Page 74 of Soul Redeemed

“I don’t understand.” Ava shook her head, watching the dog disappear into the dark cover of trees, but its red eyes, still visible, told her he continued to survey from a distance. “I’ve wrestled and played with the hounds. I thought we were cool.”

“Don’t feel bad.” Calla sat back down on the couch, setting the baby on her chest, and she nuzzled her face into the crook of her neck. “Before the baby’s blood really started to circulate, I came out here with Logan, and I swore those dogs wanted to tear me apart. I think they sensed the Sang virus. Viewed me as a threat.”

Of course. Though Calla most likely didn’t know Ava was infected, what she said made sense. “Do you ever crave blood?”

Tracing a finger over the baby’s crown, Calla shook her head. “Not as much anymore. I think the hunger is always there. I know the virus is still inside of me, but the baby’s blood circulating in mine weakened it. I can sit in the sun and everything now.”

Which explained why Ava had felt like her skin was peeling away from her while exposed.

“The pregnancy cured you, then?”

“It didn’t cure me, no. It just … let me live with the benefits, while lessening the bad parts of the disease.”

Disease. Ava hated the crippling sound of the word.

Running her thumb across her lip, Ava sat quiet a moment. She’d not told anyone except Calix about the virus, mostly because she felt shamed, dirty, ruined. If anyone could relate to her, though, it was Calla.

“I, um …. I was kidnapped by a human and his demon sidekick. They kept me in an underground prison for months. Giving me injections. I found out I was being prepped for the Sang.”

Calla’s brows lifted, her expression filled with concern. “You’re infected, then.”

Gaze locked on her fidgeting hands, Ava nodded. “Soiled. Tainted. Ruined. Yes. I’ll never bear a child of my own after what they did to me.”

“Oh, Ava, I’m so sorry.”

“No. I’m the sorry one. This is my penance for what I did to you. That was unforgiveable.”

Calla shook her head so hard, Ava lifted her gaze. “What you did isn’t deserving of what they did to you. And I do forgive you.”

The itch of tears softened with Calla’s words. “Thank you.”

“Alexi soldiers are supposed to be sterile, did you know that?”

“I didn’t.”

“Demons are more powerful than we give them credit for.” She chuckled and rubbed her hand down the baby’s back. “I thought I’d never have a child myself. Had never dreamed I’d be a mother. So don’t give up on the notion. If … when you and Calix bond, your body will decide on its own.”

Double-blinking back the tears welling in her eyes, Ava smiled and nodded. “I’m not saying I want a baby right away. But … I’d like to know the option is there. Thank you, Calla.”

Her lips stretched with a smile and she offered a slight nod. “So. I really, really have to pee. Do you mind holding her?”

A ripple of dread climbed Ava’s spine at the thought of holding a baby. She’d always been somewhat nervous around them, but Logan’s child made it terrifying. “What if … I mean, if Magnus comes back.”

“One thing I will say about Magnus is, he wouldn’t let anyone, or anything, hurt his baby. I think he believes Avalon is his.” Calla chuckled and shook her head. “Which is an utterly disgusting thought, yet at the same time, kind of sweet.” She pushed off the couch and gripped the nape of the baby, holding her to her body. “If you’re not comfortable, I can ask Anna.”

“No. It’s okay. I’ll take her.”

What the hell was she thinking? Ava wanted to choke herself for offering to hold a baby. A baby! Before she could protest, though, a warm smile lit Calla’s face, and she knelt forward, setting the infant into the awaiting crook of Ava’s arm.

Taking a deep breath, Ava stared down at the little angel in her arms, whose tiny fingers were curled against her throat. The roundness of her chin and her button nose were definitely Calla, but the stern pinch of her brow reminded Ava of Logan. A much cuter version, but she definitely had her dad’s angry scowl. Perhaps she’d grow to be a little spitfire, but at the moment, she was an absolute doll. Her lips twitched as she slept, as if she smiled, and the idea bloomed a warm and happy feeling in Ava’s heart.

“She likes you,” Calla said softly beside her.

“If … if she cries?”

“I’ll only be a minute, or two. And she looks pretty cozy to me.”

Ava nodded, casting her gaze back down at the child, while Calla walked off. How sweet and right it felt holding her. She slid her pinky into the baby’s curled palm and quietly giggled when Avalon’s tiny fingers squeezed around it.