16. Pandora

16

PANDORA

T he lecture hall was a sea of muted whispers and judgmental eyes. Their souls were filled with a dangerous curiosity, and it had been that way since Skel apologized on his knees in front of everyone.

I sat at the edge of row three, moving my hair forward to create a curtain between myself and the rest of the class, but it didn’t help their probing stares.

Dex, Hemlock, and Skel strode in and made their way toward me. Their scents clogged my throat. I had to force myself to breathe.

“Gravesend,” Bram greeted me softly, his voice tinged with desperation. But he didn’t slur his words because he wasn’t drunk. I still wasn’t used to it, but I already preferred sober Hemlock.

I flinched involuntarily, my fingers tightening around the edge of my desk.

Skel ran a hand through his hair, and longing filled his expression. “We just want to talk. Being near you…I can’t tell you how much I need it.”

“I’m sorry, trouble,” Dex whimpered.

My muscles were so tense, they started to shake.

“Can we sit here?” Hemlock murmured. “Please?”

“Go ahead.” I pushed to my feet and moved to another row, putting as much distance between us as possible.

“Wait,” Skel called out for me.

“You don’t have to move,” Hemlock murmured.

“Please, don’t.” Dex’s voice broke.

Ignoring them and the pain riddling the bonds, I focused on my tablet, the words from the textbook blurring as my mind drifted.

Memories of being chained in that damned cellar, the sharp pain of my mother's shadow magic, and the scars that marred my body flooded my head unwarranted.

I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed the memories away.

I wasn’t there anymore. I was safe. She was dead. I killed her.

The door at the front of the lecture hall creaked open, and my eyes popped open as Dusk entered. As usual, her presence brought immediate silence. Her eyes swept over the room, pausing briefly on me before she began her lecture.

“Welcome to term two. We will start with the theory of demonic curses,” she announced. “Utilizing demonic curses is not only dangerous like we discussed last term, but it can also be a necessity in certain situations.”

“Like what?” a demon shouted the question.

She thinned her lips. “Like when the Demon Council deals out punishments.”

As she talked, I could feel my mates’ eyes burning holes into my back. I should’ve chosen a seat behind them, but I hadn’t thought about them staring. I could feel their hurt through their souls, but I kept my focus on Dusk, trying to absorb her words. I’d already read this chapter, but hearing her expand was crucial for midterms. I’d struggled focusing last term, and while I passed, it was difficult. I had to do better this term.

“Chaos manifestations are particularly troublesome,” Dusk continued, glancing at Hemlock. “They can cause absolute chaos in almost every situation, can’t they, Hemlock?”

“I’m aware of that, Dusk,” he said, his tone measured. “I’ve seen the damage it can do.”

“Glad to see you’re more aware for class this term.” She smiled, giving him a pleased nod.

The tension in the room as she continued her lecture was palpable, and I couldn't take it anymore. As soon as she dismissed us, I bolted from my seat. My hair flew behind me like a dark shroud as I rushed out of the lecture hall, my heart pounding in my chest dizzyingly fast.

“Pandora, wait!” Skel called after me, his and their footsteps echoing in the corridor. “Please, just talk to us!”

I didn't stop, and I didn't look back.

My soul was a whirl of emotions—fear from his magic leaking again, anger, a deep-seated pain that refused to fade, and longing for them because they were my mates.

Maybe it was stupid to run from them, but I couldn’t face them head-on yet. I just…couldn’t bring myself to do that.

As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Hunter, who reached out and steadied my shoulders.

“Starlight,” he said gently, his eyes filled with concern. “Come to my office.”

“Let’s hurry.” I nodded, grateful for the escape.

Together, we walked into his office, leaving my three complicated mates in the hall. I felt their frustration and jealousy, and I couldn’t imagine how much they must be feeling since I knew I was only able to sense a fraction.

The familiar scent of sweet chocolate and the soft patter of rain outside the window calmed my nerves. As I padded toward the sofa, a faint scent of blood hit me, but it was gone almost as quickly as it came, so I figured I imagined it.

“When did it start raining?”

“Just started.” Hunter closed the door behind us before going to his mini fridge and pulling out a sealed bowl of fruit. “You need to eat.”

“Thanks.” I took the bowl, my stomach growling in response. “I forgot to eat lunch,” I admitted as we took a seat on his couch.

“It's important to take care of yourself, Pandora. Especially with everything you're dealing with.” Hunter slid his gaze over my form before sighing. “I know they must be on your mind a lot, but I worry about you not prioritizing yourself.”

