THE NEXT DAY...

"The cafeteria food is usually hit or miss, but luckily, today's one of the good days," Evelyn remarked as we headed toward the cafeteria.

She'd barged into my room late last night, yelling about how she'd been searching for me for hours. I apologized, but I conveniently left out any mention of Devon when she asked how I'd managed to get back on my own.

As we made our way through the bustling corridors, I couldn't help but notice how seamlessly the humans and hunters interacted with one another. Their camaraderie was strange yet captivating.

When we finally reached the cafeteria, I was struck by its sheer size and the sea of people within it. Laughter, chatter, and greetings filled the air, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt... normal.

"How can everyone act like this?" I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.

"Safeland is about the future," Evelyn explained, her voice steady. "It offers hope that one day, people will be able to live like this beyond the walls."

I watched a human boy and a hunter walk past us, their laughter ringing out like music.

"But how can there still be hope?" I whispered.

Evelyn's eyes blazed with determination. "As long as people are willing to fight, there's always hope, Kira."

I gave her a half-hearted smile.

"You'll learn everything about Safeland today," she promised. "But first, I'm starving. Let's eat."

I followed her through the crowd as she led us to a specific table where three guys were already seated. I recognized the blonde from the party last night.

Evelyn greeted them warmly before instructing me to sit and darted off to grab our meals, leaving me no chance to follow.

The blonde was the first to speak. "Hi, I'm Michael. Sorry, I didn't get to introduce myself properly last night."

I shook his outstretched hand. "Kira."

The guy beside him, with dark green eyes and brown hair, introduced himself next. "I'm Steven."

His earthy features made it obvious he was an earth elemental. I shook his hand, offering a smile. The third guy, pale-skinned with striking aqua-blue eyes, added, " I'm Jack."

He was bald, though I couldn't tell if it was by choice or nature. Either way, his water-elemental aura was unmistakable. I'd seen a few before but never actually witnessed one using their powers.

"Nice to meet you, Jack," I replied.

Before I could withdraw back into my shell, Evelyn returned with two trays and set one in front of me. My stomach churned at the sight of its contents.

"I thought you said the food was good today," I muttered, glancing at her tray, which held muffins and tea.

She laughed, clearly amused by my dismay. "The general insists all new intakes eat that," she said, gesturing to my tray. "I'm just following orders."

I grimaced, staring at the unappetizing heap of leaves drenched in something buttery. "I can't eat this."

"Seer would know if you don't," Michael chimed in.

"And those herbs are good for your powers," Steven added.

My heart sank. Powers. I didn't have any, but they couldn't know that. Only Evelyn did. Swallowing my pride-and my nausea-I picked up the fork and forced myself to eat, each bite more revolting than the last.

Halfway through my meal, a shrill ringing echoed through the cafeteria. Everyone stood abruptly and began filing out.

"Training," Evelyn explained, groaning.

"Well, lucky for you, you're leaving the walls," Michael said, shooting a smirk at Jack.

Jack returned it smugly. "That's what happens when you reach grade twelve."

Michael rolled his eyes. "You just got lucky."

Jack's smirk widened. "Considering I beat you during the test that got me there, I'd call it skill, not luck."

"Can you two shut it for once?" Steven snapped.

Michael glared, but Jack merely chuckled.

"What's grade twelve?" I asked.

"You'll find out soon enough," Michael assured me, his grin lopsided. I forced a smile in return.

Jack left first, tossing a casual "See you guys at dinner" over his shoulder.

---

Evelyn escorted me to what she called the introduction hall before heading off to her training. I stood amidst a group of nervous newcomers as a woman and two hunters discussed something ahead of us. My stomach twisted with unease.

"Where's Devon?" the woman suddenly asked, her voice sharp and commanding. "He should be here."

My breath caught.

Why did he have to be involved?

"I'll go find him," offered a red-haired hunter.

But before he could move, Devon appeared, sauntering into the room. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

I rolled my eyes.

He walked over to the woman, said something to her, and all of them began conversing.

Some hunters stared at him in confusion, clearly unsettled by the presence of a demon in Safeland. The humans, however, were oblivious. I heard whispers like he was so attractive among the crowd, and my face twisted in disgust.

His black outfit hugged his form perfectly, and his messy hair somehow added to his allure. I let my gaze linger on him longer than I should have, begrudgingly admitting that, if not for the fact he was a demon, I might have also found him attractive.

His eyes found mine at that moment, and I froze, my breath hitching. He smirked before turning his attention back to the woman addressing him. My chest tightened.

Did he... could he... read minds?

The idea sent a shiver down my spine.

___________________

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hi guys,

As always, let me know your thoughts and theories. Please leave a vote, and help me share.

See you in the next chapter.