"The last is goblin," Jono continued in a somewhat humbler voice than before. "The gene presents itself from conception and is visible from birth. Disfigurement of the humanoid form can vary from slight to severe. Goblins show increased strength and animal like senses, but have notably low levels of intelligence."
I rolled my eyes. Demon species classification was easy; a panhandler could have told Tu that information. After all, you should know the full extent of how screwed you were if a demon managed to breach the Wall and cross your path, apart from me, of course. I took a long moment to feel special then scolded myself, because my situation was dangerous and creepy, not special.
"Impressive," Tu said dryly. "But I think you'll find you forgot one."
Jono looked confused. "I named all demons known to man." He flicked a page of his textbook. His eyes widened and he pushed the book away. "I named all real demons; I didn't think we needed to reference extinct species. Should I have mentioned the silver backed ape as well?"
A smattering of Disciples laughed, but I found nothing funny about it. So many animals had been lost during the Rupture. During the fighting it seemed everyone forgot that there were other creatures than the ones that could talk, and be heard by fighting back. Nevertheless, intrigued like others around me, I flicked to the relevant chapter in my book. I paused and scanned the summary of demons, and my eyes snagged on the name.
Tu said, "Fairy. There have been eighty-seven recorded sightings of creatures with humanoid appearance in the last year."
I stifled a little bubble of hysteria. A grin stretched my face until I thought my lips would split down the middle. Alex sent me an odd look, and quirked her eyebrow as if to ask 'what's so funny?' I pulled my face together and waved her away.
"Lord Cleric, you're asking us to consider fairies flying around the region sprinkling dust and spouting riddles?" Jono's was incredulous. "They're practically extinct."
Ro snorted a laugh and it smothered out the wild giggle I couldn't seem to contain.
"I think on it, and can't believe it," he said. "No Cleric has confirmed sighting of a fairy." Flicking the side of his nose a few times with his thumb, he snorted again.
He caught Alex watching him from the corner of her eye and winked. She fought a smile. Looked like they were going to make up and play nice again. Ro was a complicated endeavor that Alex could not seem to get a handle on. They were always breaking up, seeing other people then coming back together again. Ro liked Alex, a lot, but he liked guys too, and it seemed to be something she couldn't get her head around.
The class kept up this train of topic for a while and I tuned out, lazily scratching pictures into the table surface with my pen cap.
"That's an interesting necklace you have on," said a hushed voice.
My hand slid to cover the leather tie and circular golden pendant that hung from it. Devlin was leaning out of his chair, closer to me.
"Ta," I said and turned back around. He moved closer. I shifted away and tried to focus on what Ro was saying, but he wasn't finished.
"Can I see it?"
"No," I answered frankly without looking at him.
"It's important to you."
"Yes."
"May I ask why?"
He was not getting that arms crossed, face turned away signaled I did not want to talk. Scowling, I faced him. "It's all I have from my past."
He gave me an apologetic look. "It reminds you of your family."
I smiled tightly. "It reminds me every day that people can throw you away like trash, and to trust no one but yourself."
"You sound bitter," he said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, well." I was done with the conversation. I turned away again, slid deeper into my chair but found my hand rising. Tu signaled to me with a nod. "Sorry if this is random, I haven't been following the conversation." I shot a pointed look at Devlin. "Why all of a sudden are we focusing on fairies? I've noticed my classes in the last month keep picking it up as the main study topic."
"We have orders to increase your training on lesser known beings, in particular fairies. There has been increased activity and sightings near the Wall."
My heart tripped a little in my chest. "Increased?"
"Forty in the last month."
"Where?"
