“Let’s hope he just ran off,” Skel muttered, flipping through the scrapbook.
Page after page, picture after picture, filled with moments of Skel’s childhood. Some were funny, some were sweet, but all of them were little fragments of an early life that I was so happy he was able to experience.
24
PANDORA
The desert stretched out before us in an endless canvas of sand and scattered cacti, and the warm breeze carried the scent of dust and distant rain. I walked beside Dad, listening as he said the very things that I used todreamabout a parent telling me.
“You amaze me, Pandora. Every single day. The way you’ve grown…how far you’ve come. It’s truly amazing. It’s been a year since I found you, and I—” He paused, his expression shifting, as if some realization had just struck him. “I’m honestly shocked that you’ve adapted so quickly to demon life.”
I felt Nebula’s soul manifest from his skull in my palms. “It’s true. You have come so far. You should be proud of yourself, Pandora.”
I smiled softly. “Thank you both. I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt.”
Dad’s gaze snapped to Nebula’s skull. "What did he say?"
I glanced down at Nebula. “He said the same thing you did and that I should be proud of myself.”
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, and for a moment, the unease he had around Nebula faded. “You’ve been watching over my daughter for a long time, haven’t you?”
“I have,” Nebula murmured.
A lump formed in my throat as I repeated what he said.
“You’ve done a great job watching over her. Thank you.”
“It’s been my pleasure,” Nebula said. “She’s special.”
I tightened my hold on Nebula gently, feeling warmth in my chest from being cared for. “I love you both so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I never thought I’d have a family like this, but I do. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Dad’s hand found my shoulder, and he squeezed it comfortingly. “You’re my family, Pandora.Mydaughter. Always.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I let them fall. I wasn’t afraid to cry in front of my dad. He was exactly how a parent should’ve been, and I would always be so grateful to the Fates for bringing us together.
I wiped my face quickly and smiled. “You know…you’ve grown a lot, too.”
He frowned slightly, confusion lines scrunching together between his brows. “What do you mean?”
“When I first figured my power out, your soul looked...broken. Like a puzzle with missing pieces. But then, you found Jenni, and it was like watching the pieces snap into place. Sure, you’re still missing a small gap, but Jenni’s helped you in ways that made your soul glow. I just love seeing you happy like this. You deserve happiness, too.”
His jaw tightened before he exhaled slowly. “Jenni has helped me, yes. But Pandora,youwere the first to bring me back. Without you, I don’t think I would have been able to open my heart again. You reminded me what it was like to be loved and to love. Amy’s death broke me, but you and Jenni have healed me. Though, I will always miss Amy.”
“Of course you do.” I reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. “I’m just glad you’re happy now.”
We walked in comfortable silence until we reached Occult Cat-tuary. I was so excited to show Dad the sanctuary Skel and I had built for the rescued stray cats. It was an odd feeling to show someone something I was so proud of building.
The moment we stepped inside the protection ward, my dad’s eyes widened.
“Wow.”He crouched down as a few of the cats approached, rubbing against his legs. “You and Skel did an incredible job with this.”
“Well, you helped.” Pride swelled through me as I watched him scratch behind a cat’s ears.
The cat purred with delight.
“All I did was pay for a few things.Youdid the work.” He chuckled as the cats purred and meowed at him to get more pets.
“Well, thank you.” I bent down to pet the cats as well. “We couldn’t have done it without your contribution.”
