Shock rippled through me, rooting me to the spot. It wasn’t like I’d never been kissed before, but never by a demon I’d found crash-landed in a forest.

The surprise gave way to a shiver of pleasure as his warm lips parted my own and I felt the tiniest brush of his tongue. Instinct demanded I deepen the kiss—so I did. Valrun made a soft sound that urged me on and I tilted my head for more access, sweeping my tongue over his full bottom lip. His tongue chased mine back and I felt the odd, forked tongue of all demons. It was fascinating, and I wanted to feel more. I pressed closer, my hands finding his chest and—

Remember, get close to who you need to, but trust no one. Don’t forget what school you’re attending.

Mother’s voice rang through my head like an alarm bell, and I pulled abruptly, falling back on my ass in the dirt. Valrun stared at me, his pupils blown wide with desire, something dark and magnetic in his gaze. But I shook off my dirty thoughts and confusion rushed to take their place.

“What the hell was that?” I demanded.

Valrun just smiled. “A thank-you,” he said smoothly. He looked away and the pull in my chest finally snapped. He rubbed his shoulder experimentally. “It feels much better—icing it like that was genius.”

I pushed to my feet and didn’t let myself hesitate helping him get to his—though I had to ignore the sparks lighting up all over me wherever we touched. Devils, what is wrong with me?

But I forced my mind to stay cool and neutral as I examined the wing. “I’m not a healer,” I warned him. “It’s just numb. You should get this looked at.”

But he just gave a half shrug. “I’m fine, this isn’t my first broken wing. It’ll heal by morning.”

“Right…demon,” I said, quickly looking away as he stretched. No one injured should be allowed to be this hot.

He paused and raised an eyebrow. “Does that bother you?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not new to villainy. I’ve met demons before,” I scoffed. His smile said he knew I was lying. “Where do you live? I can walk you back. The ice might start melting…what?”

Valrun was staring at me with a bemused look on his face—and like he wanted to kiss me again, or maybe I was imagining that. “You’re very nice for a villain,” he said, his half smile disarming.

I glared at him. “I am not nice. I’m practical. Now take it back,” I grumbled as I wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him.

He just smirked as he put his arm over my shoulder, enveloping me in warmth—save for the iced wing at our backs. I started to move, but he squeezed and said, “Hold on.”

I looked up in time to see him close his eyes in concentration and then he shifted forward—and the cool weight of his wing disappeared. I almost dropped him, I craned my head around so fast to see. Sure enough, his wings were gone, leaving nothing but swirling tattoos of wings in their place. I pressed my fingers to the right one, ignoring his wince—cold.

“Huh. That’s how that works,” I marveled. “I’ve always wondered.”

Valrun shrugged with both shoulders this time. “I just needed to numb the pain in order to do it.” I nodded, and he stared at me for another second—then smirked again. “You know, I can walk now. I just don’t know where I’m going.”

I realized I was still pressed to his side, my arm wrapped around his bare back, and I stepped away, turning from the light of my fireball to hide the burning in my cheeks. I jerked my head back the way I came and said, “Come on, campus is this way. It’s not far.”

Valrun caught up to me easily, and the walk back was short. It had seemed so much longer when I was running toward his screams. I wanted to ask what he was doing out here in the middle of the night, but was that too direct? I hadn’t decided yet when we made it back through the trees.

“I’m in one of the first-year suites, I know that much,” he said.

“Oh, same,” I told him. He must be of a more powerful lineage too. “Which number are you in?”

His brow furrowed. “Twenty-one,” he said slowly, and I laughed. Somehow I wasn’t surprised. “Let me guess, you too?”

“Nice to meet you, roomie,” I said with a genuine smile. His eyes dropped to my lips and he smiled too.

Bats erupted in my stomach, but I just ducked my head and kept walking. I definitely wasn’t about to encourage him, but it could be nice to have Valrun around—for the mission, of course.

“We’re this way,” I said, cutting across the grass. “Did you already drop off your stuff or…?”

