Saylor stared at her demon biology homework long and hard before realizing that she was looking at the wrong diagram. This week, they were learning about lower-level demon body types and powers. Diagrams comparing demon spawns with demon acolytes were sprawled across the coffee table in the Demonology Commons. She had to resort to studying in the common area because Arabella wanted to sleep.
"Studying at this hour? Really? What is wrong with you? We just came back from a party," she had said minutes before passing out on her bed, still wearing her black party attire. Saylor had to slip Arabella's heels off her feet and pull the covers over her body before sneaking out and settling on a couch near the fireplace.
The television hanging above the mantel was playing the morning news when she had settled down, but she didn't bother turning it off and decided to let the noise simmer in the background while she worked – at least, while she tried to work.
Saylor had spent early morning dancing and drinking at the Alchemy party, namely with a certain young man named Mars. Perhaps it was a terrible idea to attempt to do homework right after such a party, but Saylor could not go to bed without having done at least some of her homework. The last thing she wanted to be was behind on schoolwork, and not being ahead to her meant being behind.
"We are here at the Macedo residence, reporting at a terrible crime scene," the newscaster announced, which totally dragged Saylor out of her tired daze. "Isabel Macedo, the lead investigator of the Angelica Wang case was found dead in her home this early morning. We are here with Officer Laflamme, reporting on what happened."
A tall plump woman with pale skin and straightened hair appeared on the screen. She wore the expected police attire and had a solemn look on her face.
"We were extremely shaken to have found Detective Macedo, this morning," she said in a subtle French-Canadian accent. "Her death was very obviously a murder, and a very disturbing sight as well. We are still investigating and cannot say much at the moment, but we are currently in contact with La Sureté du Québec to try to get more professionals involved in this case. We are very determined to find out who did this."
The screen returned to the broadcaster who went on to other news, but Saylor was already on her toes. Something about this wasn't right. The lead investigator for a demon assassination (unbeknownst to the humans) was just murdered. Could it have been done by the same demon that had attacked Angelica Wang? Why would it target the investigator as well? Was Detective Macedo getting too close to the truth? Was the demon worried that the secrets of the underworld would be revealed to humans?
Although demon attacks were not something sorcerers were meant to be worried about – nine layers of Hell and whatnot – Saylor still felt something uneasy stirring at the bottom of her stomach. And she did not like it one bit.
"What are you doing still up?" a groggy Arun asked as he trudged into the common area. He had an empty cup in his hand and his eyes were half-closed as he walked by Saylor
"Studying a bit," Saylor said as Arun disappeared into the washrooms. "Or trying to…"
A faucet in the lavatory was turned on for a quick moment before being shut off again. Soon after, Arun emerged, drinking quietly from his cup.
"Did you just say studying? Are you mental?" Arun said as he rubbed his eyes.
"No… I'm just not used to this sleeping during the day routine, you know," Saylor admitted. "I mean, it's so bright outside and yet sorcerers decide to sleep during the day."
"Well, you better head to bed soon because you need all the sleep you can get for tomorrow's events," Arun said.
"Funny how we say tomorrow when it's actually just later today," Saylor mused.
"Semantics, or something," Arun yawned. "Anyway, I'm going back to bed."
"Yeah, good night – or good sleep – or whatever it is sorcerers say."
Arun barely registered what Saylor was blabbering about before he disappeared into the dormitory hallway.