Orelie

*33*

*33*

A week has passed since the funeral. Ten students and four professors died that day. We were given another four days to continue to mourn those who lost their lives before class started back up. The academy was quiet, and almost no one spoke a word.

Well, almost no one spoke a word to me. When word got out that I was branded to that Demon, and that I was an Orelie, most of the students began to blame me for what happened. They believed that if I had never come to the academy, everything would have been fine.

At the same time, they wouldn't have known about the Orelie trapped under their feet and would still be getting taught by a Witch. A couple people understood that, but they still refused to speak, or even look, at me.

Thankfully, I could still find comfort in my friends. Myla and Striker stuck by my side. They knew I was not to blame, and that I had saved so many other lives in the process.

"Just let them let off steam," Striker had said as we ate. "It'll blow over eventually. Just know we'll always be right by your side."

"You're a hero; to us, at least." Myla smiled. "I'm sure others feel the same way, seeing as how all the missing Orelie are back. From what I understand, a couple of them were family members. A lot of reunions happened that day."

"I guess you're right." I poked at my food. "I just don't really feel like a hero. Erixsys is dead, Professors and students are dead, and I feel like I'm at fault. I should have tried to contain the Witches better."

"Stop that." Striker hit the table. "You're just one person. You couldn't have done everything alone. The casualties could have been much worse had you not stepped in."

"I guess," I sighed and took a small bite. "I'm just glad it was Crae who was the Demon instead of a different one. That would have posed a huge problem. Then everything would be my fault."

"Kyrene,"

"Sorry, sorry. It's not my fault." The ring caught my gaze. I held my hand out to look. So far, I'm keeping my end of the deal.

"What's that?" Myla grasped my wrist. "When did you get a ring? From who?! Did Striker ask? Why did you say yes?!"

"Hey!"

I chuckled softly. "No, it's not from Striker. Crae gave it to me."

"You're engaged to your Demon?!" She shrieked.

I rubbed my ear, wincing. "No, he just made me promise to remember all the good times we've had together. We made the promise on this ring."

"So it's a Promise Ring!" She gasped. "A promise leads to an engagement!"

I turned to Striker. "What does she mean?"

"Myla," he sighed. "Kyrene doesn't know about the world like we do. She doesn't know what a Promise Ring is, nor what an engagement ring means, or what it all symbolizes."

"I was hoping you'd give me answers..."

"Oh yeah, I forgot." She scratched her neck. "This is awkward. The main gist of it is that you are promised to him, and no other man can take you as his. It symbolizes that you will love each other and no one else."

"I didn't agree to that!"

"Yet there the ring sits!" She gestured to my hand.

Now I was panicking. "Guys, I never agreed to love him! I have someone else out there for me! I saw it in a vision!"

"Did you see who it was?" Striker asked.

"Well, no..."

"Then there is a good chance that it is him you're destined to be with." He shrugged.