50. Reed

50

REED

I could smell the faintest scent of Pandora on Hunter’s sofa as I forced myself to relax on it. It used to be comfortable, but right now, it was no different than if I were lying on a rock.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Skel croaked, rubbing his head where I had hit him to knock him out earlier.

I felt only slightly bad. His magic had gotten out of control, and the illusions myself and Death were forced to see were horrendous. The only thing that snapped me out of it was the knowledge that all of that could be happening to her, and we had to stop it.

The only progress we’d made was that we decided to move to first name basis, but it did little to form a bond, honestly.

“It has to work,” Death muttered, pacing the length of Hunter’s office. His long black hair fanned out behind him, and it reminded me so much of hers.

“I just need to talk to her. Maybe she can tell us something that could help us find her.” My eyes fluttered shut, and my magic sparked through my brain. “I can tell that she’s asleep through our bond,” I mumbled.

Everything turned to static, drowning out their voices as the caramel and cotton candy scent of my dreamscape filled my nose. My heart ached with longing and worry as I drifted into unconsciousness, determined to find her in the one place where everything seemed possible—my dreamscape.

As the purple haze settled beneath my feet and the deep purple trees with glowing blue leaves swayed gently around me, I took a deep breath and focused on our matebond.

I felt her before I saw her.

Pandora’s red eyes were wide with confusion as she stared up at the twinkling galaxy-painted sky above. She was sitting on the clouds, her plump red lips slightly parted.

“Pandora,” I called softly, my voice barely more than a whisper. Thank the Fates that she was here.

Her head snapped toward me. “Reed? Why am I in your dreamscape?”

I hurried to her side, feeling the soft clouds give way under my feet. “You were taken, Pandora. When the dark magic infected demons attacked, you disappeared.”

Her hands trembled as she clutched at the clouds beneath her. “I don't remember...I don't know where I am. I haven't woken up yet.”

I reached out, pulling her into my arms. Her warmth seeped into me, and for a moment, the world felt right again. “It's okay, dream girl,” I murmured, stroking her hair. “We’re going to find you.”

She clung to me, her breath hitching. “How is everyone else?”

I felt a pang of helplessness. “We can’t find Dex.”

Pandora closed her eyes, and her frustration shot down the bond. “I remember his scent before I passed out. He has to be with me.” She furrowed her brow. “I think he's somewhere close to me. My soul keeps reaching out for his, but when the bond opens, I can’t feel any emotion.”

“Maybe he’s unconscious, too,” I murmured just before my dreamscape began to shatter around us.

The purple haze fractured, and the deep purple trees dissolved into darkness.

Her eyes were wide with fear, and she gripped me tighter. “Reed, what's happening?”

“I don't know. I think you’re waking up,” I said, my own fear rising. “But I'll find you, Pandora. I promise you that we will.”

And then, everything went black.

When I came to, I jolted upright, and Hunter’s office was nothing but a blur of panic and despair.

Death and Skel stood beside me.

“She hadn’t woken up yet, and I can't locate her through our bond,” I choked out, hot tears of desperation leaking down my cheeks. “I can't find my mate—I can’t find Pandora.”

“Fuck!” Death roared.

“We’ll find her,” Skel croaked. “We have to.”

“I know who knows where she is…she has to know.” Desperation clawed at me as I fumbled for my tablet, my fingers shaking. I messaged Charlotte, my words barely coherent.

Reed Nyx

You were my best friend for so many years. If you ever actually cared about me, please. Please, tell me where my mate is.

Where is she, Charlotte? Please.

I’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe. Charlotte, please.

Where is she?

“Who?” Skel cried out. “Who is she? Who knows?”

“Vane.” Darkness crossed over Death’s expression as he moved to look over my shoulder.

Charlotte Vane

You were mine, too. You’re the one that abandoned me.

I cared about you—no, I care about you so much, Reed.

I’m in love with you.

Our friendship has always meant more to me than it did to you. I see that now.

I also know that she’s the reason for it. You would’ve been mine if she never came into the picture.

Her mother had one fucking job, Reed. She failed.

You should’ve never met her, Reed. She’s not yours. She’s meant for someone else.

“What the fuck, Charlotte,” I growled, tears falling from my eyes rapidly. They blurred the screen as I read them.

Reed Nyx

Charlotte, please. She’s my mate. I marked her. She’s mine!

Charlotte Vane

You marked her…but you can always mark me, too. We just need to get rid of your mate…or at very least make her want nothing to do with you.

Reed Nyx

No, Charlotte, please. I’m begging you. If you do love me, don’t break my heart by hurting her. She is my life. If you keep her from me, I’m nothing.

Charlotte Vane

She’s needed for bigger things. You may feel like this now, but I’m doing this because I love you.

An infuriated cry slipped from my lips as I threw my tablet against the stone floor. It made a loud cracking sound as the screen shattered, and a sob broke from my chest.

“Her soul is mine,” Death growled, the raw force of it shaking the room.

“Make her suffer.” Skel puffed on his pipe hard.

“I’ll kill her myself.” I glowered at the tablet.

I would end Charlotte for letting my mate come to harm, and I would do it the second I had the chance.