Miles

**AUTHOR's Note**
***Sent a request to have the last sentance of the previous chapter updated correctly so in can coincide with the beginnings of this chapter.***
_____________________________

*"I've got that meeting with Simmins after class today, and Sam's gone, and Luka cannot do it for obvious reasons, and 'Hermes is trailing Phil, so it's up to you to get Kitten to her first year mid-term orientation safely." I quickly texted Beckett and headed toward Simmins' office.*

I wanted to reflect further on Katrina's ability to use her divine gifts, but I didn't have the time, let's just say, to suggest I was impressed by her ability to wield her powers in the way she demonstrated would be inadequate. I was beyond impressed. I already knew Kitten was a badass. Anyone would have to be to be mated to my cousins and me, but fuck, this woman, she is something else. She's everything I could want and more.

Glancing down at my phone once more before entering Simmins office, I chuckle at Beckett's response to my earlier message.

*"No need to make it sound like such a chore. I'll happily escort our precious.”*

I wanted to fire off a witty response about yet another nickname, but I still needed to text Samael, and a glance at the time on my phone showed that I was already five minutes late for my scheduled meeting.

*"Let us know how things are going when you get a chance."*

Instead of knocking and waiting patiently for Simmins to answer, I opened the door and strode into his office. It was a tactic my father had taught me. If I waited patiently at his door as a student would, Simmins would think my request was that of a student asking for permission. But I'm not asking permission. I'm telling Simmins what I want, and it's expected that he will give it to me.

"Luka's quarters will need to be changed. He's to reside in our dormitory starting today." I state as I pull out a chair, taking the seat directly across from Simmins, leaning back with my arms behind my head and my feet on his desk.

I normally present our headmaster with some respect as a higher authority, but at a time like this, he must be reminded of who I am and what's at stake if he ignores me.


"That cannot be done, Miles. Teachers are not allowed in student quarters. No exceptions." Simmins responds, glaring at my feet on his desk, but not doing anything to have them removed.

"Simmins, I'm not asking." I push myself into a standing position and lean across his desk, hands on either side.

To his credit, Simmins doesn't flinch. Even as I glare down at him, my god-like aura swirling in the air. "And what would you suggest I tell the school board?" He asks, sitting back casually, hands folded and resting gently on his desk, waiting for my response.

"Tell them the truth. Katrina is incredibly powerful but is behind on her studies. She grew up on Earth under the pretense that the gods and goddesses were mythological beings. It is in her best interest, along with the other students at the academy, that she be given an around-the-clock tutor to access at any time."

"And why, out of all of our teachers here at the academy, is the youngest professor the one tutoring her?" Simmins asks, his line of questioning proving that once upon a time, he served in my father's army and wanted to be prepared for the mission I was sending him on.

"Because, as I'm sure the other professors and most students have noticed, Katrina and Luka have formed a magical bond. When Luka was trying to help her open up her magic, Katrina's magic called to his, and by the time he was able to get Katrina to rescind her magic, the bond had already formed."

"And there isn't anything else between Katrina and Luka?" Simmins inquired, looking at me suspiciously.

"Nothing that is of your concern," I reply, my words short and sharp, letting him know this line of questioning will get him nowhere.

"Miles, if the school board or the council finds out I've deceived them..."

I cut him short, raising my hand and silencing him. "The school board and council will know that the heirs made this call. There will be no repercussions that come down on you.

"I feel you should at least offer me some explanation. Heir to the kingdom or not, Miles, I thought we had a better relationship than this." Simmins replied, his usually moody grey eyes shining with hurt.

He almost broke through my steel reservoir, but there was more at stake here than a mutual friendship with a professor I had grown fond of.

"So, what did the BOUA (Bureau of Unaffiliated Angels) want with Katrina?" I ask, changing the subject.

Simmins hesitated for a moment, I know he's upset about the entire Luka thing and wants to talk more about it, but this isn't the time. I need that information on the BOUA immediately so I can start strategizing. If Brahma wanted Katrina, he would stop at nothing to add her to his collection.

I let out a hefty sigh, "Listen, Simmins, if I could tell you what was going on without worry, then I would. Keeping information from you is not only me trying to keep Katrina safe, but also me trying to keep you safe. The council will stop at nothing to find out what is happening behind the scenes. They can only do so much to my cousins and me because we're next in line for the throne. Katrina is under our protection, so the council is limited on what they can and cannot do, but you're a freeman. They can, and they would use whatever means possible to get you to talk. Right now, a cyclops can easily read your mind and see you've only been given the information you've already provided to the council. If I tell you anymore, and you don't release that information, you'll be treated as a criminal, and they will torture you."

"I don't know where you got your heart from, kid, but it wasn't your father or mother. Ares thrives on violence and the unnameable. He would've used me as a lure for the Cyclopses and the council and struck them both down, and Athena, while the greater population believes she seeks peace, we know the truth. She's as ruthless as your father, if not more so. It's why you're her only child." Simmins states matter of factly, not caring that he was speaking ill of his current King and Queen.

"My parents did what needed to be done for the safety of their people, but the era of bloodshed is coming to an end. A new era is on its way, one that needs to be filled with the passion my mother once held in her heart. I strive to be the best part of both my parents. Which is why I can't intentionally put you in harm's way."

"It is said that Brahma was called upon by Indra, the Hindu thunder God, that Katrina, the mate of the four heirs, is not a goddess but an angel. An angel born of light and dark blood, a very being who shouldn't exist at all, an angel who would be seen as a trophy by Brahma."

I schooled my expressions, even though my heart was beating erratically in my chest. If what Simmins' is saying is true, Brahma won't stop his hunt for Katrina. The school search was just the beginning; more would come.

"Why would Indra suspect Katrina to be an angel? And a fallen angel at that?"

"Now, this is just hearsay, but from what I've managed to gather. Hilda had gone home one weekend and was complaining to her father right in front of his visitors that Aphelion had been swept away by a succubus who could use divine light. When her father laughed and told her not to be ridiculous that a demon would never be gifted divine powers, Hilda replied that the demon could if she'd fallen. Thor, of course, didn't take her seriously, but it piqued Indra's curiosity, and he, wanting to be on the good side of his creator, informed Brahma of what he'd heard."

"So, what now?" I ask Simmins biting my lip, trying to figure out what would be best to do in this situation. We couldn't run. Our kingdoms depended on us too much, and to run would be an omission of guilt. Besides, Brahma is just as powerful as his brother Jehovah; he would be able to find us immediately, and without the protection, the academy offered or living in our lands offered, we wouldn't be able to escape him.

"Since your mating bond is complete, you could marry her," Simmins suggested. I'm sure it would have spittled everywhere if I had a drink; I am that shocked by the headmaster's reply.