Unless, of course, cat-demon lovers have to sell their soul in some kind of catnip ritual. In that case, there's nothing human about a soulless actor.

Four

Cas has made it through three classes and lunch, and now he's dreading what he was actually excited about at the beginning of the day: Combat training. Cas knows how to fight. He often spent his childhood putting his first where his mouth is, and when no one thought he knew anything, he proved that he did. In these fights, though, no one used their abilities.

It's illegal to use your ability to do bodily harm. Unless, of course, you're part of the Guild. The Guild can do anything for the betterment of the country.

Cas enters the barracks, and he sighs in relief when he doesn't see any abnormal things people can whack him with. Kids are goofing off with their friends waiting for the teacher to start class. They all changed into pants and T-shirts. They're barefoot, and girls have their hair tied in a ponytail.

Two things Cas notices?

Salem quietly tying boots on in the corner, earbuds attached to his ears. Why didn't he tell Cas they had the class together? He saw Cas' schedule; he knew.

The second thing Cas notices is that Sebastian is in this class, too. Of course, he is. What could his ability be? If he's in this class, it has to be something elemental, something physical. So help me, if he can control metal, there is nothing that'll save him from Cas hating him forever. Something so perfect shouldn't exist. Except for dragons; they're perfect and should always exist. Dogs should exist, too. No questions asked. Screw cats; dogs will rule the world.

No one will tell Cas that cats were worshipped as gods in Egypt.

"You Cas?" someone says behind him.

Cas turns his head and sees a woman, mid-thirties wearing leggings and a T-shirt, some thigh-high brown high-heeled boots with her long golden hair draped to her waist. She's smoking a cigarette (most certainly against the rules), and her lips are painted with blood-red lipstick.

"Yeah, that's me." If he had a dollar for every time he introduced himself today.

She lifts a well-manicured hand, and Cas takes it. He's shocked at all the calluses. You'd assume a woman looking like that has never worked hard in her life. "I'm Olivia Davenpore, the combat training instructor. I was told of your circumstances and how your ability doesn't fit this class."

"Uh, yeah." Mind manipulation is completely psychological, and to a limit, it can definitely aid in a fight, but it can't be used as a physical weapon.

"So, what can you do with your ability?"

This is probably Cas' least favorite conversation. What can his ability do besides destroy relationships, create trust issues, and violate dark secrets and personal feelings? If Cas used his ability, no one would trust him. No one would like him. I'm not saying people like Cas now, but hatred and great disinterest are two separate things.

"It's hard to explain," Cas says.

"All abilities are," Davenpore reasons.

Cas scoffs. Throwing fireballs is not hard to explain. Neither is levitation or any of the other easy-to-explain abilities.

"I can read minds, explain feelings, make you think something's real, and vise Versa. Basically anything mind related, I could find a way to do it, but there are limitations."

"And what are those?"

"I can only read minds if we create a bond. In which case, I'd uh...I'd have...to, uh..."

He'd have to consume that person's blood; it would, to an extent, make Cas and said person one. Since Cas isn't a fan of vampires, it's safe to say he can't read anyone's mind, yet. He doesn't want to either. I mean, of course, there are times when he'd love to know what someone's thinking, but a bond is permanent. Once it's done, it can't be undone. That would be a violation. Not cool.

"Hey, Davenpore! We starting class or what?" some girl yells.

Davenpore turns to the rest of the class. Cas hopes no one heard their conversation. Unless someone's ability is advanced hearing, he should be safe. "Yes, hold your horses." She turns to Cas, "There's a locker in the boys' locker room with your name on it. Inside has clothes to change into. Change and get back here before you miss anything important. Then we'll have some fun."

"Okay, Class, we have a new student," Davenpore announces once Cas enters the line of boys and girls ready to fight. "You know what that means? We're going to see what he's got. Cas, get up here."

What?

What?

Why does he have to go up? Standing with everyone else sounds pretty comfortable. Can he stay here? Cas wants to stay here. He'll stay here, thanks. Davenpore glares and Cas gulps before walking toward her hesitantly on the dark blue mat. There's a large yellow circle, which is most likely the match ring.

Cas has to fight in there? With everyone watching? Don't they know already Cas is hardly anything special? He's weird, and awkward, and likes dipping marshmallows in Nutella and-

"Vel, why don't you be his partner?"

The class erupts in excitement when Sebastian Velenetene takes a few steps forward.

"You have got to be kidding me," Cas mutters under his breath. There are thirty people in this room and out of the twenty-nine she could've chosen from, Davenpore chose him? What has Cas ever done to deserve to be so unlucky?

This is a genuine question, he's probably done something; Cas just can't remember what.

"Okay, so how a match works, Cas, is when I blow my whistle, anything is fair game. Whoever walks out of the circle first, loses. Abilities are permitted, but any permanent bodily harm, and we'll have problems."

Problems? Problems? Death is permanent bodily harm, and that's only a problem?

Davenpore leaves the ring and Ash takes a fighting stance in front of Cas. Cas mimickes him, albeit reluctantly.

The whistle blows, and Cas swears he never took his eyes off Sebastian, but the pain that shoots through Cas' left jaw is unmistakable. Before he can get another punch in, Cas dodges the attack, Ash's fist just grazing the ends of Cas' longish, unruly hair. Cas needs to remember he's done this before. Multiple times. He knows what blood tastes like and how it feels to have a broken nose.