The heavy office door clicked shut behind me.

For a heartbeat I simply stood there, staring at the two twisted little doorkeepers as they bowed before returning to their statuesque stillness. It felt absurd that only a few minutes ago creatures like them would’ve sent me screaming. Now they barely registered compared to everything else I’d just learned.

Kian was already halfway down the spiral staircase. Apparently waiting for people wasn’t one of his better qualities.

Suppressing a groan, I hurried after him, taking the steps two at a time just to stop him from disappearing completely.

The staircase somehow felt longer on the way down. My bare feet slipped against the worn stone often enough that I kept one hand trailing along the wall to steady myself. By the time I finally reached the bottom, my legs were burning.

I looked up.

Kian was gone.

Every corridor looked exactly the same.

Cold panic settled into my stomach.

“What are you doing?” The familiar gruff voice echoed from somewhere to my right.

I spun around.

Kian stood halfway down one of the corridors, arms folded, golden eyes fixed on me with obvious impatience.

“If you get lost this easily,” he said, “I’m leaving you behind next time.”

A dozen replies immediately came to mind. None of them were particularly polite. Instead, I swallowed them and hurried after him.

The moment I caught up, he turned and continued walking as though the delay had never happened.

Another pair of enormous doors waited at the end of the corridor, watched over by yet another pair of grey doorkeepers. They bowed the instant Kian approached and silently pulled the doors open.

Without breaking stride, he walked straight through.

I hurried after him.

Cool air rushed across my face.

I stopped so abruptly I nearly walked stumbled over my own feet.

The courtyard I’d first arrived in had seemed enormous.

This made it look tiny.

Wide stone paths stretched away in every direction, weaving between towering black spires that climbed high into the crimson sky. Each tower bore a vast banner hanging from its upper walls, the heavy fabric stirring lazily in the breeze. Every banner carried a different silver crest. Some bore crowned beasts I’d never seen before, others displayed hammers, swords, wings or symbols too intricate for me to understand. They stood like silent giants watching over everything below.

“…Those are the Kings’ Towers.”

I blinked.

Kian had actually spoken first.

“If you survive your first few months,” he continued, “you might earn a place in one.” His voice trailed off.

“Though Xael’s asking a lot from a…” He stopped himself.

For the briefest moment, something softened in his eyes. Something like sympathy flickered in his eyes. It disappeared almost as quickly as it had come.

“What does that mean?” I asked, unable to keep the defensiveness from my voice.

Kian looked away. “Nothing.”

He started walking again.

When I didn’t move, he sighed. “Come on.”

I followed.

The path curved behind the enormous towers, the sounds of distant conversations drifting on the breeze. Silver-barked trees lined the walkways, their crimson and violet leaves shimmering overhead, while unfamiliar flowers in shades of deep blue, scarlet and purple filled carefully tended gardens.

It was beautiful.

Beautiful enough that it almost made me realise that I wasn't on Earth any more.

“Not everyone earns a place in one of the Kings’ Towers,” Kian said eventually.

He still hadn’t looked back.

“As a member of House Gaap, you need to be accepted into House Paimon.” He paused as his shoulders tighten. “If you aren’t your new little family will disapear.”

That finally pulled my attention away from the scenery.

“…What?”

“You have to be a part of the king's house that your family serves and Gaap serves Paimon.” His tone remained flat. “So you will have to get into use your power to get into the strongest king house..”

“You don’t have much faith in me, do you?”

“None.” The answer came without hesitation. 

I let out a strangled noise somewhere between a groan and a scream.

Kian glanced back.

Then…

To my complete disbelief he laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

He shook his head. “You seem stubborn, so I'm sure you’ll survive.”

The path continued winding between gardens and smaller buildings until the towering spires disappeared behind us.

Only then did I realise there was an entire village tucked away beyond them.

Dozens of smaller stone houses stood beneath the crimson sky, connected by winding paths and flower gardens. Scarlet ivy climbed polished black stone walls, lanterns hung beneath dark timber roofs, and warm light spilled from open windows. It looked less like military barracks and more like a quiet town hidden inside the shadow of a castle.

“So…” I searched for the first harmless question I could think of to break the awkward silence. “Who was Theran?”

Kian stopped walking. The warmth disappeared from the air. He turned slowly. His golden eyes locked onto mine.

Instinct made me take a step backwards.

“Don’t.” His voice was little more than a growl. “Say that name.”

The hairs rose on the back of my neck.

“If you can’t keep up with your classes,” he continued quietly, “you’ll either die…” He took one slow step closer. “…or you’ll be expelled.”

The way he said the last word made it sound infinitely worse.

“If that happens…” His eyes never left mine. “…Xael will kill you himself before he lets you expose what you are.”

