Everything inside Paxton wanted to attack, but he needed to remain strategic for now. There were facts to discover that could help Hope. “You always were a damn coward,” Pax muttered.
With that, Paelotin charged him. They flew off the stools, landing hard on the dirt-packed floor. People around them scrambled out of the way, some fleeing the bar, some just sidling away as if a brutal fight was a common occurrence.
Paelotin’s first punch nearly knocked off Paxton’s head, but he rolled with it, pulling his father with him. He punched upward twice and then scissored his legs around this monster from his past and flipped them over, punching twice more.
He could’ve done immeasurable damage, but instead, he secured his father hard against the ground. Not once in training or in battle had he inflicted more damage than was necessary, and though he might want to kill this bastard, he wouldn’t stoop to that. But he would get answers.
His father fought his hold for several long moments and then gave up, panting.
“Why?” Pax asked, his voice rough. “Why do you hate me so much?”
Paelotin, his teeth bloody, managed to smile. “Because you’re not my son, youlittle prick.”
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. “DoesSantino 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 theblanket 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 bejust 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 leavereimbursement?”
“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 thepopcorn. 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 tohurt anybody.”
“Good. Thanks.” She reached for her beer. “Why don’t you have a date or something tonight?”
“Why don’t you?” he countered.
