Page 5

5

PANDORA

“T hanks for the energy,” Jenni winked as Dex and I joined everyone else at the table for dinner.

Dad choked on the passion fruit lemonade he was drinking, his face completely red, blotchy with horror or anger. I wasn’t entirely sure which one it was, but either way, he was as uncomfortable as I was.

Dex’s scent clung to my skin, and my face was hot with embarrassment. Something about Dex—really, all of my mates—made me lose control. I craved them, body and soul.

“Oh, don’t be so upset,” Nebula chastised my dad, even though he couldn’t hear it. “I mean, I was the one who had to actually watch what happened with my two eye sockets pointed directly at them.”

“I didn’t realize you saw out of those,” Reed murmured, pushing food around on his plate. “I kind of thought you could just see everything happening around you.”

“That’s true, I can,” Nebula sighed, “but it doesn’t lessen the impact of what they did in front of me.”

“Sorry, Nebs. I just couldn’t stop myself,” Dex apologized with a smirk firmly in place on his swollen lips.

“I’m sorry to both Dad and Nebula,” I murmured. “I didn’t mean to get carried away.”

“Don’t apologize,” Jenni stated with a shrug. “This is your home, too, and you should be able to be with your mate if that’s what you want. Right, Daryl ?”

Dad winced before pushing his lips into a pout and nodded. “This is your home. That is true.”

“I’m glad you two had fun.” Hunter cleared his throat, shifting in his seat.

“We could all feel how much fun you had.” Skel winked, biting down on his lip ring.

“That we could,” Bram mumbled, shooting me a lustful gaze from beneath his lashes.

Fates, I loved being bonded to them all.

It was a feeling I couldn’t describe. It was unlike when the matebond first snapped in place and I could only see glimpses into their souls in random spurts. Now that the bonds were sealed, their souls flooded my own at a steady pace. Their souls had changed, though. Maybe changed wasn’t the right word. It was as if their very souls had grown.

Reed’s matebond was still filled with that blissful sweetness he had before, but now there was a feral, desperate desire to protect me as well. I could also sense the fear he had of losing me.

Hunter’s was still just as fierce as it was, but more so. It made me feel protected and loved. I sensed his utter determination at avenging all the things we’d been through.

Dex’s was still dark and unhinged, but now that we bonded, I could sense what to expect from him. He desperately needed to make sure I was safe and unharmed. I sensed the madness swirling in his soul, but I also sensed the clarity.

Bram’s wasn’t all over the place like it used to be. It was still chaotic in a way expected of a chaos demon, but it was controlled chaos. I sensed his deep regret in how he treated me, but I also sensed his raw devotion and desire to make it right.

Skel’s matebond wasn’t unstable anymore, either. His soul clung to mine, but it was also protective.

“Do not forget that I might not be able to eat your souls anymore since you’ve bonded with my daughter, but I can still hurt you,” Dad grumbled.

“Actually, you can’t,” Jenni reminded him softly. “If you hurt them, Pandora feels it. Remember?”

He huffed, scowling. “Now I remember.”

“We love your daughter,” Dex stated simply.

The rest of my mates nodded, even Bram.

My heart flipped in my chest.

“Yes, and I can sense that in your souls.” Dad’s scowl deepened. “You know, I once tortured an entire group of human scientists without ever touching them. It’s all about ripping their souls slowly. I didn’t even bother feeding on their souls. They weren’t worth a meal by the time I was done with them.”

“Babe!” Jenni squeaked.

“I assure you, Death,” Hunter stated, clearing his throat. “I love Pandora, you know this. I will always seek vengeance on her behalf. That will never change.”

“I’ve never questioned that with you,” Dad groaned.

“I feel the same way,” Reed murmured. “My top priority is keeping her happy and unharmed.”

“I know.” Dad’s scowl lessened slightly.

“And I only ever want the best for her,” Skel added in. “I love her, too.”

