Page 24 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3

24

PANDORA

A month had passed since term three began, but the dark magic plague still swept through the Demon Capital like a corrupted shadow.

Classes carried on as usual, but the air was thick with tension and the suffocating weight of precautionary measures by the academy.

Each day blurred into the next.

Dark Veil remained a step ahead, always frustratingly out of reach.

There was no sign of Sybil Shaw.

No whispers of the cult.

Just an onslaught of dark magic infections on demons. The Demon Council did their best, but as soon as they’d neutralized a group of infected demons, another group popped up.

Occult Altar finally had its wards back in place from the cult’s attack on the academy.

A dragon scale now replaced the drake scale that once protected the academy. The green scale shimmered faintly in the sunlight, an illusion of security that failed to mask how fragile it truly was. It lacked the raw power of a drake scale, offering little more than the appearance of strength against dark magic.

Everyone clung to the idea that it was enough—better than nothing. But deep down, we all knew the truth. The wards were a fragile shield at best compared to the threat of the cult. Only drake scales had the power to keep dark magic back.

Unfortunately, drake scales had evidently become extremely difficult to come by—and extracting drake scales was a grueling and life-threatening process.

Without one, this was all just a desperate gamble against the Veil—a threat that we barely understood.

Dark Veil continued to disrupt countless lives. They weren’t just delusional—the members of Dark Veil were evil.

Just like Penny Bones was.

I let out a sigh, holding my enchanted water bottle against my chest as I stared at Occult Altar. The chill of the bottle combined with the desert winds carrying the sharp, earthy scent of minerals offered a fleeting relief from the sweltering heat pressing down on me.

“You okay?” Jenni sucked on the straw of her passion fruit lemonade. Her blue-green eyes shone with worry in the fading sunlight. Her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, with small tendrils framing her face.

“Um, yeah. I’m fine.” I smoothed out the caramel-colored silk dress I wore and started walking again with her.

“You’ve been quiet,” she noted, tilting her drink toward me. “Let me guess—Nebula’s gone into full overprotective mode again?”

I sighed, smoothing a hand over my sweaty hair. “He’s convinced Sybil’s going to come after me now that she knows I can destroy dark magic. He’s just concerned.”

Jenni rolled her eyes as she took another sip. “He’s a kitten skull with a dark magically cursed sealed soul. I totally understand why he’s concerned . Fates, so am I. Like, I mean, look, we can handle Dark Veil. If they try anything, we’ll dismantle their stupid cult easily.”

I snorted a laugh. “I love your optimism.”

The late afternoon sun burned low on the horizon, and I loved the fiery streaks of orange and gold that streaked across the desert sky. Campus was unusually quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of sand beneath our feet and the lazy hum of the wind through the barren expanse.

“Have to be optimistic for my step-daughter.” She winked.

“Oh, Fates.” I groaned between sips of my enchanted ice water to soothe the ever-present ache in my throat. “Honestly, though, Jenni. How are you? Everything lately…it’s been a lot. You were taken because of me, after all. I’m sorry. ”

Jenni’s smile faltered, and she looked down at her drink, swirling the straw. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. It’s Dark Veil’s fault, not yours. Besides, it’s not just Dark Veil that’s been bothering me.” She hesitated, pausing her gait for a moment. “I grew really close with Joel in the time we were locked in the cage together, forced to watch you and Dex be hurt.” Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away.

My heart squeezed painfully. “I’m?—”

“Don’t fucking apologize for that,” she snapped. “None of that was your fault. But since you’re asking… Well, I’m really worried about Joel. He can’t use his magic anymore. He’s an incubus , and now...he’s a shell of himself. He says he can only bring himself to talk to me and Hunter about it. I know I didn’t actually know him before this happened, but…I know he was more than he is now. It hurts me for him. I can’t even explain it.”

“Oh, Jenni…” My own eyes pricked with heat. She cared so much about everyone. It was a beautiful trait, but it also seemed extremely painful.

“Hunter told him he’s trauma bonded with me,” Jenni said, laughing bitterly. Her tone softened, and she stared at the sand. “Maybe that’s true, but it doesn’t matter why. He’s my friend. He’s broken, Pandora. And it’s not just the magic thing. After what we went through together...” She trailed off, biting her lip.

“And Dad hates that fact,” I summed up.

Her grin returned, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, he’s positively feral about it. Keeps growling about Joel being too close to me, but I told him I don’t care. Joel needs me, and I won’t abandon him. Joel wouldn’t abandon me.”

I studied her. “Do you…have feelings for Joel?”

Jenni flinched at my question, her nose crinkling as if I’d suggested eating spoiled meat. “Absolutely not. Death is my mate, my everything. But...” She hesitated, her voice dropping. “I do care about Joel. He’s very important to me. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s not the same as it is with Death.”

I let her words hang between us, watching her struggle with emotions she didn’t want to name. It was obvious she cared for Joel. He was a good demon. I knew that much. Hunter cared for him as well, and he was so grateful to me for saving his life even though he was clearly struggling with his lack of magic.

“Well, if anyone can handle my dad’s jealousy, it’s you,” I broke the silence and nudged her shoulder with mine.

She grinned wickedly. “Damn right. I honestly love how possessive he is. So hot.” She fanned herself. “Anyway, enough about me. What the Fates is going on with Dex’s dad? Nobody has actually explained that part to me, and your dad gets so pissed off when it’s mentioned that I can’t get it out of him.”

I huffed, feeling a chill creep into my spine despite the warmth of the desert. “He sent Dex a letter about me. Apparently, he’s fascinated by me and thinks I’d make a perfect partner for him since Penny was his fated mate.”

Jenni snorted. “That fucking creep. I hope you all burned it.”

“Oh, Dex did. The guys helped.” I smiled softly. “It was a cute bonding moment for them, I think.”

“I’ll drink to that.” She laughed, slurping her lemonade.

We passed the occasional student, but I didn’t really notice any of them until Voidfire sauntered past with her usual glower toward us. Her soul was angry, and vengeance magic sparked inside of me, but she didn’t say anything.

Jenni muttered under her breath, “Coward.”

“I’m just glad she’s not starting anything with us this time,” I rasped.

“Cheers to that.” She sucked down the last of the lemonade before pouting. “If only I had an enchanted lemonade.”

“Ask Dad. I’m sure he’ll get you one,” I suggested as the looming silhouette of Reform Hall grew closer.

“Great plan! Speaking of mates,” Jenni teased. “How was your last session with Hunter? You know, the one where you desecrated his desk?”

“Jenni!” Heat scattered over my face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please . The way you were walking afterward? I’ve been there thanks to your daddy.” She sighed dreamily.

“Jenni!” I hissed, horrified.

She just cackled. “Oh, and I’m also a succubus, and you were brimming with pleasure when you left your session. The only kind of pleasure good orgasms can bring.”

As we stepped through the doors of Reform Hall, I tried to suppress the smile tugging at my lips but failed.

With Jenni around, life was so much better. I was so thankful to have a friend like her—even if I had to share her with my dad.