Page 169 of Dark Endures

“We are.” And it’s amazing. But now isn’t the time to think about how wonderful dating is. “Who died?”

“The council is waiting in your office. They assembled as soon as your car hit The Street.”

“Then why are we waiting?” I rush out of my office.

There’s a weird air about the room. It doesn’t feel like one of the kids died or another brother. It’s not morose enough for that. There’s an air almost like everyone is wired, waiting for something bad to happen. “Who died?”

Jacko stands up and locks the door behind me. “Adonis died yesterday.”

What? “Vex said he’d wait. That we’d do it together.”

“He did wait.” Jacko sets Cow in the cage. “He came looking for you yesterday to ask why you didn’t wait. Adonis wasn’t murdered. He was hit by a car yesterday while crossing the street. The police are ruling it an accident.”

Dead. Accident. A hit and run. None of that makes sense.

Right as we were starting to figure out ties. It’s just too convenient.

“Enzo, can you get me a video of the accident?” I need to see for myself that it’s real. This feels too big. I pick up my phone and call Ethan.

“Hey, Kid.”

It’s hard not to smile when I hear his voice. Ethan is the father mine never was. “Can you come down? I need to pick your brain.”

“Sure, Kid. I was on The Street, anyway. Emilia was looking to say hi to your woman again.”

“She’s visiting her brother right now.” I watch her little dot move through Urbium’s streets. She has family that she actually likes. I need to meet Waylon and his wife. Maybe we can invite them for dinner.

“Up next is meeting yours. Emilia expects her for dinner. Soon.”

Which means Ethan wants to meet Mindy. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I’ll tell Emilia and be right up there.” He hangs up the phone.

I start to dial when Jacko says, “If you’re calling Vex, he’s down by the bakery. Dahlia is going over wedding cake stuff with Fea.”

“Canyon.”

“On it.” He jumps up and rushes off.

“I learned a lot while on this little trip with Mindy, but I’ll wait until everyone is here to update you guys. Did anything else happen while I was gone?”

Pit jumps up. “We got more baby pictures.” He holds out a black-and-white screenshot.

It still looks like a blob… “Wait, is that a little hand?”

“Sure is. My baby knows how to wave already. He’s advanced for his age.”

HE? “You’re having a boy?”

“We are!” Pit lights up as tears fill his eyes. “My son is growing so fast.”

“Tonight we celebrate.”

The room cheers.

“What are we celebrating?” Ethan steps in.

“My son.” Pit walks up to show him the blob just as Vex enters the room.

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