Page 33

33

HUNTER

J oel sat across from me in the buzzing cafeteria, his hands wrapped around his lemonade cup, blue eyes practically glowing as he gushed on and on about Jenni.

It was the kind of adoring talk that would have annoyed someone that hadn’t been completely in love with their mate as well.

The harsh sun poured through the tall windows, casting long golden beams across the floor as I sipped my coffee, letting him ramble.

“She’s everything I ever hoped she was. She’s fucking sunshine and passion and smells literally like passion fruit, and Death even accepts my bond with her. He’s even become nicer!” Joel slurped his passion fruit lemonade with an obsessive intent. “I know, right? Death, nice!”

I chuckled. “That’s great.”

“You’re laughing, but you know exactly what I mean,” Joel shot back. “Pandora does the same to you. Admit it.”

Just thinking about Pandora made my chest feel lighter. It was no secret that I loved her with my entire being.

“Of course she does. I love her,” I told him. “I get it, I really do. I’m happy for you, Joel. You deserve love and happiness.”

“And I’m so fucking happy. It’s all thanks to your mate for saving my life and giving me my magic back.” Joel grinned, taking another sip of his lemonade. “But seriously, with everything else going on—that shit is wild, right? You good?”

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah. Dad’s been lying low again. There was another attempt on his life when he was at the Market. Business is still down. I miss it. I miss the vengeance I was able to get for others. Feels weird not getting retribution for those in need of it.”

“Your dad told me that.” Joel nodded in understanding. “When the cult’s gone, are you gonna jump back in?”

“Thinking about it. I’ve got a shifter case lined up—the woman’s adoptive sister is vile . But...I don’t know. I might take some time to just be with Pandora.”

Joel smirked. “Do it.”

“I think I will.”

My tablet buzzed with a reminder for my session with Fester.

A call from Rowan Clearwater a few hours ago had already left my brain scrambled, but it was actually just another slap to the face. Fester—my student—was part of Dark Veil. Sabine’s intel had confirmed it.

I exhaled through my nose, staring at the screen. I’d messaged our group chat about everything when I heard. They were pissed.

Hunter Darkmore

Rowan Clearwater called. Fester’s in Dark Veil. Intel confirmed.

Reed Nyx

I knew something was off with him!

Skel Grimshaw

He’s nosy as fuck.

Bram

I’m actually surprised. He’s more weaselly than anything.

Dexter Shadowheart

Want me to kill him?

Pandora Gravesend

Are you sure? His soul is never as evil as the others from Dark Veil I’ve been in contact with.

Hunter Darkmore

Don’t kill him yet, Dex. Pandora, I have a session with him today. I’ll update you. But stay away from him, okay?

“What?” Joel asked, catching the shift in my mood.

“It’s Fester. He’s with Dark Veil,” I muttered, looking up from my screen.

Joel’s entire demeanor changed, lemonade cup hitting the table, empty. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was. Sabine’s intel is solid.” I scowled. “You know it is.”

“Fuck.” Joel scrubbed a hand down his face. “Jenni’s friends with him!”

“I know. So is Pandora.” I clenched my jaw. “I already told her and the guys in our group chat. Death knows, but I think you should talk to him and both of you let Jenni know in case she isn’t aware.”

Joel looked like he wanted to punch something. “If he tries anything with my mate?—”

“You kill the threat,” I told him, standing up. “I’ve got a session with him in a few minutes.”

His eyes narrowed but he nodded. “Be careful, man.”

“Always.” I left the cafeteria and made my way through the building to my office.

It wasn’t long until Fester strolled into my office with his head ducked down. When I sensed his soul, it felt innocent. There was nothing evil in it—nothing malicious. His soul felt actually more pure than some of my other students who I knew for a fact had no inkling of a tie to Dark Veil.

His grass-like smell was untainted by the scent of blood or sulfur. He didn’t seem connected to Dark Veil, but I knew Sabine’s intel was to be trusted.

“Hello, Darkmore,” he greeted me with his usual squeak as he carefully lowered himself onto the sofa across from my desk. “Is everything okay? You look upset. Did I do something wrong?”

I exhaled, choosing my words carefully. Dark Veil had been around him since he was a child—he’d apparently grown up in it, influenced by both parents the same way Dex had been. But Fester’s parents are both dead now, and he’s evidently still in the cult. Why had he not left? Or could he not leave?

“Do you ever think about your mom?” I settled on asking.

Fester frowned, his brown eyes darting around my office cautiously. “What?”

“Her death,” I clarified, tapping my fingers on the desk as I studied him. “She was a sacrifice to the Veil, wasn’t she? She injected herself with that dark magic, a dose potent enough that it would kill her before the dark magic could merge with her and keep her alive.”

“I wasn’t there.” Fester’s whole body tensed. His pulse spiked, and he ran both hands through his black shaggy hair. “I don’t—I don’t know. Bane told me that she was murdered by Dark Veil in your custody.”

“Bane was also involved in the cult.” I leaned forward. “I’m sure you knew that, though. Your mother’s death was planned, wasn’t it?”

His breathing hitched, but suddenly, he just…broke wide open.

“Darkmore, I—I didn’t want to—” He sucked in a sharp breath, gripping the arm of the sofa. “I grew up in it. I’ve never had a choice. I wanted to get out, but I couldn’t. When I was infected, I thought that was it for me, but then, Pandora Gravesend saved my life. My mom? She killed herself in custody for Dark Veil, yeah, but my dad—he sacrificed himself the same way in the cult. I don’t know what you’ve been told, but I’ve been trying to stay away from them. The things I saw, the things I was forced into…all of it—” He let out a sob, but he shoved his fist to his lips to try to hold it in.

There was no deception in his aura, and there was no ounce of bad intent in his soul. Just raw regret and slight fear.

“Fester,” I said carefully, taking on more of the role of the Demon Council rather than a counselor. “Do you want to make up for those things? Help us burn Dark Veil to the ground?”

He swallowed hard, then nodded. “Yeah. I do. I have nothing in the cult. My parents are gone. My only friend…he knows nothing about it.”

“Then, you’re going to be our spy,” I told him, feeling vengeance magic electrify the air between us. “Got it?”

He bobbed his head. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know, but please, don’t let Sybil find out. She makes a spectacle of those who betray her, and I’d rather you kill me before that happens to me.”

“We won’t let her touch you so long as you stay loyal to us,” I assured him.

If we had Fester, that made one more spy in the cult and a better chance of finding out more information.