6. Hunter

6

HUNTER

T he door shut behind me with a soft click. The sandstone walls absorbed the sound, muting the noise.

“A Kalista-wide alert?” I whispered harshly into the tablet as Death answered my call. My feet thumped against the stone as I walked into the lobby. “That’s more than just an escalation for the Supernatural Council.”

“Dark magic is a threat to all supernaturals—even humans. Really, even the fae realm has something to fear from it.” Death’s voice echoed slightly in the large, high-ceilinged room. “It isn’t just any dark magic tome stolen from Cursina’s Museum of the Dark and Twisted. It’s the dark magic tome. The one Grayson Haven wrote with Roak and the dark witch that helped them both—Sybil Shaw.”

“Sybil Shaw?” My jaw went slack, and I froze. “The witch who has been missing for forty years after escaping Apex Penitentiary?”

“The very same.”

“Fuck,” I cursed, running my hand through my hair. “Do you think she’s part of Dark Veil?”

“If she is, it’s likely she’s the leader.” He groaned, and I heard several clinks like he was making a drink in the background. “The Supernatural Council is now involved in searching for the tome, and the Demon Council isn’t thrilled because it’s connected to our territory. We have an alliance going on, and they’re letting us handle our territory for the time being, but if we can’t find the tome and neither can they, they will overstep into our territory.”

“We’re already working over time,” I grumbled with a yawn. “The past two weeks, day by day, there’ve been more dark magic infections. The missing demons that nobody has reported missing are showing up too late in the infection stage.”

“And they can’t be saved. All we can do is remove the dark magic. But the demons are utilizing the dark magic. It’s a difficult fight to even remove the magic.” Death sounded tired. “Darkmore, we really need your help with this. I know you’re stretched thin already, but we need you.”

“I’ll come.” I glanced down the hall toward Pandora’s room, feeling my soul tugging toward hers. The hallway I’d just walked down was dimly lit, and the intricate carvings on the walls depicted scenes of the academy’s founding. “I just need an hour.”

“What’s wrong?” Something clattered on his end. “Is Pandora okay?”

“Actually, can you come to the academy tomorrow to talk about some things?” My soul ached to be near hers, but I’d never neglected my duties before. Could I really do that? Did it even matter anymore? All I wanted was to be with her. “Do you need me right now?”

“Tell me,” he growled. “What’s wrong with my daughter?”

“She’s my fated mate,” I croaked, pain crushing my chest from the thought of what she had been going through when the matebond snapped. “But she’s also Reed’s, and three more demons’ as well.”

“ Five?” he sputtered. “You’re telling me that my daughter has five fated mates?” A long, stretched silence filled the tablet for several moments. “Tell me you’re upset because of the number you have to share her with and not because something happened to her.”

“I would never be upset because I had to share her affections.” I watched the flames of the candles on the walls flicker as they cast dancing shadows. “She almost died tonight, Death. Somehow, she fell in the water at Odyssey Bluff, and she needed CPR. She’s okay now, but…she’s also mated to Grimshaw, Hemlock, and Shadowheart.”

“She almost died?” Crashing sounded on the other end like he was throwing shit. “Who fucking did it? Those three assholes? I’ll suck their fucking souls from their bodies quicker than they can blink. I’m on my fucking way!”

“Death!” I barked while he was still tossing things around. “Death, stop! You’ll hurt her if you do that!”

It went silent. “What the fuck do you mean I’ll hurt her?”

“My vengeance magic went haywire on them, and it affected her. She felt it. I stopped immediately, but they’re already bonded. She hasn’t completed the bond with any of us, but the matebonds affect her deeply,” I whispered.

Another beat of silence passed. “It was the same for Amy and I. The matebond was sensitive because of us being soul eaters. It’s probably the same for Pandora…I’m glad she at least has you and Reed Nyx. But those specific three demons? I mean, come on. Five mates?” He began to mumble to himself. “My Fates, that’s insane. All matebonds snapping at the same time, too. Unheard of, really, for a demon. Well, it’s decided. I’m going to eat the soul of anyone who she rejects. Not saying she has to or anything, but if she does, they’re dead.”

It was as if Death was going through the five stages of grief over Pandora having five fated mates. If it were any other situation, I’d find it funny, but right now, I just wanted to be with her.

“I won’t object to that, but a new term starts next week,” I murmured. “She has classes with all of them. I can’t do anything about that. There aren’t enough students at the academy to move classes. There’s only one lecture offered per class each term.”

“You can still be there for her. So can Reed Nyx,” he sighed, and I heard paper rustling around. “I’ll get Craven to help me with these particular council duties. I want you to go back there and be with my daughter. I’ll be there in the morning, first thing.”

“I’m not going to disagree with that,” I murmured softly. “Are you sure you can get ahold of Joel?”

“If not him, I’ll figure it out. My daughter needs her mates—the good ones, at least. Go take care of her. You hear me?” Death’s tone was stern, and I didn’t want to argue. I wanted to go hold my mate. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He ended the call, and I hit the sleep button on the tablet before making my way back into Pandora’s room.

Reed’s dream magic glowed around him and Pandora as he held her, and I couldn’t bite back the jealousy if I’d tried.

What were they doing in his dreamscape?

Kicking my shoes off, I crawled into the soft bed and pressed myself closer to her.

My soul settled as my gaze traced the curves of her face, the arch of her neck, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She was sleeping so peacefully in Reed’s arms. Her long black hair sprawled out around them both, and her reddened lips were slightly parted. Long lashes brushed across her rosy cheeks as she slept.

I drifted off to sleep without another thought of the council or the missing dark magic tome. It didn’t matter to me if we had a dark magic plague in the capital or a cult wrecking havoc on the entirety of Kalista—what mattered to me in that moment was knowing she was safe between Reed and I.