Page 96 of Beyond the Darkness

Susan looked up as they arrived, her expression somber yet kind. “He’s slipping away. Make it fast because he doesn’t have much time.”

Kit nodded mutely. Don’s eyes fluttered open as Kit approached, a weak smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Hey. Thanks for coming.”

Kit snorted as he bent down. “You always had such an odd sense of humor.”

Don coughed lightly, each movement seeming to drain him further, but he pressed on. “I... I don’t have much time, but I wanted to apologize,” he started.

Kit shook his head. “You already did.”

“I betrayed you when you needed me most.” His breathing grew labored. “I hated myself for that, and I know I have no right to ask for something, but I’m going to. Look after Chester for me? His life, just like yours, has been changed because of me. I can’t help him now, but maybe you could? Please?”

“I will. I promise.”

“Thank you.” As Don closed his eyes once more, a sigh escaped him. “Forgive me?”

“Yes.”

Chester let out a sob, drawing Kit’s attention for a moment. It was heartbreaking to watch Chester clutch Don’s hand.

The glow around Susan’s hands faded. Susan ceased her efforts, then bowed her head respectfully before standing up and stepping back, giving them space. The silence that followed was solemn and heavy with emotion.

Kit remained kneeling next to Don for several more moments before looking at Chester. “I meant what I said, you know. I will help you in any way you need.”

Chester nodded shakily. “Thank you.”

Fenton stepped next to Chester, resting his hand on his shoulder. “Chester is a mer. I have accepted him, so there is no fear of him being abandoned and having to deal with his new… state of existence.”

Chester snorted. “I’ve been dealing with it all on my own up until now, but it would be nice to not have to figure things out by myself.”

“That is no longer a fear, I promise you,” Fenton said. “So Chester is now under my protection, but I’m sure he would like to have the mate of the dragon king of the San DeLain court and his Right Hand as a friend.”

“That’s me,” Kit said, holding his hand out to Chester. “Just call me Kit.”

Chester’s laugh was a little on the watery side, but he held his hand out too. “It’s nice to meet you, Kit. My name is Chester.”

The silence that followed was solemn and heavy with emotion. Kit remained kneeling next to Don for several more moments before standing up and walking immediately to Hudson and Connie, who wrapped him up in a hug.

“Are you okay?” Hudson asked.

“One chapter has closed, and another has started,” Kit said. “But yes, I’m okay. So let’s do whatever needs to be done and get the hell out of here.”

Hudson nodded as he ended the hug. Connie immediately grabbed Kit’s hand, though.

“If I could have everybody’s attention? We need to decide what to do with the… hybrids who surrendered,” Hudson said, looking over at a group of uneasy werewolves and vampires.

Raven stepped forward. “I have already claimed those who have vampiric traits.”

“I’ve claimed the wolves,” Axel added.

“Good. Next question. Has everybody received the medical attention they needed?”

Kage joined Hudson. “Yes.”

“I’ll have Torres burn the bodies, then I suggest we clear out anything of value we find in these tunnels, like the weapons and whatnot. If everyone is on board with that, we will divide up what we find and take it with us. Is that okay?”

Everybody agreed with Hudson’s plan.

As Hudson, Kage, and the rest of the paranormal leaders organized themselves, Kit looked around at the faces of those who had fought with them—some familiar, some not, but all united.

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