Ory shook his head and said, "Don't do it, Ceil. It's not what you think it is. That shit will make you loco like you're tripping on some bad shit."
I shrugged coolly and leaned back in the chair, feeling the kid behind me loosen his grip.
"It'll be fine, trust me," I said, winking at him.
I was human, so if this stuff had that bad of an effect on demons, then I figured my chance was 50/50.
"Unless you're drinking it in his place, I suggest you shut your mouth, Orion," Devyn said to Ory as he slowly dragged the bottle of fire to sit directly in front of me.
The demon named Charter slammed a wooden bowl down next to it. Not a shot glass, but a little wooden bowl that would hold at least half the bottle.
Devyn opened the bottle and poured it to the rim, saying, "Drink up, Ceil, was it? You are new around here, I see. Well, consider this your initiation into our wonderful Masters Academy."
I stared at the liquid in the bowl. It swirled as if moved by molten lava, glowing and bubbling.
I smiled and looked up, "Bottoms up," I said, faking confidence as I lifted the small bowl to my lips, never breaking eye contact with him.
The smell hit my nose first, and I swear it burned my nostrils before I opened my mouth. When the liquid touched my tongue, I wanted to scream, cough, and gag simultaneously. If they could bottle every assumption of what Hell was written to be into a liquor bottle, it would indeed taste much like this.
I kept my cool however, it wouldn't kill me, or I hoped not. Eventually, as I started to swallow, my throat went numb, and I could no longer feel the pain as the burning liquid found its way down to my stomach.
My eye's bored into Devyn's as I slammed the little bowl down and steadied my voice before saying, "Not too bad."
It was suddenly quiet again as everyone looked at me. Even Devyn looked perplexed before he finally smirked, "Interesting. Where did you say you from?"
"I didn't say where I was from, and it doesn't matter. But, now that you've made it obvious you're nothing but a bully, I suggest you let us go."
Ory's hands went to his mouth, and I saw Sicah's eyes grow wide. Even I was shocked at what came out of my mouth.
All the demons around us chuckled and started whispering, making Devyn look uncomfortable. I was playing with fire, and worse, I had lost the demonizer ring. If he were to find out I was only human, I was sure to die here and now.
"I will admit you're pretty impressive, Ceil. But I think you're hiding something. No one here can drink that and feel NOTHING. So, that either means you aren't a demon, or you aren't who you say you are. Which is it?"
I looked away, shrugging, praying that if I kept my cool from this point forward, I might escape discovery.
"I'm a demon, obviously. As for who I am, well, just as you heard, my name is Ceil, Ceil Jankins, to be exact. Is there anything else you'd like to know, like my shoe size or favorite color?"
The students started laughing, further pissing Devyn off. I could see he was struggling to keep his demeanor as much as I struggled to figure out what had gotten into me. I was never this mouthy or brave.
He cleared his throat and straightened his uniform, "You appear to have bigger balls than your friend's but let this serve as a warning. Next time, it won't be a simple little drinking game we play," he threatened and looked at Marcus, "He can tell you all about what happens when I get really pissed off, can't you Marcus?"
Marcus looked down and nodded submissively.
Both Ory and Sicah stood up as the students guarding them stepped aside. I stood as well, and just as all four of us were about to leave, Devyn said, "Hold on a second," and walked from around the table to block our way, "I want to see them."
I looked at him confused, being he was looking straight at me, "You want to see what? My balls?"
Ory and Sicah tried not to laugh as others around us snickered and whispered mockingly.
"No, smartass. I want to see your horns AND your tail. I still find it odd you were able to take that drink with no consequence, and you look awfully human for my taste."
Fuck, why did Marcus have to get stuck in the thorns, and how did that ring fall out of my pocket?
"I usually don't show those things until the second date, Devyn. So maybe next time," I stated, sounding uninterested, and tried walking past him.
Once again, his lackeys were there and stopped me.
"Good try. You aren't leaving here until I've confirmed you aren't something other than a demon like the rest of us."
"He's a halfbreed," Sicah suddenly blurted.
Devyn cocked his head, "Even still, he should have horns and a tail. That drink would have knocked him out while he cried for his mommy in his sleep, half-breed or not. No one except two demons can withstand Goldenfire, and that would be Grand Master Lucious and Grand Master Moojin. Ceil here isn't even a Master, so there is no way he could have drank it and still be standing."
I was in trouble. There was no other way out of it, and my carelessness was about to be my death.
"Come on, Devyn. It's getting late. Just let us go. If you're so worried about Ceil, then ask the academy director. She wouldn't have let just anyone pass admissions. Plus, you know Lucious wouldn't either, and I know Ceil has met Lucious. You can ask Marcus. He was there when Ceil first got here today," Sicah said, sounding impatient.
Devyn shook his head, "No, and that's Grand Master Lucious to you, Sicah. I will allow you three to leave, but the newcomer stays until I'm convinced otherwise."
As I was about to argue, I heard a rush of murmuring behind me, along with shocked gasps. But before I could turn to see what was happening, I felt tiny hands encircle the side of my waist. Then, when I looked down, I was met with very familiar, very beautiful eyes.
"Master, Rose is sorry she is late. Director wouldn't let me out until I promised to clean the entire dorm tomorrow. Oh, and I found my Master's ring on the way here," she said, smiling proudly as she wiggled her pointer finger at me with the demonizer ring hanging from it.