Nick glanced at the bed as a bad feeling went through him.
No. It was a stupid fear. While Caleb could be a serious horn-dog when it came to those of the female persuasion, he tended to go after a specific type of woman who was older and much… less wholesome-looking than Kody.
His girl was definitely not Caleb’s type. At all. Not even a little.
Besides, neither Caleb nor Kody would ever cheat on him like that.
Would they?
Heck no. Refusing to let that seed be planted in his mind, Nick scowled at Livia. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”
She took his hand and led him from Caleb’s room. When she spoke, it was in the lowest of whispers. “I want you to be careful, Malachai. There are so many out to harm you. I don’t think you’re aware of exactly how many enemies surround you on any given day.”
He bit back a laugh. She was definitely wrong about that. “Think I have a pretty good idea.”
“Do you?” She gestured at the damage the Memitim had done to Caleb’s house. “Then you’re aware that Caleb is looking for a way to break free of his service to you?”
Yeah, okay, that one caught him off guard. He’d had no idea. “What?”
She nodded. “I think it’s what weakened his protection barrier and allowed them in. He’s been summoning stronger powers for some time now in an effort to find someone who can reclaim his soul from you. It could be why he has no powers now. I’m thinking he might have traded them off for it. If you were to die while he’s essentially mortal, he’d be freed from what binds him to your bloodline.”
Could that be true?
Nick swallowed hard at something that really wasn’t all that farfetched. Caleb did want his freedom. Even bad enough to die for it. “He didn’t tell me that.”
“Of course not. Why would he?” Livia bit her lip. “And I could be wrong, but I find it strange that all of this started after he supposedly sealed the gates for you, don’t you?”
Her dark eyes sad, she shook her head. “You know, if someone were to take you with his help, they could easily free him as a reward. I know Noir or Azura would be eternally grateful, and more than happy to show their appreciation with just such an act.”
Nick’s frown deepened as he considered what she was saying. Could there be any truth to it?
Would Caleb sell him out?
She sighed heavily. “I’m so sorry, my lord. I don’t mean to upset you with such possible truths to consider when everyone lies to you. I know it must be hard.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well… you know… First, you find out that you’re not human. That the woman you thought was your benevolent godmother is a goddess in disguise who hid your birthright and bound your powers from you. Without your permission or knowledge. That your father was never what you thought. Instead of a human criminal, he’s a demon hiding amongst them. That he wants you dead, so you won’t take his power from him. Then you learn that your friend Caleb isn’t a friend in school, but a demon sent by your father to watch over and kill you if necessary before you drain his powers from him and take his place as Malachai. That Nekoda is a girl sent by your enemies to carve out your heart and deliver it to them before you can claim your birthright to fight them, as is your full right. Your own mother kept the real truth of your birth from you. She let you think that she cared for your father, instead of telling you how much she hated him, and what really happened between them. Is there anyone in your life who hasn’t lied bitterly to you?”
He winced as she laid bare just how unbelievable his life and conception had been. Truth really was stranger than fiction. If he’d put this in a book or movie, no one would have ever believed it.
Some days, he still didn’t.
But she was wrong about one thing. There was always one person he could count on for the truth.
“Bubba,” he said defensively.
She arched a brow at that. “You sure?”
Well, he was until she gave him that evil look.
Now…
“I’m positive.” But his tone belied the insecurity she’d created.
She laughed. “You’re so sweet and naive. It’s what I love best about you.”
Yeah, right. That, he knew better. “Naive” was a word no one in their right mind could ever apply to Nicholas Ambrosius Aloysius Gautier.
“Please. I was born jaded.” With serious trust issues where the world was concerned. No one pulled the wool over his eyes.
A slow, insidious smile curved Livia’s lips. “That’s what you think. But trust me, you’re way too innocent for your own good.”
“How so?”