by Cat Miller
Lindsay was struggling with the same internal battle as Kayden not to get too excited until she had more solid proof. Kayden reached out to her mind and could feel her surprise and building love for a child that they’d only just learned about but were already enthralled with. They hadn’t thought it was possible, but now that it was happening they were both overjoyed. She was also afraid, Kayden felt that too.
“I repeated the blood test just now, and it’s positive. I know you both thought you couldn’t have children, but the fact is you are pregnant.” Doc smiled. “Congratulations, guys. I know you’ll be excellent parents. Gage and Koren will be over the moon. I’ll give you two a moment alone. Then we’ll have a look at the baby.” Doc rose from the stool and left the room, shutting the door with a quiet click.
Lindsay finally looked up at Kayden. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she was smiling. She rested one hand on his chest and the other on her flat belly. Neither of them needed to say a word. It wasn’t necessary because they both already knew how ecstatic the other was about this unexpected news. So instead of talking, they laughed, they shouted and cheered unashamedly for the baby growing beneath Lindsay’s heart. Lindsay leapt into Kayden’s arms, and he spun her in a tight circle in the confines of the small room. He sat Lindsay on her feet and dropped to his knees before her. Wrapping his arms around her hips, he buried his face in her belly.
“I didn’t know I wanted a child so badly. I really didn’t know, but I get it now,” Kayden told Lindsay as he nuzzled her hip.
“You get what?” she asked, running her fingers through his hair and grinning like a loon.
“You are my one true mate. We were meant to be. According to myth, we’ve followed each other through life times. We’re connected to each other by an invisible string that will always help us find each other again. If I couldn’t have children with you, it just wasn’t a priority. Now that I know we can—” Kayden couldn’t finish the sentence. He was choking on pride, possessiveness, and love. He looked up and fell into the whiskey-colored eyes of his mate. He didn’t know how he managed to fall up, but that’s how it felt. It was like falling in love, soaring and dropping all at once.
“I can’t believe it. I must be the most blessed woman in the world. I’m going to have a family. You and I would have been enough, but a real family with you … It’s more than I ever imagined was possible. Nobody should be this happy, Kayden.” Lindsay’s eyes darkened. “But, what if something is wrong? What if the drugs hurt him?”
“He’s fine!” Kayden wouldn’t hear of anything else. “He’s a warrior of the Paris line. He’s perfect,” he said as if that explained everything.
“He’s perfect because he’s a Paris?” Lindsay asked with a giggled. “What if he’s a she?”
“He wouldn’t dare be a she. He knows better. Have you met me and my father? Perfect.” Kayden nodded.
Lindsay couldn’t agree more. Her smile was so wide her face hurt.
There was a knock at the door before it opened and Doc peeked in with a smile. Kayden got up off his knees and brought Lindsay back into his arms. He didn’t want to let her go.
“It sounds like you guys might be ready to have a look at the little one.” He entered and went to the rolling cart that Kayden assumed was a sonogram machine. “There’s no gel on this cart.” Doc sounded frustrated. “I really need to find an office manager. Give me one minute. I’ll grab some and be right back.” Doc hurried away, leaving the door open this time.
Kayden watched Doc go and his eyes locked on the impossible scene just outside the door. Doc hadn’t even slowed down, so he must not have seen them standing there. Kayden stared, shocked by the couple in the hall looking back at him.
“Do you see them?” he asked Lindsay, afraid to look away.
“Y-yes. I’m glad it’s not just me. I thought I was losing it again.”
In the hall, iridescent visages of Leann Vaughn-Deidrick and David Deidrick smiled back at them. Kayden knew it was Leann. She’d been the one to save him from a Hypnovamp overdose that should have ended his life, the same way it had Lindsay’s adoptive parents. David’s arm was wrapped protectively around his mate just like Kayden was holding Lindsay. Leann had one arm wrapped around David’s back and a hand resting on his chest. They were finally together.
“Is that Leann?” Lindsay asked.
“Yes, it is. They’re true mates, Lindsay, just like us. You see? We will always find each other no matter what separates us.”
Lindsay raised a hand in greeting. David nodded, looking happy and regretful all at once, and his lips formed the phrase, “I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you,” Lindsay replied.
