Page 53 of Spooks & Specters

“A few minutes at the most,” Kage answered. “Nox was kind enough to tell me that tiger snake antivenom is the preferred antivenom.”

Terry examined Austin. “I need to check that.”

While the doctor and Kage spoke about what just happened, Kit tried to come to terms with everything he had seen and heard.

Paranormals were real and closer than anyone thought.

Kit wasn’t sure how he felt about that, and more importantly, what that meant for him. One had attacked him, and now he knew they existed. Kit eyed the door, wondering if he could make it out before someone stopped him. What was going to happen to him now?

“Kage, stop.” Austin leaned against Kage. “He’s doing what he needs to do.”

Kit’s attention was dragged back to what was currently going on around him. Who was doing what he needed to do?

“Babe, don’t talk! You’re already having breathing problems.”

The concern—and yes, fear—he heard in Kage’s voice stunned Kit. Kage truly cared about Austin. It was painfully clear to see and hear.

Terry’s phone beeped, and he quickly read the message. “Okay. Okay good. Two minutes. I’ll be back in two minutes. Austin, try to keep as calm as possible. The more upset you get, the faster your heart beats, and the quicker the poison is spread through your body.”

Terry opened a portal and disappeared into it.

“Jesus, that’s a new fucking fear unlocked. I’m never going to look at shadows the same again,” Kit whispered.

Barely two minutes later, the doctor returned, and he leaped into action.

Kage wandered over to where Kit still sat against one of the walls. He ended up sitting next to Kit on the floor as they both watched Terry attend Austin.

“Is he going to be okay?” Kit finally asked Kage.

“Yes. Terry is an excellent doctor. I trust him with my life. More importantly, I trust him with Austin’s.”

“You mentioned that Austin is your mate. Does that mean what I think it means?”

“He’s my other half. My everything. Honestly, I’m not sure I’d make it without him. I love him.”

“Yup. It means what I thought it meant.” Kit blew out a breath. “I have a lot of questions, you know.”

“I’m sure. Once Austin is out of the woods, I’ll do my best to explain everything.” Kage turned his head and stared at Kit. “You do understand you can never tell anybody what you’ve seen and experienced, right?”

Well, that didn’t sound like a death threat, at least. So that was good, right?

“I read a lot, did you know? I mean, I own a bookstore. I have a huge section of paranormal romance. I don’t know what you are, but I do know about fated mates. I just—I never thought any of this was real,” Kit said. “I won’t say anything. No one would believe me, anyway.”

Kage huffed.

“Don brought that person into my office. I think you guys called him Nox. My own boyfriend let that man, let him…. Jesus.” Kit put his hands over his face and shuddered.

How could Don do that to him? He had to have known what Nox planned. He had to. Why had Kit ever given Don a second chance? He wished like anything that he had never laid eyes on Don.

“I heard what Nox said. Don used me to get to Austin,” Kit said quietly.

And that hurt. It hurt that Don used him, but it also hurt that he had been used to cause harm to Austin.

Kage wound his arm around Kit’s shoulders and hugged him. “I am so sorry, Kit. So very sorry you got dragged into this.”

Yeah, so was Kit. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Nox’s fangs coming at him.

Once Terry had Austin’s treatment started, he walked to where Kage and Kit sat.

---