“I know I fucked up—worse than the others did—but I’ll spend the rest of my life cherishing her the way I should’ve from the start,” Bram said.

Dad’s scowl had all but disappeared as he nodded. “Good that you know that.”

“And I agree, too.” Dex pouted, sliding his fog gray eyes to mine with mischief. “I’m devoted to ensuring she’s in bliss constantly . Which is exactly what I just did.”

“Dexter!” Hunter scolded him as Dad growled lowly in warning.

“Babe,” Jenni whispered. “Stop scaring them so much.”

“She’s my daughter.” He sniffed. “It’s my job.”

I actually loved how protective and caring Dad was. It made me feel loved, like he truly cared about what I was doing. I knew without a doubt that he did care. He’d shown up for me in a way nobody else ever had. Certainly never Penny Bones. The parental concern he had for me was refreshing, and I genuinely appreciated it. I’d lacked it up until he found me, but I always wondered what it would feel like. I told myself if I ever had that concern that I would never be upset about it. I would be grateful for it, and I was . I was so grateful Dad cared about my wellbeing, even with my mates.

“Don’t worry, Dad,” I assured him, biting back an amused smile. “My mates are good for me, and I care about each one of them.”

He huffed, but there was a flicker of relief in his dark eyes.

“See? They aregood for her. You know how many times they’ve thrown their life on the line for her safety.” Jenni leaned over and kissed Dad’s cheek, making him smile.

“Yes. That’s a good point,” he admitted. “I do trust them to do their best to keep her safe, but I won’t hesitate to step in if they ever hurt her.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” Hunter mumbled under his breath, shooting Dad a grin.

“I might not have the ability to interact with anyone, but I can give a good verbal lashing if needed,” Nebula added haughtily.

“We know, Nebs,” Skel assured him.

“I know it’s because you both care about me, and I love that,” I murmured softly, flicking my gaze between Nebula and Dad. “It’s a really good feeling to have you caring about my wellbeing.”

“You’ll always be my daughter, Pandora. Of course I care.” Dad’s expression softened completely. “Oh, and the drake scale is officially merged with Cryptic Altar at your academy. You should be safer there now.”

Relief spread over me, and I smiled. “That’s great news.”

“It is,” Hunter agreed.

“Also...” Dad swallowed the bite he just took. “Sabine Bloodwyne has called an emergency meeting and would like you and all of your mates to attend. I will also be there.”

“We’ll be there,” I answered for all of us. I knew if I was going, which I would be, they would come as well.

“Can I come?” Jenni asked, puffing her bottom lip out as she begged my dad. “I’ll be good.”

“You could,” Dad hummed. “But you have lunch with your mom, don’t you?”

She fell back against her chair. “Oh, shit, you’re right. Never mind, then. Next time.”

“Of course,” Dad assured her.

“Do you know what the meeting is about?” Skel asked before taking a bite of food.

“When Malice and Grimes were assassinated by dark magic infected demons, Everglow was injured by the mole,” Dad said gravely.

“Who was it?” Hunter asked with a frown. “How was I not briefed?”

“I didn’t want to inform you all until everything settled. You had to heal from the dark magic curse, Pandora,” Dad explained, tightening his jaw. “It was Bane.”

“Bane?” Hunter’s growl rippled through the room.

“The mole was Bane?” I gasped, remembering how she’d been the one who shadow-traveled Dad and Hunter to rescue me.

Had she known who I was then? Surely, she must have.

“I knew there was a reason I hated that bitch.” Jenni crossed her arms. “She was too smug.”

“We’re sure?” Hunter’s magic sparked at his fingertips.

“Unfortunately. Everglow managed to knock her out with dream magic,” Dad explained, patting Jenni’s thigh soothingly. “Also, Everglow has told me she’ll be resigning after the cult has been dealt with. She wants to focus more on her family, which I can, of course, understand.”

