Page 96 of Walking in Darkness

“A retinal scan. It’s more invasive, but one can’t be too safe.”

There was a beep, then a multitude of locks disengaged. Hudson’s heart beat faster.

The door swung open, and they stepped through. He held his arm out, gesturing to the enormous underground room. “Welcome.”

Mouth open, Kit stepped inside. “Hudson, wow, this… this is unbelievable.”

Hudson tried to see it through Kit’s eyes. It was large enough to accommodate his dragon, and instead of the stone used to build his compound, these walls were steel.

He’d paid a ridiculous amount for the most technologically advanced security system he could find. In fact, it wasn’t even available on the open market.

The vault was a climate-controlled space with a total of fifteen medieval-looking torches that had been wired to support present-day lighting.

Yes, those were a nod to the past. He’d also had recessed lighting installed in the ceiling because he was a modern dragon, dammit.

Hudson shut the door, engaged the locks, then pulled Connie and Kit farther into the room. “I can count on one hand the people who I’ve allowed into this room.”

Kit turned slowly in a circle. “This is unbelievable. I swear, did you empty every jewelry store in a thousand-mile radius? Everywhere I look, something sparkles or twinkles. There’s just so much.”

Yes, there was. Entire walls full of climate-controlled shelving, podiums holding crowns, bars of silver stacked up, display cases full of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and tiaras, not to mention the busts with necklaces with every colored jewel imaginable.

There were so many piles of gold coins, he couldn’t even count them, much less see the floor in some places. Some piles were higher than Kit’s head.

A multitude of treasure chests were positioned throughout, the tops open to display the bounty inside. Precious gems blinked under the bright lights. Reds and greens, blues and yellows shone throughout the room. And, of course, clear stones that reflected the light brilliantly.

Kit suddenly gasped, then went down to one knee. “You have got to be kidding me. That thing is as big as my fist.”

Connie laughed softly next to him.

Hudson looked at the enormous ruby. He had quite a few of those because he liked the color. What could he say—he was a red dragon.

“May I touch it?”

Hudson was pleased Kit had thought to ask, not that he would’ve had a problem with Kit touching anything in there, but it definitely showed respect toward his dragon.

“You and Connie can touch anything in here you wish.”

“Thank you, Hudson,” Connie said quietly. “My dragon and I are honored.”

Kit held the ruby, then set it down. He glanced at Connie. “I’m missing something, aren’t I?”

Connie shrugged. “Normally, we don’t let people into our hoards. We are possessive about what we collect, and we don’t like to show off what we have. Someone could see what we have and want to take it.”

“Which would trigger any dragon into defending what was his,” Hudson said.

“But you’re okay with us being in here?” Kit asked as he stood.

“Yes. You are my mates. I treasure the both of you more than I treasure my hoard.”

“Same,” Connie said. “Seriously, Kit, a bonded mate is everything to us.”

Kit turned to Hudson and threw his arms around his neck. “Thank you. I’m honored too.”

Hudson caught Kit easily while his mate tried to hug the stuffing out of him. A rumbling purr started in his chest. His dragon was very pleased. He kissed Kit’s temple. “You’re welcome.”

Holding his hand out, he urged Connie to join them.

Connie hurtled himself at them, and Hudson wrapped him securely in his embrace. He kissed both of his mates, and then just simply held them. He could spend an eternity like this—secured in his hoard with both of his mates in his arms.

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