Page 44 of Dead

Theis frowned, anger making his eyes light. “Excuse me?”

“Consider the timeline, Theis. They arrived the same time the vampires began to infiltrate the city. They’ve been a distraction at a time when we could least afford to be distracted. Their minds have been wiped twice… yet they keep finding their way back here somehow. You don’t find all that odd?”

Valen watched as horror washed over Theis’ face. “You see why I needed to investigate.”

“No, I see a man I call friend accusing my pregnant mate of being a traitor to the City of Midnight. Do you truly think I would be bound to a man capable of that?”

“Perhaps he’s not truly your mate… the warlocks might’ve placed a spell on you.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he heard how ridiculous it likely sounded.

“A spell? Reese is pregnant with my child! He’s my mate—I love him with all my heart. My animal can’t be tricked to feel an innate desire. I won’t have you make these baseless claims against my mate unless you have proof!”

Valen eyed Theis, the confidence in his theory yet again wavering.

“And it’s not only me—Solomon and Garret are Hart’s mates. A spell on a dragon? Solomon is immune to magic.”

Valen hadn’t known the dragon had claimed the other human.

“Well? Do you have proof they’re involved? Concrete proof and not coincidence.”

Valen looked away. “No.”

“You’re wasting time when we have a true threat to overcome,” Theis said. “Are they inside?”

“Jeph is inside. The other two are in holding.”

“Report back to the castle,” Theis said, taking a step closer to Valen. “And you stay away from these humans. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” Valen murmured.

He handed Theis the case file and stalked down the hallway, anger growing in every step. Even if he was wrong in his theory, he wasn’t wrong in investigating what he considered a potential threat.

And he still wasn’t 100% sure his theory was wrong.

For his fellow guardsmen and the king, he hoped he was wrong.

Only time would tell.

* * * *

Jeph jumped to his feet and backed against the wall as the guard came into the room. He noticed it wasn’t the same man…

Great… another one.

“I’m sorry you’ve been held this long,” the armored man said. “Now that I’m aware you’re here, I can get this straightened out.”

“Just how are you straightening this out?” Jeph asked, fear growing.

“I know you don’t remember everything that happened before… but I’m on your side. I’ll take you to where Nick and Griffin are and go to the king. I can request you be released to my care.”

“And why would that be a good thing?”

“Because I’m Theis. Reese’s mate.”

Jeph froze at the name. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

Theis frowned. “Were Reese and Hart wiped from your minds, too?” He laid the file out on the table and searched it. “Damn. You had a more intensive wipe the second time in hopes you wouldn’t return.” Theis lifted his head. “Reese and Hart are your friends. And they live in Midnight now.”

“Can I see them?”

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