Out of the Lamp

Chapter 11: Threatened

Alia

The prickling sensation on the back of my neck has me paranoid. That feeling of being watched. Na ah, no thank you.

Over the past couple of days, any beast or critter remotely black and blood eyed, is immediately a threat. Do you know how many innocent black furred pets I've scared off around my neighbourhood? My neighbours officially think I'm crazy.

Heck, I think I'm crazy. Daemon has me so paranoid it's not even a joke. He's been absent for far too long, and that in itself makes me uncomfortable. It means he's planning something big.

That aside, I still can't figure out what compelled me to keep my mouth shut to Ali about who was behind the attacks on my fellow half-mortals. I don't even feel guilty either.

Tapping in through the reception gates at uni, I'm greeted with the comforting hubbub of student life. I make a beeline for my usual comfy beanie-chair and table section.

Something grabs my backpack strap and pulls me back.

Immediately I whip around, fist ready to strike.

'Woah, there!' Mathew catches my fist in his palm. His eyes dancing with confusion and slight humour.

Shit. 'M-Mathew! I'm so sorry! I didn't realise I was you!'

He chuckles and let's go of my hand. 'I'd hope so, otherwise it's kinda worrying if you're greeting me like that.'

I cringe and blush all in one go. 'Honestly...'

He smiles reassuringly at me. 'Pretty quick reflexes you got there.'

I allow a small smile to play on my lips but say nothing. What could I say? Yeah, I have quick reflexes because my genie blood gifts me with a higher sensory awareness than the average human. Or better yet, of course I have to be quick with demons like the Devils son around.

Mathew looks around as if searching for someone. 'No Jason today?'

I groan loudly. Massaging my temples even at the mention of his name. 'Please, don't jinx me by naming he who shall not be nam-'

'Alia!'

'Gaddamn.' I curse under my breath as Mathew cracks up laughing.

'There you are.' Jason saunters up to where we've sat and leans an arm on the back of my chair. 'Morning Mason.' He salutes.

'Mathew,' i correct him.

'So it is.'

'Ass.'

'More of a leg man myself if I'm honest.'

'Ugh. You're impossible!' I throw my hands up in surrender.

Jason smirks down at me. I ignore it.

It hasn't even been a couple of weeks at uni, but I'm starting to realise that girls are avoiding me. Which sucks, because I'd hoped to make a few good friends during my time here. Understandably so, I get why I'm being avoided. Most of the time I'm either flanked by Mathew and Jason, or just the latter. He makes for a pretty unapproachable vibe and at the end of the day - girls don't like that girl with the boy mates only. You know who I'm talking about. That one chick who has way too many lads and is never seen with her own gender. It makes me want to pummel Jason to mince meat. Let's just say, if he was an unwanted prescription medicine drug, I'm already way past my overdose. Kill me now.