Page 41 of Edge of Darkness

Kit sighed. “Okay, so I went grocery shopping yesterday, right? Well, anyhow—”

Hudson listened intently as Kit explained the creepy feeling he’d had of being watched, and how he’d reacted. Considering that Hudson and Connie had felt likethey’dbeen watched recently, and a feline shifter had been around not only them but also Kit… Hudson was concerned. Very concerned.

Then Kit asked Susan a bunch of questions about the ward that had been placed. Hudson enjoyed listening to Kit’s voice—it was very melodious and pleasing.

In fact, even though it surprised Hudson, everything about Kit appealed to Hudson, which scared the hell out of him. Why had this happened now? And how was he not going to break Connie’s heart?

Susan explained exactly what the ward was, and what it did, and why it had been set off. Someone had tried to enter Kit’s business, someone who had wanted to hurt Kit. The very thought made Hudson want to set something on fire.

Since the threat seemed to have passed, Hudson reminded Kit he wanted to see the security camera videos. Maybe something would show up there, but Hudson had a feeling that would come up empty too.

CHAPTER ELEVEN –CONNIE

CONNIE FREELY admitted he’d had trouble concentrating during the drills. Audrey had almost knocked him out of the sky twice, and he’d plowed into Parker because he hadn’t been paying attention to where he was flying. Thanks to him, training had been a disaster.

He’dwantedto go with Hudson, but he’dneededto be there for training. His training partners probably would’ve preferred hehadgone with Hudson. Gods, he’d been a menace.

At least Nelson was with Hudson. Well, Connie sincerely hoped Hudson had asked Nelson, or there was going to be a screaming match later. If Hudson could avoid taking guards with him when he went out, he would.

After practice was over, and Audrey had lectured him for a full ten minutes, Connie finally got dressed and headed back to the main house. Several hours had passed since Hudson had left, and Connie was dying to know what had happened.

Connie called Hudson and Nelson, but both calls went to voice mail. Dammit, could they seriously not pick up the phone and let him know what was going on?

If he didn’t hear from one of them soon, he’d Google where this damn bookstore was at and show up there himself.

He showered in Hudson’s bathroom, dressed in clean clothes, and raided the kitchen. Since he and several others of the court had had mandatory training, there would be plenty to eat, even though lunch was over.

Just as he sat down at the table with a couple of the other dragons, he got a text message. Finally! Pulling his cell phone out, he quickly read the very incredibly short text Hudson had sent.

Connie sipped his water as he read. The human was fine, and whoever had tried to breach the building had gotten away. There had been too many scents for Beckett to figure out who it had been. Hudson said he and Nelson would be back within the hour.

Annoyed, he slipped his cell phone back in his pocket. He hadn’t been expecting a five-page letter, but Hudson could have sent a little bit more than just the bare facts. At least he knew Hudson was okay.

He and Parker talked about the aerial maneuver Audrey had taught them as they ate. Other dragons in their court stopped by and spoke before going about their business. He laughed and joked with each of them.

As much as he liked having private meals with Hudson, this was also a very necessary part of their lives. Dragons weren’t naturally pack animals like wolves, so social interaction was necessary to strengthen the bonds of their court.

Plus, Connie enjoyed shooting the shit. He’d always been more sociable than other dragons. Since he had an hour to kill, Connie made a quick trip to his house, grabbed some more clothes, and returned to the main house.

Maybe one day soon Hudson would ask him to officially move in. Hell, the majority of his time was spent there anyway, and most of his clothes hung in Hudson’s closet.

He swung by Hudson’s office and checked the emails, answered those that he could, and marked the ones to show Hudson when he got back.

Since there wasn’t anything else he could do until Hudson returned, he stopped by the communal living area to see who was hanging around. Maybe he could play a game of pool or two until Hudson arrived.

CONNIE HAD just pocketed the eight ball when his cell beeped with an incoming text message. “Okay, guys, gotta go. Hudson’s back.”

Waving goodbye to the dragons he’d been playing pool with, Connie put his phone away and headed toward Hudson’s office.

The door of the office was closed, which was highly unusual, and tension seeped into Connie. Unease climbed his spine. His hands shook slightly as he knocked, then opened the door and walked inside.

Only Hudson was there, and he was sitting on the small love seat he had in his office. On the table next to him was a glass of purple liquid—Dragon mead.

It was a magically infused alcohol and the only thing guaranteed to get a paranormal drunk because it was not metabolized too quickly. Needless to say, the stuff was like liquid gold and crazy expensive.

It was also a bad sign if Hudson was—Connie staggered backward as a heady scent slammed into him. His sight immediately sharpened, signifying that his eyes had changed to that of his dragon.

Sweat beaded his brow and slid down his hairline. His entire body shook as his fingernails grew and sharpened. A deep, rumbling growl started in his chest as Connie lost control and started a partial shift.

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