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?”