Page 9 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3

9

PANDORA

T he evening sun dipped below the horizon, leaving a sky of deep orange and darkening blue. Stars began to dot the sky while the scents of black clove and dust tickled my nose.

“Taste their souls,” Dad murmured. His black eyes were focused as he watched my magic escape my lips.

The fabric of my black dress swayed around my knees. Jenni had pulled my hair up into an elegant bun earlier that day, but a few loose strands caught the evening breeze.

My dark smoke crept through campus, weaving between random students, brushing against their souls with ease. I could tell that the souls of each demon I tasted were similar to their scents. Spicy desires, savory ambition, sour nervous energy, and bland calmness fueled them all.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to your tangible power,” he continued, almost to himself. “All other soul eaters can’t visibly see their power like this, but at least it works in a similar way. You’ve mastered sensing souls without actively searching for them, but I can’t believe you’ve already figured this technique out.”

“My power showed me,” I spoke while my power slithered around. It was weird to talk while my magic passed through my lips, but it was something I was getting better at.

As I tasted the souls around us, emotions and experiences flooded my mind and soul. Memories of the demons I touched with my magic coated my tongue—moments of happiness, grief, success, pain, and love. Just like before, unfulfilled dreams were common inside of the students here, and it left the same bitterness in my heart as the last time I did this.

I knew we were at a reform academy, so most demons in attendance probably did struggle with something, but it was sad. I hoped that the Fates would take pity on them and help them turn their lives around at this academy to give something to hope for again.

“That one.” He pointed toward Fester, who was walking with one of his friends, blushing at something they said.

I hadn’t seen him since I’d been back.

My power rubbed against his ankle, revealing a sweet tang of hope that intermingled with the odd sour taste of depression.

A memory of his mom being taken away by the Demon Council pierced my mind. Then, a scene of Bane, the shadow demon representative who had been with Dad when he and Hunter saved me, showed up. In his memory, she told him that their family was cleared of all wrongdoings. She also told him that his mother had been murdered while in custody by a dark magic infection they didn’t know she had. Fester broke down crying, and then, she left.

“Oh, Fates.” I stumbled back, pressing my hand to my chest. I called my power back inside of me and blinked a few times to regain my bearings. “That’s terrible.”

“It is.” Dad frowned. “We really thought the Festers were involved in Dark Veil, but clearly, they hadn’t been. That was our mistake, and that poor boy paid the price with his mother’s life.”

“I’m sorry.” My heart went out to Fester.

He shivered and glanced around as if he knew we were talking about him. His eyes widened as he spotted us, and his friend quickly pulled him away.

Dad sighed, breaking the tense silence between us. “I use this power when I need to extract information for the Demon Council. It’s very useful to determine an enemy’s plan. I can also see their experiences to judge their guilt or innocence. The Supernatural Council has been recruiting me for quite some time because of it.”

“I can see why.”

“How are you doing, Pandora?” he asked gently. “It’s been three weeks now since we got you and Dex out of that damned cavern. I’m going out of my mind with worry to be completely honest. I’ve been trying not to smother you with my parental love, but my restraint isn’t lasting much longer.”

My lips trembled as I gave him a wry smile. “I can’t let myself break. I survived Penny Bones, after all. I can survive Dark Veil.”

He patted my head softly, an affectionate gesture that made me wonder once again what it would be like to have had him around when I was a child. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I smiled up at him, my heart swelling with gratitude.

Calling him dad had somehow brought us closer. I was so thankful the Fates made him my father.

“Dark Veil doesn’t know the truth of my power,” I murmured. “Poppy was surprised when she realized I could destroy dark magic, but she was the only member of Dark Veil around when that happened.”

“That’s in our favor. If they knew you could destroy it…” he trailed off.

“They’d try to destroy me first,” I finished.

He flashed me a look of surprise.

“I’m not completely ignorant to the methods of demonic instincts,” I told him with a cheeky grin. “So, how’s Jenni doing?”

He and Jenni had been inseparable ever since they found out they were mates. She’d even ‘moved in’ to the manor, but she still lived at the academy dorms during the terms just like I did.

It was actually really nice to have my best friend mated to my dad. It hadn’t changed our friendship at all. I loved having her around. She still made sure we had our girl time, even when Dad complained about missing us. Dad was still shy about it, though. He kept asking to make sure I was okay with it before they completed their bond.

I’ve told both of them, many times, that I wanted them to seal their bond.

They deserved happiness and love more than anyone else I knew. Dad, however, surprisingly had a jealous streak.

Joel Craven, Hunter’s best friend, and Jenni formed a friendship after being locked together in the cage within Rapture Cavern—which made sense. I remembered how they comforted each other when Dex and I were being hurt. Jenni cried in his arms a lot, and Joel had been so receptive even though he was so weak. I thought it was a good thing, but Dad didn’t like it.

A blush stained Dad’s cheeks. “She’s great. Really great. Though, I could do without her comforting the damned impotent incubus.” He frowned. “How’re your mates?”

We’d taken the last two weeks off. They were the last weeks of term two, and my professors were happy to give Dex and I a pass for finals, thanks to my dad.

This week was our break. Term three started next week, and we were all just coping and getting over what happened with Dark Veil. My absence really affected my mates, and it showed me how much they actually did care for me. They were all by my side constantly, even Bram had tried to be.

Knowing that Bram, Dex, and Skel had gone after Dreadful for hurting me before the matebond snapped in place quelled the fear that they were only interested in me because of the bond. I knew they had rough pasts, and I already forgave Dex and Skel for what they had done.

I was starting to forgive Bram, too. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t told anyone he was infected with dark magic. He’d been infected when he tried to protect me when the attack happened at the academy. I remembered how desperate he’d been to shield me, and that ended up with him getting infected.

Hunter had been fiercely protective, too. He’d lost control of his magic in Rapture Cavern, but I couldn’t blame him for that. So much had happened there—so many were hurt there by Dark Veil. He sought vengeance for those who needed it, and I loved that about him.

Reed was my safe space, like always. He just…held me after everything happened. His soul soothed mine in the best kind of way. I loved him so much.

I smiled softly. “My mates are all okay. I haven’t really forgiven Bram yet, but I think I want to.”

“I can see why.” He nodded thoughtfully. “The offer stands to eat his soul, though.”

“Not necessary.” I shook my head. “I do want him. I’ve already decided that. Stop threatening to eat their souls.”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a fatherly offer.” He pouted slightly before his gaze softened again. “How’s Reed doing?”

“He’s okay.” I wrapped my arms around myself. “His mom’s send off is tomorrow, so…”

“I know.” He ran a hand through his long black hair. “I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.” My heart swelled with love.

“You don’t have to thank me for being there for you or my son-in-law. You’re my daughter,” he said simply. “I’ll be there.”