Page 21

21

PANDORA

“I s it ever ethical to kill, and if so, under what conditions?” Respa asked, locking her hands behind her back as she paced the front of the classroom.

The sandstone walls absorbed the flickering light from the floating orbs overhead, casting long shadows across the desks. It smelled faintly of burnt parchment, but I was greedily inhaling Reed’s cotton candy scent as he sat next to me.

Demon Ethics was one class that managed to be both infuriating and necessary. Infuriating because some demons thought they were better than others because of their societal class or because of their demonic sub-type. They thought ethics were beneath them because of that. The truth was that none of us were any different. We were all demons, and we were all supernaturals. I didn’t understand the need for the divide, though I could see the divide was something that was present in all of our history. It saddened me, and I wanted to put in the work to change it.

Even demons should’ve been capable of ethics—but they had to have empathy first. Most lacked that.

The room was silent for a few heartbeats before the murmurs began, growing into a full-fledged debate on whether killing was ethical.

“You know it is. Killing is natural. Under the conditions of strength of the demon,” one noble said lazily, like the answer was obvious. “Those who cannot fend for themselves are useless to the greater cause. Power dictates survival. If you’re weak, you don’t deserve to live. If you’re strong, you should be able to kill as you see fit.”

My nails dug into my palms.

“That’s garbage,” Jenni snapped, turning in her seat to glare at him.

I followed suit. “Every soul has value. Power doesn’t determine worth.”

A few heads turned in our direction, interest piqued.

The noble scoffed. “You’re a fucking noble soul eater. I don’t see why you’re pandering to the low-class idiots.”

“Pandering?” I let out a growl, feeling my magic spread through me. “I may be privileged to be a noble and a soul eater, but you know what? I’m using that privilege to speak up for the demons you call low-class. I’ve met more so-called low-class demons who are way better than almost all the nobles I’ve met at this academy. Most of my mates are classified as low-class, and they are way stronger than any of you are. So, by your logic, you should be the ones to fall prey to their power.”

The demon paled, shrinking in his seat.

“Enough,” Respa’s voice cut through the room like a blade, and the entire class fell silent. “That is not what I meant by my question, either.”

I pressed my lips together, barely suppressing the urge to roll my eyes at the noble’s arrogance.

Respa’s lips curled upward in a smirk. “I’m pleased to see you all so passionate, but we still have two months of this class left. You didn’t completely answer my question, either. You let that passion drive you off course. I wanted examples of ethical killings if you thought killing could be ethical. To be frank, theories in here will be examined, torn apart, and built again. And for your final exam?” She paused for effect, letting the anticipation settle before continuing. “You will be engaging in a mock debate. Something you’re getting great practice with here already.”

A few murmurs of intrigue rippled through the classroom.

“Each of you will defend the ethicality of your own kind’s abilities while countering those of another species. Research thoroughly, because if you cannot justify your own existence, then you’ve already lost.” She smiled wickedly.

She let that sink in before dismissing us with a flick of her clawed hand. I hadn’t even realized she’d transformed during our argument with the noble demon whose name I didn’t care enough to learn.

Perhaps it irritated her as much as it had me.

The class stirred, chairs scraping against stone, students murmuring as they gathered their things.

I had barely stood up when Fester slid up beside me, his brown eyes filled with admiration. “Thanks for standing up for us low-class demons.”

Reed’s arm wrapped around my shoulders and tugged me against him. “She’s always been like this.”

“True.” Fester nodded, playing with a strand of his black shaggy hair. “Um, if you don’t mind me asking, how’s everything with the Dark Veil? And, you know, the whole dark magic plague thing?”

Reed narrowed his eyes. “Why are you asking?”

“Just curious,” he blurted. “Is it…affecting you at all?”

Jenni, who had been gathering her things beside me, snorted. “He’s just being nosy. I mean, he was infected, you know? Makes sense that he’d be curious.”

I searched Fester’s soul for anything suspicious, but all I felt from him was genuine curiosity. “It’s being taken care of,” I rasped. “Don’t stress about it, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks again.” Fester’s head bobbed in relief as his friend, Brimsworth, strolled up to him.

“Come on, dream girl, we should head to our study date,” Reed whispered in my ear.

I turned my head toward him too fast, and his lips brushed mine. His violet eyes were protective as he stared at Fester, but they fluttered closed for a moment as he pressed his lips into mine in a kiss.

Jenni smirked as we broke apart. “I have a date too. With your daddy. I plan to erase this entire class from my memory.”

I cringed. “Gross.”

Fester shot us a small smile. “I’m sorry for holding you all up. Thanks again.” He turned and walked away with his friend, disappearing into the flow of students exiting the room.

Reed sighed. “He’s weird.”

“Agreed,” Nebula muttered from my bag.

I huffed. “I feel kind of bad for him.”

“Same,” Jenni agreed, before hugging me and darting away to go meet my dad.

We stepped out into the hall, and my bag buzzed. I pulled out my tablet to check our group messages.

Dexter Shadowheart

It’s weird as fuck to keep a jar of dirt on the nightstand, Bram.

Bram

It’s not a jar of dirt.

Skel Grimshaw

What the fuck is it, then?

Ew. It’s wiggling. What the Fates are in it?

Bram

Earthworms...

Dexter Shadowheart

Why the fuck do you have earthworms? How are you keeping them alive?

Bram

They’re not really supposed to stay alive...

Skel Grimshaw

Dude, what the fuck?

Hunter Darkmore

Bram’s been sucking up to Gumdrop with earthworms. It’s actually working. The axolotl seems to have forgiven him.

Skel Grimshaw

I’m sure Nebs won’t enjoy sitting next to a fucking jar of worms, though.

Bram

It’s cool. I have some poems for him...

Dexter Shadowheart

My fucking Fates, Bram. Are you groveling both to Gumdrop and Nebs?

Bram

Shut up.

A giggle escaped before I could stop it.

Reed leaned over to see my screen. “What is it?”

“They’re teasing Bram,” I said, scrolling. “Apparently, he’s been sucking up to Gumdrop by bringing him a bunch of earthworms.”

Reed chuckled. “Gumdrop actually likes him now.”

I giggled again. “That’s good! Also… Nebula, Bram wrote you poetry.”

Nebula scoffed. “Don’t talk about it.”

“But it’s cute!” I hid my smile behind my palm.

“He is a formidable poet,” he admitted.

Before I could tease him further, a familiar voice purred from the shadows. “What’s got you giggling all cute like that?” Dex stepped out of the shadows of the hall smirking, his fog gray eyes gleaming in the dim light.

Reed tensed beside me before placing a hand on his heart. “Fates, Dex. Do you have to sneak up on people?”

“It’s part of my charm.” Dex’s gaze flicked to me. “Have I told you how much I love that necklace on you?”

Reed chuckled. “Obviously. It has all our scents on it, and you were with me when we bought it.”

I ran my fingers over the pendant as warmth spread through me. “I love this necklace.”

“I’m glad,” Reed murmured.

Dex grinned at me. “You’re so fucking cute.”

Then, his shadows engulfed us, and we stepped out beside our study table in the library just as Hunter arrived, balancing a tray of snacks.

“You brought offerings,” Dex teased dramatically, plopping down next to Skel and Bram.

“I brought study fuel.” Hunter sat the food down. “Make sure you’re eating enough.”

My mates and I fell into simple conversation, teasing and laughing with each other. For a moment, I let the stress from Dark Veil melt away, losing myself in the comfort of my mates.