Even the dog could come? Pax breathed out, feeling as if bubbles of excitement were popping inside him. He took a bite of the pizza, and it was the best he’d ever had. “This is good.”
“I’m glad,” Santino sighed, wolfing down another piece. “We’ll settle in here, and I think you should see that shrink. The pretty blonde?”
“The prophet Lily?” Pax chewed thoughtfully. “Sure.” If that made his uncle happy, he’d do it.
“Good. It’ll help to talk about everything you’ve gone through.” His uncle shrugged. “Probably.”
Pax grinned, looking at the hand-painted picture of a butterfly on the counter. “What do you do?”
“I’m a researcher. I research different animal environments and ecosystems.” Santino’s eye sobered. “I also have a mission. We’re family, Pax, so I don’t ever want to lie to you, especially since it has to do with your friend. The pretty girl.”
Pax dropped his pizza on the plate. “Hope?”
“Yeah. I know you’ve heard the scuttlebutt about the Seven lately with the shifters taking off and all.” Santino chewed thoughtfully. “The Seven are horribly mistaken, possibly evil, and have to be stopped. If they’re not, Hope is going to pay the price. She’s a prophet and must be protected. No matter what.”
Pax took his pizza again and chewed slowly. It was weird being trusted with the serious stuff. “Hope is all that matters,” he agreed.
Santino grinned. “It’s about the girl, huh?”
Pax’s face heated. “I’ve always known it’s about her.” He sighed. “It’s gonna be bloody and painful.” Every once in a while, rarely, fate gave him a glimpse. “Is this Seven the real enemy?”
“One of many, and when we stop them, it’s gonna be ugly,” Santino said. “You have to choose your own path, and you don’t have to choose mine. But I wanted you to know the truth.”
“My path is protecting her, and always has been,” Pax said. “No matter the cost.”
Santino lifted his soda. “To the girl.”
Pax lifted his, clinking them together. “To Hope.” Finally, his mission, his destiny, was clear.
He was home.
Chapter 33
Another storm blanketed the world with snow outside, so Grace waited inside the main lodge as Adare finished loading the helicopter Benny had landed on the road.
The King strode down the hallway and stood next to her, sighing. “Did he have to land on my damn street? I have an entire airfield just down the road with, you know, landing areas and runways.”
Grace grinned. “Benny likes to make a statement.”
“Benny likes to be an ass,” Dage returned, tension rolling from him.
Grace faltered but reached for her bag. “I have a present for you.” She dug inside and drew out a file folder holding photographs, handing him one of Emma she’d taken days ago and developed while at the cabin. The queen stood in her lab, in her white lab coat, looking over her shoulder at the camera.
He took it, his mouth opening slightly. “It’s Emma,” he murmured. Then he grinned. “I know it’s of Emma, but it’s reallyEmma. My Emma.” He studied the photograph, his gaze softening. “You captured her. Her brilliance and her heart. Her determination and sheer kindness.” He breathed out, his smile now gentle. “If I were fanciful, I’d say you caught her soul.”
Grace shuffled her feet. “Adare thinks this is my enhancement. Catching a moment or seeing to the heart of a person.”
Dage looked up, his silver eyes intense. “I think he’s correct. Thank you for this. I’ll cherish it always.” His phone buzzed, and he looked down at the face. “Damn it.” He patted her shoulder. “Good luck, Grace Cooper. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” Taking his photograph, he strode purposefully down the hallway toward the conference rooms at the other end of the lodge.
The air in the vestibule relaxed slightly. Being the king of immortals was probably a rough gig.
Emma emerged from the medical wing, her hair piled high and a cookie in her hand. “I wanted to say goodbye.”
“You just missed your mate,” Grace said, nodding her head in the opposite direction.
Emma finished off the snickerdoodle. “He’s in a mood. The possibility of the Realm’s falling apart again doesn’t sit well with him.” She leaned in for a hug. “I’m going to miss you and your sister.”
“Me too.” Grace hugged her back. “Is Adare really going to be all right?”