Every response I’d been about to make vanished.

“If you understand…” He waited. “…nod.”

I swallowed. Then gave the smallest nod I could manage.

His expression eased. “Good.”

Without another word, he turned and continued walking.

I remained rooted to the spot for another heartbeat before hurrying after him.

What the hell had just happened?

The rest of the walk passed in silence. Mostly because I had no intention of accidentally saying another forbidden name.

Eventually the path ended before one of the smaller houses.

Kian pushed open the front door and stepped aside. “Hurry up,” he muttered. “I’d rather get this over with.”

I shot him the fiercest glare I could manage.

He didn’t even blink.

With an annoyed sigh, I forced my aching legs to move again.

Inside, the building opened into a massive common room that buzzed with life. Plush sofas and lounge chairs had been scattered into small groups where students lounged with books or chatted amongst themselves. Several long wooden tables filled the back of the room, occupied by groups who appeared to be locked in fierce card games, their laughter echoing off the polished black brick walls. Along one side stretched a long counter lined with shelves of colourful bottles that looked suspiciously like a tavern, while opposite it hung a large glowing pane suspended against the wall. Moving images drifted silently across its surface, changing every few moments as dozens of students sat watching it from nearby couches. Warm lantern light reflected from the crimson carpets beneath our feet, while the familiar sweet, spicy floral scent lingered in the air, mixing with the aroma of fresh bread, roasted meat and something sweet baking somewhere deeper inside the building. It felt less like student housing and more like a small village gathered beneath one roof.

Every conversation seemed to stop for just a heartbeat as we entered.

“…Why is everyone so ridiculously good-looking?” I muttered under my breath.

Apparently not quietly enough.

Kian shot me an unimpressed look.

At the same time, dozens of heads turned towards me.

My stomach dropped.

Everywhere I looked, impossibly beautiful faces stared back at me. Some looked curious, others confused, while a few simply watched with open amusement. Suddenly, I became painfully aware of my appearance. My dress was little more than a filthy rag stiff with dried river sludge, my bare feet were blackened with dirt, and my hair probably looked as though I’d lost a fight with a hurricane.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing the floor would swallow me whole.

Then eyes landed on Kian and almost as one, the room lost interest as everyone returned to what they had been doing. Only then did I realise I’d been holding my breath.

“You’ll have to get used to that,” Kian said without slowing.

“I hate to break it to you,” I muttered, hurrying after him, “but I don’t think I ever will.”

He didn’t answer. Whether that was because he had nothing to say or because he’d already stopped listening, I couldn’t tell.

He led me up a broad staircase overlooking the common room before turning into a quieter corridor. The sounds of laughter and conversation quickly faded behind us, replaced by the muffled creak of floorboards beneath our feet. Doors lined both sides of the hallway, each carved from polished black timber with twisting vines and flowering branches worked into the wood so skilfully they almost looked alive.

Eventually Kian stopped before one of them.

Four bronze nameplates had been fixed neatly beside the handle.

Three already bore names.

Lilith.

Rivena.

Eryx.

The fourth remained blank.

Kian raised one hand and knocked firmly.

Almost instantly, an overly cheerful voice called from inside. “Come in!”

Without waiting for another invitation, Kian pushed the door open.

Warm air washed over me as soon as the door opened, carrying the comforting scent of cedarwood and something sweet that reminded me of burnt honey.

Kian stepped inside before pausing just long enough for me to follow.

The room was much larger than I’d expected. Instead of a cramped dormitory, it felt more like a small apartment shared by friends. A cosy lounge occupied the centre, worn sofas gathered around a low table cluttered with books, mugs and half-finished snacks. Beyond it sat a compact kitchen, while one wall had been completely claimed by several desks overflowing with open books, loose papers and bottles of ink. At the back of the room, two raised platforms held four separate beds tucked into alcoves. Each bed could be hidden behind sheer crimson curtains that offered privacy without completely closing the space off. Between the sleeping areas stood another doorway where deep crimson tiles caught the lantern light, making me guess it led to a bathroom.

“Kian!”

A blur of black and crimson shot across the room.

Before I even realised someone had moved, a girl had launched herself at him, wrapping both arms tightly around his waist with enough force that I thought she might actually knock him over. Long raven-black hair spilled over his shoulders while brilliant ruby eyes sparkled up at him.

“You finally came to visit me.”

Kian sighed with the exhausted resignation of someone who had clearly survived this exact situation hundreds of times before.

The girl rose onto her tiptoes, tilting her face towards his.

He immediately turned his head.

Instead of kissing his lips, she planted one squarely on his ear.

“Oh, you’re no fun.”

She giggled before looping her arms around his neck and leaning closer until barely an inch separated their faces. For the briefest moment, her ruby eyes shimmered with a soft pink light that almost seemed to glow from within.

