As he walked to Realm headquarters, he nodded at several soldiers, who all returned the nod, so apparently word had gotten out that he wasn’t a traitor. At least thatwas something.
Entering the lodge, he jogged down to the main laboratory, wishing once again he had the ability to teleport. It was unfair that all demons had lost the ability because of the Seven. He knew he wasn’t the only one feeling angry, and he wondered just how safe the Seven would be in Realm territory. Both kings had issued decrees that they were to be left alone, but they’d hurt people because of what they’d done. Teleporting had been a part of life, and now it was gone.
Paxton wished he could teleport into Kurjan territory and have a little talk with Drake by himself. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen. He opened another door, andEmma looked up.
“Hey, you’re here to donate more blood,” she said, her eyes cobalt today.
“I am.” He walked over to her, pulling up his sleeve. “Takeall you need.”
The woman gave a happy hop. She was one of the kindest females he’d ever met, and yet she was a menace with a syringe in her hand. He wondered if there was anybody who’d ever met her who hadn’t had blood taken. At least she was good at it. Within seconds, she had inserted the needle and was extracting blood.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“The same,” he admitted. “I can’t heal myself, but my strength is still there. My speed is still there. I’m not impacted inany other way.”
She tapped on the needle and pulled it out. “I should have results for you in an hour. Dage interviewed Paelotin at demon headquarters and took his blood. Since I already had yours here, I conducted a quick paternity test. You probably already know this, but Paelotin isn’t your father.” Sympathy darkened her eyes. “Neither is Zane.”
“I know.”
She exhaled. “I haven’t found a match in the database yet; it might take some time. What’syour plan now?”
He looked at her, a cold slice of fury centering in his chest. “Now I’m going to have a nice little discussion with Paelotin. One or both of us may require your services afterward.”
Her head jerked as she took in hismeaning. “Pax.”
“Thank you, Emma. I appreciate it.” He turned and strode out of the lab, squaring his shoulders. He was more than up for another fight, and this time he wasn’t leaving until Paelotin told him everything. It was a long walk to demon headquarters. He made plans—bloody ones—on the way.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hope stretched her neck and put her arms over her head, trying to loosen the tight muscles in her shoulders. She stood on a blue grappling mat in the gym in the east wing of demon headquarters. The new gym was state of the art and had several grappling rooms as well astraining areas.
Libby stepped inside, her hair in a ponytail, her feet bare, and her yoga pants printed with dancing animals. “Hey,” she said.
“Hey,” Hope said, trying to act normal when she felt like a total dork. “Thanks for meeting me. I, uh, missed youthis morning.”
Libby looked anywhere but at her. “I went for a run. You know. Cougar. We like to run.”
Hope sighed. “Thanks for answering my text. I wanted to work out before we meet with the team later today.”
“No problem.” Libby placed a water bottle over to the side and danced on the mat, automatically gracefulwithout trying.
Hope pulled one arm over her chest in another stretch.
“So,” Libby said, still dancing, “you were kind of loud last night.”
Heat rose into Hope’s face, probably turning her a strawberry color. “I was worried about that.”
“I’m all the way across the house.” Libby chuckled. “I saw Paxton this morning and thought you might need some alone time.” She snorted. “He didn’t look embarrassed at all. Unlikeyou right now.”
“Paxton is better at hiding his emotions than I am.” Hope dodged in just as Libby leaped agilely to the left. Hope sprawled across the mat, then rolled and came back up.
“That was quick,” Libby said. “Nice.”
“Thanks,” Hope said dryly. She didn’t have a chance against the cougar shifter, but she always gave it her best.
Libby chewed on her lip. “You need to gofor the legs.”
“I know that,” Hope said, feinting for the legs, which was what Libby wanted.
