Page 14 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3

14

DEXTER

I stood on the edge of the training chamber in Serpentine Stadium. My shadowy form almost blended with the early afternoon light.

My only solace for Practical Application of Demonic Powers was that Pandora had this class with me. Skel, Bram, Reed, Jenni, Fester, Nightwind, and Shadeberry were all here, too, but my focus was purely on my fated.

Ensuring her safety had become an obsession, a tether to my sanity. A sanity that often felt like it was slipping through my fingers.

My gaze lingered hungrily on Pandora.

Her giggle bubbled up as she talked with Reed and Jenni, and watching her plump red lips curve into a smile soothed the madness scuffing against my skull.

Skel was beside me, smoke curling lazily from his pipe as he watched her. Bram was on my other side, and his gaze was filled with a mix of longing and regret.

My chest tightened, a familiar sense of protectiveness surging through me.

If I could, I’d carve out every stupid thing we ever did to her from the fabric of time, but that was above my abilities. In substitute, I’d just carve the hearts out of anyone who fucked with her.

Shadeberry, that dumb bitch, shot a narrowed look at Pandora and Jenni before catching my gaze. Her eyes widened before she turned away from them completely.

“She’s fucking terrified,” Skel commented.

“She should be,” I growled, feeling my demonic form burst forth.

“If she tries anything this term, just kill her.” Bram tilted his head.

“Don’t have to tell me that.” I tensed as I noticed that black-haired demon, Fester, waving at my fated and Jenni.

Pandora and Jenni returned the gesture, but I noticed Reed’s shoulders tense.

I wasn’t sure whether the tension in Reed stemmed from a genuine mistrust of Fester or simply the possessiveness of being Pandora’s mate.

Either way, I didn’t like Fester, either.

Ashenfell clapped his hands, and the sound echoed. “Welcome back for term three. I hope your first week of classes are going well. It’s time for you to learn different ways to use your powers now that everyone knows the basics of feeding,” he announced as his blue eyes swept across the assembly. “Your first assignment is to use your powers in a way that is non-destructive.”

I chuckled, my voice a low rumble through the chamber. “Not many ways for a shadow demon to do that.”

Ashenfell shot me a disapproving look. “Focus, Shadowheart.”

I rolled my eyes but complied.

The class paired off. Pandora paired with Jenni while Reed came to stand beside me, and Skel and Bram paired together.

I gave Reed a sidelong glance. “How’s Pandora doing?”

“She’s strong. She’s fine,” he replied, unable to keep the admiration from his voice.

“And you?” Reed’s question was gentle but probing. He’d been the only one other than Hunter who had asked. Skel and Bram tried to avoid talking about it, which I appreciated, but it was actually nice to be asked.

I shrugged. “Surviving. It helps seeing Pandora.”

My magic formed a soft tendril and reached out to ruffle Reed’s hair. “There. My part is done. How does a dream demon use their powers without hurting someone?”

His purple horns expanded from his skull, and his eyes took on a purple galaxy sheen. “Some dream demons are able to lull others into a brief sleep. I’m one of them.”

Sleep hit me with the force of a tidal wave, and before I hit the red mat, I found myself trapped in a dim closet.

A girl’s terrified gray eyes—my sister’s, Selene’s,—locked with mine. Panic clawed at my chest until Reed’s magic yanked me out, back into the safety of the present.

Every time I closed my eyes since Poppy died, that was what I was met with. Every time I found myself asleep, I was trapped in a fucking nightmare.

“Dex, are you okay?” Reed asked, his violet eyes shining with concern and guilt. “You went into a nightmare immediately. I woke you up as soon as I felt it. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head, fighting off the panic in my chest.

“Dex?” Calmness washed over me as Pandora’s hand found mine and squeezed. “You okay?”

I turned my focus to her and smiled. “I’m okay now that you’re here.”

“Is that so?” She fought a smile.

“Definitely so. You’re trouble, but you’re mine .” My playful demeanor shattered when a familiar scent hit me—a mix of sulfur and blood, Rod Shadowheart’s fucking scent.

The charm around my wrist, meant to protect and obscure me from him, throbbed with heat, complicating my ability to track the source of the scent.

“Watch Pandora. Don’t take your fucking eyes off her,” I growled at Reed and the rest of the guys.

I fell into the shadows and walked into my previous room. It was empty all except for a letter folded on the floor ominously.

It was from Rod, my fucking father.

Dexter Shadowheart,

I trust you’ll find this letter.

You, my son, have always had a flair for destruction. Your actions have consequences. Your mother’s murder was expected, but Penny’s murder is a wound that will never heal for me.

Your mate has captured my attention in a way that feels almost…fated. Pandora Bones looks just like her mother—my fated mate who I chose to reject for the higher purpose of Dark Veil. The decision I made may have shaped my life, but it doesn’t erase the yearning I feel now.

Isn’t it funny how the Veil works? The very woman you cherish has echoes of my past within her. I see her, and I’m reminded of what could’ve been. What I could’ve had. There is much I could offer her. Lessons from a life steeped in wisdom and darkness. She deserves more than the pain you’ve caused her.

Perhaps, this is a chance for redemption for you. If you were to hand her to me, to reject her like you should’ve done in that cavern under your mother’s guidance, I could show her the love and guidance that you are incapable of doing. This is a chance for you to make amends to not just me but her. Let her be cherished by me like she deserves.

Consider this letter one of two things, Dexter.

One, a doorway to a new beginning.

Two, a reminder that the past is never truly behind us.

I’ll be waiting.

Rod Shadowheart.

Each sentence felt like a dagger twisting deeper into my gut.

Nausea rolled over me, and I staggered.

The room itself fucking tilted.

Anger and desperation warred inside me. I wanted Rod as dead as Poppy. My hatred was a bitter fire that threatened to consume me whole.

I’d kill him.

Kill him. Kill him. Kill him.

Fucking kill him!

Protecting Pandora was no longer just about my love for her—it was vengeance and a promise etched into my very soul.

I’d kill him for Pandora, for Selene, for Jenni, and for myself.