Page 20 of Salvation
“I did. It was the Angel of Death rounding up a few demons.”
“Oh, thank goodness it wasn’t something worse.”
“Yes.” He looked down at her belly, growing bigger with his child. She caught his gaze and rubbed her stomach.
“Ella and I have been measuring it. I’ve grown three inches in the last couple of days. One of the other women thinks it might be because the baby is part vampire.”
“We need to talk. Come over here and sit.” He pulled out a chair from the small table and waited for her to take a seat before he sat across from her.
“First things first. Seems I can now walk in the sun without fear or so much as even a sunburn.” He held out his arm to remind her. “I believe it’s the mating mark.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s awesome! That means you can take me to Kentucky.”
“We can discuss that after I finish telling you the rest of the story. While I was investigating what was going on, I ran into someone I thought was long dead from the Red Death. To say I was shocked to see her wouldn’t even come close.”
She chewed her lip. “Who was it?”
“Her name is Aurora, and we were in love.” He scrubbed his stubble. “Fuck, I still love her. I had planned to ask her to marry me, but then the plague came, and I got turned.”
“I see.”
“When I was turned, I decided it wasn’t safe for anyone if I went home, so I waited until I had control of myself. By the time I got back there, she was gone, and her family was as well. I had hoped she might have fled and was somewhere safe.”
“Sounds like she was.”
Luna was taking this better than he expected, but this conversation was far from over. “Yeah. It seems, however, during the period where I was crazed with hunger, I went back, and I turned her. She is now a vampire. I don’t remember any of it, and to say she is pissed that I left her to fend for herself is putting it mildly.”
“Oh, wow. I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for her.”
“I can and it guts me to know I did that to her. Ashley said that we were going to need Aurora here and I agree I owe her not only a home, but I am her sire and I need to make certain I am there for her.”
She nodded. “That’s understandable, but what about us? What is she going to think about you having a baby with another woman?”
“She already knows and, as expected, didn’t seem pleased. However, she has a mating mark. Something about getting it from one of our men. You need not worry about her and me.”
“I wasn’t worried, but I still don’t have any marks. Are you sure I will get one?”
He stared at a fly on the wall. Funny how the Red Death only affected humans. The world’s pests still lived, and without human intervention, they thrived. “I have no answers, but I’ll take care of you and the baby, mark or not. Unfortunately, I have more news from the angel. Since you’re carrying a vampire, you will come to term in six months rather than nine. That probably explains your rapid expansion.”
“Damn. I have less time than I thought.”
“Don’t panic. I will get you to Kentucky, no matter what.” While he was busy telling her not to panic, he was ready to do so himself. The only thing keeping him stable was his Seal training.
CHAPTERTEN
Luna neededto go for a walk, but since the guards outside would never allow her to go alone, she headed for the lobby, hoping to find Ella there. After throwing on a sundress her friend had found for her, she slipped out of her room, then down the flight of stairs. Wolfe had left maybe thirty minutes ago, or it might have been longer. She hated she had no clue what time it was. Ella had tried to teach her to read the sun, and she was getting better, but with the changes of season, she had to learn all over again and these days she was too tired to do much of anything.
Reaching the lobby, she scanned the vast area. There were several people milling about since it looked to be late afternoon. She didn’t see Ella, so walked up to an older woman who sometimes did guard duty with her friend.
“Hi, have you seen Ella?”
“Hey, Luna, you’re looking great.”
“Thanks.”
“Last I saw of Ella, she was on patrol down the street.”
“Perfect. Thanks so much.” She turned and headed for the door, pushing it open. Once outside, she lifted her face to the sun and let its warmth bathe her skin. Soon it would be hot, and she knew with the baby growing inside her, she would be miserable.
