Pandora lifted her head slightly, her sweat-matted hair clinging to her face. Her fingers clawed weakly at the ground as if she were trying to push up. Dex and Skel carefully helped her to her feet.
“Shit, Darkmore,” Jesper gasped. “We need to find you a healer,now.”
“Fuck, Hunter!” Dex shouted, his fog gray eyes locking on me.
“Dude, are you okay?” Skel’s voice was sharp.
“Fates,” Bram hissed.
Pandora turned in their hold, and when her crimson eyes locked onto mine, they widened in horror. “Hunter, what the Fates!”
Dex and Skel helped her rush to me.
Reed and Bram helped me stay on my feet as they both yanked the swords from my stomach without hesitation, tossing them and letting them clatter against the stone floor.
The wounds sealed instantly, vengeance magic replenishing my reserves.
Pandora’s hands trembled as they skimmed over my torso, getting my blood all over them. “Are you okay?”
I cupped her face, tilting her head until our gazes met. “The vengeance of protecting my mate filled my reserves.”
“Thank Fates,” Jesper muttered.
“I’ll be fine, starlight,” I promised her.
She shuddered; her breath came out unsteady.
Before she could speak, Nebula’s voice sliced through the air. “Go report this.Now. Sybil’s power is growing.”
I’d forgotten he'd tagged along in Pandora's bag today. He'd been so quiet.
Pandora flinched at his voice. “We destroyed the site. How is her power growing?”
“What are you talking about?” Jesper asked, exhaustion clear in his eyes. “Whose power is growing?”
“Sybil Shaw's," I told him gruffly.
The air turned static again.
We had to do something—fast.
28
BRAM
After everything that happened at Sandstone Springs and Infernal Grove on our missions with the supernatural agents, everything was fucking surreal. Like I was stepping out of my nightmares and into something even worse. Theonlything that calmed me right now was the weight of Pandora’s hand in mine, the sound of her steady breath beside me, and her caramel scent mixed with all of ours.
We’d been with Sabine and Jesper all night, briefing her about what happened and being a translator for Nebula to let her know everything he did about the situation. Now, we were finally drenched in the morning glow of our room, freshly showered and tangled in soft sheets.
We could finally fucking breathe again.
“Mmmf.” Pandora pressed against my side, nuzzling against my chest.
For the first time in years, I felt something close to safe. It was something I feared I could get used to.
“No fair.” Dex pouted, lounging on the end of the bed next to Reed.
“You had this spot last time,” I shot back, smirking at him.
