Page 8 of My Salvation

“KOS?” Cas asked.

“Kill on sight,” Luca answered.

The commander’s eyes swung to her, then narrowed. “Just being helpful?”

She smiled. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

The small woman at his side began to laugh. “That’s so freaking awesome. I wish I could have seen that.” Her eyes went to the men. “It’s like a fucking buffet out here.”

“Hey!” the commander said before trying to cover her eyes.

The men around her began straightening their shoulders a bit, grinning at one another.

The man sighed as the smaller woman danced away from him. “Men, this is my mate Meryn McKenzie, the designer of the Vanguard app.”

“Thank you!” Gael yelled.

Around them, the men shouted their thanks.

Meryn looked confused. “For what?”

Reston pulled out his phone. “You put in a section for updates. We knew how the enemy changed and the best ways to fight them.” He turned and pointed to the stack of crates. “We come prepared.” Grinning, he turned back to their commander. “Sir, most of us hit every military depot we could on the way home. Those crates contain thermal imaging goggles.”

The man practically sagged in relief. “Thank the gods,” he whispered.

“Denka, perhaps we can let the men get settled,” the beautiful Asian man suggested, wrapping a shawl around the smaller woman’s shoulders.

“I’m fine, Ryuu, besides it’s not every day you see a paranormal army. This shit kicks ass!” Meryn protested.

“Baby, please?” the commander asked, resting his hand on her very distended tummy.

“So, it’s cold? I grew up with all four seasons Aiden. This is nothing new to me.”

Cas stared. “It looks like you swallowed a basketball.”

Aiden smiled and gave her belly another protective pat before pulling Reston aside with some of the other men for an update.

Cas stayed near the smaller woman.

Meryn’s eyes turned to her. “Yeah, my belly really popped out last week. I’m about six months along.” She sighed. “I thought sleeping was hard before. This sucks.”

Cas saw mostly pink and yellow in her aura. Happiness and hope, which she found odd given the circumstances.

“Are you seeing pictures?” Meryn asked.

“Huh? No. Why? Do you?” Cas asked, shocked. So far, no one had been able to determine when she was looking at auras.

“Yeah.”

“That’s amazing,” she said, moving to stand closer to the woman. “I see auras and colors,” she admitted.

“My friend Serenity does that too, sort of.”

“Is she fae?”

“Half-fae, half-witch. I’m half-fae too. What color am I?”

“Mostly pink and yellow. Happiness and hope.”