42. Skel

42

SKEL

I couldn’t stop thinking about Pandora.

She’d been on my mind since the day I first saw her on campus, and even more so after we smoked together, but once I found out she was my mate, I longed for her. After she forgave me, she was all I could think about .

My soul craved hers desperately, and it felt like it was crawling out of my chest in hopes to get closer to her.

“Dude, what else?” Dex sent a shadow bullet that tore through my shoulder. Blood oozed out, and the warmth of healing spread through it as it healed. “Skel, dude, come on.”

“What?” I blinked, grabbing my shoulder with a groan.

“Your fear magic is leaking again, and you need to pack the rest of your shit.” He rolled his eyes, but I could almost feel the anxiety coming off him in waves.

“Shit.” I took a hit from my pipe and blew out the colored smoke. “Sorry.” I went back to putting the rest of my belongings into the last box on my side of the room.

Dex had already shadow-traveled all of his to Bram’s room.

Hunter had left for some vengeance case earlier this morning, and I was almost mad at him for how much Pandora seemed to be struggling with her bonded mate leaving the Demon Capital. She was so understanding of his job, but I had to admit that it stirred something in me. I almost wanted to join Dex in watching her in the shadows… Fates, I did want to.

“What about that?” Dex pointed toward Comet, the calico kitten curled into a ball on top of my bed.

“ She actually needs to go to Pandora.” My lips curved into a smile. “Hey, dude, can you?—”

“Shadow-travel you into our mate’s room so you can leave the kitten as a present for her while she’s in class?” He smirked. “Only if I get a little bit of credit.”

I tongued my lip piercing and rolled my eyes before scooping Comet up. “Fine, whatever. Just bring the enchanted litter box with you.”

“Duh. And the enchanted food and water bowl you made me find on the fae market so Pandora didn’t have to add extra stress to her daily life. I know. I got this, Skel.”

His shadows engulfed us, and we moved through the shadows until stepping out into Pandora’s room. He put the litter box in the corner, and the food and water bowl over by the dresser.

Comet leapt from my arms and rushed over to curl up in the middle of Pandora’s bed before purring.

On her bed were two open books—a photo album of the cat photos I’d given her and a sketch book with the poems Bram wrote her taped inside. She’d even had the skulls he’d given her displayed on her shelves.

My heart swelled, and pure excitement thrummed through my veins as I grinned. “She likes us, doesn’t she?”

“She totally likes us,” Dex drawled, crossing his arms. “But why is it that I’m left out?”

“I mean, you send her photos, right?” I rubbed my arms. “She probably saves those on her phone.”

“I should give her trophies of her enemies.” He nodded, his gaze flicking around the room. “Fuck. I should’ve been doing that!”

“I do not encourage body parts,” I muttered, taking another hit of the pipe, but even her caramel scent had my fear magic slightly more in check.

I loved being in her space.

He jutted his bottom lip out. “Really? What about like jewelry or clothes?”

I ran a hand through my hair. “I mean, better than body parts.”

“Are you honestly breaking into Pandora’s room…” Neb’s disembodied voice slithered around us as he manifested on the little stand on top of her nightstand. “With a… regular cat?” The last part was drenched in disdain.

Comet meowed, stretching out on her bed.

“Aw, come on, Nebs.” I put my hands together in a pleading gesture. “Can’t you deal with the regular cat so Pandora can be happy?”

He huffed, and I swore if he had eyes, he’d roll them. “For Pandora’s sake… I guess. ”

“Not all cats are like you, are they?” Dex mused, but Nebs didn’t answer.

Instead, he de-manifested. Probably tired of our shit.

“Come on.” Dex sat on the edge of Pandora’s bed and scooped Comet up. “Selfie for our mate.”

I sat next to him, and we squished Comet between our cheeks. She meowed like she was incredibly annoyed with us, and Dex snapped a photo as we grinned like lunatics.

He sent the photo on his tablet with a few…interesting messages.

Dexter Shadowheart

*Image of Skel and me holding Comet on Pandora’s bed, smiling.*

Skel got you this cute kitten named Comet, and I helped.

Next time we’re both on your bed with a pussy between us, it’ll be yours.

My mouth fell open as he sent the last message. “Oh, Fates, Dex, what the fuck?”

“What?” He smirked, putting the tablet through the shadows and pulling his hand back out into his lap. “She’s our fated mate. Are you saying you wouldn’t share her with me?”

My cock hardened at the thought, and I groaned. “No, I totally fucking would.”

“Will,” he corrected. “We totally fucking will .” He stood up and gestured for me to step into his weird shadow portal he’d created.

I scratched Comet behind her ear before kissing her head. Then, I stepped into the shadows with Dex.