“We could always have Reed take her spot when she resigns,” Hunter suggested. “Having demons we know and trust wholeheartedly would help in avoiding having more traitors on the council.”

Reed dropped his fork with a clang against his plate before picking it up again and shaking his head. “Uh, what? Me? Really?”

“Why not?” Dad quirked his brow up. “Your magic is almost as strong as Everglow’s. You can even make other demons fall asleep. You know how rare that ability is in dream demons.”

“My dad could do it,” Reed whispered. “But thank you for the consideration.”

Chaos magic rippled through my belly button as Demo leapt out, knocking my drink over. I wasn’t sure how she bumped it, but the cup went flying into my chest, spilling the liquid all over my shirt, making the fabric stick to my skin. “Oh, Demo! How did you get out?”

Dad covered his face with his hands. “I will avert my eyes until you go change.”

Jenni snorted. “Chaos magic is, well, chaotic.”

“Focus on my mark on your stomach,” Bram told me. “Pull the chaos magic back into you to de-manifest her.”

“Okay.” I sucked in a breath, pulling on the chaos magic.

Demo tilted her head before fading back into the mark, but as she did, shadow magic erupted from my palm.

A scream tore through my throat, coming out more like a raspy wisp, as a shadow tendril wiggled out of my palm and ripped my soaked shirt down the middle, exposing my breasts to the entire table, aside from Dad, thank Fates, who had his eyes covered.

“What happened?”

“I’ve literally never seen something like this happen,” Nebula stated in amusement.

“Oh, my Fates.” I covered myself with both hands as Dex moved forward out of his seat and covered me with his body, blocking me from view. “How did this happen?” I cried out in horror.

“Uh, her shadow accidentally cut open her shirt somehow?” Jenni laughed.

“Fates!” Dad fell off his chair, trying to shield himself from the situation even though he couldn’t see.

“I can’t breathe!” Jenni cracked up, laughing so hard she fell off her chair next to Dad, rolling around in a fit of giggles.

“Take us all up to her room,” Hunter told Dex, who listened without another second to waste.

Shadows enshrouded us, and we ended up in my room the next second.

“I’m mortified,” I whimpered, letting my arms fall from my chest as I face-planted the bed. “Why did that happen in front of my dad?”

“He didn’t see,” Hunter added helpfully. “Thankfully.”

“It was probably my fault,” Dex admitted. “I’m sorry, trouble.”

“What do you mean, it was your fault?” I asked, my voice muffled by my face buried in my comforter. I turned to see him walk over and sit on the bed next to me.

“The magic in your mark is from me.” He smiled sheepishly. “Maybe you felt my desire for me to see your boobs and the tendril thought youwanted them exposed.”

“You wanted to see her boobs?” Reed shook his head.

“I mean, so did I, but you don’t see me ripping her shirt off on a whim,” Skel muttered.

“Nobody should be ripping her shirt off on a whim...” Hunter trailed off before his white eyes met mine. “Unless she wants that, of course.”

“Wait, so why did that happen?” Bram asked, running his hand through his hair.

“It has to be part of becoming mad and losing my sanity,” Dex whispered, voice cracking. “My mate’s magic is also losing it now. It’s no longer acting on herwants, but mine, too. Aggressively so. It’s normal to do so at a degree, but…”

“It’s okay, Dex.” I pushed up off the bed and removed the strips of my tattered shirt off me.

Vanilla and smoke enveloped me as Skel slipped his shirt over my naked torso before anyone else could.

Bram, Dex, Hunter, and Reed were in the middle of taking their shirts off for me to do the same.

I raised a brow at them before smiling at Skel. “Thank you.”

“Come on,” Nebula hissed on his spot on the nightstand. “Put me in a drawer if this goes south.”

“Stop glaring at me,” Skel laughed, leaning down and kissing the top of my head. “I was faster.”

The rest of them grumbled as they put their shirts back down.

This was nice—feeling wanted and loved.