The Blood Covenant

by Emily Bex

  Kate had to laugh, as Theresa found excuses to "clean" in the bedroom all throughout the day, as if she didn’t know the real reason she kept coming in the room was to check on her. Kate put her hand on the slight rise of her belly. “Little one, I know your daddy wants a big, bad warrior, but I think you will be so spoiled by everyone in this family.”

  Gi and Theresa had hovered over her, and if that was any indication of how they’d respond to this baby, this infant might never know a crib. Even Luca would be so protective. And Shade, you are my warrior with the heart of a lion, but you have such passion and love. This baby will know he’s loved by so many. This baby, will he be mortal? Or vamp? Or something in between, like Cory? I can’t think of that now.

  She laid her book aside and leaned back against the pillows, her hand resting lightly on her belly as she imagined him, when she felt a stirring. Did he move? Did the baby move? She started to sit upright when she was hit with a cramping sensation, and she froze in position. What is that? Then it was followed by another severe cramp...and another. No! No! Not now! Not after all we have been through... Please!

  The cramps became intense and rapid, and then she felt the hot, wet flow of blood between her legs.

  “Shade! Oh god, I am losing him. Shade!”

  ***

  Luca and Shade spent another evening in the garage, working on the bikes, laughing and joking, and it felt good to relax and get his mind off things. Suddenly, he was struck with a small pain inside his soul. Something was wrong with bel and her scream assailed his ears like she was dying. “Bel! Luca, now!”

  Instantly teleporting inside, Shade landed in their bedroom and heard Luca right behind him. Gi and Theresa ran up the stairs and stopped at the open door. Shade looked at her. There was fear in her eyes and her body was shaking. He scanned the room, looking for any sign of an intruder. Then she cried out again, doubling over in pain and he quickly moved to her side of the bed. It was then he saw the bloody sheets between her legs. He fell to his knees beside the bed, feeling such horrendous pain seer through him. The baby was gone. He’d done this to her, to him, to them. He laid his head on the bed and gripped the sheets in his fists. This is not happening to us. No, not my bambino, no!

  Kate folded her body over top of his. She heard his howls of pain, and they mirrored what her heart felt. She clung to him as her tears flowed.

  “I’m so sorry, lover. I’ve lost our baby. I did everything, I was so careful.”

  How could she console him when her own heart felt ripped from her? And yet, she felt the depth of his pain, compounding her own. She saw Luca move slowly toward Shade and place his hand on his shoulder. She heard Gi giving Theresa some instructions and Theresa ran from the room. But Shade was inconsolable, as was Kate. What could possibly ever take this pain away?

  Shade felt someone touch his shoulder, and without conscious thought, his beast arose, for he’d let nothing harm either of them, especially his bel. He instantly swung his arm back, striking whoever was behind him and could hear whoever it was sail through the air and slam back against the wall.

  He felt his bel move from him and he lifted his head, his eyes red and he looked around the room to see Luca against the wall, staring him down and Gi held up his hand.

  “Master Shade, you must relax, calm yourself, you will frighten her.”

  Shade looked at bel and took her in his arms, holding her as they sat on this death bed together. Suddenly, the world had all gone wrong. “Bel, my bel. Oh my sweet Kate, I...” His tears fell and he fought hard to be the strength she needed, and held her close, rocking her in his arms. He felt Gi approaching them.

  “No! No one touches her, no one. Leave us alone. Get the fuck out, now!”

  Kate watched as Luca stood and joined Gi and Theresa, as they reluctantly backed out of the room and closed the door. “Lover, I tried so hard...I'm so sorry. The baby...our baby.”

  His face was covered in his blood tears and she knew his pain was as great as her own. Gi returned to the door.

  "Master, I have a medication. It will stop the bleeding, it is important my lady take this now."

  Kate saw Shade nod at him, giving him permission to re-enter the room, and Gi handed her more pills, different pills, and a glass of juice to swallow them down. As soon as she’d taken them, Gi left as quietly as he entered. Kate started to pull back the top sheet. She needed to find him. She needed to see him, this tiny life that had grown for such a short while inside her.

