As promised, the Demon Lord returned upon her call. Swirling black mist coiled up from the gleaming marble floors till he materialized before her. The Shadow wolf joined him at his side as he addressed her. Mina gave a shameless shrug of her shoulders at his remark, her lips curved into an even more shameless smirk. He went on to formally introduce her to her new companion, the intimidating black wolf that had been planted in her room when she returned from the summoning. Like most things, the witch wasn’t as familiar with creatures as she should have been. Still, she was certain to pay close attention as Syn explained how their arrangement would work in his absence. He seemed to believe she would need a great deal of protection. Thus far, her life had been quite ordinary . . . for a witch. Of course, she wouldn’t argue. Not only did she not have the energy, but it likely wasn’t a battle she could win should she protest.<br/><br/>She did think twice about doing so when the wolf, with her smooth, feminine tone, spoke of her “atrocious discipline” and “distaste for authority.” Sasha wasn’t wrong, but the assessment stung a bit. Mina’s jaw ticked as her hulking for slid into her shadow, ticking herself away in her own darkness.<br/><br/>“We are very late, but the professors have all come to expect this from me.” She said, eyes twinkling mischievously behind the dark lenses of her sunglasses. “Makes for a great entrance.” Mina took his hand and allowed him to lead her out of the door.<br/><br/>The driver quickly flicked his cigarette and crushed it with his toe to extinguish it. Rounding the front of the black car, he held the door open for them both so that they could get in. Once they were settled, he got into the driver’s seat and began the short journey to the academy.<br/><br/><a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0iipo3P.jpg&amp;hash=50ca8001ef27d5f46335353ca98e3edb" href="https://i.imgur.com/0iipo3P.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">Kennewick Academy</a>was centuries old, a haven for white witches hidden beyond the Veil—a curtain that separated the mortal realm from that of magic. The enormous gothic structure was akin to a private school. While many other academies existed, Kennewick was for the privileged, those who could afford prestigious instructors and endless resources. It was possible to<i>earn</i>a place among the offspring of the elite, but very few could withstand the snobbery and condescension. Mina barely could, which was exactly why she had so very few real friends.<br/><br/>By the time she arrived the drop-off line was none existent. Normally, the curved lanes at the front of the school were bumper to bumper with black vehicles. Thirty minutes past the clock tower bell, the path was clear. She stepped out of the car, making no effort to rush to her first class, Conjuring. Opening the door, she stepped inside, casually making her way to her usual seat in the back of the room where she would attempt to catch a few more winks. At the symphony of gasps, sounds of awe, and pencils dropping, she realized what routine she normally adhered to likely wouldn’t be maintained. Even the professor was silent, gawking at the Demon Lord that stood behind her. The entire auditorium was in a state of shock and disbelief. For the first time in quite a while, Mina was uncomfortable under the scrutiny of her peers.<br/><br/>“Ms. Gregory, might I have a word with you? Outside?” Professor Blackwell asked, though his tone insisted that she comply. He ushered her out of the room, lifting his specs atop of his head. “Is this your guardian or does he belong to another? I give you a great deal of leeway, Mina, but cheating is punishable by expulsion.” He explained, exasperated with her as usual as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes.<br/><br/>“You know me better than that, Blackwell.” Mina smirked, folding her arms across her chest and shifting her weight to one foot. “I am many things, but a cheater? I am not.”<br/><br/>He always knew she had potential, but he was still skeptical.