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She handed me the stack of papers she’d pulled from the drawer. “Welcome to Slaymore, Seta.”
* * *
Slaymore’s campusconsisted of much more than just the Victorian house near the front gate. As I left the house through a back door, I found myself on a massive lawn dotted with students.
A few paranormal species were obvious—vampires with parasols, werewolves in their wolf form, and even a harpy with her wings fully extended while she soaked up the sun. But most people looked like me—human.
Paranormals had learned over the centuries to keep their powers and their less-than-human body parts to themselves. Groups had already begun to form as returning students found their old friends.
I walked past a girl sitting under a tree, utterly absorbed in a book. She didn’t even look up as a werewolf leaped over her head to catch a frisbee. A pang of wistfulness twisted my stomach. Maybe one day I’d be that comfortable here, losing myself in some Marine Mythology project.
On the far side of the lawn, I spotted three buildings. I scanned the map Headmistress Losia had given me. The biggest building was the dormitory, while the smaller two held classes.
There was a saltwater lake for the mermaids and the Mythical Marine Creatures class, but I would be avoiding that as much as possible. The headmistress had given me special directions to a freshwater pond that was part of her personal property and had given me permission to swim in it as often as I needed.
Freshwater didn’t feel as nice as salt water, but I’d need to stretch my tentacles periodically, and I couldn’t risk swimming in the public lake.
There was a wooded area on the other side of the lake. When researching Slaymore, I learned it was full of brownies, pixies, and small paranormal creatures that could be studied in the forest mythology class. Sadly, I doubted I’d be spending much time there since I was a creature of the Deep.
Several students had begun watching me, and I was starting to feel weird about hauling my suitcase around. Nothing screamednew girllike a suitcase and a wondering expression.
I was delaying because I really didn’t want to meet my roommate. I’d never considered that I might have to share my space. Maybe if I appealed—
No nonsense,I told myself sternly.
I was representing the Bering clan and the whole Kraken race. How embarrassing would it be if Krakens got a reputation for being whiny when things didn’t go their way?
I’d just have to muscle through a semester at Slaymore with a roomie. Surely, after the first semester, some students would be dropping out, graduating early, or moving in with their boyfriends. Then I could finagle a place of my own.
For now, I’d have to be okay with a roommate.
I could totally do this.
As long as she wasn’t a hero or a slayer.
Readjusting my grip on the suitcase handle, I straightened my back and made my way to my room.
I unlocked the door to my room with my keycard and found my new roomie standing directly on the other side.
“Rooommie!” she shrieked and threw her arms around me.
It happened so fast I hadn’t even had a chance to think about self-defense.
“I’m Ayla, and I’m a succubus.” She had a pale, heart-shaped face, shockingly green eyes, and dark pink hair that hung straight and perfect against her killer cheekbones. “But I don’t do sex. Promise.” Ayla held up a pinky.
I stared at it. She’d painted her nails heart-red and dotted each one with a rhinestone. “Uh, okay.”
She looked at me.
I looked at her.
Was I supposed to do something?
Eventually, she dropped her pinky. “Anyway, I’m so excited to be here! And to be with my roomie! I’ve already got the week planned out! Stick with me, and by Saturday, you’ll know exactly where the sickest parties are, who’s got the best snacks, and which teachers have the easiest classes.”
Without waiting for me to introduce myself, Ayla made her way to her bed, and I finally got a good look at my room.
It was gray. We had a single bed each, with gray sheets and a gray comforter. There was a gray desk at the head of our beds and a gray wardrobe at the foot.
