Page 17 of Silent Secrets

“That’s fascinating.” I’m sure that it’s the magic that makes it that way, but it’s so unlike anything that I’m used to. Much like everything in this realm.

Kai just nods, keeping his eyes locked in front of him, but I notice him occasionally glancing at me from the corner of his eyes.

“So, Shita is home for you? Were you visiting your family?”

Kai immediately stiffens, and I wonder if I’d screwed up. How did I screw up?

“Something like that,” he mutters.

For the rest of the time, Kai remains silent, no matter how many questions I ask him. I don’t know what I did or said, but it was obviously the wrong thing. When Kai comes to a stop at a set of double doors, he nods toward them without speaking before turning away.

“I’m sorry, Kai.”

He frowns, finally looking at me again. “For what?”

“For whatever I did or said that upset you. I know I ask a lot of dumb questions, but nothing I asked was meant to upset you.”

He considers me for a moment before shaking his head. “No, I’m sorry. You did nothing wrong. I just… I don’t like to talk about my family.”

When he gives me a bashful smile, I can’t help but return it. I don’t like him being upset, and it’s more than what Marcos had said to me. There’s something about Kai, a sadness that calls to me. I just want to protect him from anything that might hurt him.

Which, again, makes no sense.

We stand there, staring at one another for a moment before Kai clears his throat. “You should go. Hunter doesn’t like it when people are late.”

“Right, well, thank you, Kai. I’ll see you later?”

He nods instead of speaking before hurrying away, leaving me to face the doors on my own. I take a deep breath, wondering if this Hunter will confuse me just as much as the three other men I’d met today.

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