Page 58 of Edge of Darkness

Speaking of humans, Hudson hadn’t smelled any hunters at the club, but there had definitely been paranormals there, including felines. Fucking cats seemed to be everywhere lately.

Then there was the question of if the humans who’d attacked Leo had been paid to do so? Or was it nothing more than a coincidence?

And now Kit was standing there telling him that Nox had been in the club? That he’d attacked Kitagain? But it couldn’t be. Nox was dead. Axel had killed him. Kage had seen the body. Hell, Kage had Nox cremated and took the ashes to Greece. Nox was fucking dead.

“I hear police sirens, Your Majesty,” Leo said, wiping blood off his face. “We need to get out of here.”

“Kit? I need you to trust me and give your keys to Leo so we can vacate the area,” Hudson said.

“Trust you? I don’tknowyou.” Kit put his hands on his hips and glared at Hudson. “I don’t know these other two dragons. I don’t know where this compound of yours is located. And I’m just supposed to go with you?”

“Would you rather stay here and possibly run across whoever you saw who you thought looked like Nox?” Leo asked.

“Leo,” Hudson warned.

“I don’t think he looked like Nox. I know for a fact he did. Also? Fuck you.” Kit glared at Leo. “I saw him. You didn’t.”

“I’m just saying that it isn’t possible,” Leo said. “He’s dead.”

“And yet I had a conversation with him,” Kit retorted right back.

“Enough,” Hudson snapped. “Kit?” As much as Hudson wanted to throw Kit over his shoulder and leave with him, that would only exacerbate the situation. “Beckett will be at the compound. I’ll arrange for him to be waiting for you. Would that help?”

“I, ah, okay. Yeah. Yeah, it would. Please understand, I’m not trying to be an ass, but I’m kinda at the end of my rope here.” Kit scrubbed his hands over his face, his shoulders slumping. “My head hurts and—”

“Why does your head hurt?” Connie demanded. “Are you hurt?” Connie reached for Kit, but then dropped his hands. “Maybe we should check you out?”

“Again, we really need to go,” Leo interjected.

“I’m fine. Nox used my braid to drag me off the dance floor. And Leo is right about this, at least. We really do need to leave before the cops get here. Fine, I’ll go with you, but please call Beckett?”

“I will, I promise,” Hudson said.

Connie moved swiftly to open the passenger door for Kit.

“Thank you,” Kit said as he climbed inside.

Within seconds they were pulling out of the parking lot and making their way toward the interstate. There was dead silence while Hudson called Beckett and arranged for him to be waiting at the main house. He even put the call on speaker so Kit could hear the conversation, including the part about who attacked Kit.

He tried not to get his feelings hurt that Kit was more comfortable around Becket than he was around him and Connie. It made sense that Kit would be more at ease with Beckett—Kit spent more time around the other dragon—but it still stung.

Once Kit had been reassured Beckett would be there, Hudson gently questioned Kit, because he too was having a problem understanding what Kit saw.

Connie was also as tight as a bowstring. He was still struggling with Kit’s scent, so Hudson was keeping an eye on him too. So much for them having a chance to become accustomed to the mating scent. Dammit, he hated having to use his power on Connie like that.

Something was going on, and Hudson had no idea what it was. What if—and this was almost too terrifying to think about—what if Nox had figured out some way to clone himself? It wasn’t completely outside of the realm of possibility.

After all, Nox had figured out how to mutate human DNA and make some sort of human/paranormal hybrid, so why couldn’t he clone himself?

Hudson shuddered. That didn’t bear thinking about. What if there were dozens of Noxes running around? What would that do to Kit’s state of mind? Hudson’s claws threatened to erupt from the tips of his fingers, and he had to take a few deep breaths to rein in the impulse.

As they drove toward Hudson’s territory, Kit patiently repeated everything that had happened to him from the moment the fight started and he’d gotten separated from Leo until Connie and Hudson had showed up.

Connie had growled a couple of times but managed to stay in control of himself. Hudson completely understood where Connie was coming from, though.

Whoever had attacked Kit had hurt their mate. With his sharp eyesight, he’d discreetly checked for bruises on Kit’s face, and sure enough, there was a red spot forming on his forehead.

Connie had asked a few questions also, which had made Kit turn to face him to answer. Hudson had caught the frown on Connie’s face—Connie had noticed the bruise too, more than likely.

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