Page 87 of Beyond the Darkness

“No, because I disabled them temporarily,” Don said.

“So we need a reason to keep his men in the tunnels and keep Lennox distracted, at least until we can get in there and get at him,” Kage said.

Kit sighed. “And we know there’s only one thing that would keep him distracted.”

Hudson immediately started shaking his head. “No.”

“Hellno,” Connie added. “I know what you’re going to say, and that’s absolutely not an option. No.”

Kit rested his chin on his hands. “You know perfectly well that me acting as bait is the best way to go. Don is going to kidnap me and turn me over to Lennox. We all know he wants me. So? Let’s give him what he wants.”

Everyone in the room turned to look at Kit, their expressions a mix of horror and disbelief.

“Absolutely not.” Hudson slammed his fist down on the table. “There is no way I am sending my mate to that lunatic! There’s got to be another way.”

Connie rumbled in agreement.

“But there isn’t,” Kit insisted, sitting up straighter. “Lennox wants me. If he thinks he has me….”

“We arenotusing you as bait,” Connie interjected sharply. “It’s too dangerous, and besides, it’s exactly what Lennox wants. He wants you. And I do not trust Don enough to send you down into those tunnels with him!”

“Agreed,” Hudson snapped.

“But think about it,” Kit pressed on. “Lennox has been after me for months. If Don shows up with me in tow, it could be the perfect lure. He won’t expect it to be a trap. It’s our best shot at catching him off guard. Don has to take me into the tunnels and give me to Lennox.”

Silence descended over the room; the tension palpable. Hudson clenched and unclenched his fists.

“He’s never going to stop, Hudson. He’s always going to be this threat hovering just behind me, waiting to strike either at me or my papa. I can’t live my life like that, and I shouldn’t have to,” Kit said. “All it’d take is just one time, a split second, really, of one of us not paying close enough attention, and bam. He’s got me. Or my papa.”

Hudson growled.

“My papa fled his homeland to get away from Lennox,” Kit said. “Think about that. Lennox isn’t going to stop. Wouldn’t you rather control the narrative? We have a chance to do just that.Wecan control this instead of waiting and reacting to the next attack. And there’s going to be another attack because he isn’t. Going. To. Stop.”

“Do you understand what it is you’re asking of me?” Hudson demanded quietly.

“Doyouunderstand what the cost of waiting could be?” Kit replied just as quietly. “I don’twantto do this. I absolutely don’t want to do this, but I also don’t want to be a victim again. I’ve already been that once because of these brothers.”

Connie huffed. “Well, dammit, it’s hard to argue against that.”

Hudson’s shoulders slumped.

“If we’re considering this, we need absolute assurance that Kit will be safe,” Kage said. “We’ll need a solid plan forextraction, contingencies for every possible scenario. We need to involve all the leaders of San DeLain like we did before.”

“And a word or phrase to signal to attack,” Connie added.

“How about ‘Mother of all’?” Kit asked. “Anyone who knows me wouldn’t be surprised to hear me say that. Lennox especially.”

Hudson nodded. “That’s true. That will be your signal, then, to call for us.”

“I’m glad we got that squared away, but do we have time to gather everybody?” Connie asked, checking his watch. “It’s already five, and it’s a Saturday evening. Traffic is going to be a bitch. What time is the meeting, Don?”

“Usually around nine,” Don said.

“Four hours,” Kage said. “That’s not a lot of time.”

“Connie, call the werewolves, vampires, gargoyles, and the mers. Tell them what we’re planning and ask if they can spare anybody on such short notice. Beg if you have to. Also, call Isadora,” Hudson said.

“On it,” Connie said, taking his phone out of his pocket.

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