Black wisps of smoke slipped from between my lips, swirling and dancing in the air before converging toward the dark magic circle stained with blood in the sand before me.
A sense of panic clutched my heart. Just like when my magic went for my mother, my control slipped through my grasp like sand through fingers.
There wereso manydemons around, including ones I had become fond of, like Daryl and Hunter.
“Focus, Pandora.” Two warm hands gently rested on my shoulders. “Deep breath. Focus on channeling your magic to do whatyouwant. Breathe it back in. You’re alright.”
Feeling Daryl’s reassuring presence, I gritted my teeth and tried breathing it back inside of me. But the magic resisted, writhing and twisting in defiance of my will. The black smoke billowed and swirled, evading my attempts to control it.
“You’ve got this,” Hunter murmured, his breath hitting my ear. “Come on, starlight. You’re in control.”
I was in control. I was in control.
I’d read about affirmations being magic spells and that all supernaturals could will their magical essence to make it happen, so that was what I did.
With a determined inhale, I willed my magic back into my body, the overwhelming weight of my power fading as I regained control.
As the last clouds of darkness dissipated, relief flooded me.
What the Fates was that?
My gaze snagged on two demons in particular as I filled my lungs with a deep breath. Dex and Grimshaw leaned against the building of Reform Hall as they watched me so intently I couldfeelit. Dex’s lips curled into an amused smirk, but Grimshaw’s eyes were hard with hidden fear.
How much had they seen? And why did Dex look so interested? Why did Grimshaw look afraid?
“You need to go back to your dorm room and rest.” Daryl’s voice snapped me back to reality, and his face was a perfect mixture of worry and overprotectiveness within his black eyes as I faced him. “No soul eater has ever had their powers manifest like that.”
I nodded, hoping he knew that Iacknowledged the gravity of the situation. I knew I had to master my magic before it spiraled out of control. I really did understand how dangerous I was. “That is how I...how my power manifested the first time. I didn't mean to; it just happened."
“Woah,” Craven mumbled.
“Gravesend,” Blackthistle, our headmaster, strode over to us. “Are you okay? I’ve never seen anything quite like that before.”
Hunter’s spine straightened, but he kept his lips pressed together as he stared at me with worry.
Daryl paled. "We need to find a way for you to feed properly, to control your abilities," he said with a steely determination. “Just keep learning while at the academy. This is the best place for you.”
“I will,” I rasped, frowning.
I’d told him how my magic came in the form of black smoke before, but maybe knowing and witnessing it were two different things?
“Perhaps you should go lay down and rest?” Daryl squinted his eyes as he stared at me. “You’re exhausted, and not feeding is starting to mess with you.”
“I know,” I agreed, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “But if I’m going to learn, I need to be in class.”
"I'll take care of her," Hunter assured Daryl,stepping forward and hovering his hand over the small of my back. "We'll figure this out together."
“Death, I need your eye on something over here,” Blackthistle stated, his green eyes sliding over me with intent regard. “The scale and ward seem unaffected, but something is different with the altar.”
Daryl’s expression hardened as he adjusted his stance on the sandy ground. “I’m sorry, Pandora. I wanted to spend time teaching you feeding techniques. Unfortunately, with this dark magic business, my hands are tied.” With a heavy sigh, he nodded. “Take her to class, Darkmore. We can handle this situation until you get back. Just…keep her safe.”
Hunter dipped his head in respect to my father. “Of course.”
“Nice meeting you!” Craven waved at me, and I returned the wave with a smile on my lips even though my thoughts were roaring louder than the blood in my ears.
“Let’s go.” As Hunter’s hand pushed gently on my back, he guided me through the throngs of demons with wide eyes and parted lips, away from the altar.
It was more than just Daryl’s gaze following us. Dex and Grimshaw kept their eyes glued to me as Hunter and I walked past them and into Reform Hall.
