Astraea's POV
The moment I stepped into the gym, a sharp breeze sliced across my skin, and it was not natural wind but something else. It carried a presence that was heavy, dark, and unmistakable.
My eyes narrowed, and I paused in the middle of the entryway, ignoring the eyes of curious humans around me. I turned slowly to Draven, who was already watching me with that maddeningly calm expression of his.
"There's another demon here," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Did you know?"
Draven gave a small nod, hands clasped neatly behind his back. "Yes. One of the trainers here is from our realm."
I let out a dry chuckle. "You'd think I'd get used to the idea of demons willingly slumming it with mortals."
He glanced at me sidelong. "Not all demons are royalty, Astraea, and not everyone had the luxury of spending their lives in gilded towers with servants doing their every bidding."
The jab hit harder than it should have.
I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
But before he could answer, a bright blur of movement caught my eye.
A girl was strutting toward us with far too much bounce in her step. She had long, sunshine-colored hair that practically glowed, pulled into a high ponytail that swayed behind her like it had a personality of its own.
She wore skin-tight bottoms and a sleeveless top that screamed "look at me," and her lips were curled into the most irritatingly cheeky smile I'd seen all week.
She walked straight up to Draven, completely ignoring me, and leaned in close, her voice drenched in flirtation.
"There you are," she cooed. "Where have you been hiding, handsome? I've missed you."
Missed him?
I immediately made a face of disgust, leaning slightly away from the sheer secondhand embarrassment radiating off their exchange. I turned to Draven, arching a brow, waiting, no, daring him to explain.
To his credit, he looked mortified. He took a step back from her and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Lilith," he said stiffly, "this isn't the time. We'll talk later."
Lilith. Of course that was her name.
The blonde's smile faltered as she finally noticed me standing right there. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe with a look that would have made lesser beings melt in shame.
But I wasn't lesser, and I wasn't impressed.
She gave me a barely concealed glare before flipping her ponytail and strutting away like she owned the damn building.
I watched her go, then turned to Draven, smirking. "Girlfriend?"
He sighed, clearly regretting every life choice that had brought him to this moment. "Absolutely not."
"Right," I drawled. "Because that totally looked like the interaction of two people who definitely aren't entangled in something they'll both regret later."
Draven straightened his collar unnecessarily and didn't look at me. "She's... persistent."
"I noticed," I said, wrinkling my nose. "Do all weak little demons throw themselves at just any man?"
"She's not exactly a weak demon," he muttered, then shook his head. "She's just been here a while, gotten comfortable, and knows how to blend in."
"Too comfortable," I muttered, my tone colder than I intended. "I can't believe she didn't even acknowledge me."
Draven side-eyed me. "You don't exactly make yourself approachable, Astraea, and I'm certain she doesn't know who you are. If she did, she wouldn't dare."
"I'm a demon princess, not a social butterfly, Draven. Being unapproachable is how I should be," I retorted defensively.
He didn't argue, but that strange breeze still lingered in the air, and it was not from Lilith. No, her energy was loud, flirtatious, and irritating—but not threatening.
That earlier wind was something else. Something much darker, but then I shoved the feeling aside. If something was truly wrong, it would reveal itself eventually.
Right now, I needed something to do with my hands before I lost my mind.
"This area's where most of the strength and conditioning happens," Draven said as we passed a group of men hammering away at long, heavy sacks suspended by chains. "Punching bags. Good way to get out frustration and clear the mind."
I tilted my head as I watched one man land a series of rapid hits, and the bag swayed with each impact.
"Hmm," I murmured. "I could grow to like this place. If nothing else, the sound of something getting punched is deeply therapeutic."
Draven chuckled under his breath. "Therion may have accidentally done something right."
"Don't push it," I muttered.
We moved further into the gym, and the floor under us changed, and unlike the first floor, this place just felt right, and then I saw it.
A raised platform with padded ropes and two girls inside, circling, grappling, and striking. It was ugly, gritty, and imperfect, and I loved it.
I turned to Draven with a real smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "Now this—this is what I can get behind. A little blood, a little bruising, and no one crying about it. I could actually see myself enjoying this world if this is what's available."
He lifted a brow, mildly amused. "I thought you were too good for places like this."
"I'm too good for most places," I corrected. "But this? This I can respect."
I looked him over, noting the casual gym gear. "But you… you don't seem like the type to come here. No offense, but you scream 'calm meditation' and 'silent suffering,' not punching things for fun."
Draven rolled his shoulders and gave a shrug. "Are there any demons who aren't violent in some way?"
"Touché."
He glanced toward the ring, eyes following the movement of the fighters. "I just have very good self-control. Doesn't mean I don't need to let off steam now and then, and this place helps. Keeps me from taking it out on the wrong person."
That made me chuckle. "You? Losing control? I'd pay to see that."
"I wouldn't advise it."
I was just about to challenge him to step in the ring with me, just for fun, when a sudden shriek came out of nowhere.
"Are you crazy?!"
I turned immediately, every instinct flaring to attention.
Across the gym, near the entrance, Lilith stood with her hands on her hips, glaring daggers at someone, and that someone?
Zephyra.
What the hell was she doing here?
I blinked, and my smirk faded into something darker. There was no mistaking her.
My eyes narrowed. "Well, well…"
Draven followed my gaze and muttered under his breath, "Oh no."
I grinned. "Oh yes."
He stepped slightly in front of me, as if anticipating what I might do. "Astraea, don't get involved—"
But I was already moving.