Page 24

24

PANDORA

T he desert stretched out before us in an endless canvas of sand and scattered cacti, and the warm breeze carried the scent of dust and distant rain. I walked beside Dad, listening as he said the very things that I used to dream about a parent telling me.

“You amaze me, Pandora. Every single day. The way you’ve grown…how far you’ve come. It’s truly amazing. It’s been a year since I found you, and I—” He paused, his expression shifting, as if some realization had just struck him. “I’m honestly shocked that you’ve adapted so quickly to demon life.”

I felt Nebula’s soul manifest from his skull in my palms. “It’s true. You have come so far. You should be proud of yourself, Pandora.”

I smiled softly. “Thank you both. I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt.”

Dad’s gaze snapped to Nebula’s skull. "What did he say?"

I glanced down at Nebula. “He said the same thing you did and that I should be proud of myself.”

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, and for a moment, the unease he had around Nebula faded. “You’ve been watching over my daughter for a long time, haven’t you?”

“I have,” Nebula murmured.

A lump formed in my throat as I repeated what he said.

“You’ve done a great job watching over her. Thank you.”

“It’s been my pleasure,” Nebula said. “She’s special.”

I tightened my hold on Nebula gently, feeling warmth in my chest from being cared for. “I love you both so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I never thought I’d have a family like this, but I do. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Dad’s hand found my shoulder, and he squeezed it comfortingly. “You’re my family, Pandora. My daughter. Always.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I let them fall. I wasn’t afraid to cry in front of my dad. He was exactly how a parent should’ve been, and I would always be so grateful to the Fates for bringing us together.

I wiped my face quickly and smiled. “You know…you’ve grown a lot, too.”

He frowned slightly, confusion lines scrunching together between his brows. “What do you mean?”

“When I first figured my power out, your soul looked... broken . Like a puzzle with missing pieces. But then, you found Jenni, and it was like watching the pieces snap into place. Sure, you’re still missing a small gap, but Jenni’s helped you in ways that made your soul glow. I just love seeing you happy like this. You deserve happiness, too.”

His jaw tightened before he exhaled slowly. “Jenni has helped me, yes. But Pandora, you were the first to bring me back. Without you, I don’t think I would have been able to open my heart again. You reminded me what it was like to be loved and to love. Amy’s death broke me, but you and Jenni have healed me. Though, I will always miss Amy.”

“Of course you do.” I reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “I’m just glad you’re happy now.”

We walked in comfortable silence until we reached Occult Cat-tuary. I was so excited to show Dad the sanctuary Skel and I had built for the rescued stray cats. It was an odd feeling to show someone something I was so proud of building.

The moment we stepped inside the protection ward, my dad’s eyes widened.

“Wow.” He crouched down as a few of the cats approached, rubbing against his legs. “You and Skel did an incredible job with this.”

“Well, you helped.” Pride swelled through me as I watched him scratch behind a cat’s ears.

The cat purred with delight.

“All I did was pay for a few things. You did the work.” He chuckled as the cats purred and meowed at him to get more pets.

“Well, thank you.” I bent down to pet the cats as well. “We couldn’t have done it without your contribution.”

Nebula made a disgusted noise at the cats that bumped their noses against his skull. “Disgusting little things.”

I stifled a giggle. “They like you, Nebula.”

Nebula let out a dramatic sigh but said nothing further.

“Have you made any progress with Joel’s magical essence?” Dad asked. “How close are you to bringing his magic back?”

I bit my lip, focusing on giving the cats around us equal attention. "Closer than ever before. I haven’t told him about it because I’m afraid of getting his hopes up, but…I noticed something. When he’s around Jenni, his magical essence bleeds into his soul. It’s almost like she’s the key to unlocking the magic. Maybe it’s because he feels happy around her. It’s harder to manipulate magical essence and souls when someone is depressed, I’ve noticed.”

“That’s true.” He scowled, and he stopped petting the cats. “I knew he liked her.”