Kayden held her tighter. He couldn’t imagine anyone having a bigger heart or a larger capacity for love and forgiveness than his Lindsay. David carried so much guilt, and Kayden could feel her wish for David to rest in peace with Leann.
Leann gave them a gentle, thankful smile and wave in return. “Be happy,” she seemed to say.
“Thank you, Leann, for guiding me home.” He kissed Lindsay’s temple because she was home for him, and without Leann, Kayden wouldn’t be there to enjoy the life they were building together.
“What?” Lindsay asked.
Kayden hadn’t told her how close he’d come to death.
“I’ll explain later,” he said, but he could tell Lindsay was already picking up on his passing memories. She gasped and clutched at his arms.
Doc reappeared in the doorway holding a white bottle up triumphantly that Kayden assumed was the missing sonogram gel. Doc blocked their view of David and Leann. When Doc entered the room, and they could once again see into the corridor, the couple was gone.
“All right, guys, let’s see how far along you are. Judging by your HCG hormone level, I’m guessing you’re near three months.” Doc directed Lindsay to lie down on the exam table. Once everything was in place, and Lindsay’s belly was bared, Doc placed the sonogram wand to her abdomen, and the sound of their baby’s strong heartbeat filled the room. Kayden had to lean on the table, his astonishment was so great.
He watched in awe for the next fifteen minutes while Doc guided the wand over Lindsay’s belly, taking measurements and showing them various features, like a heart, little limbs, and a tiny face that looked like a skeleton. It was a boy for sure. The little warrior was already trying to frighten people.
“It’s too soon to tell you the sex for sure, but that’s only about four weeks away if the little one cooperates at your next scan. Due to the high risk nature of your pregnancy, I want to see you bi-weekly for a check-up. We’ll do another sonogram in four weeks. See the nurse on the way out to make an appointment.” Doc handed them a few strange black and white pictures of the scan.
Kayden imagined his mom was going to freak out when she got the news. It was so strange to think he would be having a baby only months after his mom and dad had their second child. Kayden hoped the babies would be close, like brothers, because he was sure they were both boys. In his clan, they always had boys.
Hand in hand with their hearts overflowing with possibilities for the future, Kayden and Lindsay headed toward his parents’ home to start a much more serious search for a house of their own. A tent would not do for Kayden’s pregnant mate. She’d want to do that nesting thing pregnant females do, and Kayden would love every minute of watching Lindsay make a house into a home for their family. Kayden didn’t know who he was anymore. His once playboy ways seemed like a distant, sad memory.
The speakerphone in his truck rang just as Kayden was pulling into traffic and the screen told him Hawk was calling.
“Hello,” he greeted.
“Where are you? Do you have Lindsay with you?” Hawk asked, sounding more gruff than usual.
“Yeah, she’s here. You’re on speakerphone. We just left Doc Stephen’s office. What’s up?”
“Good, you aren’t far away. Meet me at the council hall. There’s trouble, but I don’t want you to leave
Lindsay unattended. Bring her along for now,” Hawk suggested. “I’ll explain more when you get here.”
“The council hall? What are you doing there?” Kayden asked. Hawk hated that place. He avoided it at all costs, allowing Kayden to fill him in on any pertinent news, rather than going there.
“Yeah, yeah. Just get over here. You need to see this, but watch your back on the way in. It’s pandemonium. We have big trouble. I’m waiting for you.” Hawk disconnected the call.
Kayden looked at Lindsay, and they both already knew what was waiting for them. They were keeping Sheena at the council hall because she had been able to get people in and out of the Enclave too many times, in spite of the stiff security measures. The two warriors who’d vanished with David when Sheena snatched him right from under their noses were still missing. Nobody knew if they were traitors, held captive somewhere, or murdered.
In no time, Kayden was parking at the curb next to a side entrance to the council hall.
“Hey, you can’t park there,” a warrior called to Kayden as he climbed down from the driver side.
“I’d like to see you stop me,” Kayden responded with a glare that rivaled his unborn son’s skeleton scowl.
The warrior didn’t try to stop him. In fact, he came to stand by the door so he could hold it open for Kayden and Lindsay. Smart male.
