Page 38 of The Death Dealer

“You realize Benjamin’s sins aren’t yours, Blane? Tell me you understand that.”

Trevor didn’t reply. Instead, he shifted to face Soleil’s bed and stared down at her, noting her pale complexion and how her eyes shifted beneath closed lids, indicating she was in a dream state.

“I have my own sins, Stockton. My hands aren’t clean, and they’re too dirty for the likes of her.” He swallowed down the self-pity trying to choke him. “But maybe someday, I can be worthy again.”

“You’re worthy now, whether you believe it or not,cher,” Draven said as he joined them. “You’ve played the hero many times in the last months.”

“You’re wrong. I did what I was told.”

The air shifted, growing heavier, and Damian stepped from the shadows.

Gene Stockton’s face was pure shock.

“The brother-in-law,” Trev muttered in an aside to him. Louder, he said, “Gene Stockton, Damian Dethridge.”

The Aether gave a half nod and offered up a suave smile. “Mr. Stockton, I presume? I apologize for popping in unannounced, but it’s come to my attention that Soleil was injured. I?—”

From behind him, Sabrina ran through a fold in the fabric of space he’d created and straight for Trevor. “I told him Aunt Lei needed us.”

“Dammit, Beastie!” Damian’s growled irritation created a thick atmosphere. “When will you do as instructed?”

“It’s safe, Papa,” the girl replied, unrepentant.

“That is not the point, and you bloody well know it.”

“You shouldn’t swear,” she said pertly. Dimples appeared as she grinned at Trev. “I wanted to tell you something, Mr. Blane.”

“No!”He practically shouted. With a wary glance at her father, Trevor shook his head. “Sorry. The last time she imparted information, my brain nearly exploded inside my head.”

Damian’s stern expression disappeared, and wry humor lit his face. It was clear his daughter was a miniature version of him. Hands down, the guy would win the title of Sexiest Man Alive for the next two hundred years running. Like him, his daughter would grow to be a great beauty, with her black hair and obsidian eyes. She was already the loveliest child he’d ever seen. Thescariest, considering the power she wielded, but the loveliest, all the same.

“We got off topic.” Draven smiled down at Sabrina and tousled her curls. “I was just tellin’ your friend he was worthy of Soleil’s affections,ma petite amie. What do you think of that?”

Trevor growled Draven’s name as a warning.

Unperturbed, the Guardian shrugged, and his eyes, usually lifeless and uncaring, twinkled with intent. Was his plan to matchmake? Why?

“He’s right, you know,” Damian said as he came to stand beside the bed. Reaching out, he grasped Soleil’s hand and felt her pulse, then gently tucked her arm at her side. Seemingly satisfied she was okay, he faced Trevor. “You rid the world of Loman O’Connor and helped rescue an island of prisoners in the process, Blane. You assisted me in protecting an estate full of people. You kept death at bay for Josie, then helped in the retrieval of my daughter. Now, you’ve become Soleil’s protector.” Damian cocked his head and studied him. “How is it you don’t believe you’re hero material?”

“Because I’m not,” he snapped.

“Someone needs a nap,” Sabrina declared loudly into the void Trevor’s irritable reply had left. Pointing behind her raised hand in his direction, she added, “It’s not me.”

“I can see your gesture, kid,” Trevor said with a snort.

“I know.” She shrugged and climbed up on the end of the mattress by Soleil’s feet to watch her aunt sleep. “When can I meet Lily?”

Gene, who had been silent during the entire exchange, likely from shock, sputtered back to life. “You know my daughter’s name?”

“I’m the Oracle. I know everything, Mr. Stockton.”

Sabrina wasn’t trying to be cheeky; she was merely stating a fact. The girl could see the past, present, and future. Not just what had been or would be but all the possibilities in between. Of course, all that was in addition to her continuously forming Aether abilities.

Stockton shot Trevor a questioning glance, to which he nodded in answer.

It shriveled his balls to get close to Sabrina, knowing she possessed the power to bring him low with a single touch of her finger, but he squatted by her side. “Why do you want to meet Lily, kid?”

“I can’t see her future.”

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