  Shade saw bel pulling at the sheets and it dawned on him she was looking for the baby. “No! Bel, no. Stop it!”

  He saw her frantically trying to find the fetus and it broke him in two and he had to stop this now. Picking her up in his arms, he carried her out of the room while she cried, fighting to get out of his arms, wanting to see the baby.

  Grabbing her chin hard, he went nose to nose with her. “Bel! Stop! Look at me! I will not let you do this to yourself. I know you feel pain, so do I, but we will go through this together.”

  She stopped struggling and curled into his shoulder and sobbed, deep agonizing sobs as he carried her to the bath. Seeing it was already filled, he knew Gi was thinking ahead to help them manage this event in their lives. Stripping down, he got naked and then slipped off her bloody gown and tossed her soiled clothes outside the door. Holding her, he sank deep into the steaming hot water.

  “Now listen to me. The pills will stop the bleeding, they will heal you physically, and together, we will heal, as best we can, our hearts and souls. But we have to be together, let our pain enjoin, to help each other.”

  His voice cracked, the emotional challenge of taking charge harder than he could ever have imagined and he knew they need to just get the fuck out of here and be alone together this night. “Gi, clean that damn room. I want nothing there when I return that reminds her of this night. Sheets, blankets, everything, replace them. Have a blanket and gown ready when we emerge from the bath. We are going to the California house for the night. We have to leave here, or we will both go insane with pain.”

  As Gi answered and told him he’d take care of it all, Shade gently washed bel, letting his touch try to calm her, heal her somehow. Lifting her from the tub, he dried her and opened the door to find the things he’d asked for lying on the freshly stripped bed.

  “Mi amore, let’s get this nightgown on you, we are going to California for the night, teleporting there.”

  ”No, lover...the baby. I have to find the baby...” But they were already gone, he was teleporting them away from this nightmare.

  Landing in the California house, into the master bedroom, Shade felt he needed to pull them both out of the situation, put some distance between them and the pain, as if that was even possible. He needed this time to be alone with her, just the two of them. Laying her gently on the bed, she reached for him, as if afraid he’d leave her, and he laid down beside her, pulling her into his arms.

  “Shh, mi amore, I am right here. Cry, scream, do whatever you have to, but know I love you.”

  She looked into his eyes, and a tear ran down her cheek. He kissed it away and felt his own tears begin to fall. She curled onto his chest, and he couldn’t hold her close enough. Softly caressing her hair and back, he felt her retreat into a deep sleep, and his tears still came.

  “Madre, why? Protect her, help me. This pain I cannot bear. I can bear what I have done and the choice I made, but I need her more than my own life. I just want her back, please!”

  He closed his eyes, exhausted, emotionally spent, and whispered softly, “Ti amo, mi amore, per sempre.”

  87

  Gi moved about the house, checking and double checking, making sure everything was in order. He knew master would summon him when he was ready to return, but he had no idea when that might be. The house was as quiet as a tomb. Even Luca had remained in his suite. Theresa had cleaned and checked the master bedroom so many times, she was wearing a path to the door. Reynaldo had cleaned the kitchen until there was
no surface left to shine. No one spoke, and the silence alone said all there was to say. They grieved with master and my lady over the loss of this tiny baby they all secretly hoped, against all odds, would survive. It would be a long road to recovery, and master would expect much from them.

  ***

  Rissa was pacing her home office, anxious beyond words to know if Kate had lost that damn thing yet. It was so close to being over she could taste it. Grabbing her cell, she thought to herself, I don’t care if I wake up that whole damn household, I’m calling!

  Dialing the house, it rang a few times, and that was unusual. What the hell was going on over there? Finally, the old one answered.

  “This is Larissa Benneteau, I was calling deeply concerned for my dearest friend, Kate. I was just there, and she was so ill, I was wondering if I might speak with her?”

