They all knew how much Nebula meant to us.
“Thank you,” Sabine murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “For being willing to bear this for Kalista.”
“This is the sacrifice Blair mentioned,” Rowan muttered, gaze dark and distant. “I apologize.”
I shook my head, letting the tears fall. “It’s what he wants me to do. Sybil Shaw cursed him…he’s not—he shouldn’t have to suffer through a curse to live.”
A moment of silence passed, and it felt like they were showing him respect.
“My mom stole a relic from Dark Veil,” Reed spoke up, his hand scrubbing his jaw thoughtfully. “It calls dark magic to it from the Veil, but also from whatever’s on Kalista near it. Couldn’t that help during the ritual? We need to do something that will keep the dark magic off Pandora during the final battle.”
Dad straightened, his brow furrowing. “That’s right. We gave you the relic, Rowan. If we could channel the dark magic into the relic at the ritual, it would lessen the onslaught of dark magic on Pandora so she can focus on the witch instead.”
“We’ll give the relic to Jesper,” Sabine suggested, her voice steadier now. “He can manage both relics—call the dark magic to him, and the other will siphon it. That way, the agents and the rest of Pandora’s mates can focus on the enemies while Pandora fights Sybil.”
“I can do that.” Jesper nodded.
“I’ll help,” Dad said, his voice like iron. “Dropping bodies tends to be my thing.”
“Your thing?” Hunter chuckled weakly. “It’s the main thing that you’re known for.”
A shaky breath escaped me, and I looked at Dad gratefully. “Thank you.”
His gaze softened, just a little. “You’re my daughter,” he said firmly. “We’re not going to let Nebula’s sacrifice be in vain.”
44
SKEL
The sun hung low over campus, casting long golden streaks across the sand as I carried Comet toward the Cat-tuary. The little calico squirmed in my arms, her tail flicking with excitement, little claws pricking at my shirt in her eagerness. She’d grown so much since we took her in.
“She probably knows where we’re going,” Pandora said with a giggle. “She always smells us after we’ve been around the other cats.”
Comet meowed in agreement, wiggling again.
Pandora walked beside me, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the way her long black hair trailed behind her like a ribbon of ink, the tips catching the golden light of the setting sun.
The others trailed behind us—Bram, his jet-black hair wind-ruffled, and his bleary red eyes were now sharp as they locked onto our mate. Dex’s white-blond hair was a slight contrast against his gray gaze that was also trained on our mate. Hunter stayed quiet as usual, his dark blond hair tousled like he’d just run a hand through it while he kept an eye on Pandora. And Reed’s dark brown afro swayed in the slight breeze as his violet eyes shimmered with love for our mate.
Bram and Dex weren’t just my friends any more, and Reed and Hunter had grown to be more, too. The four of them were my family now. We were brothers, and Pandora—she was the centerpiece, keeping us all from breaking apart.
We hadallbeen through too much shit lately, and we needed something good to happen. Just one fucking night to breathe, to exist outside of Dark Veil and Sybil Shaw’s suffocating presence.
Nebula was de-manifested in Pandora’s bag, but we’d been able to talk with him earlier. I just wished he could’ve joined us tonight, too. Unfortunately, Sybil fucking Shaw was using his magic again, rendering him unable to manifest.
As soon as we stepped inside the cat’s sanctuary, the protection ward fell over my skin like static, tingling with a familiar magic.
Comet sprang from my arms, landing perfectly on the sandy ground. Her ears perked up, and for a moment, she stood still, taking everything in—the stream of crystal-clear water, the food bowls filled to the brim with magic keeping it stocked, the floating rocks swaying gently with magic, the cozy little caves carved into the rock walls, and of course, the other cats that lounged around and played, their ears perking with curiosity at her arrival.
Recognition dawned in her green eyes, and she let out an excited chirrup before sprinting off to explore.
“Aww, how cute,” Pandora cooed, clasping her hands together as she watched Comet weave through the sanctuary like she belonged there.
“They remember her,” I murmured, watching as a tabby padded up to Comet and gave her a gentle nudge before rubbing against her side.
Just like that, she was part of the pride again.
“She looks so happy,” Bram said, his voice softer than usual.