Nebula let out an amused hum. “What if he’s her mate, too?”

My brows raised, but I kept that to myself. Dad didn’t need any reason to go murder Joel, but I had also suspected that. “Jenni loves you, Dad. Joel may have a unique relationship with her, but it doesn’t lessen her love or loyalty to you.”

“Yeah, I know, but Joel knows she’s my mate,” he groaned as the cats meowed and rubbed against his hand.

“He does,” I agreed. “And he respects you, her, and your matebond. He’d never try anything with her, even if he did like her.”

“You’re right,” he sighed, continuing to pet the cats that gathered around him. “Keep me in the loop with Joel and everything. If I can help, I will.”

“Okay,” I promised. “I’m finally getting used to my power—all of my magic, really.”

“The shadow magic?” He slipped his gaze to me with interest.

“Yes, actually,” I murmured, scratching behind a little orange cat’s ear. “I’m so thankful that you found me when you did. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened had you not found me in time.”

Dad’s expression darkened. “You would’ve survived until I did find you. You’re a survivor, Pandora.”

“Surviving was all I knew how to do,” I agreed softly. “Up until recently, any time I saw shadow magic, it brought me back to that damp cellar.”

“You will never be in that cellar again,” he vowed once again. “And Penny Bones is dead. Her shadow magic will never be used against you again.”

“I know.” I closed my eyes for a moment, but that only made the memories I’d tried to bury sharper. It was as if I could still feel the chain around my ankle. It was like I could feel the long, sharp whips of shadow magic that had torn through my flesh like it was paper.

Even now, the thought of my life before my magic awakened and Dad found me sent tremors through my body.

Dad placed a hand on my shoulder. “You’re stronger now than you’ve ever been.”

I inhaled deeply, pushing the fear of my past down. He was right. I was strong now. “I’m finally becoming used to seeing shadow magic. Dex’s shadows aren’t Penny’s. They’re…a part of me now.”

“They are,” he agreed.

Standing up, I moved my hand out, palm and mark facing up. I let my shadow tendril slip from Dex’s mark, the inky darkness curling in the air before slinking back inside at my whim. I was in control of this shadow, and I didn’t have to fear it.

“Pandora.” Dad stood back up, much to the cats around him’s displeasure.

When I looked up, all I saw was pride in his eyes.

“I knew you could overcome your fears, but I didn’t know it would be so quick. You’ve only been free from captivity for a year. I truly cannot express my awe and pride in you. You took something that once tortured you and made it your own. That takes strength. More than most supernaturals have.”

I let out a breathy chuckle and smiled. “I had to. It was either that, or let it control me forever. And I refuse to be a prisoner to Penny Bones. Not anymore. Plus, it helps that this is my mate’s magic.”

Dad pulled me into his arms then, hugging me tight, as if to remind me that I was no longer that girl in the cellar.

I was free, and I was stronger than I used to be.

“I know I keep saying it, but I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.

I clung to him, allowing myself the comfort of a parent—something I’d always craved. “You’re the best dad ever.”

“You give me far too much credit, daughter. I might not be able to make up for all the times I wasn’t there for you, but I promise to try my best.” His voice cracked. “Are you sure you don’t need me to come to Infernal Grove with you tomorrow? I’d be more than happy to.”

“I’m coming,” Nebula hissed. “And you can’t tell me no.”

I let out a watery laugh as I pulled back from Dad so Nebula didn’t get crushed anymore. “It’s okay. We’ll have the supernatural agents with us.”

“I trust you to handle yourself, and your mates are fully capable of protecting you. The supernatural agents are an extra layer of protection that makes me more comfortable, but I’ll see you at the Supernatural Council meeting afterward, okay?”

“Okay.” My heart swelled with love, and it spilled over, down to all of my mates from our matebonds. “I’m glad.”

Dad trusted me to protect myself, and I had the same confidence in myself now.