Page 57 of Truthfinder’s Promise

“You thought I was sneaking out to see Meredith?” Jace asked.

“Well, yes, but not because I thought you were having an affair, just because you guys are friends. You’ve known each other a long time and you have history and shit. You and I weren’t really talking, which was totally my fault, and if I lost the baby everyone says losing a kid kills a marriage, so I was afraid we’d break up.

“Then you, being alone and bereft, could fall back into old patterns with Meredith, but if she had a boyfriend that option wouldn’t be on the table, and after enough time had passed you would realize you missed me and come back to me and we could save our marriage.”

Siren sucked in a lungful of air, because that was the longest sentence in the history of ever. Jace stared at her. “I can’t decide whether I should be pissed off again, or concerned that all of that was going through your head. You vision-planned our tragic child-death breakup, complete with me falling into the understanding arms of my ex?”

“I read somewhere it helps to live through your fears so it doesn’t hurt so much if it happens.”

Jace pinched the bridge of his nose and looked like he was counting to ten in his head.

“Maybe you should pick the phone back up?” Random suggested.

“Oh, shit.” Siren un-muted the call. “Yes, Aunt Ella, I’m still here. I—what? No, I’m not having an affair. Neither of us is having an affair. I think I’m—think Jace and I are—pregnant with a Death kid.” Siren drummed her fingers on the counter. “Half an hour? Perfect.”

Siren slid off Jace’s lap and faced Meredith. “I owe you an apology. I promise I never thought you would do anything while we were together. Either of you.”

While they were together. Good goddess. Meredith looked over Siren’s shoulder at Jace. “Do you want to tell her, or should I?”

Siren’s eyes widened. “Tell me what?”

An amused smile tugged at Jace’s lips. “Tell you that even if we lived in an alternate universe where you didn’t exist, Meredith and I would not be getting back together.”

“Do you want me to change his ringtone to Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together?”

Siren winced. “Okay, I deserved that.”

“What happened to the woman who took me to a bar and told me I didn’t want Jace back even when I actually thought I did?”

Siren crossed her arms, hugging herself. “That woman almost died a lot, got married, got thrust into a leadership role, got pregnant, is afraid her kid is going to die, and is slowly crumbling under a mountain of stress.”

Random picked up a muffin and thrust it at her. Siren took it. “Thank you.”

“Everything is going to be fine.” Jace came up behind Siren and wrapped his arms around her. “Let’s go talk to Aunt Ella so we can prove that everything is going to be fine. And for goddess’ sake, the next time you think I’m having an affair, try asking. Or, better yet, consider whether I would ever cheat on you and realize the answer is no.”

“I didn’t think you were having an affair. Can we all be very clear on the fact I did not think an actual affair was occurring? I am just scared and stressed up to my eyeballs and I think I’m going to cry again.”

“Eat your muffin,” Valkyrie advised. “It won’t make you stop crying, but it tastes good. And get on the road before you’re late and you make my mother-in-law cranky.”

Siren squeezed her eyes shut. “I shouldn’t even be leaving with all of this going on.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Meredith said, “making sure your kid is fine is absolutely a qualifying reason to leave.”

“But…” Siren looked up the stairs, at what Meredith had decided to refer to as the Shifter floor.

“In fact, I need you to go because I sort of told Aunt Ella to fuck off earlier and I’d really appreciate it if you could smooth that over.”

“You told her to what?”

“Julian riled me up. And frankly, she was being rude. So go on, we’ll be fine.”

“Yes.” Valkyrie slapped a dagger on the counter. “Just fine.”

Siren pointed a finger at Val. “We’re working towards a peace agreement. No stabbing anyone.”

Valkyrie saluted her with the dagger, and Jace dragged Siren out the door. No one relaxed until they heard Jace’s ancient truck rumble to life and drive off.