XII

Camilla hummed softly to herself as she walked down the dark corridor, fiddling with a strand of golden-brown hair. However, she started to hear scuffling footsteps and grew cautious; her skin began to harden into a rock-like form, as it always did when she felt threatened.

Camilla continued her way back to her room, turning the corner and running right into another figure. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, looking up to see who she had bumped into.

He was one of the demons that Penelope had been talking to. He was tall, with deep brown hair and bright blue eyes. Camilla's eyes widened further when she noted the two large horns jutting from his skull. Regardless, he wasn't too bad on the eyes. "Watch where you're going," he snapped, making to leave.

Camilla frowned, arching a brow. "I could say the same thing," she replied.

The boy narrowed his eyes. "What's your name, bird-girl?" he asked.

Camilla crossed her arms over her torso, unaware of the fact that it pushed her chest up quite a bit. To his credit, Aries kept his eyes on Camilla's face most of the time. "Camilla Alvarez, member of the Queensguard, trained warrior and assassin. And you are?" He studied her, and under his gaze, the halo over her head seemed to glow brighter, as if knowing that he was a demon and might kill her just for having one.

"Aries Thorn, member of the Hellguard."

Camilla nodded. "What are you doing out here?"

Aries arched a brow. "I don't see how any of that is your business."

Camilla chuckled, deep brown eyes looking copper-gold in the faint torchlight. "That is your decision," she responded, "but if you do not tell me, I am obligated to report you to my leader, and she will show you no mercy."

The corners of Aries's mouth quirked upward. No one ever stood up to him like this; he must admit, he admired the pretty girl for it. "I'm looking for my room," was the even answer.

Camilla frowned. "That's it?" she laughed brightly. "Well, you should've just said so! What's your room number?"

"Forty-six," Aries's mouth quirked upward at her bubbly reply and forgetfulness of their rather hostile first encounter.

Camilla's cheeks reddened slightly. That was the room right next to hers. "Well, then you're going the wrong way. I can take you if you want?"

Aries looked her up and down. "I'd like that."

She smacked his arm. "Keep it in your pants!"

He chuckled as they rounded another corner. "That blonde girl seemed nice; I don't know what she was doing with Shawn, though. Are you two close?"

Camilla nodded. "Pip's my best friend!" she shrugged. "But she's always had an open mind about demons. Maybe she just wanted to dance and didn't care who her partner was."

Aries looked at her, eyes twinkling. "And what do you think about demons?" he asked.

Camilla thought for a moment. "My younger sister was kidnapped by demons in the Great War. She died by their hand." Aries stared at his feet. She sounded so... broken. "But I cannot hold that against the entire demon race. Like you, for instance," Camilla smiled. "You didn't kill my sister, so I don't necessarily hate you. Just because you have horns doesn't mean we're automatic enemies."

Aries smiled, studying the girl. She was very pretty, with thick golden-brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was quite short; around five-three, making Aries tower over her with his six-one figure. He noticed that she seemed to smile and laugh often, which is something that Aries does once a day at best. He wasn't the happiest person in the world; in fact, most people described him as rather impatient and short-tempered.

Camilla looked up and caught him staring, which made her cheeks turn pink. She didn't know Aries well at all, but she gathered a lot of information about him through their walk together. Not any information he gave away, but the information she gathered just by studying him, such as his overall demeanor and his not-so-high opinion of angels.

Thankfully, things didn't have time to get too awkward because the pair reached their destination. "Here we are!" Camilla exclaimed, pointing to the door next to the one she was standing in front of. "That's your room."

Aries rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no shit, Princess."

Camilla frowned. "I'm not a Princess."

He shrugged. "You look like one," he gestured to her Ball getup.

She didn't know if that was a compliment, but took it as one and quickly ducked into her own room before he could see her red cheeks. Immediately, Camilla threw her heels near the door and stripped off her dress. She changed into a simple white crop-top and a pair of pink cotton shorts, going into the bathroom to wash away her makeup. She then walked outside onto her balcony, smiling as the cool breeze caressed her exposed skin. The halo above her head glowed in the night, and her wings fluttered in the soft wind.

Camilla raised a hand, palm-up, and a small water droplet formed above it, soon becoming a large wave and dancing around her as if it were alive. She laughed, waving her fingers and the water disappeared without a trace.

Camilla loved her abilities, dearly. But sometimes she wished she didn't have them. Camilla had never trusted herself because she didn't want to hurt anyone. And yet... she was always hurting herself to spare others.

Camilla sighed, breathing in the fresh air as all of her thoughts melted away like dew in the sun.

Terrance, however, was sitting on his bed, still in his ball attire, replaying the night in his head. He sighed. There wasn't a single moment he could remember where Penelope took any remote interest in him other than as a close friend. At this point, Terrance knew it was hopeless. Penelope wasn't interested, or she would've said something. Right? He ran a hand through his thick black hair. He didn't know what to do. You don't just get over someone you've been crushing on for years, overnight.

Terrance stood up, walking over to the door, and stepping out into the hallway. He needed to take a walk.

However, what he didn't need was to run into a short blonde girl with warm brown eyes, smiling to herself. "Terr!" she smiled upon seeing him.

Terrance ran a hand through his hair, mentally cursing himself for ever leaving his room. "Hey, Pip. What are you doing out this late?"

Penelope shrugged, still smiling. "I wanted to take a walk; tonight was a little crazy!"

Terrance chuckled at her enthusiasm despite the late hour. "I can only imagine. You met a few demons, right? Or was that just the alcohol talking?" he chuckled.

Penelope laughed. "Nope, it definitely happened!" she chirped, popping the 'p'. "I danced with a demon named Shawn." Terrance did his best not to frown. Hearing about Penelope's dance with a demon was not what he needed right now. "He was dreamy," she sighed. "He had the most fascinating eyes; they were a deep blue, like the ocean. I hope I see him again before they all leave," Penelope trailed off.

Terrance nodded, putting on a smile. Penelope wasn't his property and if she wanted to fall in love with a demon and get her heart broken, he should respect that. However much it hurt. "He sounds wonderful, Pip."

Penelope nodded, her wide smile still stretched across her face. "He was. At least, I think so." She giggled. "Sorry, I shouldn't be ranting to you when I'm sure you have things to do. Anyway, goodnight Terr!" she pressed a kiss to his cheek and walked away, humming to herself as she went.

Terrance watched her go with a sad smile on his face. If him being hurt meant she would be happy... that is how it would be.