Page 57

57

PANDORA

W e were in the Supernatural Council’s Headquarters in Fate Hollow once again.

Though, the reason we were sitting around the meeting table was more positive than ever before. The air still smelled of old parchment, melting wax, and the combined scents of the Supernatural Council members.

The magical orbs lit the room beautifully.

Hunter and Dex sat on either side of me, Bram, Reed, and Skel sat next to each other, Dad, Jenni, Joel, and Everglow were also here. Rowan, Wren, Damien, Grimsworn, Sabine, Jesper, and the rest of the Supernatural Council were in attendance as well. The table was completely filled, and it was the start of a new era for the Supernatural Council.

Yet, my heart felt as heavy as it had yesterday.

“Dark Veil is disbanded,” Dad spoke with reverence, and the members grinned in excitement. “But today is not only a celebration for defeating the dark magic cult. It’s also a meeting to officially merge the Demon Council with the Supernatural Council and transfer council seats to the demon representatives that deserve the spots.”

Claps resounded from everyone as Dad gestured to me. “I’d like to start by giving the soul eater representative seat to my daughter, Pandora Gravesend.”

I stood up and smiled around the table. “It’s an honor to be the soul eater representative. I hope to make both the Demon Capital and my dad proud.”

“Welcome to the Supernatural Council,” Rowan greeted me, and everyone else murmured their welcomes.

My heart filled with excitement as I thanked them and sat down.

Hunter stood, a signed contract in his hands with Skel and Malice’s signatures on it. “I will be keeping the vengeance representative seat. However, on behalf of Link Malice, I’d like to welcome Skel Grimshaw to the fear demon representative seat.”

Skel got to his feet and cleared his throat. “I’m thankful to hold this position, and I’m thankful to Malice for believing in me.”

The Supernatural Council members welcomed him, expressing their sadness over Malice’s assassination.

“I’m keeping my seat as the incubus representative,” Joel commented, getting up only long enough to announce it and sitting back down to fawn over Jenni who was next to him.

Everglow stood with a graceful smile. “I have several seats to hand over today. I’d like to hand the shadow demon representative spot over to Dexter.”

Dex’s eyes widened. “Me?”

Her smile grew as she nodded. “Yes. Craven, Death, and I talked it over. It’s been decided.”

“Well, fuck.” He ran a hand through his white-blond hair and shot me a smirk. “Anything that helps me be closer to my mate. Thanks.”

Damien chuckled, sniffing his mate’s neck. “I’m the same way.”

Everglow hummed. “The new drude representative is a demon we’ve sought out named Jett Weaver.”

A drude, a blond man with gray eyes, stood and bowed slightly. “Thank you for this honor. I never expected to be joining the Supernatural Council, but I am thankful.”

“Bram, we’d like to offer you the chaos demon representative spot,” Everglow offered, and Bram’s eyes widened in shock.

“I, really?”

“Yes.”

He stood up abruptly and nodded. “Thank you.”

“Finally,” Everglow announced, landing her gaze on Reed. “I’m resigning my seat over to Reed Nyx, if he’ll accept.”

Reed’s mouth fell open as he got to his feet. “I accept. Thank you.”

Rowan’s lips twitched in amusement as he stood up. “We already have checks and balances in place to avoid any bias since we have an entire matebond claiming seats for some of the demon spots, so these representative spots are approved.”

Sabine grinned. “Congratulations, new and returning representatives. We’re happy to have you. Now, we will adopt supernatural agents into the Demon Capital to carry out laws. This frees up your time to focus on more administrative duties.”

“Thank you,” we murmured, and excitement thrummed through me.

“Pandora Gravesend is also now a legend just like her dad is.” Sabine’s dull green eyes met mine. “You’re being honored as a hero and so is Nebula.”

“Thank you,” I rasped before heat pricked my eyes, and I stood up again. “I only wish he was here to see all of this. Excuse me a moment.”

I excused myself, and all five of my mates excused themselves to follow me.

“Starlight, are you okay?” Hunter murmured, catching my wrist.

I turned with tears in my eyes and nodded. “I’m okay. I promise. I just need to use the restroom.”

“You’re not okay,” Bram stated the obvious, making me giggle slightly.

“I will be,” I promised.

“Let her have a moment,” Skel told them.

“She’ll be okay,” Reed agreed.

“I’ll watch you from the shadows,” Dex murmured.

I sighed as I opened the door to the bathroom. “Do as you’d like.”

Once inside, I noticed how nice the bathrooms in headquarters were. White tile floors and white walls with porcelain sinks and nice mirrors and stalls.

However, as I entered, I noticed a woman with green wavy hair clutching the sink and swaying back and forth. She had a poison bottle sitting in front of her on the sink, and it looked to be empty.

Panic clawed at my throat as I realized she must’ve drank it. I rushed over to her, barely catching her as she fell backward, eyes rolling back. “Oh, Fates! Are you okay?”

She giggled deliriously as she gripped my arms to steady herself. Her golden eyes finally lost the cloudy hue they had when I first found her. “Am I okay? I’m glorious! That was one insane poison the lab crafted. It’s supposed to be fatal when consumed, and it definitely is!”

My lips parted in shock as her midnight orchid scent overwhelmed me. “Um, should I…get someone?”

“No, no!” She hugged me tightly before pulling back and giggling. “You’re Pandora, right? We met before! I’m Sabine’s daughter, Rune.”

“I knew I recognized you!” I gasped, checking her over once more since she had just told me she consumed a fatal poison. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She smirked. “Of course, I am! Also, you kicked ass defeating the dark magic cult and that ancient witch bitch. Great job! Mom told me all about it. She also mentioned that you have five mates. Congratulations on that, by the way.” She winked.

“Thanks.” My face burned. “I love them.”

“Awww,” she cooed. “I have a boyfriend, but no sign of a mate yet. And I don’t know what love is yet, either. My dads totally hate my boyfriend. My brother is actually already planning his death, and honestly, I think I get why. I probably need to break up with him. He’s starting to get a little too controlling for my liking.”

“Controlling is never a good thing,” I murmured with a soft smile.

Her and Jenni would get along great with how easy it was for them to overshare.

“Agreed, girl.” She turned and grabbed the empty poison bottle before grinning at me and heading out the door. “Anyway, I’ve got some more poison to test under Dads and Pops’ noses. You’re a legend, by the way. Enjoy the recognition with your mates. You deserve it.”

My lips curved into a smile as I watched her leave with only a slight stumble, and for the first time since Nebula passed on, my heart felt a little bit lighter.