closer.

“You see, Miss Gaap.” His voice remained perfectly polite. “You’ll need my approval before you’re accepted into House Paimon.”

He tilted his head.

“And somehow…” His eyes travelled over me again. “I don’t see that happening.”

He leaned down until his lips were only inches from my ear.

“If you fail…” His voice dropped to a whisper. “…you’ll be expelled.”

He chuckled softly.

“And once you are…” His breath brushed against my ear. “…there won’t be anyone left to protect you.”

He paused.

“Although…” Another amused smile. “I suppose I could always hire you as a bed warmer.”

Heat rushed into my face.

Before I even realised what I was doing, my hand had clenched into a fist.

I was going to punch him.

Lilith caught my wrist beneath the table before I could move.

“Don’t,” she breathed.

I swallowed my anger. Barely. Instead, I forced a smile.

“Well…” I met his eyes. “Perhaps you could teach me.”

He blinked.

“So I know exactly what your standards are.”

For the first time since he’d arrived…

Dmitri looked genuinely surprised. Then he laughed. A proper laugh this time.

“I like that.” He straightened. “I do enjoy people who mistake confidence for ability.”

He turned away from the table.

“But don’t worry.” He glanced back over one shoulder. “I’ll make sure your first lesson is… memorable.”

Without another word, he walked away.

The moment he disappeared, the three of them all let out the breaths they’d been holding.

Lilith buried her face in both hands. “…Ashe.”

“What?”

“You challenged Dmitri.”

“I know.”

“You flirted with Dmitri.”

“I what?”

Rivena stared at me like I’d just jumped off the academy roof for fun. “You literally invited him to teach you in private.”

“I didn’t—” I tried to explain.

Eryx pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please tell me you at least know what he meant by ‘mongrel.’”

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

“…No.”

The three of them groaned in perfect unison.

I looked between their horrified faces.

Right.

Somehow…

I’d managed to insult the King’s Representative, accidentally flirt with him…

…and I still had absolutely no idea what a mongrel was.

It was becoming painfully obvious that pretending to be a demon was going to be much harder than I’d thought.