Page 47 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3

47

PANDORA

T he sun’s searing rays poured through the windows of the sandstone-walled cafeteria, bathing our table in golden light and casting long shadows across the worn stone floor. The air was thick with the aroma of grilled meats and spiced breads, mingling with the hum of conversations, clinking utensils, and the occasional scrape of chairs against stone.

Dad sat across from me, his sharp black eyes steady as they flicked over my face. He held his passion fruit lemonade with both hands. The sound of him sucking at the straw punctuated the space between us, somehow louder than the entire cafeteria.

I frowned at my plate.

“You still get steak,” he pointed out, his voice carrying an edge of amusement.

“I know.” I stabbed my fork into a piece and ate it, wincing at the crunch of the salad greens accompanying it. The steak had been sliced into little strips, tossed on a bed of crisp lettuce. This lunch was his doing—a paternal insistence that I eat more greens.

I loved that he cared about me eating vegetables, I did , but truthfully, I only wanted steak.

“Missing Jenni?” I tilted my head.

He frowned, furrowing his brows. “Well, of course I do, but what made you say that? I’m enjoying time with my daughter right now.”

“You just really like that lemonade.” My tone was flat, but I hoped my words carried the hint of teasing I meant for them to.

A faint blush crept up his cheeks. He nodded, almost sheepishly. “It reminds me of her.”

I stabbed another piece of steak, this time deliberately avoiding the greens, and chewed before responding. “She’s good for you. You’re…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. He’d been an incredible dad since finding me, but after Jenni entered his life, he seemed… lighter. “ Happier . Even with all this stuff going on.”

“Stuff is a generous understatement,” he said with a dry chuckle. “Dark magic infections, assassination attempts…” He shook his head, exhaling heavily. “But yes. She makes me happy. I didn’t think I’d ever… feel this way again after what happened to Amy. And yet, there Jenni is. Making it impossible not to love her.”

A flicker of warmth sparked through my chest, brief and fleeting. “You two are perfect for each other.”

“We are, aren’t we?” His grin widened, but then faltered. “I just wish she’d stop spending her free time with Craven.”

“You don’t have to worry about him,” I said, taking a sip of my water. “She’s obsessed with you. Talks about you constantly—to everyone. I know things I don’t want to know.”

He blushed deeper, clearing his throat. “Craven still hovers. He’s always there. Always watching her. It’s… irritating .”

My lips quirked upward. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Dad.”

“I’m not jealous,” he countered immediately, though the look in his eyes betrayed him.

I leaned forward slightly, my fork dangling from my fingers. “She chose you . Over everything and everyone else. She is unhealthily obsessed. If Joel’s still around, it’s because she wants him as a friend. He needs a friend, doesn’t he? After everything he’s dealing with?”

“He has Hunter,” Dad grunted. “Why my mate?”

“He’s no threat to you,” I murmured, sitting back. “You should…you know, trust her. The way she trusts you.”

He grunted noncommittally, taking another sip of lemonade.

“Don’t forget, Jenni wants to stab Bane,” I reminded him with a wry smile.

“Bane’s someone on the council. Hardly any real threat. Craven’s got a genuine fucking connection with—” He paused, looking guilty. “Sorry for cursing. But they have a real friendship. They rely on each other. I don’t do that with Bane.”

“I’m sorry you’re struggling, but what does Jenni tell you when you bring it up?”

“She… distracts me from it, and I don’t think of it again until I see him around.” He blushed again, ducking his head down to sip on the straw again.

“Ew. I didn’t need to know that.” I winced.

Before he could respond, a familiar voice cut through the room. “Hey, Pandora, want to hang out soon?”

I turned my head to see Nightwind lounging at a table across the room, his smirk oozing confidence.

The nobles around him chuckled, some glancing our way. Shadeberry and Voidfire notably did not look this way.

I scowled, shooting him a withering glare. “ No .”

Dad’s jaw tightened as his gaze shifted to Nightwind. “I don’t like him.”

“Me either,” I muttered.

Nightwind’s smirk faltered as a ripple of Dad’s magic pulsed through the air. His cocky demeanor vanished, and his head drooped as if the life was visibly drained from him.

It didn’t. Dad only took a quarter of his soul.

Seconds later, he slumped over, his face planting into his food.

The nobles around him scrambled in a panic, gathering him up before Shadeberry shadow-traveled them all away.

I couldn’t help it. The laugh slipped out before I could stop it, sharp and detached, echoing in my chest like a hollow bell.

“That’s one way to handle it.” My fork scraped against the plate as I speared the last bite of steak. I ignored the leftover greens; I’d eaten enough to appease Dad.

“Nobody messes with my daughter,” he said simply, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. “Are you okay? You don’t seem like yourself.”

“Probably from all the assassination attempts.” I shrugged, brushing him off. “I feel better around my mates.”

His eyes narrowed, but he let it go. “I’m glad you’re moving into Hunter’s room after Aspen Drakonus… visited . I never thought I’d say this, but it’s what’s safest for you right now. All of your mates in one place, keeping watch on you.”

I nodded. “I think so too. Have you heard from Rowan Clearwater about the wards for the academy?”

Dad’s expression shifted, a flicker of relief crossing his face as he set his glass down. “He’s located a drake scale in Blezen. It’ll take a couple of weeks to secure it, but he’s confident it’ll be installed by the end of the term.”

I sighed. My fingers traced idle patterns on the edge of my plate. “Drake scales are almost impossible to find now. What happened to the stockpile after Kalista’s Second War? There were plenty back then.”

“They’ve been disappearing,” Dad answered grimly, staring into his lemonade. “The last five years especially. No one knows where they’ve gone, but the few that remain are viciously guarded. It’s concerning.”

“It’s not a coincidence. Nothing like that ever is.”

“That’s true.” Dad watched me closely. “For now, we have to do what we can without a ward that protects against dark magic. But I’m here. If you need anything. You know that, right?”

“I know,” I whispered, pushing to my feet. “I appreciate it, Dad. I should really get back, though. I’m really tired.”

“You’ve been tired.” He stood as well, placing a hand on my shoulder. “That’s why the salad was a good idea.”

I forced a smile. “Thank you for today.”

“Be careful. Promise?”

“I promise.”

Dex emerged from the shadows, and my soul reached for his. He shared a brief look with Dad before stepping closer to me.

“Ready, trouble?” he asked, slinging an arm over my shoulder.

Relief coursed through me at his touch. He was a balm against the numbness creeping in.

“You okay, trouble?” Dex’s voice was soft as his arm wrapped around me. The numbness eased its grip on me the moment he touched me.

“Yeah,” I said, leaning into him. “Just tired. I need a nap.”

“I’ll make sure you rest,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.

Dad frowned, worry shining in his eyes. “Keep her safe.”

“Always.” Dex held me close.

As we shadow-traveled away, dread pooled in my gut. Something was dangerously wrong. I just wished I knew what it was.