Allen watched the others, embarrassed, and finally went into his room and started to color. The heku watched him for a bit, but Emily was scanning their faces.
“Get out,” Emily whispered, and the others in the room looked at her.
“Em…” Chevalier said softly.
“I said, get out.”
Chevalier called for Allen and took his hand. Everyone left Emily alone in her room. She looked around the empty room and sat against the wall with her face buried in her hands. She had never been alone in the palace, Alan was with her. That had meant she would never be alone, she would never be the only mortal in Council City.
Emily couldn’t help but cry as the thoughts of a heku child ran through her mind. She had a child that could kill her. She wondered if he would always be trying to drink from her. If she would end up afraid of her own son. How could she survive, the lone mortal in a world where mortals were nothing more than nourishment. She endured with the knowledge that she had her son, now that knowledge was violently ripped from her.
Emily had to get out. She felt the urge to run away, far away from Council City. She ran from the room, ignoring the heku calling to her from the hallway. She fled down the stairs and out into the stables, then threw a bridle on Damnit quickly and kicked him into a gallop before she’d even left the stables. She heard Kyle call her name as she passed the front doors, and headed into the city. Before long, she was out on the hills by herself.
“Just let her go,” Chevalier said as Kyle began to bridle his horse.
“She has really bad luck outside of the city,” Kyle whispered, turning to Chevalier.
“I know, but just leave her alone for now,” Chevalier said, watching as her silhouette appeared on the hills outside of the city.
“She should be proud. Finally did something useful for the heku,” Damon said as he stepped out into the stables.
Chevalier glared at him, and Kyle yelled “Shut up!”
“What? Honestly, how awesome is it that we can now make our own little heku army,” Damon chuckled.
Chevalier’s fist connected with his jaw, shattering it, before Damon could even react. The force of the punch threw him back into the stable’s walls.
Emily looked out over the city. From the hills, it looked peaceful and tranquil, but she was overtly aware of the violent, sadistic creatures that dwelled within its walls. No longer wanting to watch the city, Emily pulled Damnit around and headed toward the solidarity of the trees.
There was a light breeze blowing, and dark clouds were quickly rolling into the area. Emily pulled Damnit just inside the trees as it started to rain. She watched the green hills turn to mud as the thunder and lightning lit up the dark sky.
Emily turned to the trees. Never before had she felt so alone. The only family she had, other than the heku, was far away in New Mexico or already dead. She knew there were worse things than having Allen take on the heku traits of his father, but the thoughts of being the only mortal was suddenly overwhelming.
As much as she hated to cry, Emily leaned her head forward and let the tears go. She cried for the fears she had for her son, she cried for what might become of the baby, and she cried for the fears that had been building lately.
“No sign yet?” Kyle asked, walking up to Chevalier.
“No,” he answered, standing on the third-floor balcony and watching the hills where they last saw Emily.
“Tonight’s supposed to be the first snow.”
“I know.”
“How did you return her memory?” Kyle asked, after watching the hills silently for a few minutes.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
That answered Kyle’s question, and he decided to just drop the subject, “The doctor’s waiting for Em to get back. He’s worried about her blood pressure.”
Chevalier sighed, “Right now, we just need to leave her alone.”
Kyle turned to leave, and then stopped, “Maleth wants this kept on a need-to-know basis. He doesn’t even want the rest of the Council to know.”
Chevalier nodded, and Kyle went back down to the prison.
Emily sat perfectly still on top of the young paint and watched as the rain slowly turned to snow before her eyes. She could see the vapors from her breath, and that from the warm stallion, but she didn’t feel cold. She felt nothing.
She made up her mind just as the sun was setting behind the trees. There was now almost two inches of snow, and the large white flakes weren’t slowing down. Emily kicked Damnit into a slow walk and started back for the city.
With Damnit back in the stall, Emily grabbed a brush and decided to give him a good brushing. It helped the horse, and kept her hands busy so her mind was free to work on the finer points of her plan.
“What did you decide?” Chevalier asked from behind her.
“What do you mean?” Emily asked, setting down the brush and heading toward the food bins.
“You only disappear on horseback for hours if you are trying to make up your mind about something.” He followed her and opened the bin.
Emily hopped up on an empty bin and looked at Chevalier, “I’m going to buy a little ranch.”
Chevalier nodded, “Ok.”
“I need somewhere to go if I need some time away.” Emily watched him carefully.
“Are you moving, then?” Chevalier’s words were tense.
“No, I have enough left over from the Montana sale to buy a ranch, and hire a farmhand to watch the place for me,” Emily explained.
“I can get someone from here to work for free, and keep an eye on the place,” Chevalier offered, knowing she wouldn’t take the offer.
“You already know the answer to that. In fact, if I ever find out that you’ve gone snooping and try to find out where the place is, I’ll move there permanently,” Emily threatened.
Chevalier nodded.
“Tell your cronies too. That goes for any heku trying to find out where it is,” she said, sliding off of the barrel and grabbing the hose line.
“What about Allen?” Chevalier asked.
“What do you mean? Will I take him with me, or what do I feel about having a son that wants to feed off of me?” Emily asked as she started to fill all of the troughs with fresh water.
