Selene caught my gaze again, and her gray eyes softened. “It’s okay,” she murmured, though we both knew it wasn’t. “We have each other.”
Before my world could shatter again the way it always did, I was ripped from my dream and thrust into Reed’s purple haze of a dreamscape.
Reed appeared in front of me with concern in his galaxy-like eyes as he was in full demon form. “I felt your nightmare through Pandora’s bond.”
“Fuck!” I ran both hands through my hair before letting my demonic form take over. My tail swished and sliced the air behind me as my shadows struck out around us. “I…thanks, Reed. I fucking owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” He shrugged, stuffing his claws into the front of the hoodie he wore. “We’re family.”
“We are, aren’t we?” I pushed away the dread from the nightmare.
“Of course we are,” Pandora’s voice filled the dreamscape, and my heart thumped hard in response as she wrapped her arms around me. “Are you okay? I felt your panic through the bond.”
Ilovedthe way she held me. She’d been the only one in my adult life to ever comfort me with a hug—and Selene was the only other one who cared enough about me to do it as a child.
She would’ve loved Pandora as much as I did.
I let my arms close around her and tugged her close, inhaling her scent like a starved man. “I’m better now. Thanks to you—and thanks to Reed for pulling me out of that damned nightmare.”
“Any time,” Reed promised.
“No one’s ever going to hurt you the way they did,” she promised me. “I won’t let them.”
“I feel guilty,” I admitted. “For not being able to save Selene from our parents.”
“Dex,” she said sharply. “You were achild. You were only four. Your parents are monsters, butyouare stronger now. Poppy is dead.You’regoing to kill Rod. You are not powerless anymore. You will get retribution for her murder.”
Fuck.
She was right—she was so fucking right.
I’d kill Rod Shadowheart and let his soul rot with Poppy’s wherever they ended up.
33
HUNTER
Joel sat across from me in the buzzing cafeteria, his hands wrapped around his lemonade cup, blue eyes practically glowing as he gushed on and on about Jenni.
It was the kind of adoring talk that would have annoyed someone that hadn’t been completely in love with their mate as well.
The harsh sun poured through the tall windows, casting long golden beams across the floor as I sipped my coffee, letting him ramble.
“She’s everything I ever hoped she was. She’s fucking sunshine and passion and smells literally like passion fruit, and Death even accepts my bond with her. He’s even become nicer!” Joel slurped his passion fruit lemonade with an obsessive intent. “I know, right? Death, nice!”
I chuckled. “That’s great.”
“You’re laughing, but you knowexactlywhat I mean,” Joel shot back. “Pandora does the same to you. Admit it.”
Just thinking about Pandora made my chest feel lighter. It was no secret that I loved her with my entire being.
“Of course she does. I love her,” I told him. “I get it, I really do. I’m happy for you, Joel. You deserve love and happiness.”
“And I’m so fucking happy. It’s all thanks to your mate for saving my life and giving me my magic back.” Joel grinned, taking another sip of his lemonade. “But seriously, with everything else going on—that shit is wild, right? You good?”
I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah. Dad’s been lying low again. There was another attempt on his life when he was at the Market. Business is still down. I miss it. I miss the vengeance I was able to get for others. Feels weird not getting retribution for those in need of it.”
“Your dad told me that.” Joel nodded in understanding. “When the cult’s gone, are you gonna jump back in?”
