Billie’s eyes were focused on the blackboard as she wrote the message in Old Demonic as instructed by Professor Harlow. He was a demon too, a rather old one at that and nearly as dangerous as the others his age, but he managed to keep himself sane by giving up some of his power to remain on earth. Billie stopped mid symbol when she noted some ruckus in the hall, but she continued on with her writing. Harlow had left her a note saying he had an early meeting with the Arch Mage and not to formally begin class until he arrived. Clary moved from her desk near Cole and stood by Billie. “What’s up, babe?” she asked, and Billie finished up the symbol before turning to Clary. “I’m worried about you. And after this morning I’m worried more. Logan asked me to stay away from Adrian.” Billie nodded. “And I agree with him. There’s something different than the last time I saw him, and I don’t want anyone I care about around him until I’ve figured out what.” She spoke in a hushed tone and Clary gave her a look. “What about you? Obviously he messes you up too.” Clary said, and Billie waved a hand and the textbooks began opening to page 37. “I’ll be okay, Clary. I can handle him. Besides, I have a reputation to uphold and I’ll be damned if he fucks that up. The demons need someone to keep them in line or they’ll be worse than the vampires.” She said, and Clary nodded, going back to her seat before seeing Billie flip through the outline and Cole looked up as the time came for class to begin. “So, Billie, what is all of this stuff?” Cole asked and Billie looked to the door. “Harlow asked for class not to begin until he’s here.” She said, looking through the notes he left for her. Adrian took his chance. “You know more Old Demonic than any other demon I know, can’t you at least tell us what it’s used for? I mean it is a dead language.” He quipped, and Billie’s eyes fell on him, but she sighed a bit seeing the majority of the class was agreeing with him. Almost all of the demons at that. “Old Demonic now is used by demons of certain ranks. It has the ability, since the dialect change, to do more than just send messages. In fact, if used properly, like by the orders of Hell Knights, it can be used as a weapon.” She explained, “And even as a warding tool against certain races.” “Very correct, Ms. Sanders,” the black Eyed man said as he entered the class. His tall stature towered over Billie, his grey hair smoothed back as he smiled. “Good morning class, I am Professor Harlow, I will be teaching you of Ancient Languages and Dialects here. You are fortunate enough to have my class with a teacher’s assistant as well versed in this area as I am, Billie Sanders. There will be days I allow her to take the wheel, per Arch Mage requirements, and in fact, one of those days is today.” Adrian looked forward with the others, and he saw Billie smile. But a hand raised. Another demon by the name of Florence, she had to be just as old as Billie and Alex, and she seemed slightly annoyed with Billie’s teacher’s assistant standing. “Professor Harlow, why is Billie the teacher’s assistant?” she asked and Harlow sighed. “I won’t deal with petty.” He said, warningly. Billie however, spoke as well. “I can speak every version of demonic, human, fae, vampire, lycanthrope, and even angelic there is currently known with ease. I’m a linguist, therefore, the best for the position.” Billie spoke, plainly, her eyes blackening over before returning to normal. The demons knew what it meant and Florence nodded, looking to her textbook. “Anyways, before the end of the class period, you are to have completed the first worksheet in your outline. You may work in pairs or small groups, but first, Billie will explain the basics of it, as she had started to.” Harlow said, sitting at his desk and scribbling a few things down. Coles hand shot up before she spoke, “So, where does Old Demonic come from?” she asked. Billie gave a small smile and a light nod. She could shine in this class. It was her favorite because of how easy it was for her. She had extensive knowledge of language because she never stayed in one place for too long and she was a fast learner. In an almost scary sense at that. “Old Demonic is derived of the first branch of angelic dialect. It was used for seven centuries in hell before the dialect change, and has since become a powerful tool to high ranking demons, such as hell knights. In fact, most hell knights are marked with it to denote their standing. Also, about eight hundred years ago it became a fashion statement in hell and all sorts of demons were branded with it.” She explained. Clary then raised her hand. “What does the board say?” she asked. Billie looked at it. “It translates, welcome to class. Since reading and writing