Page 80 of Edge of Darkness

“Okay, shoot.”

Kit dragged his gaze from the contents of his wine glass and stared at Austin. “Do you believe in Fate?”

“Ah, now that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? We could be out here discussing that for the next several hours, but I’ll save us the pain of that and just say yes.” Austin chewed his bottom lip for a moment. “I do believe things happen for a reason, Kit. But that’s not to say that the things that happen won’t have some pain involved with them.”

“Nox fucked with my head.”

“Same, my friend. Same. And I’m not trying to pester you about this, but have you thought about talking to Frederick?”

“Connie called to set up an appointment, but either he hasn’t heard back or he forgot to tell me.”

“I can’t see Connie forgetting to tell you. I mean, he’s Hudson’s right hand. He keeps Hudson on track. I truly can’t see him letting something like that slide, so maybe he hasn’t heard back from Frederick yet. But I am glad you’re willing to talk to him.”

“What’s he like?”

“Doctor Frederick? He’s a super nice guy. Seriously.”

“A super nice vampire, you mean.”

“That’s just one part of who he is, Kit. It’s not the defining thing about him though.”

“How can you say that? I mean, isn’t it?”

“Because, again, that’s justonepart of who he is. He’s a doctor. He likes hard rock music. He’s Black. He likes to read. He’s a vampire. He likes romantic comedies. He’s also a snazzy dresser. He likes to play tennis, even though he freely admits he sucks at it.”

Now Kit felt like an ass. “Okay, yeah, I hadn’t bothered to think of him as a person. I guess I got hyper-focused on the fact that he’s a vampire. The blood-drinking thing is really throwing me for a loop.”

“Which is completely understandable, just so you know.”

“And something I need to get past though.”

Austin pursed his lips. “Yes, you really do. You really, really do.”

Kit frowned at Austin. “Why do I get the feeling you know more than what you’re saying?”

Austin smiled brilliantly but didn’t say anything.

“And by the way, I caught that remark you made earlier,” Kit said. “You want to explain what you meant about giving up being human for Kage?”

“All in due time. Alllll in due time.” Austin patted Kit on the shoulder, then linked his arm through Kit’s again. “Now, come on, let’s get back in there before we have two fire dragons rampaging because they’re worried about you.”

“The hell doesthatmean?” Kit demanded as Austin ushered him toward the sliding glass door that led inside.

“They think you’re hot,” Austin whispered. “And, you know.” Austin wiggled his eyebrows. “They want to do the mattress mambo with you. Have a visit from old one eye. Grind your corn. Toss a hot dog down a hallway. Board the beef bus. Batter dip the corn dog. Churn butter. Fill the cream donut.”

“Are you hungry?” Kit side-eyed Austin. “Because there were a lot of food idioms in that.”

“You know, I am suddenly craving donuts.”

“Mother of all, but you writers are fucking weird.”

Austin snickered as he pushed Kit back inside. “You have no idea.”

Connie stood up as soon as they walked back inside. “Hey, we were getting ready to come out there and interrupt you two.”

“That’s code for rampaging,” Austin whispered.

Kit snickered before he caught himself.

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