“A few months.”
“A few months?” Evangeline repeated.
Taryn’s gaze scouted around them again. Her eyes were large and fearful. It was obvious she fought the urge to panic. “Please keep your voice down.”
Evangeline mimicked Taryn’s paranoia. She stole a look around. “This is about Thessalus, isn’t it? If you don’t want to be with him, just say so! None of us give a crap anymore.”
Taryn winced at the harshness of her words. “I know, Evan. But it’s a little more complicated than that.”
Realization hit Evangeline. Her head jerked back like she had been slapped in the face. “You’re pregnant!” she whispered.
Taryn’s kitty-like eyes glistened with tears. “Please don’t say anything, especially not to Thessalus.”
She tried to object. But Taryn beat her to the punch. “I did it for you! Now I’m asking for the same courtesy. I have every intention to tell him.”
Evangeline’s heart flinched. “But Thessalus loves you!”
“Yes. I know. I’m afraid my feelings are the same for him. But it just won’t work, Evan. We are too…different.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Evan, I’m a doctor. I think scientifically and believe in things that are based on facts. I know what the human body feels like. Our skin is warm. We take in air and require food to live. We have a heart that beats in our chest. Thessalus is immortal! It’s unnatural. Everything I know about what his body doesn’t do, technically and clinically, he would be considered dead…but he lives. He and his brothers exist despite what science teaches us. It’s an abomination.”
Evangeline sucked in a horrified breath and took a step back.
“I’m sorry for the harshness of my words, Evan. But this is how I feel. The worst thing is…now his baby is growing inside of me. I carry a child that defies every logical thing I know about medicine.”
Evangeline’s eyes narrowed. “When did you get pregnant?”
“Italy.”
Evangeline felt her eyes were going to bug out of her head. “Why, that makes you…”
“Just over four months, I know.” Taryn’s voice was wistful.
“You never told me!”
It hurt to watch tears stream down Taryn’s face. “I haven’t told anyone, not even my own mother. I feel the child move inside of me and I can’t help but think that I’ll give birth to some unholy monster!”
Evangeline felt violated. “How dare you say this? You think this of my own children?”
Taryn’s gaze flew to Elias and Helena. “No. But I’m afraid, Evan. I remember how horrible it was for you to give birth to them. They almost tore you apart.”
Evangeline chose her words carefully. “But Taryn, you have us. We know how to help you when your time comes.”
Taryn’s sudden laughter dripped with sarcasm. “So your brothers can hold me down like they did to you? I can’t do it. I’m sorry, but I just can’t do this.”
“What are you saying?”
“I have to get this child out of me! If I leave tonight I might be able to find a clinic. No one would ever have to know.”
Evangeline’s chest tightened. “No! Please! You’ll not only kill your child, but yourself. You’re like me, Taryn. You don’t believe in such things!”
Taryn’s face became distorted. “I’m not sure what I believe anymore. What are you rambling about?”
“If an immortal fetus is removed from its mother before it is ready to be born, it will release a deadly toxin into its mother’s bloodstream. It will cause immediate death for both mother and baby. If you’re lucky enough to survive, as soon as the baby and placenta are removed from the wall of your womb, you will bleed to death. Don’t you see? Your baby is linked to you in life and death until he or she draws in their first breath!”
Taryn’s voice quivered. “What am I going to do?”
Evangeline cupped her best friend’s cheek. “I’ll tell you what you’re going to do. You’re going to stop this nonsense of allowing science to dictate to you what is real in your heart. You have the love of a good man, who happens to be immortal. A beautiful son or daughter is growing inside of you. Don’t you see…You’re going to be a mother!
“As untraditional as it is, I wouldn’t trade my immortal husband, my half-breed children, or my zany brothers for anything. It was fate! We were meant to be a family! As hard and painful as it was to labor and give birth to my children, I would do it again a hundred times.” Evangeline dug through her purse. “Listen! Here are the keys to my beach house. Go to Blackpool Sands! Stay as long as you want! Clear your head and get your feelings straight. Your secret is safe with me.”