“Oh, no. I sent my stuff ahead, but it’s my first time here. I got caught up and missed orientation.” He grimaced, seeming genuinely worried about orientation, and it was actually kind of cute. If demons could be cute.

Under the brighter hallway lights, I finally realized it wasn’t just the night or blood loss that gave his skin the gray cast—he actually was gray, a soft dove color that looked almost as silky as his skin felt. It was a fight not to study him out of the corner of my eye.

When we got to the room, I pointed to the last door left, which had to be his. “I think I’m going to be up for a bit,” I said with a shrug, even though it was still early and I was exhausted.

Valrun cracked a huge yawn. “I’m definitely turning in for a couple hours.” I nodded, then he surprised me by leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. I felt my face erupt in a fiery flush, and he laughed. “You’re a funny one. A true villainess would be seducing her way into my room right now.”

The flush spread even further, but I still rolled my eyes, feigning nonchalance. “You wish. I’m not that type of villain. Sexpionage isn’t my thing.”

Valrun let out a light, musical laugh. “Sexpionage?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I supposed.” He looked at me, something like delight lighting up his slitted demon eyes. “Well, good night, sexy little spy,” he said, and his eyes dropped back to my lips as something dark entered his voice. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I…didn’t know how to take that—or the way my stomach flipped as he chuckled and finally closed the door between us. I was too restless to go back to bed so I raided the kitchen instead. I knew we didn’t have much in here but—I paused on a box with a note in my mother’s handwriting.

For the daughter of Fortunata, Mistress of Misfortune. Pilfer at your own peril.

I scoffed, because of course she did that, and ripped the note off as I grabbed a pack. At least it was the fancy stuff with all the different seasoning packets she knew I liked. I rummaged until I found a bowl and filled it with water I conjured, then heated to boiling. Devils, my powers were useful.

With spicy steam prickling my nose, I made my way over to the padded window seat and stared through the stained glass out at the grounds. Everything was still dark and quiet, the perfect time for figuring out my next move. I couldn’t just snoop on everyone in my class. All I knew of the mole was that they were coming in as a freshman like me. Perhaps I could break into the Chancellor’s office tomorrow and take a look at the roster, see the breakdown of villains and find out who’d be the most likely traitor.

I groaned. This was not what I wanted to be doing with my time. In the wee hours of the morning in the dark and quiet, I could admit it. I wished I was just a normal villainess, someone who could just hone my dark powers to my heart’s content, no one else’s.

A footfall made me bolt upright and I stared into the shadows of the room, briefly wishing I’d grabbed my dagger. But it was just Cassius.

I didn’t let my surprise show as he came into the meager light. And I definitely didn’t let myself check him out in his sleepwear—gray sweatpants that rode low on his hips and a button-down pajama shirt. But of course he hadn’t used any of the buttons, so every rippling inch of his torso was on display. What is with these guys and being shirtless?

He prowled closer, and I flushed, trying not to count all…six, seven, eight of his abs. He stopped in front of me, his eyes locked on mine, and leaned closer. I sat, frozen as he reached out and—

Plucked my ramen from my hands.

“What the fuck?” I demanded, indignant as he stepped back and twirled my noodles around my fork, then shoved it in his mouth. “That’s mine! Is that all you do? Run around stealing people’s food for kicks?”

Cassius gave a cold laugh. “All food in this kingdom is my food. I’m the prince, after all.”

Stupidly, I felt my hackles go up. He was the prince, and the last person I should be provoking, but that didn’t stop me from scoffing in his face. “It must be nice, having the world at your fingertips. Too bad it made you an asshole.”

He just smirked and took another bite, and then, I’m sure just to piss me off, another. But he finally gave it back and leaned against the wall, seemingly satisfied as he crossed his arms, studying me. I tried not to notice the ripple of his arms as he did. Damn these hot roommates! I busied myself with my noodles, determined to ignore him—so I almost choked when he spoke.

“I know who you are, and why you’re here.”