Page 8 of My Demon Teacher

Everyone seems to have more freedom than I’ve had in my life.

It’s almost weird navigating the streets, the world, and magic without a voice in the back of my head calling me home.

It’s strange not feeling the pain of disobeying Kevin and Mason’s orders, not having to subjugate myself to them before bedtime. It’s almost as if…as if I’ve escaped, and one day, any day now, they’ll find me and take me back home.

They can’t get me anymore. They can’t get me ever again.

I sigh and walk through the doors.

The old gymnasium isn’t hard to find. It stands tall and imposing quite a bit away from the main castle. I’m not sure what makes it old. It doesn’t look dilapidated. It doesn’t look neglected. I guess until I go to the new gym, I won’t know why this one was abandoned.

The doors are open and loud music blasts my ears when I go through them. It takes me by surprise because there was absolute, eery even, silence before I went in.

The benefits of being surrounded by magical people, I guess.

Blue and red lights wash the gym in a dizzying show and dozens of students dance to the music, not paying me any mind, which is how I like it.

A familiar shifts back and forth into her wolf form as I pass by her and her gang of friends while a few ravens and eagles chase one another over our heads. A tall boy with long blond hair and pointy ears smiles at me. He looks like he came straight out of the Lord of the Rings. I wonder if that’s the vibe he’s going for because most elves don’t abide by the fantasy fiction stereotypes.

Three people are making out in the back. I give them a once-over before I realize their clothes are…nowhere to be seen. Two guys with a girl in the middle who looks more than content to be the filling of that particular sandwich. An incubus, maybe? They’re impossible to please sexually, or so I’ve heard.

“Taylor! Glad you came!”

I turn to find Ryan, unable to hide my disdain at the name.

“It’s Jung. Yu-jin Jung. And thanks. I’m glad I came too.”

If his whole eldritch spiel turns out to be false, this will still have been worth it. I’ve never been surrounded by so many witches and Nightcrawlers, especially ones with their powers on full display.

“I’m sorry. I thought—” He slaps my back by way of apology, and I have to roll my eyes.

Does he think that shows remorse?

“It’s okay. You couldn’t have known.”

I mean, he could if he’d asked. But I’m not going to make a big deal out of that. I need to be in his good books until I find out what he knows about my power.

“What do you think? It’s nice, huh?”

I look away from the incubus and her two lovers and nod.

“Yeah. Do you guys do this often?”

Ryan shrugs.

“Often enough. Want some?” He holds a beer out, and I take it but don’t drink it. I have no intention of touching it.

“Thanks.” I’m no saint, but I want to have my full senses in case I need to intervene or run.

Ryan watches me and starts dancing. I move my upper body. What else can I do? I have to pretend I’m here to party.

I bring the bottle to my lips and pretend to sip, and Ryan seems to relax his gaze on me.

“I bet you’re thinking about the eldritch invocation.”

I shrug.

“Oh, right. Are you still doing that?”