“Both, I guess.”
“I don’t know yet,” she said, and grabbed a rake, then started mucking out one of the empty stalls.
Chevalier gently took the rake and pulled her close to him. She buried her face in his chest, “It’s ok.”
“Why didn’t Sam tell us?” Emily said softly. Her voice held pain and betrayal, and Chevalier suddenly wanted to dismember the familiar.
He paused while he controlled his anger, “I don’t know, but it won’t happen again.”
“When I get the ranch, I’m moving Sam out there as overseer. I don’t want him around Allen,” Emily said, pulling away from Chevalier.
“You trust him?” Chevalier asked.
“No, that’s why I’ll have another farmhand. If I catch him near Allen again, I’ll kill him,” Emily said coldly.
Chevalier kissed her forehead, “You aren’t a killer. If the time comes, then let me do it.”
Emily suddenly leaned over and placed her hands on her knees. She dropped her head and breathed deeply.
“Em?” Chevalier said in a panic.
“Gimme a sec,” she said, groaning slightly.
“Doctor,” Chevalier whispered, and he blurred into the stables, just as Emily stood up and rubbed her belly.
“Go away, I’m not in labor,” Emily said, and walked past them.
Chevalier grabbed her arm, “Just let him look at you.”
“Let me make sure you aren’t in pre-term labor, please,” the doctor asked.
“Like anyone would know. I’m the only who knows how far along I am,” Emily said, smirking.
“Then a blood pressure, at least,” the doctor said, pulling out a cuff.
“I can already tell you… it’s high,�
�� Emily told him.
“How can you tell though?”
“Because when it’s high I get headaches with little flashing lights,” Emily said calmly.
The doctor looked at her with wide eyes.
“I’m not in labor, anyway,” Emily said, and pulled her arm away from Chevalier, then headed into the palace.
“I’d bet my license she’s ready to go into labor, with the size of that baby. If she’s having those kinds of headaches, she should be on bed rest,” the doctor told Chevalier.
“When do we become concerned that the baby is too big?” Chevalier asked him.
“Honestly, I’m already concerned about that. It’s hard to tell with her because she’s naturally tiny, but to me, that baby looks huge. Keep in mind though, I was a general practitioner, not an obstetrician,” the doctor reminded him.
“Find one, call every coven in the Equites if you have to,” Chevalier ordered, and the doctor blurred away.
Chevalier met up with Emily in the bedroom.
“Why are you packing, Em?” he asked, frustrated.
“I told you, I’m buying a ranch. I’ve had my eye on one and I’m going to go look at it in the morning. I’ll only be gone a few days,” she said, and looked around for her 9mm.
“You seriously think that’s a good idea?” Chevalier growled.
“Where’s my gun?” Emily asked, and turned around to look at him.
“Why do you have to do this right now?” he asked her, starting to sound angry.
“Why not right now?”
“You look like you’re ready to explode. The doctor thinks you could go into labor at any time,” Chevalier said, trying to calm his voice.
“Kyle! Where’s my gun?” Emily yelled toward the door.
“Emily, stop!”
She turned to him, “I’m not in labor, Chev.”
“I don’t care. It’s just not the time to go out on your own.”
“Don’t start a fight with me,” Emily said, taking the gun from Kyle when he walked in the door.
Kyle backed out quickly when he heard them argue.
“I’m not starting a fight. I just want you to be rational for once, and stop being so damned stubborn headed,” Chevalier said, and pounded his fist on the table, breaking it in half.
“Is that what I’m being, irrational?” Emily asked, glaring.
“Yes, yes you are. You won’t tell anyone how far along you are, won’t let the doctors touch you. For all I know, you could be past due and you’re headed out alone to some unknown ranch by yourself,” Chevalier said tensely.
“I love your faith in me, Chev,” she said, and grabbed her bag. “I’m leaving tonight then. I’m not going to stand here and fight.”
“Emily, no” Chevalier said, taking her arm.
“Are you going to hold me here against my will?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.
Every fiber of his being was yelling to stop her, and keep her here in the safety of the palace with doctors closely watching her. Against his better judgment, he let her go, and watched her disappear through the garage doors.
“Where’s Em going?” Kyle asked, stepping up beside Chevalier.
“I don’t know,” the Elder said, and threw a chair through the wall beside him.
The doctor came up to them and glanced at the wall briefly, “The Kork Coven outside of Denver has an obstetrician. He’s flying in, and will be here first thing in the morning.”
“Get him a room. He’s staying in the palace,” Chevalier said angrily.
The doctor nodded, “Do you think we can talk her into a blood pressure check?”
“Nope, she just left,” Chevalier said, and blurred to his office.
“What? I’m not convinced she’s not starting labor!” the doctor said, shocked.
Kyle looked toward Chevalier’s office nervously.
Chapter 8 - Bar-S Ranch
Emily poured through books as the owner of the ranch watched her, “As I said, there are three bunkhouses that are scattered across the property.
Emily nodded, “I see that. Let’s hit the horses. I want to take a look.”
The Rancher frowned, “You sure you should be on a horse?”