Kayden went to the passenger side and scanned the area thoroughly, looking for any sign of trouble before he opened Lindsay’s door and helped her out of the truck. He ushered Lindsay inside where they were met by pandemonium, just like Hawk said they would be. The raised voices of council members, as well as warriors, floated in the air. Warriors ran past in both directions appearing anxious and relieved in turns, depending upon whether they were heading toward Gage’s bellowing shouts or away from them. Kayden totally understood their trepidation. Gage was a bear when angry, and nobody wanted to be the focus of his ire. Kayden guided Lindsay deeper into the building, toward the sound of his father’s voice.
“There you are.” Samantha approached them when they turned the last corner before the holding cells. “It’s just awful,” Samantha said with a little sniffle, and she walked right into Lindsay’s arms.
“What’s going on? And why are you still here?” Lindsay asked.
“She’s here because I’m here, and I’m the Duchess’s new bodyguard,” Hawk answered Lindsay as he approached.
“Fuck off, Pan.” Samantha gave Hawk a death glare. “I don’t need a bodyguard.” Samantha muttered under her breath, “Jerk saves your life once and he thinks he’s in charge. I’ll set his stupid wings on fire.”
“I don’t have wings, Duchess, and I’m not your daddy. If you disobey me, I’ll paddle your ass,” Hawk threatened, and he looked ready to demonstrate his disciplinary techniques.
“What is happening here? You’re her bodyguard? Why? Duchess? Pan? I’m so confused.” Lindsay rubbed her forehead.
“She’s such a royal pain in the ass. So I call her Duchess. It’s fitting, given her pristine bloodlines and all,” Hawk explained.
“And he’s a fly boy who will never grow the fuck up. He insists on calling me Duchess, so I call him Pan, as in Peter Pan. The dude is always chasing shadows, too.” Samantha smirked.
Hawk growled.
Kayden laughed at the sight of his friend getting all ruffled by a pretty blonde, but in Hawk’s defense, Samantha was a professional feather ruffler. Kayden and Sam had practically grown up together. Since she was about fifteen, Samantha had been the queen of mean. She’d been known to scorch people with just a few words and a look.
“Hawk, man, what happened?” Kayden attempted to bring Hawk back to the topic.
“Sheena is gone. It was a damn jail break right under the council’s nose.” Hawk had a serious hate hard-on for the council that he just couldn’t contain. “I knew I should have executed her when we had the chance. I should have let you do it when you were in a rage, but no, I tried to play by their rules. The council and their politics muddy the damn water every time. She needs to die, and they fell right into her bullshit. Now she’s gone.”
Lindsay gasped and began to shake. Samantha was hugging Lindsay before he got there, so Kayden hugged them both. Lindsay’s emotions were a blur of surprise and shame. Kayden couldn’t tolerate that. Lindsay had nothing to feel shame over.
“What do you have to be ashamed of?” Kayden asked her through their bond.
“I agree that she should have been executed, but I’m selfish enough to have wanted her alive long enough to tell us who my father is. I’m also disgusted that I share blood with her.” Lindsay’s hand moved to her belly. “I hope the baby gets more of your genes than mine.”
“He will be perfect either way. He’ll be loved, and that makes all the difference.”
Samantha was standing in the circle of Kayden’s arms with Lindsay, so she saw the way Lindsay touched her lower abdomen, and the meaning wasn’t lost on her. Samantha’s eyes widened with astonished pleasure.
“We aren’t sharing the news,” Lindsay said to Samantha, “especially not with Sheena running free.”
“Understood. We’ll talk later.” Samantha hugged Lindsay tighter. “I’m so excited for you,” she whispered to Lindsay. “And you.” Samantha smiled up at Kayden.
“How are you holding up, Sam? We haven’t seen you since the funeral?” Kayden asked. He and Sam had never been friends. Well, not since she hit puberty and became nightmare Barbie, but Kayden would never forget the support and friendship Samantha offered to Lindsay when she needed it most. Sarah may have gotten what she deserved, but Samantha, Brandi, and J.R. did not deserve to lose their mother. Kayden had almost lost his own mother once. He wouldn’t wish that fear and pain on anyone.
