Page 81 of Demon Unleashed

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By the time the remaining Stealth Guardians had assembled in the great room, Zoltan had figured out who was who. He’d encountered most of them before, not only when they’d captured him, but also during the various battles they’d fought. There were two vampires among them—Grayson, the jerk who hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off Enya’s half-naked body, and Ryder, equally young, but somewhat calmer and politer than his vampire friend.

Except for Hamish, the Stealth Guardians gave Zoltan hostile looks. And one other thing was noticeable: none of the women were here. Perhaps they’d been locked away for fear that Zoltan might do them harm. Well, he had no such plans, but it would take some effort to convince these warriors of it.

Enya had given them the short version of who he really was, not just Zoltan, the Great One, but Angus, Cinead’s son. She’d also explained to them that their bonding had changed him. But the guardians didn’t look convinced.

“Brown eyes don’t mean he’s a Stealth Guardian now,” Logan said. “I mean, look at him: he has no aura.”

“But he can make himself invisible,” Enya protested, and motioned to Zoltan. “Show them.”

Zoltan concentrated, willing himself to become invisible. But the guys still stared at him, looking directly into his eyes, which meant they could still see him. It had worked earlier. So why wasn’t it working now?

“Relax, Zoltan,” Enya said. “Just wish that nobody could see you, not even I.”

He looked into her eyes and saw that she believed in him. He wasn’t going to disappoint her.

“Fuck!” Manus said.

The others let out similar curses and gasps.

“Show yourself, Zoltan!” Pearce ordered him.

Zoltan felt an odd sense of security inside. Was that how his body was telling him that he was using his powers of invisibility? He ordered his body to become visible again, and by the looks the guys gave him, it worked. They could see him again.

Enya smiled. “See? He’s got our powers. He’s not a demon anymore.”

“Okay,” Logan said slowly. “Let’s assume you’re right. Let’s assume he’s really changed—does that mean all his demon attributes are gone?”

Enya hesitated.

“So, they’re not all gone,” Logan said. “Well, maybe we should check.” He motioned to Manus, and both approached Zoltan, while Aiden stepped to Zoltan’s side as if to prevent him from escaping. “If you’re really one of ours now, I’m sure you won’t mind a little cut, will you?”

Logan drew his dagger, and instinctively Zoltan wanted to shrink back, but he forced himself not to move.

“Fine.” He stretched out his arm. If his eyes had changed color, for certain his blood would have too.

Logan made a thin cut across the top of Zoltan’s forearm. Instantly, green blood dripped from the wound. Logan and Manus gasped. Zoltan’s heart sank. Had he hoped for too much? Would he remain in this state of limbo?

“Still a demon,” Logan announced, and held up the bloodstained dagger.

“That means nothing!” Enya said. “He’s still transforming. Just like his powers are still ramping up, it will take some time to turn him fully.”

Zoltan glanced at Enya. He knew she was lying; she didn’t know why he hadn’t transformed fully. She was only guessing to appease her brethren.

“You can’t know that,” Logan said. He pointed to Zoltan. “He’s the first demon who’s going through this so-called transformation. This could just as easily be the effects of your virta. The fact that he’s still got demon blood just shows us that it’s only temporary.”

Enya braced her hands at her hips and glared at Logan. “Well, you can’t know that either. It’s not just my virta. It’s like Wes and Charles said: the life force of Zoltan’s unborn child has transformed him.”

Logan tilted his head. “His unborn child? What the fuck are you talking about?”

When Enya didn’t immediately answer, and Grayson and Hamish exchanged a knowing look, Zoltan stepped in. “Enya is pregnant. By me.”

Outraged gasps filled the room.

Grayson held up his hand. “He’s speaking the truth. I can hear the baby’s heartbeat.” He was standing only a few paces away from Enya. “Ryder?”

Ryder, the other vampire hybrid, approached and looked at Enya, who nodded. He stopped in front of her but didn’t touch her. A moment later, he turned around to the assembled and nodded. “Yep, I can hear it too.”