Page 50 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3

50

SKEL

L ink Malice, the fucking fear demon representative, sat across from me in Hunter’s chair, his sharp, purple eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t place.

I kept my posture straight and respectful. It was fucking weird, but I couldn’t screw this up. If I ever needed that fae pipe for something other than magic-control, it was now. I needed it to calm the fuck down.

Hunter stood over by his window, arms folded, watching quietly.

“You’ve come a long way, Skel Grimshaw,” Malice stated, running a hand through his gray hair. His presence radiated power, but not in a way that demanded fear—not like I was unfortunately capable of. Even when I couldn’t control my magic, this demon had requested a meeting with me. A long time ago, before I even attended this academy. He saw something in me, and it meant a lot. “I’ve been watching your progress, and I am very impressed. Darkmore briefed me on your situation. It’s incredible you maintained the control you did if Sybil Shaw was responsible for the massive leak.”

My lips parted in surprise. Malice wasn’t exactly known for handing out compliments. I bowed my head slightly. “Thank you. I did try. Even if I’d failed a few times along the way.”

His eyes seemed to glitter as he continued, “Your magical strength is something rare, even among demons. What you possess...it’s not just power. It’s control . That, Grimshaw, is what sets you apart from other fear demons.” He leaned forward, and for the first time, I saw something like admiration in his gaze. I didn’t know what the fuck he was thinking. I wasn’t ever a demon in control. “Control is everything. Without it, strength is just destruction.”

I swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. Control . That had been my greatest weakness.

Before bonding with Pandora, the idea of controlling my magic felt impossible. But now... I was in control. Fear magic hummed under my skin, always present, but I had learned to seal it, to use it without letting it consume me. It was as easy as flipping on and off a switch—but this control came from Pandora fixing my soul.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my mate,” I said quietly, glancing toward Hunter.

He gave a small nod, but his expression was unreadable.

“Yes, I’ve heard. Again, the fact you were ever able to not wipe out the entirety of the Demon Capital with Sybil’s influence and dark magic is incredible.” Malice reached into his jacket, pulling out a folded piece of parchment. He laid it on the desk between us. His sharp nail tapped once against the edge. “Which is why I’m offering you something. An opportunity.”

I frowned, confused, but took the paper as he gestured. I unfolded it slowly, my eyes scanning the text. My breath caught in my throat.

A contract.

From Malice. Offering me his spot on the Demon Council.

He’d talked about this before—wanting to offer me the spot. But I…I never thought it would happen. Not officially like this.

I blinked, my mind racing to catch up. Malice was the highest-ranking fear demon in the Demon Capital. And he was...offering it to me? A fucked up reform student that wasn’t able to control his magic before he marked his mate. That was who I was.

Malice wasn’t just offering me a job. He was offering me his title, a responsibility, something I’d never imagined for myself.

“I…I don’t know what to say,” I managed, looking between him and the contract in my hands.

Malice smiled. “You’ve earned it, Grimshaw. You’re ready. I want you to replace me. I know the Demon Council’s fucked right now, kid. But it’ll get better. It always does.” He stood, the folds of his cloak-like jacket shifting around him. “I’ll give you time to consider, but I think it’s time for you to step into your power fully . For all the fear demons.”

With that, Malice nodded to Hunter, then turned and strode out of the office, closing the door softly behind him.

I stared after him, still holding the contract like it might disappear if I let go. My mind was spinning. The Demon Council? A place where both Hunter and Death held seats. How could he think I was ready for that?

“That was…not what I expected,” I muttered, looking to Hunter.

He chuckled softly, going back and sitting in his chair. “I told you that he would offer this. You’ve earned it, Skel. Malice isn’t the type of demon to offer things out of charity. He’s thought this through for years.”

I nodded slowly, still trying to process. “It’s just...it’s a lot. I never saw myself on the council. I don’t know if I’m?—”

“You are,” he interrupted, his voice sharp. “You’ve worked for this. You’ve proven you can handle the responsibility. And more importantly, you’re in control of your magic now. I know Pandora wants to see you succeed.”

At the mention of her name, my matebond pulsed, tugging slightly to make sure we were still connected. I felt her calmness and let that spread through me as I glanced back down at the contract.

Slowly, I reached for the pen on Hunter’s desk and placed the contract on the hard surface. My hand shook as I signed my name at the bottom.

Hunter smiled, the kind that said everything without needing words. “You’ve made the right choice, Skel.”

Before I could fully process the weight of what I did with that signature, the door creaked open again.

Malice stepped back in, his eyes meeting Hunter’s with a satisfied gleam. “So?”

“He signed it, like we thought.” Hunter reached across the desk and grabbed the contract before handing it to Malice.

Malice glanced at it briefly before sliding it into his jacket with a satisfied smile. His gaze met mine, and my heart pounded. “You’ll officially become the active representative once you graduate. There’s still time to prepare, but make no mistake, Grimshaw. This isn’t just a job. It’s responsibility, legacy, and power combined. You’ve earned it—now you need to act like you know you belong in this position.”

I swallowed hard, the gravity of it all finally sinking in. But instead of fear, there was a spark of excitement deep in my soul.

My future was changing, and for the first time, I wasn’t afraid of it. I was ready.