40. Pandora

There hadn’t been any dark magic circles around the academy in a while, and things at Demon Reform Academy were starting to fall into a very welcomed lull. I went to classes, hung out with Reed, had very riveting counseling sessions with Hunter, and was glared at by Dex, Skel, and Hemlock.

Reed and I hadn’t shared another romantic moment, but we had been there for each other. He told me about Darkmore and his plan regarding his now ex-best friend Vane, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel uneasy. Daryl was informed about all of it, and he actually agreed that it was a good idea.

Hunter and I had also gotten closer. I’d shared a bit more about Nebula and how he was killed by my mother. It had forged a type of bond between us. I really cared for him, and I knew I could trust him.

Dex was keeping his distance, and I thought it was because he knew his shadows absolutely freaked me out. Ever since that nightmare, I had a hard time looking at him. I was sure he could feel that.

Hemlock and I continued spitting insults at each other whenever the opportunity came about. Granted, Hemlock was always the one to say something first. I was just defending myself.

What was different was that something had shifted in Skel’s gaze when he looked at me, and I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Like he knew something I didn’t want him knowing.

Dreadful and Voidfire had gotten up the courage to glare at me again, but other than that, things weren’t too bad.

“What’s amazing about ceremonial magic is that it can take the place of certain potions,” Ironwood mused, pacing the length of the classroom with his curly auburn hair bouncing with each step. “Such as the birth control potion.”

Whispers started around the classroom, and so did a few giggles because, apparently, adult demons found sexual responsibility funny.

“Okay, come on, now.” Ironwood rolled his brown eyes. “Sex is a part of life, and you are adults. It’s important to be aware of the safety precautions. Ceremonial magic can be done once a month or once a year, and all it takes is some magical essence and a piece of your hair.”

He delved into the how-to of ceremonial magic for birth control. The coolest thing was that, unlike birth control potions, ceremonial magic could prevent pregnancy for men or women. I listened intently—not that I was thinking about having sex—but if it ever happened, I’d want to be safe about it.

My face flamed with heat as I thought about Hunter and Reed, but I pushed that out of my mind faster than I had thought it.

“What’re you so focused on, brat?” Hemlock’s lip curled into a sneer as he glanced over at me. “You have nothing to worry about. No one would fuck you anyway.”

Embarrassment and irritation flared through me, and I spun to the side of my chair and scowled. “You must know how that is because l’m not seeing anyone begging to fuck a drunk either.”

Skel brought his pipe to his lips and took a long hit before blowing smoke out with a wince.

“Let’s maintain our maturity, Gravesend and Hemlock,” Ironwood called us out. “May I continue?”

My face was hot as I hid behind my hair again, facing the front of the room.

I peeked at Hemlock long enough to meet his heated glare with my own, and then I focused on Ironwood for the rest of the lecture.

After Ironwood dismissed us, I gathered my things and headed out the door, with Hemlock following close behind me and his chaos magic swirling around us.

“Why are you following me?” I glanced over my shoulder with a huff. “Are you bored?”

“Not everything’s about you,” he shot back, lifting a bottle to his lips. “Besides, I was just wondering how much of a whore you have to be to be so interested in birth control. I mean, at least you’re being safe.”

Skel followed behind Hemlock, smoking his pipe like his life depended on it. But he didn’t chime in.

My nostrils flared as irritation washed over me again. “I promise you that you’re more of a whore than I am.”

Five wolves formed from his chaos magic, leaping in front of me as we entered the lobby of Reform Hall.

I paused in my tracks. His wolves were scary, but they were almost…kind of…cute.

Hemlock chuckled and tilted a bottle back again. “Sure, brat. Doubt that.”

A couple of nobles stood to the left of us, and I recognized Voidfire immediately.

Dread hit my gut as I made eye contact with her.

Her lips curled back. “I don’t know why she insists on wearing that wrap on her thigh. It’s gross,” she told her friends, pointing my way.

A guttural growl sounded from the largest wolf in the pack of chaos wolves, and suddenly, the finger she pointed my way was gone.

My gaze widened in shock.

The knuckle of her hand sprayed blood, and she let out a horrific screech. “My finger’s gone!”

Skel tossed his head back with a throaty laugh as fear magic started to leak from him.

Dripping shadow tendrils started to dance at the edge of my vision, and I knew it was an illusion created by Skel, but it terrified me all the same.

Everyone scattered, including a fingerless Voidfire.

Skel’s hands ran through his hair. “Fuck! I can’t control it. It’s everywhere.”

“Breathe, dude.” Hemlock stared at him, concern clear as day in his eyes. “You’re good.”

“Is he…” A shadow tendril wrapped around my throat, and I could feel the way it burned into my skin. I bit down the scream and flinched from the illusion. “Is he okay?” I asked.

“Does it look like I’m okay?” Skel’s voice turned hysterical as he dropped to the ground and hung his head between his knees. “Your fear isn’t helping!”

“We don’t need help from a noble,” Hemlock snapped at me, his eyes squeezed shut. His chaos wolves had long since dissipated, and I had a feeling his fears were around him, too.

I straightened my spine, feeling heat prick my eyes at the brashness of his tone.

They’d followed me. Hemlock protected me. Yet now I was the bad guy for being afraid? For caring about Skel?

I wouldn’t cry, and I wouldn’t help if he didn’t want it.

I spun on my heels and made my way down the hall to Hunter’s office, leaving Hemlock to deal with Skel’s magical breakdown.

A demon with a blonde bob fell into step with me, and as I glanced to see who it was, I paused.

