The grounds of St Sybil's University are beautiful, their penchant for basalt, obsidian, and slate notwithstanding. Tall trees with purple and white leaves and venerable oaks dot the campus in clusters, providing shade along cobblestone pathways and grassy areas where students lounge with their book bags. Benches, small fountains, and statues of demons or animals are everywhere; green and white banners with the university's initials hang from gas lamps. Small signs at intersections direct students to different parts of campus and bulletin boards advertise everything from classes to tutoring services. It's all neat and orderly—clean, safe, and respectable. Perfect for a diplomat's daughter, I muse, watching the expression on my parents' faces as we follow Chancellor Dredgeworth.

They nod as the chancellor expounds on the university's history—well, Papa listens; my mother is half paying attention. She's too busy keeping my brothers in line. And me—I watch the blue-skinned demon.

The sadness in Kion Fellrose's lemon-yellow eyes makes me want to hug him, but I reign in the urge. I'm touchy-feely to a fault, but even I can tell by the closed-off expression on his face and the stiff set of his broad shoulders that he won't quite appreciate the gesture.

"What do you plan on doing with your business degree?" I ask him as Chancellor Dredgeworth finishes showing us the academic buildings. They're grouped in a tight rectangle—four long, three-story structures housing humanities, mathematics, sciences, and social studies, forming the raven's body. A gymnasium, library, and a combination commissary and student store extend behind them, shaping the tail. Thick ivy curtains crawl up the walls and short shrubs frame the entranceways. "I can't decide between history professor or researcher at the Great Athenaeum."

Kion turns his head a fraction, eyes narrowing, mouth curving into a frown. A slight breeze blows down the tree-lined path, stirring thick white hair swept back between two short, back-curved horns the same color as his skin. My fingers twitch to brush an errant lock over one pointed ear, but I notice Papa's eye on me. A flush blossoms on my cheeks and I hastily lace my fingers together behind my back.

"Master Kion," Chancellor Dredgeworth says, pausing by a statue of a robed demon holding a book in one hand and scrolls in the other. A handful of demonic students traversing the path pause to stare at us before being shooed away by the chancellor. One pale rose-colored female reaches out and rubs the feet of the statue as she darts past.

Oh, that's an interesting ritual. I wonder what it's for.

"What can you tell Miss Siah about campus life?"

The blue demon startles, tail-tip twitching. "Uh ..."

Chancellor Dredgeworth raises an eyebrow. "Perhaps you can tell her about some of the sports we offer? Or the clubs?"

The tail-twitching increases. "Uhm, well, we have a rugby team, a tennis team ..." He's struggling. My heart aches with second-hand embarrassment.

The chancellor tugs at the wide edge of one sleeve, flicking at some tiny fluff on the cuff.

"Boys!" Mama calls out, hand flying to her mouth.

We turn to see Amos and Rhian attempting to climb the scholar statue, wings flapping ineffectively. "I am so sorry," Mama says, rushing forward and snatching the boys by the backs of their collars. She drags them down as they protest and pulls them off to the side. Their faces crumble as she drops to their level, whispering fiercely.

Papa groans, shaking his head slightly. I sigh; I love my brothers, but they're a handful.

Chancellor Dredgeworth politely ignores my brothers' impropriety. "What else?" he prompts Kion. His tail is hidden beneath his long robe, but I can see the fabric shifting back and forth.

The blue-skinned male sighs and tilts his head up; he stuffs his hands into the pockets of his creased dark blue trousers. "There's a book club, a math club ... uhm, I think I saw a poster for a gardening club ..." He shrugs.

Papa rubs his chin thoughtfully. "I see." His expression is diplomatically neutral. I've seen that face too often to know he's holding back some rather strong opinions. I'm sure we'll hear about this later.

"Oh!" I exclaim, trying to salvage the situation. "I love to read! The book club sounds delightful. And I've always wanted to try my hand at a garden—isn't that right, Papa?"

My father blinks, then looks down at me. A smile stretches his lips. "Yes," he agrees, touching my shoulder.

"Do you remember when I tried to grow that little tomato plant? The landscaper mistook it for a weed and chopped it down." I was eight and was inconsolable for an hour.

"Well, you did plant it in the middle of the lawn, dearest," Papa reminds me fondly.

"Yes," I agree. "And it put me off of trying for the longest time." I look over at Kion, hoping to coax a conversation out of him, but he remains silent. Seraphs and stars, I hope not all my classmates are so reticent.

"I'll be sure to get you a pamphlet with all our clubs and extracurricular activities," Chancellor Dredgeworth says apologetically. "Why don't we continue to the gym and cafeteria? Master Kion can tell you about the gym since he spends most of his time there." There's an edge to the chancellor's voice, a hint of challenge.

I pounce on this information, wings rising. "You play a sport? Which one? I'm a fair hand at tennis."

