Beyond His Evil

Eight

***

"The cafeteria food is usually hit or miss, but luckily today is one of the good days," Evelyn said as we walked towards the cafeteria.

She had come to my room late last night, yelling for hours about how she had been searching for me. I apologized but didn't mention Devon when she asked how I managed to get back on my own.

As we walked, we passed a lot of humans and hunters, and I was amazed at how well they interacted with each other. When we finally arrived at the cafeteria, I was taken aback by its size and the number of people inside. People of all ages were chatting, laughing, and greeting each other, and for once, everything felt normal.

I couldn't help but voice the question on my mind. "How can everyone be like this?"

"Safeland is about the future. It offers hope that someday people will be able to act this way outside the walls," Evelyn explained.

I watched as a human boy and a hunter walked past us, laughing together.

"How is there still hope?" I whispered.

"As long as there are people willing to fight," Evelyn's eyes burned with determination. "Then there's always hope, Kira."

I smiled half-heartedly.

"You'll learn everything about Safeland today, but first, I'm starving, so let's go eat."

I followed her quietly as she led the way to a specific table. I noticed the blonde guy from the party and two other guys already seated there.

Evelyn greeted everyone, asked me to sit, and hurried off to get our meals before I could join her.

The blonde guy spoke up first. "Hi, I'm Michael. Sorry I didn't introduce myself properly last night," he said.

I shook his offered hand. "I'm Kira."

"Steven," one of the other guys introduced himself. His dark green eyes and brown hair indicated that he was an earth elemental.

"Jack," the last guy said. He had pale skin, aqua-blue eyes, and no hair. I wondered if he was bald by choice or if it was just his natural appearance. Either way, I knew he was a water elemental. I had seen a few of them before, but I had never witnessed one using their powers.

Evelyn returned with two trays, saving me from any awkwardness. She placed one in front of me, and I grimaced at what was on it.

"I thought you said the food was good today," I said, glancing over at her tray, which had muffins and tea.

She laughed, but I didn't find it funny. "The general insisted that all new intakes eat that," she pointed at my tray. With a shrug, she added, "I'm just following orders."

"I can't eat this," I grimaced, looking at the unappetizing food which was a bunch of leaves drenched in something that looked like butter.

"Seer would know if you don't," Michael chimed in.

"And those are special herbs that would be good for your powers," Steven added.

My heart sank. I was powerless, but I couldn't let them know, even though Evelyn already did. I reluctantly took the fork and forced the disgusting food into my mouth, not wanting to raise any suspicions.

We were halfway through our meal, well, they were, while I struggled not to vomit, when something started ringing, and everyone immediately stood up and began to leave.

Evelyn groaned. "It's training," she explained.

"Well, lucky for you, you're leaving the walls," Michael snorted at Jack.

Jack smirked. "That's what happens when you reach grade twelve."

Michael rolled his eyes. "You just got lucky, that's all."

Jack maintained his smirk. "Considering the fact that I beat your ass during the test that got me to grade twelve, I wouldn't call it luck."

"Can you two just shut up for a minute?" Steven boomed.

Michael glared at Jack, who chuckled.

"What is grade twelve?" I asked, confused.

"You'll find out how everything works, Kira. Don't worry," Michael assured me, and I forced a smile.

Jack was the first to leave. "See you guys at dinner."

***

Evelyn dropped me off at the introduction hall, as she called it, and left for her training.

I stood among several other newbies as a woman and two guys, all hunters, discussed something in front of us. I didn't know what was happening, but I was incredibly nervous and scared.

"Where is Devon?" the woman asked loudly enough for me to hear.

I held my breath. Why did he have to be involved in everything?

"I'll go look for him," the guy with red hair offered.

Almost immediately, Devon appeared, causing gasps to fill the air. I rolled my eyes and snorted. I could see some hunters staring at him in confusion, wondering why a demon was allowed to live and stay here. Some humans were oblivious.

His hair was messy, and he wore an all-black outfit that suited him. I let my eyes roam over his entire appearance and reluctantly admitted that if he wasn't a demon, I might have been attracted to him.

He locked eyes with me, stealing my breath, and smirked before turning his attention back to the woman who had been talking to him. I felt paralyzed.

Did he...he couldn't have...but do demons read minds?

~~~
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