“What do you want, Dreadful?”

“I’m sorry for throwing the weird—I mean, the kitten skull and ganging up on you,” she said sweetly. Sweet enough that I knew it was fake.

“You aren’t even supposed to be in Reform Hall right now, are you? Do you have a class, or did your friend call you and tell you she lost a finger?”

She held up her hands in innocence. “I just finished a session with my counselor, actually.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Right.”

“Look, there’s a shooting star that’s supposed to be visible tonight. A few of us are getting together and watching it. We’ll be just outside of campus between the academy and Odyssey Bluff if you decide to come.”

My ring was still black, and I frowned. “No.”

Her bottom lip wobbled as she pouted. “Please? I’ll level with you. Nightwind likes you, and he wants you to be there. Are you really going to punish him for what we did?”

I groaned, running a hand through my long hair. “Nightwind likes me now? Just as a friend, right?”

She nodded with a grin. “Yes. Like a best friend. He did save the precious skull, and we got in trouble from him.”

“I’ll think about it,” I stated, not wanting to expand on that any more than I already had.

Dreadful squealed, leaned over, and kissed my cheek before turning and leaving.

“What was that about?” Hunter’s voice scared me.

I jolted and turned to see him leaning against his doorframe, looking stunning with his dark blond hair falling into his face. “Oh! I don’t know.”

“Well, are you going to come in?” He gestured for me to walk inside.

My face heated up, and I pushed my legs to move into his office and toward the plush sofa.

The door shut with a soft click after he walked in, and instead of sitting at the desk, he took a seat next to me. “So, what did she want?”

His shoulder brushed mine, and warmth spread through me from just that.

“She invited me with her and her friends to watch a shooting star. Apparently, Nightwind wanted me to go because he wants to be my friend.” I glanced down. “I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either,” he mumbled, scowling. “I highly recommend you not go.”

“I know,” I murmured my agreement, turning my head to glance at him.

Our gazes connected, and my heart jumped. The air between us crackled as our magic brushed up against each other, and he leaned forward slightly.

“Can I kiss you?” His breath fanned against my lips.

“Please,” I rasped.

He closed the distance, and our lips met in a tender kiss. A spark of passion ignited between us that sent a rush of warmth through me. His soft lips moved against mine, kissing me with a gentleness that conveyed an emotional amount of longing.

I broke the kiss first, pulling back only slightly as heat pooled in my abdomen. “Hunter…”

Desire coated my frayed nerves, and I knew he could scent it.

All from a simple kiss.

“Are you okay?” he asked, only understanding in his eyes.

“I…I kissed Reed.” The admission tumbled from lips that were just against his.

Shock spread over his face. “You did?”

“Well, our lips brushed for a moment, but I count it.” I frowned, feeling panic rise in my throat. “I kissed both of you. Oh, Fates. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Reed cares about you as much as I do.” His white eyes with gray rings were only filled with reassurance.

“What?” My brow shot up.

He didn’t sound upset or mad…it just seemed like he hadn’t known.

“It’s okay if you like us both, starlight.” He cupped my cheeks with both hands. “But right now, I’ve got you. Just…relax.”

The nerves melted under the heat of desire and comfort I felt in that moment, and I leaned back in.

Pressing my lips against his, I realized he tasted like a mix of chocolate and caramel. Our kiss deepened with each beat of our hearts, and our connection thrummed between us.

Hunter set my heart on fire. He was safe and kind, and his lips on mine made everything feel like it was going to be okay.

I liked Reed…but I was also falling for Hunter.

Our magic swirled around us, and a sense of peace and security settled over my heart. I was exactly where I was meant to be…in Hunter’s hands with his lips on mine.

The door to the office opened, and we broke apart.

It was Daryl.

My heart leapt in my chest, and my lips were swollen as my fingertips rested over them. “Hi, Daryl.”

“Pandora.” My name was nothing but a rumble in his chest.

“Death.” Hunter visibly stiffened as he greeted my father. “Wasn’t expecting you.”

“Obviously,” he clipped the word out before his gaze landed on me.

I shrunk back against the sofa, moving slightly behind Hunter. He was mad.

“Pandora, could you give us a moment?” Daryl asked with a fury in his gaze that reminded me of a parental discipline I had only seen in Mother.

“Please don’t hurt him,” I rasped, throat dry and achy.

“Death, calm down.” Hunter moved to shield me from Daryl’s view. “You’re scaring her.”

I heard an audible exhale. “I’m not going to kill him. I need to talk to him.”

“What about me?” I asked softly. “Hunter wasn’t the only one involved. I don’t want him killed or hurt.”

“I won’t hurt him,” Daryl growled, crossing his arms with a pout. “I promise, Pandora.”

I moved back and glanced at Daryl. He’d never lied to me. If he said he wouldn’t hurt him, he wouldn’t.

The ring on my finger stayed white, and relief hit me like a torrential downpour.

Hunter’s finger brushed against mine, drawing my attention. “I’ll be fine. I promise. Go get some rest or study. I’ll find you later.”

“Oh, come on,” Daryl grumbled.

I nodded, flicking my gaze between the two of them. “I’ll see you both later then.”

“Of course, starlight,” Hunter murmured, and my cheeks flamed with heat.

“Sounds good,” Daryl coughed.

I got to my feet and adjusted the bag on my shoulder, glancing back at the two of them one more time before shutting the door behind me.

My heart pounded wildly as what just happened sunk in.

Daryl had walked in on Hunter and me kissing—and I’d left them alone together just after.