Page 88 of Edge of Darkness

“Yes.”

“I’ll get the three of us something to eat from the kitchen,” Connie volunteered.

“Okay, thanks, sweetheart,” Hudson said. “And no, I wasn’t talking to you, Kage, so don’t even start.”

Connie heard Kage’s snort of laughter as he left Hudson’s office. He had the kitchen make up three meals in Styrofoam containers so he could carry them back to Hudson’s office easily. Stella put drinks in a cup holder and placed them on top of the containers.

Connie hurried back to Hudson’s office. When he walked in, Kage was already sitting at the table. Connie placed the containers on the table along with the cup holder. Hudson set the drinks out while Connie handed out the meals.

“Hope you like what we’re having,” Connie said as he sat down.

“Stella is an excellent cook. I’m sure I’ll love whatever she made,” Kage said, opening the container. “So, why don’t we talk while we eat since we’re all on lunch break.”

“Where’s Austin?” Connie asked.

“He’s meeting Lanny. His latest book has released and Lanny wants to set up another book signing. Not sure if she’s going to ask Kit to use his bookstore again or if she’s going somewhere else,” Kage said.

“Lady Lanny will stick to him like glue. You know that, of course,” Connie said.

“I do, but regardless of where this is being held, I will have daemons there as extra protection.”

“If they do it at Kit’s bookstore, I’ll send a couple dragons too,” Hudson offered. “Things being as they are, I think the more protection Austin and Kit have, the better.”

“I agree,” Kage said. “Since Austin is busy, and Kit is at the bookstore, I figured now would be the perfect opportunity to talk about the care and feeding of a human.”

Connie snorted.

“So? What do the two of you want to know?” Kage asked.

“Aren’t you worried about hurting him during sex?” Connie asked immediately. It was one of the things he worried about the most. “Humans are so damn fragile, and we’re so much stronger than them.”

“And dragon sex tends to be rather aggressive,” Hudson added.

“Do I need to have the sex talk with you two?” Kage asked nonchalantly.

“Dammit, Kage, I’m older than you,” Hudson snapped.

“Okay, children, time for the birds and the bees talk. Or is it the dragons and bees? Actually, since there are three of you, maybe I should say the birds, the bees, and the dragons.”

“That doesn’t even make sense,” Connie complained. “There aren’t any females in this mix.”

“By the dead gods.” Kage rolled his eyes. “Have the both of you lost your sense of humor? Just be careful with him, because yes, humans are rather breakable.”

“Kage—”

“Look, I don’t know how it works with dragons, but at the back of my mind, always, is the knowledge to go gently with Austin. I don’t want to hurt him.” Kage threw his hands up. “I honestly don’t think I could. And if I do get too rambunctious? One word is enough to bring me to a dead stop.”

Hudson nodded slowly. “That could work. Unless, of course, Connie and I have already traumatized him having sex.”

“I’m going to need you to be a bit more blunt. What exactly are you worried about?” Kage asked.

“You want blunt? Fine. When Connie and I have sex, it’s not uncommon for one of us to sink their claws into the other. Or to bite. Neither one of us thinks anything of drawing blood. And Kit seems to have a phobia of blood now, thanks to Nox.”

“Dear dragon gods, what if we did that to Kit? We could hurt him. Possibly kill him.” Connie put his fork down. Suddenly, the meatloaf looked much less appetizing.

“Connie? Have you ever had sex with a human?” Kage asked.

“Of course.”

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