His lips compress into a thin line. "I box," he replies slowly.

An answer at last! "A fair sport," I say, nodding. "Have you won any tournaments?"

"School champion three years running," he tells me, lifting his chin as his voice grows stronger. Ah, a point of pride, I note. "And I've won the Third Quadrant Tournament two years in a row."

Chthonia is divided into four quadrants which function like our provinces, except on a larger scale. "How many schools compete in the tournament?" I ask eagerly.

Papa touches my back gently. "I think we should continue with the tour, Siah. We need to get you settled in your dorm." He reaches into an inner pocket and pulls out the silver pocket watch Mama gave him as a wedding present.

The warning is there, clear as day. I've talked too much. Again. "Oh. Of course. I'm sorry." My wings fold down and I clutch my hands together like a calm, dutiful daughter.

Chancellor Dredgeworth's orange eyes flicker between us, then he shrugs and turns, heading for the buildings at the tail-end of the raven. Papa and I begin walking, with Mama holding Rhian and Amos by the hands.

"Six."

I pause, looking at Kion.

"There are six schools in the quadrant."

I smile. "Very impressive."

"Yeah," he drawls, lips twitching.

Chancellor Dredgeworth shows us the right wing of the raven, where the majority of students live. There are five buildings: one for the wing arm and four for the pinions. Unlike the academic buildings, these are four stories tall. "Each dormitory has four assistants who live in the building and are responsible for the care and well-being of our students," he explains. "If any issues arise, the assistants handle it."

"And what about campus security?" Mama inquires. "We were assured that this is a safe university. I haven't seen a security guard since we set foot on the grounds."

"You were looking for someone dressed like the patrolman directing traffic outside, I assume?" Chancellor Dredgeworth inquires. "Our security team has a different colored uniform. See, there's a guard right there." He points to an orange male demon walking between two of the buildings. He wears dark green pants with calf-high black boots and a long green button-up coat with two white stripes encircling his upper arm. A silver bar-shaped badge is pinned over his heart. A tall, conical green and white hat is perched on his head, completely covering his horns. "And there is another."

I glance at my mother. "Well, that does make me feel better," she says, sharing a look with Papa.

"Campus is patrolled day and night," the chancellor assures her, catching my eye. "Now, let us head over to where you will be living, Miss Siah. Master Kion," he calls out. "Kindly tell us about the apartments, since you live there."

We begin walking, the pathway taking us around the back of campus where a lake extends toward a copse of tall, dark trees. Two tall basalt towers with red and charcoal shingles rise above the tree line, small crimson banners flapping in the breeze. A small sandy beach curves around the lake's edge, dotted here and there with benches and picnic tables.

I gaze fondly at the lake, imagining sitting on the sand with a book or lounging with friends. It looks like a lovely place to relax as summer takes hold.

Kion takes a deep breath, tail tip swaying back and forth. "There are five suites to a floor, each with its own bathroom," he explains. "Residents share a kitchen and communal recreational space. We're responsible for keeping our rooms and the shared spaces clean, but there is a maintenance crew available if needed. We can buy groceries at the student market or go into the city."

"These are single-sex buildings, correct?" Papa asks.

"Yes," Chancellor Dredgeworth replies. "Three male, two female."

"And what is the policy in regards to fraternization?"

I cut my father a look. Where is he going with this?

Chancellor Dredgeworth's black eyebrows lift in surprise. He lifts a hand and coughs roughly into a closed fist before replying. "A curfew is in place for first-years. Student volunteers are stationed at the dormitory entryways to prevent non-students from accessing the buildings. However, we recognize that our student body is primarily legal adults and will act accordingly."

My parents look at me, then at each other, the real meaning of the chancellor's words hanging heavy between us. I glance at Kion; the poor fellow would rather be anywhere but here. My mother says slowly, "I see."

I don't know what they're so worried about. I already promised Papa that I would focus on my studies. Besides, St Sybil's fraternization policy is no different than any place of higher learning in Seraphim.

Chancellor Dredgeworth smoothes his robes. "Master Kion, I think we're done for now. You can escort Miss Siah to administration tomorrow morning as discussed. Thank you for your time."

Relief sweeps over the blue-skinned male's face. He bows to the chancellor, then to us. Turning on his heel, he walks in the opposite direction, his long legs quickly putting distance between us.

Papa places a hand on my shoulder and nudges me toward my mother and brothers. "Go on ahead. I have something I need to speak to the chancellor about."

"All right." I don't know what he has to say to Chancellor Dredgeworth that he can't say in front of us, but I don't question my father.

As I hurry to catch up with Mama and the boys, I hear the chancellor say, "You needn't worry about him, Ambassador. He's ..."

I don't catch the last word. Whatever it is, I put it out of my mind.