Page 64 of Edge of Darkness

Connie climbed out of the pool and padded into the bathroom, where he dried off. Slipping on a pair of night pants, he joined Hudson on the couch, who was now off his cell.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I got to thinking about Kit and what he could possibly be doing… and got heated. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I understand.”

“So anyway, Ward wanted recommendations for construction crews? Did you have any?”

“A few, yes. I do have to admit I’m surprised he called me. The gargoyles are not the friendliest bunch,” Hudson said, running his hands through Connie’s damp locks.

“Who knows. Maybe Ward is trying to change that.”

“It would be nice.” Hudson tugged on Connie’s hair. “I’m going to call Kage now. What time is it over there?”

“About eleven.”

Hudson dialed Kage’s phone number.

“Hello.”

“Oh, good, I caught you,” Hudson said.

“I’m waiting for Austin to finish getting dressed, then we’re going to lunch. I have an appointment at one to see the original birth certificate, fucking finally.”

“Excellent. I’m very relieved to hear that because, unfortunately, I’m going to be the bearer of bad news.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hope you’re sitting down,” Hudson said.

“Well, shit. Okay. I am now. Let’s have it.”

Hudson quickly related what had gone down only a few hours earlier.

“By the dead gods, Hudson,” Kage breathed. “I don’t know what to say. Well, Iwantto say that a clone is impossible, but you and I both know what the hunters have managed to accomplish so far.”

“That’s exactly my thoughts too. But it just seems so outlandish.”

“I agree, but never say something is impossible. We, for example, exist. So the impossible is possible. The only thing I can say for sure is Nox is dead.”

“But which one?”

“I need a drink,” Kage groaned.

“I hear you.”

“Is Kit okay? Are you and Connie okay?”

“We’re fine. Kit is rattled but didn’t fight me about coming here,” Hudson said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if he had.”

“Probably carried him off anyway.”

“You joke, but you really don’t know how close you are to being right. Connie and I both are struggling with how he affects us.”

“I’ve already made one trip in the pool since Kit arrived,” Connie said. “And he hasn’t even been here that long.”

“Damn,” Kage said. “I don’t know whether I should laugh or sympathize.”

---