Taryn choked and threw her arms around Evangeline’s neck. “Thank you, Evan. For the first time in months, I feel like I have hope.”
“Of course you have hope. Please promise you’ll stay away from clinics!”
“I promise! You know how I feel about that! I’ve been feeling so desperate that I’m talking crazy.”
“Don’t worry about it, Taryn. Just get yourself to a healthy place with this pregnancy…and with Thessalus. That is my wish for you.”
Eliza smiled and approached them with Helena in her arms. “Here, Taryn! Hold this precious angel for a moment while I go hold Elias. I don’t want him thinking Grammy isn’t giving him enough attention!”
Evangeline and Taryn both giggled. Eliza slipped away and scooped Elias into her arms. She planted a big grandmotherly kiss on the baby’s pale, cherubic cheek.
Taryn’s eyes brimmed with a new wave of tears. She gazed down in wonder at Helena. The newborn’s curious vivid stare watched her Aunt with such intensity. Helena yawned and smiled. Her tiny hand found Taryn’s finger. Taryn sucked in a breath. Her best friend looked incredulous.
“Did you see that, Evan? She smiled at me!”
“Of course she did! Helena knows her Auntie Taryn!”
“Evan, do you think my baby will be like yours…and not some kind of monster?”
“Yes! Your precious baby will be no different from Helena and Elias.”
Taryn looked relieved. The worried furrows over her dark arched brows relaxed. The tension in her face disappeared. She kissed Helena’s soft, honey-wheat curls. “Thank you, Evan, for helping me…and for being my best friend. You saved me and my baby today!”
Evangeline watched Taryn’s neck crane. Her kitty gaze rested on the wounded face of Thessalus. His sad, sapphire eyes immediately caught her best friend’s stare. There was no doubt how much he loved her. Taryn’s dilemma was obvious; she was denying her feelings. The breeze caught strands of her hair when she quickly turned away from him.
“Look, I should go! I promise to call you often.”
Evangeline nodded and scooped Helena from Taryn’s arms. “You had better! I’ll use my immortals to track you down!”
Taryn’s pained expression was back. “Are you going to be all right, Evan? I’m so sorry about Lukas. My heart just aches.”
Evangeline nodded. “Thank you. It means so much.”
Her best friend hugged her. “I love you.”
Evangeline squeezed her back tight. “And I love you, too.
Chapter Eighteen
Evangeline was afraid to fall asleep. The past three nights produced the same frightful nightmare of Lukas. Terror chilled her heart, and always woke her screaming. Her days were spent obsessing over the traumatizing experience. But now she was exhausted, and feeling the brink of her lack. She found herself drifting into small naps while she nursed the twins. It was enough to keep her going, but the dark shiners under her eyes promised it wouldn’t last much longer.
Dorien had suggested a grief counselor. She refused. There was nothing psychotic about having bad dreams! Didn’t everyone grieve in different ways? The visions couldn’t last forever, could they? This pain was still too fresh. It would take more time to work through the feelings of her loss.
It didn’t help she wasn’t feeling well. A
throbbing burn filled her chest. She felt the beginning rattle of a nasty chest cold. The cries of her baby sent Evangeline rushing down the stairs. Celeas and Thessalus each held a sated, sleeping twin.
Celeas studied her with caution. “What is wrong, sister?”
“Were the babies just crying?”
“Nay. They have been zonked out for about an hour.
Evangeline felt the color drain from her face. A baby’s loud cry filled her ears. She fought to keep her straight expression. It took everything to hide her tremble. There was no visible sign of reaction from her brothers. In an instant, she became emotionally fragile. “Where is Dorien?”
Thessalus raised one of his raven, half-cocked eyebrows. She recognized his concerned look. “He went to run errands with Tommy. They should be back soon.”