Kian didn’t so much as blink.

“Lilith,” he said flatly as he peeled her arms away from him, “you know those tricks don’t work on me.”

Her lips instantly curled into the world’s most dramatic pout. “But you know how much I want you.”

“Grow up.” His answer came with another growl. “You’re my sister.” He gently pushed her back another step. “And I’m here on business.”

“What business?”

She folded her arms beneath a rather impressive chest, narrowing suspicious ruby eyes at him. Like everyone else I’d seen here, she wore a black-and-crimson uniform, though hers looked as though it had been designed specifically to attract attention. The fitted jacket hugged every curve while the skirt was so scandalously short it barely covered anything, held together with garters that disappeared into dark stockings. Standing beside her, I suddenly became painfully aware that I looked like a drowned scarecrow wrapped in a muddy curtain.

Kian tipped his head towards me.

Only then did she seem to notice I existed.

He offered me an apologetic glance before looking back at her. “I’m here on Xael’s orders.”

Lilith studied me for several long seconds, suspicion slowly creeping across her face. “…Don’t tell me.”

Kian nodded once. “I’m delivering your new roommate.”

Her smile remained frozen exactly where it was. Only now it looked slightly dangerous. “…New roommate?”

Kian nodded again.

“I thought…” She frowned. “Isn’t it a little early?”

He shrugged. “You know how Xael is.”

Lilith closed her eyes before letting out a long, theatrical sigh. “My brother really doesn’t know how to let the dead rest.”

I almost choked on the cough that escaped me.

So…

That must have been Theran. The person Kian had practically threatened me over mentioning.

The smile returned to Lilith’s face so quickly it almost gave me whiplash.

She bounced over before I had time to prepare myself.

Suddenly both my hands were trapped inside hers.

She leaned so close our noses were almost touching. Warm floral perfume surrounded me, sweet with the same hint of spice that seemed to linger everywhere in this place.

“I’m Lilith Paimon.” Her smile somehow became even brighter. “I hope we’re going to be the very best of friends.”

That faint pink glow flickered through her eyes again.

I blinked.

Was…

Was I supposed to say something?

A strange warmth fluttered through my chest for a moment before disappearing just as quickly.

Lilith’s smile faltered. She tilted her head. Then tried again. “We’re going to be best friends.”

I stared blankly.

“…Uh…” Unable to think of any better response, I awkwardly nodded. “Sure?”

Confusion spread across her face.

Behind me, Kian let out an exhausted sigh.

“Lilith.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I think you’re making her uncomfortable.”

She immediately released my hands before taking two hurried steps backwards. “My charm didn’t work.”

She sounded genuinely offended.

Kian looked towards me with an actual apologetic look. 

"Sorry.” He jerked a thumb towards Lilith. “Just ignore her whenever she starts trying to charm people. She likes seeing how long it takes before they become hopelessly devoted to her.”

“Yeah,” another voice called from one of the desks, “last month she convinced a fourth-year to spend an entire afternoon pretending to be her chair.”

I turned.

Another girl about my age leaned comfortably against one of the desks. Copper-coloured hair had been tied into a loose half-ponytail, though strands escaped in every direction as though she’d recently lost an argument with a pillow. Unlike Lilith’s effortless elegance, she looked comfortably untidy. Her uniform was worn properly, the skirt reaching just above her knees, while curious amber-gold eyes studied me with open interest.

“Rivena Vapula.” She gave a small wave before looking towards Kian. “Isn’t it a bit weird getting a transfer weeks after term started?”

“She has… unusual circumstances.”

“So I gathered.” Rivena didn’t press the issue.

Instead, Lilith looked back towards me. “So…” She smiled. “What’s your name?”

Right.

I hadn’t actually introduced myself.

“Ashe…” I started before catching myself. “…Ashe Gaap.”

The room fell silent.

“Gaap?” Lilith repeated. She looked towards Kian. "You’re serious?”

He nodded. “She was only found recently.” His eyes briefly met mine. “So she doesn’t know much about demon society.”

Lilith’s eyebrows slowly rose. “…She’s like you?”

Kian’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not saying anything else.” He folded his arms. “If you want answers, ask Xael.”

Lilith snorted. “Like he’d actually tell me.”

Kian rubbed the back of his neck. “Lilith.”

She looked at him instantly.

“Would you do me a favour?”

Her answer came before he’d even finished asking. “Anything.”

His shoulders sagged ever so slightly. “Look after her.”

Lilith blinked. “Seriously?”

“Prince Aerinix has become… attached.” He hesitated just long enough for me to notice. "If Ashe fails because nobody helped her…” A faint grimace crossed his face. “…I’d rather not find out how Aerin reacts.”

