14. Hunter

Rage funneled through my veins so hard that I couldn’t hear from the thumping of blood in my head.

Each step forward came with a different way to maim Shadowheart for pinning Pandora against the fucking wall while his shadows touched her.

Enchanted nails driven through every inch of his body to pin him against a wall.

Slicing off his skin one lengthy peel at a time.

A bullet through his chest.

Strangling him with his own shadows until he blacked out.

I didn’t just want to punish Shadowheart, either. Hemlock and Grimshaw were also at fault. The way Hemlock stared at her made me want to gouge his eyes out. Grimshaw’s indifference was appalling as well, considering how much magical energy he fed off of as he ate her fear.

I wanted to hurt all three of them, but something deep in my soul wanted me to avoid permanent damage. I didn’t know why. She was far too kind to be treated that way.

At least Nyx was there to step in.

We stepped into my office, and I shut the door before inhaling the mingling scent of caramel that filled the room.

I’d had a session earlier, and during it, something clawed at my subconscious so much that I ended it ten minutes early and made my way toward the cafeteria.

That was when I’d seen Pandora closed in by Shadowheart.

Her long black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her round red eyes were filled with anxiety as they darted around my office. She fiddled with the strap of her bag, refusing to meet my gaze.

“Hey,” I said softly, offering her a gentle smile. ”Are you okay?”

She nodded, but her plump lips were pursed. “Are you?”

“Am I?” My brows furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’re in full demon form, and you’ve been muttering under your breath this entire time,” she rasped, finally flicking her gaze to me.

My heart lurched in my chest, and my tail whipped behind me in irritation. Reaching up, I brought my fingertips to my horns before wincing. I’d gotten so riled up that I hadn’t even noticed.

Her hand moved up and curled around her throat as she quietly cleared it. She shivered as if a wave of pain exploded from her neck.

She constantly seemed like her throat bothered her. It made me wonder why, but if I lingered too much on the possibilities, I’d want to bring her mother back from the dead and kill her again.

I turned abruptly and walked over to the small fridge underneath my desk and pulled out an enchanted bottle I’d had Joel buy for me off the fae market last night. He brought it over this morning when he dropped in to discuss more dark magic sightings.

“Here, take a drink.” I offered the slender crystal bottle to her, and the ice rattled within the confines as her trembling hands grabbed it. The ice took up the entire bottle from top to bottom, and the water filled it to the brim.

The enchanted iced water bottle was from the Ice Kingdom, and it was high in demand here in Kalista and the Fae Realm, according to Joel. It was the perfect gift for someone who clearly needed reminding to drink water, like Pandora.

Every time she drank something around me, I noticed how much relief flickered in her expression. I wanted to help her, and this seemed like a professional way to do that.

“Thank you.” The cold droplets glistened against the glass as her delicate, shaky fingers wrapped around the bottle.

I watched intently as she lifted the enchanted iced water bottle to her lips. With each sip, relief washed over her, the cold liquid surely soothing her throat. Her eyes closed as she drank.

Every gulp she took made my heart swell a little more. I desperately wanted to gather her in my arms, but for now, making sure she had things that eased her day-to-day life was all I could do.

A small gasp escaped her, and she lowered the bottle. Her eyelids fluttered open again as her gaze found mine. “That was…the best thing I’ve ever had.”

”It’s enchanted,” I told her, feeling a smirk tug at my lips for making her happy. ”No matter where you are or how much you drink, it will always stay filled and cold.”

Her hands trembled as she held the bottle back out to me. “That’s incredible.”

“It’s yours.” I gently pushed the bottle back toward her until it rested against her chest. “Consider it a gift from me.”

“Why?” she croaked, tears spilling down her cheeks as she stared up at me.

“Because it’ll make me feel better if I know you’re staying hydrated,” I mumbled the truth, cheeks flaming with heat as I let my hand fall from her.

“I will,” she promised, clutching the bottle with both hands against her. “Thank you, Hunter.”

“You’re welcome.” I walked over toward my desk, gesturing to the sofa as I took my seat. “Why don’t you lay down for a moment, and we can talk?”

She ambled over and sank into the sofa with the bottle tightly flushed to her body.