“It’s been hard. She made mistakes, but I loved my mother. I’ve been spending a lot of time with J.R. since Mom’s death,” Samantha choked. She stiffened her upper lip and continued. “My brother is the biggest victim in all of this. I’m doing all I can to help him through the mourning process. Thank you for asking, Kayden. Most people aren’t very sympathetic. Losing Uncle David at the same time was …” Sam couldn’t go on. She was too emotional.
Sarah’s actions that brought about her own end and had nearly cost Samantha her life. Kayden imagined it would be hard for Sam to find a shoulder to cry on.
“You have us, Samantha. We’re here for you anytime.” Lindsay hugged Samantha tighter.
“I’m glad you’re here, Kayden. Come,” Gage called to Kayden as he exited a holding cell.
Kayden acknowledged his father with a nod.
“You stay here. I have a feeling this isn’t something you need to see,” Kayden told Lindsay, and thankfully, she didn’t argue.
He hustled down the corridor and met his father and Griffin outside of the cell that had housed Sheena just hours ago. The lifeless body of one of the three guards who had been posted outside of her cell lay in a puddle of blood. His throat had been ripped out. He’d died from the blood loss, but there had been a battle before he went down. The fight happened in the corridor judging by the splattered blood, and the marks on the ground suggested he’d been dragged into the cell. There were fang marks on his neck and even on his face. The male’s nose was partially ripped off. One of his ears was missing. It was a hell of a way to die. Kayden was glad he’d insisted Lindsay not get any closer.
“Where are the other two guards?” Kayden asked.
“Both were out cold with the same darts that took you out in that warehouse hanging out of them. It has to be Hypnovamp. They’re both alive, so far. I don’t know if it was an overdose or not yet, but I’m hopeful. They’re on the way to the Enclave. Doc was called, and the new doctor is already there,” Gage filled Kayden in.
“Dr. Fitz? She’s a psychiatrist, and not a very good one either.”
“No, I hired another medical doctor. Her name is Dr. Grace Noel. We have far too many injuries in this area for just one doctor to handle. Doc Stephens was bei
ng run ragged between the Enclave and his private practice. I’ll introduce you to the new doctor the next time you’re at the Enclave,” Gage explained.
“I’m livid,” Griffin interrupted their conversation. He was leaning against the far wall, staring into the cell. Kayden looked at Griffin, whose eyes were as black as midnight in spite of his outward calm. “We have spies and traitors around every corner. They come at us on our home turf again and again, and we fail each time. I fear we, on the council, have become so sure of our own invincibility that snakes slither easily into our garden unchecked.”
Kayden couldn’t disagree with Griffin, so he didn’t bother attempting to placate the male he called a friend.
“This was done with vicious glee.” Griffin stared at the lifeless body of the guard. “She doesn’t have fangs, so Sheena didn’t bite him up like that.”
“That looks like the results of Hypno’s crazy cousin, Hypervamp. This was done by somebody in a rage, only they had to have someone who could control the attacker. If not they’d still be shredding their way through everyone in the building. We’ve seen this junk in action.” Kayden tilted his head toward Hawk.
“I fear we can’t trust anyone, gentleman. There are new monsters out there, and we really don’t know what we’re up against.” Griffin dug one of his large hands into his hair. The disarray of Griffin’s normally impeccably styled hair made his white birthmarks stand out more than usual.
“So what’s the game plan?” Kayden asked. His stomach knotted. He wasn’t sure he could leave Lindsay now to go on the hunt for Sheena again. Their new mating had him on edge. Kayden’s instincts insisted he do all he could to solidify their bond. For that to happen, they needed to be together. Now that Lindsay was carrying their child the possessiveness and protectiveness were off the charts, and they’d only just learned about her condition.
“We need to protect our females. At this point, I don’t trust anyone else with my family. I’ve spoken to Abel already. He’s had Brandi under lock and key for a while. He’s not taking chances with her safety. Neither of us is willing to find out what might happen if her pyrokinesis were to be manipulated by Sheena. A lot of people are afraid of Brandi now, and people do stupid things when they’re frightened. So she’s staying out of sight. Now I just have to get Samantha to go along with the program.”