Page 52 of Fae King's Secret Baby

I shivered at the memory of Jergin’s injured body on the floor of Nyx’s private balcony, but I hardened myself.

He deserved it, though,I reminded myself as I grabbed my purse and jacket, heading out of the theater.Remember how cocky he was when I confronted him and warned him about how Nyx would react to those advertisements? He got what he deserved.

I put Jergin out of my mind and headed out of the building, flashing Drakias an absent smile.

“Good afternoon,” the guard said stiffly, and I almost jumped out of my skin at the greeting.

He’s talking to me now! Wow!

“Hi, Drakias,” I offered casually. But that was as far as the conversation got. It was a start, anyway. Maybe the guard was lowering his own guard toward me finally.

My cell phone rang half a block from the pretty stone apartment, and I snatched it up expectantly.

“I was thinking enchiladas for supper,” I announced, seeing Nyx’s name on the display.

“I’m going to be late.” His tone was terse, almost angry.

“Okay… are you all right?” I asked, slowing my gait.

“You should stay inside.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rose at the vaguely threatening words.

“Why? What’s going on?” I rasped.

“I can’t talk right now, but I’ll see you later, okay?”

“All right. If you—” He had already hung up. Slightly stung but mostly concerned, I gnawed on my lower lip and made my way inside the secure building, barely managing a smile toward the afternoon watchman.

Is he mad at me, or did something happen?

I pondered this as I started pattering around the kitchen of my unit, busying myself with dinner to occupy my mind.

Afternoon faded away to early evening, but Nyx didn’t call or respond to either of the text messages I sent, growing my concern.

On a whim, I opened the door and peered into the hallway. “Drakias, is something happening at the castle right now?” I asked timidly, but before he could respond, I heard my phone ringing in the kitchen where I’d left it.

It was after seven already, much later than Nyx usually came, but to my disappointment, it wasn’t him calling. I grimaced to see Tristiana’s name on the display. I wasn’t in the mood to chat right then.

Setting the phone down, I turned back to the stove to check on the simmering veggies before heading back out to speak with Drakias when the phone began to ring again.

Frowning, I stared at Tristiana’s number again, my gut knotting.

It wasn’t like her to be so insistent.

She’s supposed to be doing a show tonight! Why is she calling me?

This time, I did snatch up the call, swiping to answer. “Hey. Why are you calling?”

“Oh, thank gods you answered! I’ve been calling everyone who’s not here!” Tristiana sobbed.

Gooseflesh exploded over my body. In all the years I’d known Tristiana, I had never heard her cry.

“Tris, what happened? Why are you crying?” I breathed shakily. “Are you hurt?”

“No!” she wailed. “It’s Jergin! He’s dead!”

The wind knocked out of me in a whoosh, and I fell back into one of the kitchen chairs, my head spinning. “Dead?” I repeated. “How? When? I just saw him!”

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