  Gi responded, “Yes, Miss Benneteau, I am afraid my lady is not home at the moment.”

  What? Not home? What the hell has gone wrong now, I will kill that bitch myself! “Oh, not home? I’m sorry, but I’m having a great deal of difficulty comprehending this news. I was just there a few days ago and she was so ill, and now she’s not home? Please, I’m a very close friend, is she all right?”

  Gi heard her fake sincerity but knew not to challenge a master’s mate. “I am sorry madam, but I regret to inform you that my lady lost the baby, and master has decided to take her away. I do not know when they will return, but I will be happy to deliver any message you may have for her.”

  Rissa gasped loudly. “Oh, I’m so very sorry. Oh dear, what terrible news. Please, I just...oh, this saddens me so. Please, will you just relay our love and support, and deepest sympathy from Senator Canton and me? I’m so overwrought with this loss for her. Thank you for informing me.”

  Hanging up, she threw back her head and spun around and around in her office chair, laughing with glee. “Oh, my wicked sweet Alec, it is done!”

  88

  Teleporting back to Virginia, the house was still quiet, the house staff was moving about their business, not really looking or addressing him or bel, trying to give them space. He didn’t blame them. He wasn’t much in the mood for conversation, or anything else at the moment.

  The death of their child had taken its toll on both of them, in more ways than one. He made sure bel was settled inside the house. She seemed lost, torn, and he knew she’d be this way for a while. But if she didn’t snap out of it, he had no idea in hell what he’d do. He was struggling, himself. It had been the hardest torture of his life, and he didn’t think he’d ever completely get over it.

  He hated to leave her, but it must be done. He’d try to stay home this night, but he was feeling caged in and aching to be let loose, or he’d lose control on those who didn’t deserve his wrath, over something only he felt responsible for.

  “Bel, I need to check in with Luca, make sure things are fine here. I don’t plan on leaving, but if I have to, I will tell you, and Luca will always be here with you.”

  He watched her look back at him with dead eyes, emotionless, and he took a deep breath. Come on bel, work through it. “Make sure you try to eat something, build your strength back up, take it easy, your body has been through a lot.”

  Walking to her, he still got nothing from her. He kissed her head softly, as his hands slid down her arms. “I love you, Kate. I will always love and protect you.”

  Turning, he headed for his office and Luca's quarters to find something to occupy his mind.

  Shade had shielded her, protected her, taking her out of this room where they’d lost their baby, to the California house where he held her while she slept, waited on her when she was awake. Now they were back home, and she wanted so desperately to talk to him, but she knew if she started to talk, the tears would start again, and once they started, she felt they’d never stop. He was in his own pain, and she knew her retreat into herself was only adding to his personal misery, and her tears brought him such agony as well. She must find a way to push through this, for both of them.

  Walking into the bunker, Shade ran his hands over some of the weapons, and fought the damn ache to gut something, take something out hard. His emotional state was on edge and he needed to get out of this house and release some of it, but he knew he should stay close to her. Picking up one of his favorite shuriken’s, he twirled it in his hand, watching the sharp-edged blades catch the light. Running his fingertips over the razor-thin edges, he knew it was sharp and ready for war. He wished he was in a war, something that would give him an outlet for this pain and anger. He realized that, unfortunately, he was in a war, but not the type he was used to.

  Grasping the shuriken in his fingers, he should go outside and practice. It had been a while, although he knew he needed no practice with any weapon in this room. He felt his cell phone buzz on his hip. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the shuriken spinning across the room and watched as it stuck deep into the wall. He glanced at his phone...Alec.

  “Shade. Alec here. Rissa told me about the baby. Can't say I'm surprised. I hope you understood that going in and didn't get too attached because I need your head in the game here. I got a call from Tomas while you were in California. Seems this coven not only likes to strike mortals but leave them exposed for others to find. Both careless and stupid, and we can't afford this right now. You need to get on top of this. Tell me this isn’t going to be a problem.”

