Page 33 of Demon Reform Academy, Term 3
33
HUNTER
“ B lackthistle was spotted on campus,” I stated with venom on the three-way call with Rowan Clearwater and Death.
Death let out a vicious growl, and a bang sounded on the other end. “Where the fuck is he now?”
“He’s in the wind,” I finished.
Rowan let out a similar growl as Death had. Then, soft murmuring from what I presumed to be Rowan’s mate was in the background, calming him.
“Find an air fae and make them search it,” Death demanded.
“Not literally, Death.” I pinched the bridge of my nose with a sigh. “I mean, he’s just disappeared. Maybe he has an invisibility charm or maybe?—”
“He’s infected and teleporting.” Clearwater groaned.
Death stayed quiet for a moment. Becoming a dad had really made him irrational, but I understood it. I was going out of my mind with worry for her, too.
I jolted as a sharp pain spread through my hand, and the matebond came alive with urgency.
As Death and Clearwater delved into a strategy, I focused on the bond. Pandora wasn’t panicked, but there was throbbing in her hand that was seemingly getting worse. I clicked to Reed’s messages and messaged him.
Hunter Darkmore
Are you with her?
What happened?
Reed Nyx
I’m with her.
She was stung by a scorpion.
We took her to Sunstone Revive…
It’s not working.
Her hand’s swollen.
Hunter Darkmore
What do you mean it’s not working?
She’s not healing?
Reed Nyx
No. She’s not.
We’re taking her to her room to rest.
Hunter Darkmore
After you get her there, have Dex come get me.
Reed Nyx
She just passed out.
He’s coming.
I jumped to my feet, completely unaware of what they were discussing at this point. “Pandora’s been stung by a scorpion! She isn’t healing, she’s swelling, and she just passed out. The academy’s on alert for Blackthistle. I trust the agents you sent are as well. Please, excuse me.”
“What?” Death roared. “Talk to you later, Clearwater.”
“Go take care of your daughter and your mate,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “I’ll handle Blackthistle’s search. My daughter will be on the lookout as well.”
I ended the call just as Dex stepped out of the shadows from the corner of my office.
Worry creased his brows. “Ready?”
I nodded, and he shadow-traveled us directly to her.
Pandora’s delicate features softened in the dim light of her room. The curtains were drawn, and her chest moved up and down rhythmically. Her long black hair cascaded around her like a dark halo, contrasting with the paleness of her skin. Sweat beaded on her face, and her plump red lips were parted slightly.
The swelling in her hand was a stark reminder that she’d been stung.
“It won’t heal?” I blurted the obvious.
They shook their heads.
“Where’s Death?” Jenni asked, her eyes filling with tears.
“He’ll be here,” I muttered, sitting next to Pandora and gingerly taking her hand. It was hot.
A few moments later, Death stepped out of the shadows with Bane in tow.
“Thanks,” he muttered to her.
Bane swept her black hair from in front of her green eyes with a sigh. “You’re welcome. I trust you can get back to headquarters on your own?”
He nodded as Jenni wrapped her arms around his center and stared daggers at Bane.
Bane arched a brow at her. “Hello, Inferno.”
“Hi, Bane.” She sniffed, loudly, inhaling her mate’s scent.
Bane melted back into the darkness.
“You okay?” Death whispered, his brows furrowing.
Jenni nodded. “I just don’t like her.”
“I understand.” Death kissed the top of her head before looking at Pandora. “What happened?”
Skel was on the other side of Pandora, holding her other hand. “She bent down to grab her water bottle and got stung by a scorpion. None of us saw it.”
“You let your mate bend down to grab her bottle?” Death growled, and I flinched from the intensity.
Skel, Dex, Bram, and Reed shrunk.
I didn’t envy them.
“It happened too fast,” Jenni interjected, coming to their defense. “I was there, too. She dropped it and bent down to get it before anyone could help out.”
Death frowned, staring at her a moment before pulling a vial from his pocket. “I brought a venom antidote.”
“Give it to Hunter,” Jenni urged him.
He stared at her with a pleading look, but she leveled him with a glare.
Sighing, he handed it to me.
I took it and unscrewed the lid, tilting it into my mouth. Bending over, I sealed my lips over hers, pushing the antidote into her mouth. I moved my finger against her throat, making her swallow it.
“Did you really have to?—”
Jenni whacked Death’s chest. “He had to.”
“I had to,” I agreed with her, sitting back down.
“The swelling’s going down,” Reed murmured.
Relief hit us all at once, but even as the swelling subsided—she didn’t wake up.