Celeas’ silver stare studied her intensely. “Evan, are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look well.”
She couldn’t believe it!
“You guys don’t hear this?”
They both cocked their heads. “What do you hear?”
“You don’t hear a baby crying?”
Thessalus raised his other eyebrow. “I’m sorry, Evan. We don’t hear anything.”
Celeas shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry, Sis.”
Evangeline didn’t miss their exchange of worried glances. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get some fresh air. Will you let me know when the babies wake up?”
Thessalus grinned. His bright blue jeweled eyes glowed. “Are you kidding? These little milk-ticks won’t leave us any choice!”
Evangeline closed the mahogany door behind her. The sounds of crying resumed. She approached the oak tree and stood over her infant son’s grave. The crying was so loud and desperate, she almost couldn’t bear it.
It made her want to rip her hair out.
She shook her head hard and prayed for the wretched sounds to stop and go away.
Why was she hearing things?
Evangeline crouched to the ground and dug into the fresh packed soil. Loose dark earth felt grained and moist. It fell between her fingers. She yelped when an unexpected touch rested against her shoulder. Twirling around quick, she released a held breath. It was only her husband. She never heard him approach.
Dorien’s mouth was drawn into a frown. His beautiful expression was held hostage by his sadness. His raven brows were furrowed with worry. “Evangeline! What are you doing?”
She dusted the dirt from her hands. “Um…nothing. I’m just visiting.”
The cocking of his head and pursing of his lips promised he wasn’t convinced. “Do you want to come inside with me?” His voice stressed a silent innuendo. He wasn’t about to accept no for an answer.
She forced herself to smile. “Sure.”
His hand splayed across her lower back. Evangeline slipped into stride next to him. Relief washed the tension from his face. “That’s my girl.”
But new wails filled her ears. Evangeline suddenly stopped walking. Dorien placed his hands on her hips. He turned her body and forced her to face him. “Evan, what is it? Please talk to me.”
Evangeline glanced around in nervous confusion.
Why couldn’t Dorien hear it, too?
“The crying. You don’t hear it?”
“What crying, Evan? It is silent.”
Evangeline felt her knees grow weak. She felt shaken to her core. “No! There’s a baby crying! Please tell me you hear it.”
The deer-in-headlights look plastered all over his perfect face spoke volumes.
“I’m not going crazy, Dorien! There’s a baby crying! I hear it as clear as I hear you!”
“Okay, love. You’re tired. It has been a long week for all of us…”
She was torked off in an instant. “Don’t patronize me! I am not making this up!”
Concern filled his bright green eyes. “I know you’re not. But for whatever reason, you believe you are hearing it.”
Evangeline sucked in a horrified breath. “You think I’m hallucinating!”
Dorien shook his head. “Nay! I think you are sleep deprived! You have suffered the traumatic delivery of our triplets and we have buried our son…all within the last couple of days. You are acting quite normal considering the circumstances.”
Her fragile palm cupped her forehead. She was beginning to doubt her own sanity. “Dorien, I hear him! I just know it’s him!”
Dorien’s intense stare of concentration promised he was searching her thoughts. She knew the moment understanding hit him. “Evangeline, it isn’t our Lukas you hear!”
“I know!” she cried. Everything inside of her fought to convince herself he was right.
“Let us go inside. I want you to lie down and get some rest. I’m going to call Eliza. She mentioned something about postpartum depression.”
Evangeline’s eyes narrowed into slits. “I don’t need a flippin’ doctor, Dorien! Fine! I’ll go lie down and get some rest. Will that make you bloody happy?”
Dorien’s gaze glowed with blatant victory. For the first time in Evangeline’s life she wanted to gouge his gorgeous eyes right out of his perfect, delicious skull.
“Aye. It would make me feel better.” he insisted.
Evangeline stormed off ahead of him and headed towards the house.
* * * *
“I want to stay with you tonight. I don’t mind.” Dorien begged.
