“Of course not,” Hunter scoffed before shooting me a comforting smile. “But if she’s comfortable being on a first-name basis so quickly, so am I.”
“Pandora hasn’t been around many menbefore, so you better not even think about taking ad?—”
Hunter stepped into my father’s space with a deadly glare. “I don’t appreciate what you’re insinuating.”
“I don’t appreciate you being so friendly with my daughter.” Daryl went toe-to-toe with him.
My brain frazzled as I stepped forward and waved my hands in the air. “Well, I appreciate it! I like the idea of having a friend already. Wasn’t that the main reason you wanted to introduce me to Hunter?”
Hunter’s eyes fluttered, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he took a step back from my father. “Yeah. A friend is exactly right.”
Daryl frowned but nodded.
“Then this is working in your favor,” I urged, feeling oddly protective of Hunter. “It’s what you wanted.”
Daryl checked a message on his tablet and let out a long sigh. “I suppose you’re right. I have pressing matters to attend to with Blackthistle.”
“Is everything alright?” Hunter’s gaze flicked to Daryl.
“Demon Council duties,” Daryl replied smoothly. “Take your time with acclimating Pandora to the academy. We can catchyou up after.”
Hunter tilted his head, gaze scrutinizing, but he nodded once. “Okay.”
Daryl turned to me. “Darkmore will be your counselor and the demon I want you to seek out if you have any trouble.”
“Sure,” I agreed.
“That won’t be a problem. I’ll be seeing her twice a week,” Hunter interjected with a respectful nod.
Daryl nodded and went to walk out of the room but paused. “I thought mandated counseling was only once a week?”
“I suggest twice for Pandora due to the circumstances. It’s already in her schedule,” he explained.
They shared an intense glance for a few moments before Daryl’s eyes swung to me and softened. “Darkmore will give you everything you need for class, but he’ll also give you an academy-issued tablet. It’s like the one I gave you that you left at home, but it’s the only electronic allowed at the academy. He made sure my contact information was programmed in, so if you ever need me, all you have to do is message or call.”
“Thanks, Daryl.” Gratitude swelled through me. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“I’m your dad.” He lifted his shoulders slightly. “Just…make sure you check in with me every day, or I’ll get worried.”
“I will,” I promised, and he left, shutting the door softly behind him.
As I turned my attention back to Hunter, I noticed how warm and inviting the office was. The flickering glow of candles casted a soft, comforting light that added to the coziness of the space.
“Please, come sit down. I’ll explain everything you need to know.” He swept his arm toward the seating arrangement across from his desk.
“I appreciate you helping me.” I walked over and sat on the plush cream-colored sofa, and I wanted to stretch out and snuggle into it with how comfortable it was. It took a lot of effort to keep seated at the edge and not sink back into it.
“Honestly, Pandora, think nothing of it.” His lips curved into a smug smirk as he rounded his tidy mahogany desk and claimed his seat. “It’s my job to ensure all students are cared for.”
My heart sank. “Oh, of course.”
Why did that answer bother me? Did I want him to have a different reason for helping me? I’d never had this much help in my life. I should’ve been grateful and not disappointed in the slightest.
And yet…
I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked past him toward the large map of the world plastered on the wall. Red circles weremarked in various locations across the map—even areas within the human territory. While supernaturals and humans were at peace and welcome in each other’s territory, it wasn’t very common from the newer published books I’d read.
He rifled through his drawer before pulling out a tablet very similar to the one my father had gifted me. It was black with a large screen and the size of a small book. He tapped on the screen a few times before handing it to me over the desk. “I have your schedule programmed in the schedule app. I already brought it up for you to see.”
