“You’re right.”
The session ended soon after, but Darkmore's words lingered through my skull. I left his office feeling lighter and more hopeful. I wanted to explore my dreamscape with Pandora and show her the world. I wanted to confront my fears with her, but I wasn’t ready to do that…yet.
22
PANDORA
None of the noble women seemed to like the fact that Bound Dormitory had communal bathrooms. They cursed under their breaths almost every time I saw them in the bathroom. I may not have particularly enjoyed sharing the shower space with others because of my scars, but I loved having a toilet and running water at my disposal. After what I had come from, this was a luxury that I didn’t want to take for granted.
I loved having closed in showers and sinks, so much so, that I started showering during the day instead of waiting for the night. I just covered my dressing before leaving the shower stall, and everything was fine. The others were irritated because they didn’t like to share the space.
But honestly, the bathrooms were a warmearth and sandstone, much like the rest of the dormitory. There wasn’t much to argue about. They were nice, clean, and functional.
The rough rock floors were cold against my bare feet as I stood in front of the porcelain sink, staring at my reflection in the fogged mirror.
“This is going to look so good on you, Gravesend,” Dreadful cooed with a saccharine sweetness that betrayed the barbed undertones.
“I’m not so sure,” I murmured, frowning as her fingers ran through my inky long locks with the hair dye enchantment she’d pulled out of her bag this evening after getting back to the dorm from her own hair appointment somewhere in the capital. The dye was an enchanted purple powder imbued with magical essence and a strong scent of herbs.
I didn’t know how she was able to get off campus since the reform academy forbade it, but I wasn’t about to say anything. It wasn’t my business what she did. My main concern was why she wanted to do anything with me anyway. It was obvious that she and I didn’t get along well, but she had tugged me along to the bathrooms without so much as asking if I had even wanted this.
“Don’t be like that,” she whined, flicking her golden locks with pale pink strands scattered through it back with a smile that didn’t quite reach her icy blue eyes. “The enchantment isn’t onlyefficient, but it’s quick. Only takes a minute to set.”
“I appreciate the gesture, Dreadful, really,” I assured her. “It’s just that this kind of thing isn’t really something I’m normally comfortable with.”
“Yeah, I can tell,” she snorted before blinking innocently. “I mean, it’s good to get out of your comfort zone or whatever.”
I bit back my reply, staring at the lilac streaks forming throughout my hair. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but…I didn’t really like it. It clashed with my red eyes.
“I’m so glad we had no classes today. Even if it was because of that dark magic circle that popped up on campus,” Dreadful mused. “A free day is a free day, right?”
“I don’t like thinking about dark magic.” I frowned as she stepped back and brushed the remaining powder off her hands. “But I guess you’re right. It was nice to have a day off.”
“Go on then. Shake it out. The witch at the store said this was their best,” she said as the muscles around her eyes twitched. “And for the record, dark magic isn’t something that can be wielded by demons. Whatever is happening probably doesn’t have to do with us, anyway.”
“I don’t know. I feel like they wouldn’t have canceled classes if it wasn’t serious enough.” I ran my fingers chaotically through my hair, watchingthe magic dusting fly off, and the purple in my hair becamevivid.
Fates. I hated it.
My palms turned clammy, but I didn’t say anything. Maybe I could convince Daryl to get me something to dye it back?
She rolled her eyes. “You worry too much. Besides, I missed counseling with Ravencliff today; thank the Fates. That succubus is such a bitch. All she does is yap on and on about how much she fucks the students. Great for her, but aren’t we supposed to talk about me?”
“That’s what therapy is, yes,” I agreed, thinking about all of the times I’ve talked with Hunter and how helpful his words were. “She should be talking you through your past and helping you see things differently.”
“You're so lucky you have Darkmore instead. He's hot as hell.” She fanned herself dramatically, and a hint of her pheromones rolled off her. “I’m sure if I had him, I could get him to fuck me on his desk.”
I flinched as white-hot anger surged through me. Magic scattered over my skin like static electricity. For once, I thought my magic reserves being low might’ve been a good thing, even if it did wear me down. If they’d been full, I was certain I would’ve swallowed her soul whole for talking about Hunter like that.
Why did it bother me to think of him with her…with anyone?
Maybe it was just with her. I hadn’t pictured him with anyone else before…until now, and yeah, never mind. With anyone.
My chest ached at the thought of him with anyone but me, which was ridiculous. I knew I wasn’t in any state for a relationship like that. Not after being alone for so long.
“Please don’t joke about him like that.” I glanced in the mirror to find the purple tint was fading away as if it were never there. My gaze widened as relief washed over me.Thank you, Fates!
My normal black hair hung down, free of any color but black.