“Nonsense, Dorien! Go play poker with the boys! I’ll be fine. You’ll be in the cottage house. I promise to call if I need anything. I will try to get more rest.”
Dorien seemed to relax…a little. “All right. You promise to call?”
She kissed him slow in passion. “I promise…and besides, you can still sense me from the cottage!”
Celeas called from downstairs. Dorien’s cold lips brushed against her forehead. In an instant, he was gone.
Evangeline cradled her babies. She laid them together in their crib. “Good night, my precious little angels.”
Both twins smiled in their sleep. Evangeline crawled into her bed and closed her eyes. The wailing cries of a baby forced her eyes open. Her head turned abrupt. She jumped when a branch scraped against the bedroom window.
A chill shot up her spine like a bullet. Evangeline tied her robe and walked into the nursery. The twins were sleeping soundly. The moment her fingers touched her soft, billowy sheets, the crying resumed. She ran back towards the crib in a rush. Her body froze. The beat of her heart thundered against her breast. It was a struggle to fight for every labored breath.
Her babies were sleeping!
Evangeline almost fell down the stairs. Her robe swooshed behind her. She suddenly stopped in fear. A flash of lightning lit up the dark living room. The crash of thunder made her shiver. Every cell in her body felt the humming zaps of electricity. Rubbing her hands down the length of her arms failed to ward off her chill.
She couldn’t fight the constant hover of a presence. Hearing a ghostly newborn gave her chills. Glancing outside her window, the cottage house windows were alive with male activity. The men were unfazed, sitting around the table. They were still playing hands of poker.
This madness had to stop! She had to face her fear! The wind whipped wild around her. Evangeline bolted barefoot towards the shed. Soft, wet grass slopped under her feet. Grabbing a shovel and a pick axe, she ran towards the old oak tree. Heavy streaks of rain were visible by the glow of moonlight. This storm was moving in.
The crying became muffled. But it grew so much louder. Its eerie echo vibrated against her eardrums. Evangeline felt she’d go mad if it didn’t stop. The pick ax swung high over her shoulder. She grunted upon impact. It penetrated the soil with a moist sucking thud.
Growing impatient, Evangeline cast the heavy tool aside. A shovel was so much easier to dig into the soft, loose dirt. The trench was getting deeper. Her wet, muddy nightgown clung to her body. She shivered from the rain and wind. Gusts swirled around her body. The crisp sting permeated deep into her
bones. Evangeline sucked in a ragged, labored breath. Every inhalation was like a roaring fire.
Evangeline laughed with a demented joy. The sound of her voice seemed unfamiliar. The shovel finally scraped against wood and hit its intended target. The remaining clumps of soil were cleared from the top of the casket. Cries now pierced her skull. The pressure was agony. Both of her eardrums threatened to rupture.
Wet hair was wiped away from her face. Evangeline felt for the latch of the casket. Pushing the gadget, she heard the springing snap of disengagement. Her smile was in triumph. The smell of baby lotion escaped from the sides and violated her senses. Her fingers reached to lift the lid.
“Evangeline, stop!” Dorien’s voice thundered from behind her. He used a sharp, authoritative tone she had never heard before.
Her eyes narrowed in madness. She ignored his command and dared a tight glance over her shoulder. Dorien and her brothers all stood above her. Their faces all contorted in horror.
She knew what they were thinking!
They thought she had lost her bloody mind! It was written all over their beautiful faces…even Dorien’s. But to see it on his face felt so much worse. It made her heart hurt. “He’s calling to me, Dorien. Lukas needs me.”
Dorien nodded once. In an instant Philip jumped on top of the casket next to her. He pulled her into his muscled arms and jumped out of the open grave in a single leap. They landed safely on the ground.
Evangeline squirmed to escape her captor. She screamed in agony. “No! Please, let me go! You don’t understand! He needs me!”
Spartan Heart, Part Two Page 22