Page 39 of Beyond the Darkness

“It’s kind of the same situation Queen Abigail’s mates have found themselves in with her death, right?” Kit asked.

Beckett’s head immediately snapped toward Connie. “What?”

Kit threw his hands up in front of his mouth. “Oh shit, was I not supposed to say anything?”

“Connie!” Beckett demanded, glancing at the other dragon.

“Aw jeez,” Kit groaned. “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay,” Connie said. “It’s only Beckett, and he won’t say anything. Right?”

Beckett nodded his head frantically. “Not saying a word.”

“But, yes, we need to keep that under wraps until Hudson makes an announcement, which he probably will this evening,” Connie said.

“And you!” Kit demanded of Beckett. “You’re not allowed to leave us so you can become their new king. You’re a friend.”

Beckett grinned into the rearview mirror, meeting Kit’s eyes. “Not a royal, remember? Only a royal dragon can take over a court. I have the age, but I don’t have the bloodline. And thank you. I consider you a friend too.”

Kit blew out a breath. “Oh, that’s right, I panicked and kinda forgot. I’m sorry you’re not a royal, but I’m not sorry you’re not a royal.”

Beckett chuckled. “The fact that I understood what that meant means I’ve been spending too much time around you.”

Connie was still laughing when his cell phone went off. Dragging it out of his pocket, he smiled in surprise when he saw who was calling him. “Hey, Mom.”

Kit quickly slipped his cell phone back into his pocket as he listened to Connie’s conversation. Okay, yes, he shouldn’t be eavesdropping even though he had the ability, but he hadn’t quite figured out how to turn off his enhanced hearing.

Connie ended the conversation, then twisted to look at Kit. “Guess who’s coming for a visit?”

CHAPTER ELEVEN – HUDSON

HUDSON SAT in his lawyer’s office, staring out the window of the massive skyscraper. He’d just signed the paperwork the humans needed that would assure Kit was taken care of… just in case.

After that, he got in touch with Isadora. Oddly enough, she had not been hit, although she had certainly helped in the attacks against the hunters. Hudson wasn’t sure what to make of that, but he was glad they hadn’t since she was basically a loner.

He then sent a mass email to his court about Queen Abigail’s death. Then he called Kage. Finding out he was already downtown at the Dominion, Hudson headed that way. Several blocks had been shut down for safety reasons, so Hudson had to park a little distance away. But he knew Kage was there, so he started making his way toward the building.

As he drew closer, the unmistakable scent of a hunter snagged his attention. He discreetly looked around, but he couldn’t pinpoint where the smell was coming from, which was understandable.

The area was still marked with the aftermath of destruction from the bomb, and there was debris scattered around and shattered windows. The once vibrant street was now littered with rubble and ash, creating a desolate and eerie scene.

His dragon’s hiss cut through the air like a sharp blade, its anger palpable and its scent a warning of its dangerous presence lurking under Hudson’s human skin.

Slipping his phone out of his pants pocket, he called Kage again.

“Hey, Hudson, I’m just finishing up the meeting with the police and then I will—”

“I’m coming up on the police barricade. We have company of the muted were variety.”

“Understood,” Kage said. “Where exactly are you?”

“Fifty-ninth and Anderson.”

“On my way.”

Barely five minutes passed before he saw Kage standing in the shadows of a doorway.

As Hudson passed by, Kage stepped out and joined him. “I smell it too.”

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