“To get you checked out and have a talk,” Zane said from behind him.

Paxton exhaled, the movement hurting his entire side. He’d fallen harder than he’d thought. That talk was probably going to hurt worse that he did right now, but he deserved it. Maybe they’d let him still be friends with Hope afterward, if he didn’t fight back, but probably not. He’d almost gotten her killed, and now she was crying. “How did you know she was in danger?”

“We didn’t,” Talen said, taking more of his weight easily. “We discovered she’d left without the proper precautions, and we figured she went to see you. Why didn’t you let us know you were in danger?”

There it was. He’d lied to them all for years. His ears heated and he straightened his back, continuing along the lake toward the lodge. There wasn’t anything to say, and Talen didn’t push him for any more answers.

They entered the lodge and Hope’s mom made a beeline for him, fussing over his already healing face. “I’m okay, Janie,” he mumbled, wondering if she’d still talk to him after learning the full truth. She was the nicest lady he’d ever met, and she’d always treated him like he mattered. “Please stop fussing.” The kindness was too much, and he was afraid he’d start bawling like a baby.

Zane and Talen spoke for moment and then Zane walked toward him. “Do you need to see a doctor?”

“No,” he said, feeling his face heal completely so he could send cells to his side. “I don’t.” They might as well get this over with.

“Okay.” Zane slid an arm over his shoulder. “Let’s go for a walk.” When the head of the entire demon nation wanted to go for a walk, things were about to turn bad.

Pax swallowed and looked over his shoulder and saw Hope, her eyes wide and worried, tears still on her face. He wanted to tell her goodbye, but the words wouldn’t come. So he smiled, and when she smiled back, that was good enough. She’d grown even prettier lately, and her smile was a good image to remember before dying. “Let’s go.” He went with Zane, walking through the main lodge to the rec room, where he’d spent countless hours playing games with Hope and the other kids.

Zane released him and went to grab two root beers from the fridge before motioning toward the outside door. “It’s a pretty night.”