Page 127 of Prodigal Son

“The woman in my mom’s journals. That Daphne chick.” He lifted the book and tossed it aside. “This just confirmed she’s my birth mother. My parents adopted Cybil and I from another couple shortly after Cybil was born.”

“Oh, Dane that’s wonderf—”

“She’s dead.”

Cain sighed. He clasped Dane’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Dane shook his head. “I’m not surprised.” His sarcasm was clearly a disguise for his hurt.

Cain wished he never discovered those books if nothing good would come from them.

Larissa tsked and took a more nurturing approach. “What about your birth father?”

He shrugged. “I got a name, but she barely mentions him. My real mom didn’t like him. She said he manipulated Daphne a lot. He sounds like a dick.”

“So your parents knew your birth parents?”

“Daphne was a friend of my mom’s. Or I guess I should say my mom was friends with my birth mom.” He groaned and rubbed his temples. “Nothing’s ever simple.”

Larissa could be so caring and comforting when someone was upset. “What was your birth father’s name?”

“Cerberus Maddox VI.”

His sister noticeably stiffened and Cain frowned, eyeing her suspiciously. “A friend of yours?”

Larissa stood, her hands fidgeting as she unlocked the witch’s cell and placed the tray of food inside. Distractedly, she said, “I think you should come with me.”

Dane looked at Cain then back to Larissa. “Is something wrong?”

“Hopefully, I am. But we need to find out. Bring your mother’s journal.”

CHAPTER 36

Cain and Dane followed Larissa back to the safe house where she insisted Eleazar call on his friend Adriel, one of the eldest females on the farm. Larissa wouldn’t explain what was going on, until they were all inside the bishop’s private office with the doors shut tight.

“Show him,” she said to Dane the moment the door closed.

Dane glanced at Cain, unsure what she wanted. “Uh, what exactly am I showing him?”

“Show him where the journal mentions your birth father’s name.”

Adriel sat on the settee, her copper hair defiantly peeking from her bonnet as she curiously waited to discover why she’d been asked to join this private meeting. Dane opened the journal to the proper page and passed the book to the bishop.

Eleazar frowned and glanced at the page then stilled.

“Is it?” Larissa asked, chewing her lip.

“It appears so.” The bishop turned several pages then frowned at Dane. “This doesn’t make sense.”

“What’s going on?” Cain asked, losing patience with the whole cloak and dagger act. “Some of us have chores to attend.”

“The boy’s father is like us.”

Cain straightened. “You mean…”

Eleazar rolled his eyes. “ Yes, immortal. Let's not pretend ignorance and act like he doesn’t know who we are. At least not for my benefit. I’ve been reading his thoughts for over a year. I’ve given immunity to him, so long as he and his sister remain on the farm. He won’t betray us.” His bored expression turned threatening when he glanced at Dane. “Will you?”

Dane drew back, rightfully intimidated. “No.”

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