Page 16 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3

16

SKEL

D emonic Curses were forbidden for me to use due to the strength of my magic. So, why the fuck was I taking practical applications of Demonic Curses?

I wouldn’t complain to anyone about it, though, not when Pandora was in this class with me.

Dex and I sat on either side of her while Bram sat to my left. It was nice to have a class with all of us, especially since she was okay with sitting next to us now.

I placed my pipe in my mouth and puffed on it, watching the smoke curl out. Ever since she’d been taken, my magic had been more chaotic than ever. It calmed slightly since finding her, but even when she was around, I had to smoke.

It was bullshit.

The fae magic slithered through my veins, numbing the source of my power, as I watched Dusk finish demonstrating performing a generational curse.

My fingers spread through the ends of Pandora’s hair as I played with the strands, just loving being able to touch a part of her.

Dex was doing the same on his side, playing with her hair.

Her cheeks were flushed as her red eyes were trained on Dusk, trying her best to listen as she lectured.

She had the silkiest, prettiest hair ever.

“Demons can break the curses they cast by magical intent. This is true for all except soul eaters. Their curses are irreversible.” Her gaze lingered on Pandora before continuing. “But if the demon who performed a curse doesn’t want to break the curse they cast, then it will only break when the casting demon dies or the curse is carried out,” Dusk explained, going through the steps of focusing on magical intent.

My ring got knotted in a lock of her hair, and I tugged it a little too hard.

Pandora’s breath hitched between us, and the sweet scent of her arousal pierced the air.

“Fuck, trouble,” Dex hissed, readjusting himself in his pants.

“You smell good,” I murmured as I inhaled the sweet caramel scent.

Bram huffed and crossed his arms next to me. “Assholes.”

“Knock it off,” she muttered, squeezing her thighs together. “I can’t help how I react to you. You’re my mates.”

My heart fucking swelled at the ways she called us hers.

Dex gave her a cheesy smile. “Sure thing.”

“Sorry, princess.” I tried to hide my smile behind my pipe.

Bram let out a small, uncontrollable whimper.

I felt for him. She still hadn’t forgiven him, but it was pretty obvious she was warming up to him at the same time.

Dusk finished her lecture and dismissed us swiftly.

We left the classroom, following behind Pandora like the lost kittens we were. She walked with a deliberate pace, her eyes fixed ahead as if trying to ignore the thrumming of her soul that reached for ours. I knew she had to feel the pull of the matebond stronger than us because of her powers.

Dex, on the other hand, appeared oddly fucking hesitant, his gaze flickering from the ground to Pandora, then to Bram and me.

I sucked in more fae magic and blew out the rainbow smoke. Something was off with him.

Footsteps echoed off the sandstone walls and floors, mingling with the chatting of the demons around us. The tangy scent of old stone mixed with a faint hint of wax from the candles lining the walls filled my nose—but her caramel scent drowned it all out.

Dex reached out and circled his hand around Pandora’s wrist in the lobby of Reform Hall as he pulled her over to the side.

Bram and I moved with them, exchanging a look of confusion.

“Listen, Pandora,” Dex murmured.

Pandora’s pretty red eyes softened slightly. “What is it, Dex?”

He took a deep breath, furrowing his brow. “I need to tell you something.”

Bram and I lingered beside him. Worry knotted in my gut. The flickering candlelight played across Dex’s face, and it highlighted his raw fucking concern.

After everything we’d dealt with, I knew whatever he had to tell her wasn’t good.

“It’s about Rod…my father ,” he spat the last word. “He left me a note.”

“A note?” Bram growled.

“What the fuck, Dex! When?” I asked, shock rippling through me.

“This morning.” Dex’s shoulders trembled.

Rage flooded me. Fuck that demon. He’d abused Dex for long enough.

“What did the note say?” she rasped.

“He’s set his sights on you.” Dex forced the words out like they physically pained him to say. “Since your mother was his fated mate, he…he’s decided he wants you . He’s a danger to you, but I’ll be watching you constantly. I won’t let him touch you, Pandora. I’ll kill him before he ever gets close.”

My heart clogged my fucking throat.

He what?

She took a deep breath, flicking her red eyes to mine for a moment before exhaling. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Bram repeated, running a hand down his face. “Just okay?”

She let out a weak sigh and nodded. “Just okay. It’s not the first time someone’s wanted to kill, hurt, or otherwise own me.”

Bram visibly flinched.

Dex’s shadows slipped over his arms.

My heart felt like it was being crushed, but I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Did you?—”

“I already told Hunter and Death,” Dex answered before I could finish my question.

Pandora huffed, crossing her arms. “Why does everyone tell my dad before they tell me?”

“Because your dad is literally Death?” Dex blinked at her. “I don’t want to be on his bad side any more than I already am.”

“Can’t blame him there.” I puffed on my pipe.

“Sorry to tell you, but your father is fucking terrifying .” Bram shivered.

“I’m literally just as deadly as he is.” She rolled her scarlet eyes, and I felt myself smirk. She was right. “I’m sure everything will be fine then since everyone’s aware.”

“Good point, princess. Now, Poppy was the mastermind between the two of them, right?” I blew out the colored smoke.

Dex’s eyes clouded with darkness, but he nodded. “Yeah, but don’t underestimate the prick. He’s just as fucking dangerous.”

“All demons can be dangerous,” Bram pointed out, sneaking glances at Pandora. “Our job is to?—”

“Protect Pandora,” the three of us finished at the same time.

Pandora’s lips pressed together as if she were trying to hide a smile. “You three really have changed, haven’t you?”

“Not really.” Dex blushed. “Maybe you’re just getting to know us.”

“Nah.” Bram shook his head. “I’m trying my fucking best to change for the better. I hope I’ve changed.”

“You have,” she whispered, clutching the strap of her bag tighter. “You’ve all changed.”

The three of us exchanged glances, and we fucking blushed because our fated mate was actually holding a conversation with all of us at the same time.

“Oh, um, I have something for you.” I pulled out a photo of one of the cats that used to live in Rapture Cavern and gave it to her. Another apology was scrawled on the back. I’d never be done apologizing for how I’d treated her. “I’m not sure where the cats all went, but I think they’re out there somewhere.”

She took it, brushing her fingers against mine. A heavy jolt of desire slicked through me at the contact.

“I remember this one.” She bit down on her lip. “I hope they’re all safe.”

“I’m sure they are.” I swallowed down my own concern for the cats. They had to be safe.

“Cats are great at surviving,” Bram added. “I’m sure they’re holed up somewhere safe.”

Dex nodded. “Cats hate dark magic, and since that cavern was filled with it…”

“There’s no way they stuck around,” I finished. “A lot of cats had been slowly leaving. Maybe they sensed it before the rest.”

“I wish they had somewhere safe to go,” she murmured.

If she wanted the cats safe, I’d have to make sure they were.