Despite the fact that I could feel the warmth coming from inside, I stopped and watched because this felt…important.

Lee had lost that devil-may-care look on his face, and he stared down at the hand Dean was offering him.

“We truly believe he’s the child Nemcox talked about. Did Trent ever tell you about the two people on the Earth plane who could kill Myrddin?” I didn’t want Lee to turn down that hand. Since the moment I’d realized what Dean might be able to do, I’d wanted him to take Lee’s place, to be the one with the burden. But it felt wrong. It felt like they should be in this together. Against all odds, against every machination of the world’s wickedest wizard, they were here together. They were the same age, seeming opposites of each other. Lee’s looks were dark like his father’s, while Dean was white as the snow that fell around us.

They seemed like pieces of a puzzle finally falling into place.

Dev’s hand slipped into mine, as though he felt the moment, too.

“He told us what Kelsey learned from the demon known as Nemcox.” Evan was watching Dean now.

Lee finally reached out and took Dean’s hand. “If you are who they think you are, then we can work together. But you need to understand that I will kill that wizard.”

Dean’s lips curled up as he took in my baby boy. Turned up in a way that made me wonder just what had been in those dreams he’d been having. “Then I shall help you, Prince Lee.”

Lee shook his head and took his hand back. “Just Lee. I was never a prince. But I would be glad for someone with magic who doesn’t attempt to kill me. Come inside and I’ll buy you a beer. No one makes ale quite like trolls can.”

The electricity between the two was palpable. They had chemistry, those two men.

Like Danny and Dev had from the moment they’d met.

It was odd because I’d always thought he would end up with Mia. As children, Lee and Sarah’s daughter had clung to each other, been the best of friends. I’d worried because Lee was human and Mia both a witch and a companion. She’d gotten her magic from her mother and that glow that vampires loved from her fallen-angel father. “Where is Mia? Is she still with you?”

Lee’s expression shuttered. “Mia died along with her parents. Myrddin killed them, and I shall have his head for it. Grandfather is dead as well, and at the wizard’s hand. Though Grandad still manages to be a pain in my ass. Welcome home, Mother.”

Chapter Four

“Lee!” Evan strode up to her brother in the torchlight. “How could you tell her that way?”

My world seemed to be reeling.

My father was gone?

Dev had moved me into his arms, giving me his strength.

“Yes, I would like to know the answer to that question as well, son,” Daniel said, his voice cold as the snow outside.

Even in the gloom I could see my son had paled. “I’m sorry, Momma. I…I’m rattled and I didn’t think I would be. You asked me about Mia. She’s a sore subject for me. I’m sorry I said it that way.”

“We don’t know Mia’s dead.” Rhys looked like a ghost in the torchlight. The shadows played over his face. “We never found a body. Any of their bodies.”

“They told us,” Lee replied quietly.

“Olivia told us, and Liv lies now. If Myrddin killed them, he would have made sure we saw the bodies.” Evan moved in front of me. “Momma, we don’t know that Aunt Sarah and Uncle Felix didn’t get out. And Granddad wants to see you. He’s been waiting so long.”

I breathed a deep sigh of relief. He wasn’t dead. Lee must have been using a euphemism. Like my going missing killed my dad. “I need to see him.”

I heard Dean saying something in Latin and then the torches flared, and I could suddenly make out where I was far better than I could before. It was warmer, too. Dean stood near where Kelsey held Eddie’s small hand in her own. The butler looked up to Dean and nodded.

“Thank you,” he said quietly. “The cold gets to me when I’m tired. It is warmer inside.”

“I’ll leave you to explain to our mother,” Evan said to her brothers. “I’m going to take my punishment and get it out of the way.”

“Like Sasha punishes her.” Fen rolled his eyes as he started down the long tunnel after Evan. “She starts to cry and then he’s the one apologizing. Meanwhile, when I screw up, I end up running laps and chopping wood for hours. It’s better to be a girl.” Fen turned, walking backward with no effort at all. He pointed to Dean. “If you’re responsible for the light and warmth, thanks, man. You’ll have to come by our place. No matter how well I get the fire going it’s still chilly.”

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