Warrior's Hope (Dark Protectors #16)(45)
Cymbals crashed in Pax’s head. “You’re lying.”
“Nope. Total truth.” Even wheezing, Paelotin laughed.
That was a good truth. “That explains the pictures I found of my mother.” The labels conveyed a different meaning now. She’d been taking him into the Realm, the two of them, for a new life. He was glad to know she’d tried to leave and save them both. “Does Santino know?”
“No.” Paelotin snorted. “The absent-minded professor doesn’t know about any of it. He’s truly one clueless bastard.”
Pax relaxed. Good. “Then who’s my father?”
The smile widened, and air bubbled out with blood. “Ask King Zane Kyllwood. Didn’t you ever wonder why he took such an interest in you?”
Chapter Eighteen
Hope cuddled up on the sofa in Paxton’s empty house, watching an old movie. She’d made herself at home, microwaving a huge bowl of popcorn and opening a beer. Through the years, when Paxton was home from his travels, she’d spent many an evening watching movies on that very sofa, so she knew exactly where to find the threadbare blanket she always used to keep warm.
It was sad he didn’t have a fireplace. Most houses in the subdivision had fireplaces; in northern Idaho, it got freaking cold. At least the blanket helped.
Several ancient texts and tomes were spread over the coffee table. For years, she’d spent every spare hour reading through legends and prophecies and found several that hinted at what must be done to kill Ulric. Her name was mentioned as well as the importance of the Lock, but there was a frustrating lack of detail. It was accepted that the blood of the three Keys was needed, but Hope was sure the Lock would have to give more than blood. Otherwise, there would be just four Keys.
Unless somehow, the blood of the Lock activated something in the blood of the Keys?
Ugh. Her head started to ache, so she removed the Advil bottle from her pocket and took three pills before sliding it back into place. For so long, all she’d had were questions. She picked up her phone and dialed.
“Yo,” Collin answered. “What’s up?”
“I’m just giving myself a headache trying to read these new books you found.” Well, new to them. One was bound with what looked like human skin from a thousand years ago. “Do you have a line on any additional volumes?”
The sound of a television set being turned down came over the phone. “Yeah. I’m bidding on several right now in online auctions, and I have a squad infiltrating a mansion in Iberia in about three hours. The owner collects ancient books, and he wouldn’t even entertain an offer to look at his collection, much less buy it.”
Hope took a handful of popcorn. “So you’re stealing it?”
His chuckle was low. “Half of the books you have were stolen. The owners didn’t give me a choice.”
She winced. “Did you at least leave reimbursement?”
“No. Most didn’t need money. I did, however, leave them an IOU and a promise that I’d return the books along with a couple new ones. I figured we could raid the Realm libraries for something interesting once we’re finished.”
“So long as we don’t harm anybody while stealing.” She coughed. There was too much salt on the popcorn. Oops.
He drank something, most likely grape soda. Both twins had inherited their fondness for the stuff from their uncle Dage. “Don’t worry. I’ve trained all my thieves very well. They can get in and out of pretty much anywhere without having to hurt anybody.”
“Good. Thanks.” She reached for her beer. “Why don’t you have a date or something tonight?”
“Why don’t you?” he countered.
That was a fair point. Considering she was currently torn between two males, adding a third to the mix would be insane. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow.” They’d had to reschedule their strategy meeting for the following day. She clicked off, turning the movie back on and watching until her eyes became blurry and her head started to nod.
When the outside door opened, she stiffened and pushed pause on the remote. Paxton prowled in, looking as if he’d been tossed through a wood chipper. There were contusions and scrapes all over his face and arms, and his bottom lip had swollen.
“Hope,” he said, walking inside, his gaze not meeting hers.
She had figured it would be bad when he’d said he was going to meet his father, but she’d never imagined it would be this bad. Why hadn’t he healed those injuries? He was so pale, he looked almost ghostlike. “I should have gone with you,” she said, her heart hurting for him. Though she’d known the reunion wouldn’t be pleasant, she hadn’t expected the raw devastation in Pax’s eyes.
He glanced at the movie and then back to her face. His body was hard and cut, and tension rolled off him in waves. If she didn’t know him, she’d fear him. “It’s three in the morning. Why aren’t you in bed? You were in a battle not too long ago.”
“It looks like you’ve been in a couple since then,” she said, scooting over on the sofa. Had the male even had a chance to heal his injuries from the first battle? If she remembered right, his father was well muscled and had beefy fists. It wouldn’t have been an easy fight, even for someone as skilled as Pax. And no doubt, since Pax had wanted answers, Paelotin wouldn’t have given them. Not without a good beating. By the look of Pax’s knuckles, he’d punched hard and fast. “Come sit down, Paxton.”