Page 17 of Darkness Defined

“That’s Alexi Roman?”

“Yes.” My gaze continued to rove over the gathered crowd. The group was made up almost entirely of guys with only a few token girls.

“I’ve got you.” Anne placed a decisive check on her clipboard. “Looks like you’re the last.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be late. We lost track of time while I was giving my mom a tour. I hope it hasn’t been too much of an inconvenience.”

“You’re fine. I’ll be surprised if Vera is on time herself. I mean, Miss Scry,” Anne amended with a smile. “Don’t worry, everyone has freaked a little. It’s different being around someone of your own race, especially if you never have before.”

It was mildly comforting to know I wasn’t the only one who’d been taken aback.

“Honestly, only a couple of kids didn’t react at all, including the first kid to get here. Poor thing. Vera dropped him off this morning, and he’s been waiting all day. Anyway, take a seat or stand, whatever your preference.” She scanned her list one more time, then set it down on the small podium and walked off.

I waited until the crowd obscured her, then scooted closer to her vacated post. A cursory glance showed over a dozen names. I double checked to make sure no one was watching me and gave the list a closer look. Beside many of the names were numbers, though not in any order I could discern, as well as a few question marks. My jaw might have actually dropped when I realized they were indications of possible power levels. I glanced around the room even more in awe. No one here was below a fifteen. There was enough power in this room to take out the entire building, if not a good portion of the campus.

I blanched at that and sought my name. The number nine stood out in bold. For a second, the entire room seemed to swim. I wasn’t just strong; I was powerful.

I stepped away before someone could notice me snooping. I meandered closer to the crowd, still debating on whether to engage, when a couple of voices caught my attention. They stood off to the side and seemed to be looking at someone.

“Yeah, he was here when I arrived. Hasn’t said two words to anyone.” The comment belonged to a guy just shy of my height, with dull blond hair and an angular face. He sucked his teeth. “Probably thinks he’s better than the rest of us.”

His companion’s face screwed into a scowl, highlighting his pronounced acne. “Wouldn’t you if the most notorious Shadow Demon in history personally picked you up?”

The first guy smacked his sandy-haired friend’s arm and pointed. “Look, George is going to get a piece of him.” The two snickered. I looked around, but had no idea who George was or his intended victim. How was it they did? Had they met before coming to Arminius?

I was searching the vicinity the blond guy had pointed when a guy who I assumed was George stepped into my line of sight. His bulk was imposing, to say the least. He looked like one of those American football players you see in movies, and when he opened his mouth, he sounded like it, too.

“Hey, you. Who do you think you are?” George paused as if waiting for a response, though I still couldn’t see who he was addressing. “Hey! I’m talking to you.” His voice carried enough that it got most of everyone’s attention, and several heads turned towards the commotion.

I slid around a few people to get a better look. Sadly, they moved as well. Now I could see George’s profile, but not who he seemed to believe was slighting him.

“What was that? I didn’t catch it.” Another pause. “Are you dumb or something? I asked, who do you think you are?” He reached out and pushed whoever he was talking to, and the guy stumbled right into my line of sight.

My breath caught. He was gorgeous.

For a moment, my heart didn’t even bother to beat. I swallowed, taking in every inch of him, from his dark, unkempt hair to the brilliant blue eyes that flashed with defiance. He was several inches shorter than me, and perfect in every way imaginable. My mouth went dry. Love at first sight was something for fairy tales, but I was two seconds away from being a full believer.

“I said, my name is Matt. I’m no one.”

I seriously doubted that, considering my heart was still struggling to find a steady rhythm.

“That’s right. You’re no one.” George pushed him again.

Matt scowled. “Do you have a problem with me?”

“Yeah, I do.” George closed the distance he’d made. “Why did Vera bring you here herself? What makes you so special?”

“Nothing.” Matt braced himself like he knew the guy was gonna take a swing at him.

George snarled. “Liar.” George made to push him again, but Matt shifted and he missed. Wrong move.

I took a step forward, prepared to intervene, then paused. This wasn’t like me. I didn’t get into fights. Ever. Yet, even with all of my beliefs that violence wasn’t the answer, there was no way I could just stand here and let this guy get pummeled.

“I am not,” Matt insisted. “Leave. Me. Alone.”

“Or what?” George countered.

Before George could actually hit him, I spoke up. “Cut it out. He didn’t do anything to you.”