A warm flutter filled my chest as I nodded. “Thank you.”
His eyes widened like he’d forgotten something. “I have one more thing for you.” He started to rifle through his desk before setting a roll of medical dressing in front of me. “Personally, I don’t believe scars should be hidden as they showcase strength. But I’ve seen the way you cover yours, and your new wardrobe includes a lot of popular outfits in season. Most are skirts and dresses. You can use this to cover your scars if it makes you feel better.”
I grabbed the soft roll of dressing with my heart thumping in my throat. I hadn’t realized I’d been so obvious about hiding them. “Thank you so much. When do I go to the academy?”
“You don’t have to keep thanking me,” he muttered softly, but my demonic hearing picked up on it. My hearing had even gotten better after my magical reserves had filled. “You start classes on Monday next week since that’s when the school year starts, but you’ll move into the dormitory on Sunday. Darkmore had suggested your attendance, actually. I can’t take full credit.”“Wow.” Goosebumps spread up my arms, and I rubbed them out.
“I can introduce you to Darkmore if you’dlike,” he offered. “He’ll be your counselor, and he’s a friend of mine. At least, we work together.”
I shook my head as heat licked up my spine, making my posture stiffen. “That’s okay. I can meet him when we get to the academy.”
“Are you sure? He’s not that much older than you are. He’s thirty-one, so I guess that’s only nine years,” he contemplated.
“Only?” My brows lifted.
“Well, I’m over five-hundred.” He scratched his jawline, and my mouth fell open.
“Five hundred?” I squeaked.
“Over,” he added with a sly smirk. “Soul eaters live a long time. Something to look forward to. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to meet him? He’ll be the demon you’ll go to when you need something while attending the academy.”
My heartbeat picked up as I shook my head. “I’ve never been around men before. You and the butler are the only men I’ve spoken with in my entire life, but my mother has warned me about men and theirwanton desires.She saidhorriblethings.” I winced. “But I have also read about them, so I know they’re notallbad. Just most of them?”
Hurt simmered in his gaze, but he nodded. “All demons can be horrible. Men and women. Keep that in mind, but don’t let it dictate how you live your life. You can quite literally end anydemon who tries to oppose you, Pandora. Don’t be afraid of anyone.”
Knots tangled my stomach at the finality in his tone. “Can I ask you something?”
He nodded.
“What about fated mates?” I chewed on my bottom lip, worried about some kind of backlash. I asked Mother once before and got the first scar over my stomach. “I’ve read little about them but enough to know they’re soulmates. They’ve always interested me. That love…it seems worth the pain of life.”
His amused smirk fell, and he cleared his throat. “Fated mates are soulmates. They complete your soul. A magical soul bond links souls together. Some supernaturals can have more than one, except for wolves and penguin shifters, of course. A mate’s lifespan automatically extends to the mate who would live the longest…” His expression tightened. “Unless they are killed by an outside force. Demons don’t always find their fated mates, but when they do, they’reusuallyinstant. Not always. But it’s just as perfect as they say.”
“Thank you.” I worried my bottom lip between my top and bottom teeth as my chest ached.
His brows were drawn together, and there was a grimace on his lips. He’d spoken so solemnly,but he answered every question I had. Somehow, I felt like I hurt him by asking about mates.
“I wish I knew about you sooner.” He took a deep breath before expelling it, but there was agony in his dark gaze.
“Me too,” I mumbled, clutching the dressing in my hand until I started to shake. Maybe if he did, I wouldn’t be so broken.
4
PANDORA
Demon Reform Academy was a desert oasis.
Like most architecture in the Demon Capital, the academy buildings were made of sandstone, and the structures were weathered by time and sand. There were four buildings, and their earthy tones contrasted against the bright blue of the sky. In the center of the academy was an altar, a large crystal, and a rock arch.
In the distance, there was an imposing bluff rising against the horizon, its rocky surface towering over what looked to be a lake of some kind.
A soft rustle of wind swept through the sand as my father and I walked forward. With each step, the grains of sand shifted beneath my black flats.
“This will be your home for the next year,” Daryl told me, a hesitant smile on his face. “Of course, I’ll visit often, and you’re always welcome at the manor.”
I returned his smile with a reassuring one. “It’s pretty. I’m not used to being outside, so this is really nice. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”
His smile dropped to a wince as we headed further into campus. “You can be outside whenever you want now.”
