She was Night Fae and showed it. She looked like death. Her skin was white as fresh snow, but her lips and eyes were darkened with black paint. She wore her strange garb that seemed to move on its own like feathers, hiding her movements. Her hair was so black it was hard to make out the style from the distance, but it was long and tied back in a simple ponytail that reached to her lower back. She moved across the floor toward Quinten with purpose. She moved with a grace that was stunning to see. She was gorgeous beyond the pale. She looked exactly as she had when she had walked into the tavern in Acron.

Daniel sighed in contentment and felt a stirring in his loins. Grace just attracted him at a level he didn't understand. He had done everything imaginable with her coming to the Academy. The long journey had let them enjoy each other's sexuality in great detail. He longed for more.

The observers on either side had noticed her appearance and were pointing at her. Daniel kept his eyes on Quinten and nudged the girls and pointed out Grace.

They watched her approach Quinten and stop, towering over him. The man seated next to him abruptly got up and moved to another seat.

She said nothing to Quinten that Daniel could see. The headmaster looked as white as her. His mouth opened and closed. Grace looked disgusted and sat down right beside Quinten, and then looked right at Daniel.

She winked at him, and he couldn't help it. He grinned at her.

"Oh, thank the gods!" exclaimed Jasmine. "Grace is here!"

Amy clapped her hands and Amber put a hand over them to stop her.

“Behave. We need to look like professionals here."

Amy snorted. “We're sitting on the floor in a circle. Everyone can see us."

"Exactly!"

“We aren't fooling anyone, Amber. We're amateurs."

Amber grumbled but didn't disagree.

“Daniel? Its good Grace is here, isn't it?" asked Jasmine.

"Yes, love. It is," replied Daniel. He looked around the audience.

The expressions from them had changed now that Grace was in attendance. He looked over at the two men who had smiled at him earlier and caught a quick exchange of nods between them and Grace.

They knew each other. Liked each other.

Daniel smiled then and pulled Jasmine in for a long kiss. "We're gonna be fine, I promise."

"How do you know?" questioned Jasmine, looking at him in disbelief.

"Trust me, baby. You all trust me, right?"

They all nodded, except Amber.

"Amber, now is the time to trust me for real. No more games. Trust me. Trust us. Please."

Amber glared at him.

"I'll make you a deal. You trust me here and now, and I will make it worth your while."