Page 52 of Dead

“His room was supposed to be guarded at all times… how did a vampire get in?” Eilam demanded.

“It has been guarded since he arrived. I don’t have any answers,” Theis said. “We’re pulling surveillance from the hospital and seeing who came in or out of his room.”

Adriel moved to the enchanted map that held his locator spell. A red dot was illuminated at the hospital… the one and only being within Midnight that was both a warlock and a vampire was there.

His uncle.

He stared a moment, getting his head straight. While there was a small part of him that was pleased, he feared for the worst.

How was he changed?

Is he fighting against us?

“I need to talk to him,” Adriel said and stormed forward.

Eilam stilled him with one hand. “Let the guards investigate. See who was in his room… then go see him and ask your questions once you have more information.”

“If he’s working with the vampires, we need to tread carefully,” Noah added.

He’s not. Adriel knew in his gut that his uncle wasn’t working against him, yet there were so many signs that it was possible. Was his love for the man clouding his judgment?

“Double his guard. Search the recording and find out all you can. Come back to me when you have everything you can find,” the king said to Theis.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Theis began to back away, bowing, but paused. He frowned and eyed the king. “I do have one more question to ask you, although I know the timing is horrid.”

“Ask,” Adriel said.

“Reese’s friends… the other three… they returned again.”

Adriel frowned. “A third time?”

“We have no record of wiping a mind more than twice—it’s never been necessary to use the spell a third time—so I wasn’t sure how you wanted to proceed,” Theis said.

Adriel was thoughtful a moment. “What led them back this time?”

“They sensed they’d left someone behind. Even though Reese and Hart were wiped from their minds the last time… they couldn’t reconcile the loss and knew something was missing from their lives.”

“These five seem to have an interesting link.” Adriel thought on it a moment, unsure what to do with three reckless humans in his city.

“I would be happy to take custody of them… and bring them into my home as my guests while you considered what came next,” Theis offered. “Reese has expressed sadness over losing his close friends.”

“Fine,” Adriel said. “Do that and I will consider their case at a later date.”

Theis offered a smile. He bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” The guardsmen backed from the room and left the three of them alone.

“If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” Noah murmured.

“Get used to it,” Eilam said.

Adriel sighed and scrubbed his face. “The last few weeks have been exhausting.” He lifted his stare and looked at his males. “I need to forget it all for a few hours and find something that makes me happy.”

Eilam took a step closer. “And just what is it you want to do, Your Majesty?”

Adriel took a few steps and placed a palm on Eilam’s chest before turning and reaching for Noah. His other mate moved closer, taking his hand.

“I want you both to make love to me… to quench this burning need… and make me forget all the stress of the crown I wear.”

It was a matter of seconds before the two of them surrounded him. With a flick of his wrists, he opened the door between his study and bedroom, and gasped as Eilam lifted him off his feet. After he was deposited into the center of the bed, their strong hands removed his clothing, piece by piece.

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