Fates, I wanted nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and shield her from the world. But all I could do was talk her through what she would let me.

One day, though, I would hold her again.

Bringing the bottle up, she took another long drink of water. Her mouth popped off the top with an audible inhale. “I can’t thank you enough, Hunter.”

“It’s a water bottle.” I shrugged, embarrassment swirling through me. “I wanted you to be more comfortable drinking water.”

Her lips curved into a breathtaking smile as she placed the lid back on and set the bottle on her lap. “The first time I had cold water was when Daryl offered it to me after I woke up.”

My amusement faded as I tilted my head. “You’ve only drank…”

“Warm water,” she finished for me. “Well, hot water most days, actually. Whatever Mother could spare that week.”

Anger filled me again.

I didn’t understand how anyone could treat another demon so fucking terribly—I mean, I knew it happened. I saw the worst sides of demons and supernaturals alike from working with my dad. I’d heard travesties from my students. But seeing what that bitch Bones did to Pandora caused a maelstrom of pure anger to rage through me like I’ve never felt before.

Vengeance magic danced along my skin, begging to be let out on a dead woman.

“You’ll never have to go through that again, starlight.” My magic thrummed in agreement.

She nodded with a small frown. “I know my voice isn’t normal. Dreadful keeps making fun of it, and so did Voidfire and a few other nobles. I can’t help the way I sound.”

“Your voice is adorable,” I blurted before heat rose up my neck. “Shit, that was unprofessional.”

A small snort of laughter burst from her. “You’re the only one to ever call my voice adorable.”

My jaw went slack as I watched the twinkle of amusement in her eyes, but it faded just as quickly as it came.

She had the prettiest smile.

“You don’t have to lie, you know?”

“I don’t lie,” I stated smoothly. “Lying doesn’t bode well for anyone. I’ve seen that proven over and over again.” Besides, l did love her voice. It was raspy and soft, and it sent my nerve endings alight with desire.

“I’ve always hated my voice, ever since…” she trailed off, and a haunted expression took over.

”You”re strong.” My throat tightened as I watched her lean over and lie fully on the sofa. “You”ve been through so much, yet you continue to go on. I don’t know anybody who could attend an academy so soon after what you’ve been through. I wish you could see yourself the way your father and I do.”

She looked at me with tears glistening in her eyes, and the water bottle was still clutched to her chest. “You’re being so nice to me.”

I sucked in a deep breath, steeling myself against the fury brewing beneath the surface again. ”You don”t need to worry about what others think or say. You”re worthy of anything you desire. It”s time to prioritize yourself and your well-being above all else. Who cares if someone doesn’t like your voice? I’ve had people tell me they don’t like my face.”

Her expression softened, and her eyelids fluttered shut again. “I like your face.”

My heart almost beat out of my Fates-damned chest as I sputtered on a breath.

She said she liked my face.

Her chest rose and fell softly, and she was fast asleep in my office without another word.

Like an absolute creep, I stayed put in my chair and watched her sleep. My mind churned with thoughts of vengeance for her. Dreadful would pay for making fun of her, and so would Voidfire.

I took this job to make a difference in young demons’ lives, but some demons were too far gone—even if they were still young. Dreadful was clearly one of them.

Pandora curled into herself with a small whimper, and I was on my feet beside her the next moment. She was lying the same way she had when I first saw her, clothed by her own blood and pieces of flesh.

Fates.My chest ached at the memory, and I had to remind myself that we weren’t back in that cellar.

Instead of the kitten skull, she clutched the bottle I’d given her. She lay in my office, safe and sound.

Once I convinced myself of her safety, I pried myself away from the sofa long enough to cross the room and grab a blanket from my closet. I draped it over her and watched her anxiety melt away. The distressed lines on her forehead dissipated immediately, and she snuggled into the blanket.

My heart swelled with reassurance that I did something right for her, and I couldn’t wait to unleash the vengeance boiling over inside of my soul.

I went over and jotted down a new to-do list.

Make Grimshaw, Hemlock, and Shadowheart pay in their sessions. Make them see their wrongs.

Get vengeance for Pandora with Dreadful and Voidfire.

Pandora deserved vengeance above all.