Page 9 of Of Flame and Fate
I’ll give her that.
I think if anyone else had asked, a resounding “no” followed by several snapping jowls would have commenced. But since learning of Celia’s pregnancy, and more so now that her baby bump is pronounced, the beasts lurking within our lovers are tamer in her presence. They don’t want to upset her and do their best to keep her calm. One by one they leave.
Gemini is the last to go, edging away slowly, but not before casting me a look that assures me we’re not done arguing yet.
“T,” Shayna says. “Gemini is totally pissed. I thought his head would split in two and tiny versions of him would rush out, waving swords.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” I agree. Okay, I wasn’t. But far be it for me to throw shade on Shayna’s awesome visual.
I try to stand, except all I manage is to bend one knee. Celia lifts me with pretty much the same effort she’d lift a toothbrush. Speaking of which . . . I start forward, eyeing my toothbrush as if it can somehow scrub the nasty demon experience from my teeth. I stumble forward with my first step, griping the white granite countertop when my legs give out.
Ceel clasps my arm, steadying me. “Don’t be so quick to move,” she warns. “If you’d like, I can help you to bed.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ceel,” Shayna says, scrutinizing me closely. She points somewhere near my right breast. “Whatever that is smells demon-ish.” She shakes her head. “Trust me, evil never washes out of sheets.”
“Good to know,” I say, inching closer to the cool granite counter. My legs tremble, feeling wobbly. Somehow, I manage to straighten and not fall on my face.
Celia holds tight as I adjust the towel around me. “I’m okay,” I assure her.
She releases me slowly, her gaze on mine. “You don’t seem okay,” she says.
She has a point. I cling to the edge of the counter and reach for a washcloth in the dark wood cabinet below. Shayna hops on the counter beside me and Emme lowers herself to the edge of my large bathtub.
“Rough day,” I admit.
“You’ve been gone for three,” Celia reminds me.
“Most of it was traveling. It was only the acquisition of said object that more or less sucked.”
“Is Misha okay?” I nod, noting how she sighs with relief. “What about the others?”
“Two recentlyturnedvamps didn’t make it,” I say, remembering how they were running beside me and how abruptly they vanished when we rounded the bend. “Elise and Dillon.” I wash my hands, noting how much energy the simple task seems to take and how brown the water turns at the base of the sink. I sneak a glance at Celia. “Did you know them?”
“Not as vamps,” she admits.
Shayna stiffens. “So you knew them as . . .food?” she asks.
I already know the answer and don’t bother to wait for a response. Instead I focus on brushing my teeth.
“They were favorites among his older vamps,” Celia responds. She plays with the ends of her hair. “I remember them begging to beturned.Misha denied them more than once. He wasn’t sure either would survive the process. I suppose they did.”
“Until they didn’t,” I add. I finish brushing my teeth. “I suppose they didn’t read the fine print. There’s more to being part of Misha’s keep than good looks and kissing ass.”
“If they were so new, why would Misha take them on a mission this soon? Especially one so dangerous?” Shayna asks.
Her husband and mate Koda, like mostweres, hate vamps. Koda is more audible in his hatred, and his distrust of them has rubbed off on Shayna.
Celia leans against the counter and crosses her arms. “Newlyturnedvampires aren’t like newborns Shayna. They’re strong and formidable, and required to prove themselves to their master. And as much as they become a part of his family from the moment they’re created, they’re the first to be sacrificed.”
“That’s like,so cold,” Shayna says.
“It’s not about being cold. It’s a hierarchy that exists among vampire clans. Misha would rather risk the life of a new vampire than one he’s grown to care for and trust.”
“That doesn’t make it any less right,” Shayna counters.
“I’m not saying it is,” Celia says, keeping her cool. “But it’s their way. Vamps are loyal to their masters at all costs, or else. Just asweresare loyal to their packs.”
“That’s different, Ceel,” Shayna argues.