Page 71 of Demon Apathy: Sunderverse

I shrugged. “It’s something I need to think about. I haven’t given it much thought yet. It’s hard trying to save the world and being a good student at the same time.” I pondered for a long moment, then said, “Whatever we do, it has to involve Richie. For some reason, Solar seems really afraid of him.”

“He must be a thug,” Sage said.

Benjamin pushed the sleeves of his sweatshirt up. “You said Solar mentioned not having to worry for another month, right?”

I nodded. “His mother gave him money, and my guess is he used it to pacify Richie.”

“So what if… I dunno…” Benjamin stopped, suddenly looking reluctant to share his ideas.

“Go on Benjamin.” I nodded and smiled in encouragement, trying to let him know I welcomed his input.

“Well, I’m not sure if this is something you could do, but if Richie were to find himself in need of money, for whatever reason, he might go looking for Solar again.”

“Yeah,” I said slowly, “that could work.”

Sage blew air through his nose. “But how is she going to put pressure on a guy like that?”

“I didn’t mean just Lucia,” Benjamin added. “I mean… she has Drevan Morningstar and his minions at her disposal.” His brown eyes turned questioningly in my direction. “Don’t you?”

“That, I do.” I reached over and patted Benjamin’s arm. “It’s a great idea. I think it might work.”

Benjamin smiled proudly, and his satisfaction only grew bigger as Jenna elbowed him and said, “Look at you all full of devious schemes.”

I frowned. “I’ll have to see how to get a hold of Drevan.”

“Can’t you just call him?” Benjamin asked.

“That would be too easy. I don’t think he carries a cell phone. He seems to keep well-informed though and always shows up when I need him.”

Jenna wiggled her eyebrows and hummed suggestively in the back of her throat.

“What the hell, Jenna?” Sage spat. “Lucia wouldn’t get involved with a demon.”

The heat of a flush slashed across my cheeks. Clenching my teeth, I stared at the floor, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Still, I could feel Sage’s gaze reaching for mine.

“Lucia?” he whispered.

Benjamin cleared his throat. “I… I don’t think that’s any of our business. One way or the other.” Despite his words, I sensed disapproval in him.

Abruptly, Sage rose to his feet. “I gotta go.” He shouldered his backpack and stomped away.

“Um, I… I’ve got to go, too.” Benjamin followed after Sage.

A moment later, only Jenna and I remained.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “That was… I was only joking. I shouldn’t have... I didn’t realize you two… but do you?”

I slumped in my seat. There was no point in denying it. Jenna had caught me by surprise, and I’d given myself away with a stupid girlish blush.

“We have… shared a kiss or two,” I admitted.

“Holy goblins!” She pressed a hand to her mouth, but her shocked exclamation still slipped out.

“Can you blame me?” I asked, trying to make light of the situation. I could admit to this much, but there was no way in hell I’d admit to being in love with Drevan.

Just a moment ago, Jenna had thought that teasing me about putting the moves on a sexy demon was fun, but now, faced with the reality, she didn’t seem so on board with the idea. In fact, she looked downright panicked about the prospect.

“But that was before, right?” she asked.