in Old Demonic is far easier than speaking it, today we are going to learn basic symbols, and common phrases seen in it.” She erased the board and began placing a few symbols before she went to look at her notes and noted the brand on Harlow’s forearm. It was the same as hers, but she didn’t react as she continued on with a few symbols. “Can anyone name these?” she asked. -- Alex smiled a bit to Jordyn as she spoke, listening to her words. “Hey, whatever makes you most comfortable.” He said, and when she asked her question he nodded. “Yeah, most people don’t believe it, but she’s my half sister. Don’t know her mother or my own even, just that they aren’t the same. Our father is, unfortunately, the shared parent. It’s why I worry for her.” Alex looked forward when the professor entered and he shook his head at the students who were surprised by her. He took Botany and Alchemy every year because he was quite intrigued by plants and what they could make. He looked to his text book and then to the flowers, looking over to Jordyn as they were allowed to work together. “I won’t lie about it, but I can’t tell the difference between these two ever. Can you help me out?” he asked in a bit of a hushed tone , but something different caught his ears. A group of demons new to the crowd he and Billie had were talking in front of them. “Dude, Logan damn near knocked Devin out. It was fucking hilarious. Too bad it was vamp business otherwise I so would have to high five Logan. Devin needs to shut his mouth.” One said, and it caused Alex to smirk a bit. He’d have to send Logan a gift basket for that. It hadn’t been long ago that they had the discussion of how to deal with Devin, and keep Billie in the dark on it. Just like Alex knew to keep quiet on the whole Adrian situation. It would get handled in due time, he knew it. He turned his attention to Jordyn and the book, staring at the plants. “How do you tell the difference?” he asked her, quietly before taking up a pen and placing it against the page before him and wiring down what he was told. He was good in knowledge, but some plants just got him. Some of it was due to color blindness, and that was why he wore the glasses. The Arch Mage had made them for him to help with his color blindness because the Arch Mage knew why he was taking most of the courses he was. - The Arch Mage sighed as he walked down the hallway, a familiar figure walking with him. It was the one of Lucifer, who had decided to come up for a meeting and stay for a while to monitor the demons for a while with the issues coming up. Not to mention he was worried for Billie, his adopted child, up against someone like Adrian. “The blood feud between the vampires and demons is getting ready to get worse again, I feel it.” The Arch Mage spoke, and Lucifer nodded. “I’m sure it has to get worse to get better though. So they’ll have to band together to survive, after all.” Lucifer spoke, a hound larger than Storm at his side. “If Azrael makes it here, things will go down hill quickly. Alex won’t go with him, that’s a fact, but the other demons are fickle, they are so like humans now and are enticed by the idea of power.” The Arch Mage nodded. “Are you sure he has people here already?” he asked, and Lucifer nodded. “Adrian Desmond may be one. He changed in his time. Ash here managed to overhear a bit of a conversation saying his aura is black.” Lucifer commented. “It used to be yellow.” “What happens if Azrael comes in contact with his children?” the Arch Mage asked. “Alex will be fine, he may lose a little control, but not enough to hurt himself. Billie, however, there is a strong possibility her angelic half won’t be able to contain itself. Her form now will be destroyed and she’ll return to hell where we’ll look for a new form. But there is no need for them to know. Not until Azrael is located.” He said, and the Arch Mage nodded. “Does Alex know what will happen to Billie?” he asked. “No. Billie knows what will happen and has decided to keep it to herself. Besides if Azrael sees her form destroyed, it will be more likely he thinks she’s dead.” Lucifer answered. “When will the survival exams begin?” “Next week. We have to get some basics covered in the class first.” The arch mage answered and Lucifer stopped, seeing Billie writing on a chalk board in a classroom as they walked passed. “She almost exorcised the demon out of him?” he asked. “She’s getting stronger demonic ally and her shifts are more frequent now. If she doesn’t accept the light soon, I fear worse will happen.” The arch mage said. “What of the mage in the school? How are they?” Lucifer asked. “They’re all still learning.” he said, and the two entered the gymnasium and sat in the bleachers. “What other concerns need addressed?”