I opened the bowl and started to eat. “I can't forget what they did,” I rasped between bites. “Even when my soul calls to them.”

“They’ve all said sorry in one way or another, right?” He cleared his throat, tearing his gaze from my lips where I’d just stuffed a strawberry.

“They did. Skel was the first. He passed me a really cute printed photo of a calico kitten with an apology on the back.” I smiled as I thought of how cute that cat was. “Dex gave me chocolates and sent me a photo of Shadeberry after he sliced her up.” I winced. “There was a lot of blood, and he even messaged me after. It was his way of apologizing, I guess.” I took another bite. “Even Hemlock snuck a poem into my bag. The poem was actually really good and sweet.” My cheeks flamed with heat. “But I just...I can't trust them. They wouldn’t even be doing this if the bond hadn’t snapped.”

Hunter reached out and placed his warm hand on my thigh. “It's okay to take your time. Trust isn't rebuilt overnight.”

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and finished eating. When it was empty, I disposed of the plastic bowl and sat back down, this time closer to him. I inhaled his scent as he inhaled mine, resting my head on his shoulder. “Thank you for everything you do.”

His arms wound around me, and he tugged me closer. “It’s my job to help you.”

“Because I’m your student?” I teased.

He gripped my chin and tilted my head up to meet his heated gaze. “Because you’re my mate, and I care about you.”

“I care about you, too. But I don't know how to move past this pain, Hunter. Every time I think I'm okay, something pulls me back.” My voice cracked, and a tear slipped down my cheek.

His thumb wiped it away. “Pain is stubborn, but inevitable. The important thing to remember is that you're not alone in this. You have Nebula, Reed, and you have me.”

“I do, don’t I?” I mumbled, smiling.

“You do.” His gaze flicked to my lips, and desire spread through me like a web of scarlet.

I leaned in, my lips sealing over his. My heart pounded harder, and my palms went clammy. He kissed me back with so much passion it took my breath away. I pulled back, and I couldn’t bite back the smile on my face.

“That was as amazing as always.” His white eyes were heavy lidded and glowed with intensity.

“I want to know more about you,” I murmured.

His brows rose. “Why?”

I sucked in a breath to fill my lungs and ground myself. “We talk about me all the time. You know a lot about me, but I want to know more about you. You’re my mate and my counselor, but I don’t know anything of your past.”

He chuckled deeply, the sound vibrating his chest. His arms dropped, and he leaned back. “Very thoughtful of you.”

“Can you tell me about your dad? I know you’re close to him.”

A fond smile played on his lips. “My dad and I have always been close. His name’s Lance Darkmore, and he’s also a vengeance demon. I got my blond hair from him and my white eyes from Mom. Her name was Belinda, and she was a succubus.”

“You don’t mention her much. Are you not close?” I scooted closer, and he drew me against his chest. I liked the thump of his heart against my cheek.

“The opposite. We were very close as a family, actually, but she was killed by her stalker.” His voice trembled, and his grief snuck through the bond. “She would’ve loved you, starlight.”

“I’m sorry, Hunter.” My heart ached for him as I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

“They were fated mates. My dad took me on my first real journey for vengeance so we could avenge her death. Together, we hunted down and killed my mom’s murderer. After that, he started the vengeance business we run together, and when I became of age, I took over his position on the council.”

“Fates. That’s a lot to deal with. I’m glad you and your dad have each other.”

“Me too. You know, my mom always used to say, 'Fates be with you,' whenever we said goodbye.” He sniffed hard. “It was her way of reminding us that no matter what, we weren’t alone. My dad and I say that now.”

“Fates be with you,” I repeated softly, the words wrapping around me like a warm embrace. I was glad Hunter had a mom like that. It sounded like she was the type of mom I had prayed to the Fates for. “That's beautiful.”

“It is.” He held me even closer.

“I’m so sorry about your mom, Hunter, but I’m so glad you had her as long as you did.”

“I am too.” He kissed the top of my head. “Pandora, you have your own strength and your own light. You deserve the best your mates can offer. I have a feeling everything is going to work out for you. Okay? The Fates wouldn’t have mated you with them if it wasn’t supposed to work.”

Feeling a surge of hope, I pulled back to look at him. “I want to believe that. I really do.”

“You will. One step at a time. Okay?”

I nodded before pressing my lips to his. Our kiss caused my soul to crave his, and I pulled back just as my magic started to swirl in my gut. “I’m scared, but I trust you and Reed. I think you’re right. Everything will work out.”

He grinned, leaning forward and brushing his lips over mine again. “Fates be with you, starlight.”

For once, I felt like they just might be.