I noticed he hadn’t once said he wanted me safe. Instead, he’d blamed Aerin. Somehow, that felt very Kian.

Lilith’s expression softened. “I can do that.”

“Good.” Kian looked towards me. “There should be a uniform in the chest at the foot of your bed.” He pointed towards one of the lower bunks. “Your timetable, textbooks and everything else you’ll need are already on your desk.”

Then he nodded towards Lilith.

“If you need help…” His golden eyes shifted towards her. “…ask her.”

Without another word, he turned towards the door.

Lilith hurried after him. “Kian!” She caught his wrist before he could leave. “You’re leaving already?”

He let out another weary sigh. "You know I can’t stay.”

“Ignore Dmitri.” For the first time, the teasing disappeared from her voice. “You’re my brother.”

Something flickered across Kian’s face.

Gone almost before I could recognise it.

“Don’t say things like that.” His voice had become noticeably quieter. “Just…” He looked away. “…act like a proper Lady of Paimon.” His jaw tightened. “It’ll make your life easier.”

He gently slipped free from her grip before glancing back towards me.

“If there’s an emergency…” He paused. “…go straight to Xael.”

Then he walked out.

The door clicked softly shut behind him.

Lilith remained staring at it for another moment before spinning around to face me, her smile already returning.

“So…” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “You’re a secret Gaap lovechild?”

I blinked.

Considering I had absolutely no idea what Kian meant by me being “like him,” pretending that was true suddenly seemed like my safest option.

So…

I smiled awkwardly and said nothing.

Lilith took my silence as confirmation. “I knew it.”

She nodded confidently.

“So!” She clapped her hands together. “How much of the school have you seen?”

“Almost nothing.” I laughed quietly. “Pretty much just Headmaster Xael’s office and here.”

I thought back to chasing after Kian.

“He walks far too fast to appreciate the scenery.”

Lilith burst into laughter. “Oh, that sounds exactly like him.”

She walked over to the foot of one of the beds where a large wooden chest sat waiting.

After rummaging through it for a few moments, she pulled out a neatly folded uniform before tossing it towards me.

I caught it awkwardly against my chest.

The fabric felt impossibly soft beneath my fingers.

“First things first.” She pointed towards the crimson-tiled doorway. “We need to stop you looking like the hellhounds have been using you as a chew toy.”

Honestly…

That seemed fair.

Without another word, I clutched the uniform and hurried into the bathroom before anyone else could decide to hug me.

The room beyond was almost as large as the common area itself. Deep crimson tiles covered every wall, polished until they gleamed beneath softly glowing lanterns. One entire side of the room was occupied by an enormous bath carved directly into black stone. It was so large I could have mistaken it for a small swimming pool. Dragon heads jutted from the walls above it, crystal-clear water pouring continuously from their open mouths into the steaming pool below.

I cautiously dipped my fingers into the water.

Perfectly warm like someone was just waiting for me to need it.

The opposite wall held a long row of polished basins beneath a mirror so large it stretched almost from one end of the room to the other.

Slowly, I peeled the ruined dress away from my body.

The stiff fabric clung stubbornly to my skin, forcing me to tug it free where dried mud, blood and purple river sludge had glued it in place.

Finally…

I looked up.

I didn’t recognise the girl staring back.

Long silver hair stuck out wildly in every direction beneath layers of dried mud and tangled river slime. One eye shone a brilliant sapphire blue while the other was a warm reddish brown, making the mismatch look even stranger against skin so pale it almost glowed beneath the lantern light. Dried blood streaked across my arms and shoulders, mixing with dirt until I looked less like someone who belonged inside this beautiful place and more like something that had crawled out of the river itself.

Then my eyes drifted lower.

I froze.

Right above my heart spread a crimson wound. It looked raw and fresh. As though someone had reached inside my chest…

…and torn my heart out.

My trembling fingers brushed the mark.

There was no pain. The skin was perfectly smooth. And warm.

Leaning closer, I realised the wound wasn’t alone.

Hidden beneath the crimson scar were faint golden symbols, so delicate I almost missed them. They twisted together into unfamiliar characters that shimmered softly beneath my skin.

I traced one with my fingertip.

A sharp tingling shot through my hand.Like touching static and I jerked my hand back.

A hollow laugh escaped me. Resting my forehead against the cool mirror, I closed my eyes.

“Nice work,” I whispered to the stranger staring back at me. My fingers found the glowing mark once more. “Whatever you did…” I shook my head. “…you’ve made an absolute mess of things.”

There was no changing the past.

I couldn’t even remember it.

All I could do now was survive.

Pretend to be a demon.

Find out who—or what—had branded my soul.

And make sure it never got the chance to collect what it believed already belonged to it.