Emily controlled the anger that the comment brought, “I’m fine, let’s go.”
The Rancher already had two thoroughbreds saddled and ready to go. Emily used a bale of hay to climb onto the mare, and she followed the rancher along the property line. There were fences along the entire perimeter and irrigation ditches already flowing across the farmland.
“So what brings you to Montana?” he asked, smiling at her.
“Just time for a change. I had a ranch up by Cascade once, and I think it’s time to start again,” she said, looking closely at the layout of the ranch.
“Just you and your husband, or do you have kids… well… other than the one on the way,” he asked.
“It’ll just be me,” she said bluntly, hoping he would drop it.
“This is a big piece of land for one person.”
“I have an overseer already, and I’ll hire some workers,” she told him. They were quiet the rest of the way back. When they arrived back at the barn, Emily slid off of the horse and turned to the Rancher.
“I’ll take it.”
The Rancher smiled, “Great! I finally get to retire.”
Emily smiled at him, “Get the papers drawn up, and I’ll come and sign them.”
He nodded, “I suspect you have a loan already?”
“No, actually… it will be a cash transaction,” Emily said, and ignored his shocked expression.
She slid into the seat of her Durango, just as another pain hit. She leaned against the steering wheel and breathed through it, then put it in gear and headed for her hotel. As she passed the tiny town hospital, she sighed and pulled into the Emergency Room.
“Good evening, can I help you?” the young nurse asked with a smile.
“Yes, I’d just like to make sure I’m not going into labor,” Emily said, blushing.
“Oh, right away. Follow me,” the nurse said, suddenly looking anxious.
Within a few minutes, Emily was in a backless gown and had large round monitors on her stomach. She watched the baby’s heartbeat while she waited for the doctor.
“Well hello,” the doctor said when he came in. “I’m Dr. Price, the on-call obstetrician… Emily, right?”
Emily nodded.
“How far along are you then?”
“I don’t really know,” she said, wincing at his expression.
Dr. Price smiled, “Let’s see if I can get a general idea then.”
Emily nodded and watched as he brought in a large machine. Dr. Price put gel onto the end of the ultrasound machine and suddenly, Emily was looking at her baby on the monitor.
“Baby looks good, good heart rate, good lung development. I’m guessing you’re almost 35 weeks… but, the baby’s pretty big,” Dr. Price said, watching the monitor closely.
“Yes, so was my last one,” Emily told him.
“I have to be honest, Emily. I’m tempted to induce you right now. Your blood pressure is dangerously high, and the baby is going to be too big for you,” Dr. Price said, looking at the monitor.
“I’m not from here. I’ll go back and talk to a doctor in my hometown,” Emily lied.
“I’m not really comfortable sending you out like this,” Dr. Price said to her. “Can we at least call your husband, have him come and get you?”
Emily shook her head, “He’s not in the country right now.”
Dr. Price sighed, “Let’s keep you and induce, it’s too risky. If your blood pressure gets any higher, you’re going to start having seizures, add the big baby, and I think it’s time.”
“So I’m not in labor at all, right?” Emily asked, sitting up.
“Not yet, those are called Braxton Hicks and will just get stronger. Course, once I admit you they won’t matter,” Dr. Price said, and left the room.
Em
ily quickly dressed and slipped out through the back kitchen door of the hospital. She pulled the Durango out into traffic just as Dr. Price ran from the ER door. She made it back to the hotel and was locked inside before she relaxed. She had left the ranch address as her home contact and her cell phone as the number at the hospital. She was sure she covered her tracks enough that no one else would know she’d gone.
Emily was lying on the bed when her cell phone rang. She picked it up without looking at the ID.
“Hello,” Emily said.
“This is Dr. Price,” the voice on the other end said.
Emily sat up quickly, “I can’t have this baby right now.”
“You don’t understand the health risks, please, come back and talk to me at least,” Dr. Price said. She could tell he was nervous about her.
“I’ll check with my hometown doctor. I’ll be home tomorrow.”
“Your mailing address is here,” Dr. Price said skeptically.
“I’m buying that place. Right now I live out of town.”
“Please come in, I’m very worried.”
“I’m ok. I’ll be home tomorrow, but thank you,” Emily said, and hung up.
She sighed when the phone immediately rang.
“I’m not coming back there,” she said, irritated.
“Why not?” Chevalier asked.
Emily took a deep breath, “Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
There was a long pause, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, I’ll be back there tomorrow,” Emily assured him.
“Who did you think was calling?” Chevalier asked.
“They want me to come sign papers on the ranch tonight, but I’m tired and told them I’d be back next week,” Emily said calmly.
“Oh, ok. So you are going to get it?”
“Yes, I really like it,” Emily told him.
There was more silence before Chevalier finally spoke, “Tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, tomorrow,” Emily said, and hung up the phone.
Emily reached over and turned off her cell phone, then flipped through the TV until she found a good movie on HBO. She settled back with some orange juice and watched the movie in peace and quiet.
Chevalier was waiting in the garage when Emily pulled the Durango into its spot. She hadn’t had time to clean it, so it looked awful compared to the shiny sports cars around it.
Equites : Book 4 of the Heku Series Page 17