Page 28 of Walking in Darkness

“Yeah, Papa, it’s who you think,” Kit whispered.

“What I think is that I need to hear this ‘long’ story,” Michail growled, his gaze snapping toward Hudson. “Your Majesty.”

“Did you know who I was when Kit mentioned my name?” Hudson asked.

“I didn’t, no,” Michail said. “But I googled you. On the Internet, you come across as an insanely rich human.”

“Which I am,” Hudson agreed. “Rich, I mean.”

“Then I searched for pictures of you. I noticed immediately the people who surround you have red hair.Allthe people closest to you have red hair and brown eyes, as do you.”

Kit pursed his lips. Thatwastrue.

“I found it odd that the people closest to you were all redheaded with brown eyes. That was my first inkling that you might not be human,” Michail said. “I have contacts in the paranormal world, and a few discrete inquiries verified what I thought. You are the king of the Fire Court of San DeLain.”

“Do you know about daemons?” Connie asked, joining the conversation.

“Shadow demons?” Michail asked. “Of course. Who doesn’t? As I understand it, there are some in San DeLain, yes?”

“There is a clan here. I’m best friends with the Elder of the San DeLain daemons,” Hudson said. “His name is Kage Dargon.”

“His mate’s name is Austin Hathaway Berkshire. He’s a pretty well-known paranormal romance author, and we’re friendly,” Kit added. “He’s done a couple of book signings at my store.”

Hudson stared at Michail. “Kage’s father sired two bastards in his quest for more daemon children. Their names are Nox and Lennox Astor. Kage is their half-brother. Nox was targeting Kage, and unfortunately, he used Kit in an attack against Austin.”

“What?” Michail demanded.

Kit watched as his mom took his hand. Why was he just now noticing that both of his dads had put his mom in themiddle of them? It was almost like they were protecting her. Then he looked at where he was sitting. Huh.

But who were they protecting her from? Connie and Hudson? Surely, they didn’t think his mates would do anything to her? Did they really think that?

“Were you hurt? Are you okay? Kit, why didn’t you tell us?” Grace asked.

“I wasn’t hurt. I’m okay. And the reason I didn’t tell you was because I was sworn to secrecy. I promised not to reveal the paranormal world. Please remember, I thought all three of you were human,” Kit said.

Michail frowned. “But—”

“I don’t know if you knew this or not, but Nox was a mimic,” Connie said, jumping in.

“I heard later. I—” Michail opened his mouth, then abruptly shut it. “Wait, you just used past tense.”

Connie nodded his head. “Yes, I did. Nox is dead.”

“Mother of all!” Michail exclaimed.

“He was killed,” Connie continued. “Again, it’s a long story, but Noxisdead.”

“I was dragged into it because Nox had mimicked me to lure Austin into my office. Nox had found out Austin knew me. He attacked Austin, and that brought Kage running, of course,” Kit said.

“Of course,” Michail said. “A mate is a gift from the goddess.”

“Glad you said that,” Hudson murmured.

“Unfortunately, I literally saw Kage step from the shadows in my office. Anyway.” Kit shuddered, trying not to get lost in the memories. He was tempted to rub his neck but didn’t.

Hudson took Kit’s hand. Connie rested his arm on the back of the couch.

Michail’s gaze tracked the movement.

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