  Shade listened to Alec’s matter-of-fact voice and the complete lack of emotion. He was a heartless fucking bastard, black to the damn bone, and sitting all high and mighty. He was probably one of the most powerful master’s Shade knew, but damn his heart was cold and ruthless. Shade was in the fucking mood to show him he wasn’t the only one who was deadly, as he looked for a way to let go of this shit boiling inside him.

  “Well, I never expected hearts and flowers from you Alec, so let it go, don’t ever fucking mention it again, it’s done. What the fucking hell do you mean leaving bodies? Where? Never mind, I’m heading out now. I’ll see Tomas at the Dead House and will roll out from there. Leave it to me. This is what I do best. Go play with your political chess pieces, the only fucking warrior you can rely on will be there before you hang up the phone.”

  Alec knew all of Shade’s anger over his loss would be channeled into his work. “That's all I need to hear, Shade.”

  Shade ended the call, loaded up on weapons and was ready to teleport. Fuck! Bel. Damn it Shade, stop running out without telling her where the hell you are going. “Luca!”

  Luca instantly appeared in the bunker.

  “I am going out, trouble in D.C., don’t know when I will be back. Stay as fucking close as you can to her, she is fragile and let me know if anything happens.”

  Luca watched him load his weapons and knew this was no ordinary situation, he was a walking arsenal, and on the edge. Luca could feel his blood rushing and his adrenaline pumping. “As you wish, master, I’ll take care of her, you need not worry.”

  Shade nodded at him. “I don’t worry when you are here Luca, just do your job.” “Bel? Answer me.”

  “Yes, lover...”

  “I need to go into D.C. I will be gone for a while, Luca is here. He’ll be with you. If you need me, you call or let Luca know, and I will return immediately. Tell me, mi amore...say it, I need to hear you say it before I leave, I need to know that no matter what happens...”

  “Go...I’ll be fine. Be safe, please.” Her heart broke to let him go, but she couldn’t keep him trapped here with her in this darkness.

  He sighed. He needed to hear her say she loved him, and she couldn’t say it. Grabbing his latest prized weapon, he twirled it in his fingers, his blood screaming to get moving. This was just what he needed, a good hunt and a few dead rogues oozing through his fingers. Teleporting straight into the Dead House, the league of warriors under his command were already gathered and it felt fucking good to have a mission, and his mind immediately went into warrior mode and he forgot everything before t
his moment.

  89

  Kate felt his absence as he teleported from the house. It felt like more than she could bear, and yet, she knew this was how he’d deal with his own pain. He was a warrior, and heaven help anything in his path. But where did she put all of her pain? She couldn’t lay it at his feet, she couldn’t. She curled up on their bed, and drifted into a light sleep when she was awakened by the sound of a baby's cry. She sat upright and slipped from their bed, walking into the nursery. The crib was empty. She ran her hand across the sheets as the tears fell. Oh, my little warrior...I’m so sorry...I failed you.

  She walked through the room, touching the things that were to have been his; his bed, his dresser, his toys, his books, his clothes. She felt her soul shattering into a million pieces, and she wondered if she could put it all back together again. She walked to the nanny's bed and lay down, letting the tears flow, as she clutched a soft teddy bear to her chest.

  Luca could hear my lady moving about upstairs. She hadn’t come downstairs since master brought her back from California. He walked up the stairs to check on her. The bedroom door was open, and he stepped lightly into the room, but she wasn’t there. He turned to walk down the hall when he caught a glimpse of her in the nursery. He stood in the doorway and watched as she lay on the small twin bed she had set up for Theresa, clutching a stuffed toy as silent tears fell down her cheeks. He took a deep breath and wondered if he should even interrupt her. He was much better equipped to deal with Shade's anger than my lady's sorrow. She seemed completely unaware of his presence. He stepped into the room and she turned her head toward him, and he was confronted with her pain filled eyes. He walked to the chair by the bed and sat next to her.