“Has been missing for centuries. No one knows what happened to him.”

Absolute horror washed over his face as he turned toward Nick. He looked at him as if he’d never seen him before. As if he was looking at him through new eyes.

His gaze fell to Nick’s mother and for a moment, Nick thought Xev might actually kill Menyara.

Or toss his cookies.

“You chose a warrior of light for the task.” It was a flat, whispered statement, not a question.

“There was no one else. We needed a father born directly from the Kalosum Source powers. He was the closest to them who could still father a daughter for the cause.”

Biting his lip, Xev winced. “They’re people, not disposable pawns for your selfish games, Cam.”

She glared at him. “No one knows that better than I. Everything I’ve ever done was for the protection of others. For the protection and benefit, and my love of this world, and all those who dwell in it. I was the one who stayed here in this hole, to watch over and protect. To be here every step of the way. For them all.”

And still Xev’s gaze condemned her for her actions. “Does he even know he’s a father?”

“Of course not. It would have been a disaster on multiple levels had he ever learned the truth. His daughter was conceived, delivered, and raised under the guise of a completely normal, orphaned human, and appears so to all. No one has ever suspected that she is more than she seems. She never even knew she was an adopted orphan. For all she knows, her adoptive parents are the ones who birthed her.”

Xev laughed bitterly. “And yet you did it without his knowledge or consent. You broke every supreme law we once lived by. Used him and her mother. Did the mother ever know? Did any of them?”

“No. We couldn’t afford for them to have any idea. They could have tipped off Adarian if they had. The mother met him one time … in a bar, and took him home. As far as she knew, he was a human, just passing through her town for the night.”

He cursed her under his breath. “How very typical of you all. You put them in the line of fire without warning or defense. Without full knowledge or understanding. How could you?”

Nick whistled, interrupting them. “Hello? Who here has the faintest clue what they’re talking about?”

Not even Simi held her hand up, which said it all. Simi usually knew everything.

But for once, she simply shrugged.

Nick turned his attention back to the only two who did.

Menyara and Xev.

“All right. In that case, could one of you catch the room up? Please? Especially since this seems to be my life and family you’re discussing? And I have a really bad feeling about this?”