“It has both,” Joel murmured, crossing his arms as his blue eyes were trained on the circle. He raked his fingers through his brown hair. “Gravesend was right about her theory.”
“What theory?” Blackthistle frowned as he took long strides toward us.
“She said there was a theory that shadow rituals could bring tangible dark magic,” Death told him gruffly. “Her mother had given her a book that said it.”
“Did she, now?” Blackthistle hummed. “Interesting theory.”
“Let’s get this over with,” Death muttered as he withdrew a magical artifact from the folds of his robe. It was a golden staff-like object. The ancient relic was imbued with the power to absorb dark magic.
The three of us encircled the bloodied sigil, our shadows merging with the darkness that clung to the site.
Death chanted an incantation that resonated with the arcane magic as he activated the artifact,and we joined in. It pulsated with a pure white light, its glow intensifying as it flashed over the dark magic within the circle, erasing the dark magic traces and bloodstained circle as if they were never there.
“Pandora's insights are in-depth,” I murmured more to myself than anyone else, and I couldn’t hide the admiration I held for her.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
Joel raised an eyebrow at me. "You speak of Pan-Gravesend with a certain... fondness." He held a teasing lilt in his voice. "How long have you known her again?”
“Merely three days,” Death answered for me with a scowl as he stuffed the artifact back into his robe. “I’ve known her for over two months now.”
My cheeks tinged with a subtle heat. “That’s true, but I’ve known of her for as long as you,” I confessed.
“Remember that she’s my daughter, Darkmore.” Death glared at me.
“I’m aware of that,” I assured him.
“You’re a bit too infatuated with her to be aware,” he growled.
“I’m not infatuated,” I denied. “I’m…protective and in awe of her.”
“That sounds like infatuation.”
“We have more pressing mattersto attend to,” Blackthistle interrupted. “Reports of a dark magic plague seeping through the veins of the Demon Capital is clearly not just a rumor. This affliction is unknown to the Supernatural Council for now, but when they find out, they could very well wage war with us for not snuffing this out sooner.”
“They wouldn’t do that,” Death replied lazily. “And I’ve spoken with Rowan already.”
“Youwhat?”Blackthisle growled, his horns slipping from his skull. “We weren’t going to reveal that until we got this under control. Why would you tell thefiredrake representative?”
“We’re not in control,” Joel snapped, and Blackthistle glared at him. “Death did the right thing.”
“Rowan and I have an existing relationship, and he’s aware of the situation. He’s not having the Supernatural Council step in unless we can’t handle it.” Death shrugged. “We have a meeting with the Supernatural Council in a week to update them. They give us their full support.”
“I’m sure.” Blackthistle turned sharply and left the altar.
Death gave me a hard stare. “Pandora’s well-being is more important than your crush on her.”
“Crush?” Joel chuckled, running a hand down his sweaty face. “I’m sure you know Hunter doesn’tcrush.What he feels for your daughter is obviously more than that.”
“You’re not helping,” I hissed, elbowing my best friend in the rib cage as he howled with laughter.
“I’ll let you bond with your future father-in-law.” He tossed his hand up in the air and walked away.
I whipped my head toward Death and held up my hands innocently. “That was all Joel. You can’t get mad at me for that.”
Daryl’s dark eyes narrowed on me. “I can get mad, actually, but I’ll let it go for now. If you so much as touch my daughter inappropriately, I’ll eat your soul.”
I flinched at the seriousness in his tone, but I also didn’t find myself inclined to agree. If it came down to Pandora or my soul, I already knew I’d choose her.
