Aidan woke up to a pounding in his head and his stomach felt on fire. When he tried to sit up, an unwanted groan escaped him.

When he managed to open his eyes, he wasn’t all that surprised to see piercing silver staring back at him.

“Rise and shine,” Fabien whispered as he placed a gentle hand against Aidan’s cheek before letting it drop.

“You saved my life, didn’t you?” Aidan questioned after he pulled himself into a sitting position.

“I couldn’t exactly let my roommate die. It would be a terrible start to my academic career.”

Aidan made a face before meeting Fabien’s eyes. “Thank you.” 

“You should be more than thanking me,” Fabien snapped. “Do you have any idea what could have happened? You used magic powerful enough to defeat the Director let alone actual Demon Hunters. Do you know what—”

“NO!” Aidan shouted, anger tinting his voice. “I don’t know what happened and I had no idea I’m that powerful. What was I supposed to do? Let the demons have their way with me?”

Fabien met Aidan’s dark eyes and leaned forward, his elbows resting on the edge of the bed. “Dying isn’t fun so I wouldn’t encourage that kind of behavior. I also hid the trace your magic left to avoid any issues should anyone decide to investigate the scene.” 

Aidan narrowed his eyes in irritation. “How did you do that?” 

“If you want me to teach you, remember my condition.” Fabien taunted as he leaned closer.

Aidan rolled his eyes before pushing Fabien away. “I thank you for saving my life. Now go to sleep and get some rest. I imagine tomorrow won’t be any easier.”

“Whatever you say, Aidan.” Fabien whispered before turning out the light and settling down for the night.

~~~

The next morning came bright and early when a persistent knocking on the front door woke a grumpy Aidan and newly refreshed Fabien.

“Why do you look so cheery this early in the morning?” Aidan grumbled after wiping sleep from his eyes and pulling the blanket over his head.

Fabien let out a smirk when he pulled the blanket back and brought his face close to Aidan’s. “Do I need a reason?”

Aidan glowered at Fabien before yanking the covers back in place. “Just answer the damn door.”

Fabien shook his head in amusement before leaving the bedroom and throwing the front door open. The rain had stopped sometime earlier, but it was still gray and cloudy outside.

“Gerelda.” Fabien greeted coolly. 

“Fabien,” Gerelda responded with a smirk. “Where is your sleeping beauty?” 

Fabien raised his eyebrows but gestured that she follow him. 

Gerelda rolled her eyes before entering and following him, setting her sights on Aidan the moment she entered the bedroom. “I know you’re awake.”

Aidan let out a groan of annoyance as he pushed the covers back, taking care to pull himself into a sitting position. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Gerelda.” 

“Oh, stop with the pleasantries. We’re beyond that point.” 

Aidan challenged her stare before saying, “Then what do you want? I don’t have class until one.”

“Aridella sent me.” 

“Why?” 

Gerelda’s eyes narrowed in anger. “You aren’t very pleasant today.” 

Aidan just stared at her. 

“Fine.” Gerelda snapped. “Since you’re both on scholarship, Aridella wants the two of you to focus more on your studies. Specifically, on the myths of angels. There will be another student in the library waiting for you.”

Aidan nodded his agreement with caution in his eyes. It was oddly specific on what they would be studying and he didn’t like it. He would have preferred learning about spells and how to use them, but, then again, he supposed he had no use for that since he could control his magic at will. He didn’t have the same problems as everyone else.

He had watched the other children in the orphanage struggling to control their magic. Aidan had always envied them.

Perhaps, if he wasn’t so powerful—so different—from the others, he might have found some sort of peace in his childhood. However, that wasn’t the case. He was stuck with what life had given him.

“Good,” Gerelda purred. “I thought you were going to be difficult. You have an hour to get there.”

With that, she spun on her heel and left, but not before piercing Aidan with her strange, black eyes.

When she was gone, Aidan pulled off the shirt he had been wearing and examined his stomach, his eyebrows scrunching together in confusion. “It felt much worse than this.”

Fabien sat down opposite Aidan and replied, “That’s because I healed most of it. The pelren nearly sliced your stomach in half.”

Aidan raised his eyebrows. “The what?” 

“Pelren. It’s one of the most common demons roaming this earth. They’re drawn to powerful sources of magic and have been known to attack the unsuspecting human from time to time.” Fabien explained in a quiet voice, carefully watching Aidan.

“Oh.” 

“Oh?” Fabien couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him. His face lit up in a small smile as he met Aidan’s piercing brown eyes.

A blush crept its way onto Aidan’s face the longer he stared into those silver eyes; eyes that looked to be a swirling mass of liquid, constantly moving and taking new form. He had never met anyone with eyes like that.

Fabien leaned forward; eyes expectant. 

Aidan’s eyes widened when he realized he had been staring. He quickly looked away, suddenly very aware that he was shirtless. “We should get going.”

Fabien stared at Aidan until he met his gaze once more. “May I?” 

Aidan felt his face heat when he realized what Fabien meant. “I don’t think…” He trailed off, unsure of what he was about to say.

Fabien lifted a hand and pressed it to Aidan’s shoulder before pulling away and standing. “We best be off.”

Aidan stared at the back of Fabien’s head, emotion warring in his eyes.