by I. T. Lucas
Swallowing, she nodded.
“You said that you got a contraceptive shot.” He walked to the bed, sat next to her, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You can’t be pregnant. Something about the food we ate yesterday must have not agreed with your stomach.”
She shook her head. “I missed my renewal shot. I was supposed to get it ten days ago. Usually Shirley was on top of that, so I didn’t bother to check, but she must have made a mistake and wrote me down for the wrong date.”
“You’re not pregnant. I’m not a doctor, but even I know that women don’t start feeling nauseous right from the very start. You would need to be pregnant for at least a month or two before morning sickness begins.” He pulled out his phone. “We can ask Doctor Google.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What if your spawn grows super fast?”
50
Leon
Leon’s anger flared. “Spawn? Is that how you think of my child? The spawn of the devil?”
Anastasia’s cheeks got even rosier. “It was meant as a joke. Don’t take everything so seriously. I just need to know if one of your genetic alterations causes your babies to grow faster.”
“No.” Still feeling anger bubbling just beneath the surface, Leon pushed to his feet. “Can I get you something to help with the nausea? Coffee? Orange juice?”
“We don’t have orange juice, which is a shame since it would have been refreshing.”
She looked so guilty that he took pity on her. “You’re such a city girl. We have oranges, and I can squeeze a couple for you.”
“I don’t like the pulp.”
Spoiled girl. “I’ll run it through a strainer.”
“Thank you.” She looked up at him with her big blue eyes. “I’m really sorry about that stupid word. I shouldn’t have used it.”
“It’s already forgotten.” He leaned and kissed her cheek.
“Ugh. Don’t kiss me. I stink.”
“You don’t.” He kissed her cheek again.
When he walked out of the room, Bowen arched a brow. “What’s going on?”
“A lot of drama over an upset stomach. That restaurant we went to last night must have served something that wasn’t fresh. Anastasia threw up.” He walked into the kitchen. “Do we have any oranges left?”
“I should check on her.” Margaret reached for the crutches that were propped against the side of the couch.
“Let me help you with that.” Bowen rushed to her side.
She shooed him away. “I can manage just fine on my own.”
Ignoring her, he stayed close, ready to catch her if she fell.
She hobbled to the closed bedroom door and knocked. “Can I come in?”
“Yes.” Anastasia opened the door and waited for Margaret to get in before closing it.
“You should call Bridget,” Bowen said. “It might be the start of the transition.”
The orange slipped from Leon’s hand, but he caught it before it rolled off the counter. “Throwing up is not one of the symptoms, is it?”
“I don’t know, and neither do you. Call Bridget and tell her what’s going on.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Leon abandoned the orange on the counter and reached for his phone. “Can you squeeze it for Anastasia?” he asked. “She has a craving for orange juice.”
“Sure thing.”
“And run it through a strainer. She doesn’t like the pulp.”
Chuckling, Bowen shook his head. “Just call the doctor already.”
“I’m calling right now.”
The phone rang for quite some time until Bridget answered. “Hello, Leon. How is Margaret doing?”
“Good morning. Margaret is doing just fine, she's started to use the crutches. I’m calling about Anastasia. She threw up this morning, and she thought that she might be pregnant because she missed the contraceptive shot by ten days. We’ve been together barely a week, though. Is it possible that she conceived so soon?”
“Given our low fertility rate, that’s unlikely. Has she been with anyone else recently?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Did you check her fever?”
“I didn’t know that I was supposed to. Do you think it might be the start of the transition?”
“None of the other Dormants threw up as the first sign of transition, but everyone’s symptoms were a bit different. I’m not precluding the possibility, and it’s much more likely than a pregnancy.”
Leon’s stomach did a somersault and then contracted on itself. “Can you come over? Or better yet, should I take her to the clinic at the keep?”
“Let me talk to her first.”
“Give me a moment.” He knocked on the bedroom door before opening it. “Doctor Bridget wants to talk to you.” He handed Anastasia the phone.
Margaret reached for her crutches and labored up onto her one good foot. “I’ll be in the living room.”
“Hi,” Anastasia said. “I’m sorry that Leon called you. I feel much better now.”
“I’m glad that he called. It might be food poisoning or the flu, but it could also be something more serious. Does your throat hurt?”
“No.”
“Do you feel feverish?”
Anastasia put a hand on her forehead. “Maybe a little.” She looked up at Leon. “Can you check?”
“We should have a thermometer in the first aid kit.” He opened the door and poked his head out. “Bowen, can you get me the first aid kit?”
The Guardian had already retrieved it and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” Leon opened the box, pulled the thermometer out, and aimed it at Anastasia’s forehead. “Ninety-nine point eight.”
“That’s slightly elevated,” Bridget said. “Do you have a runny nose?”
“No.”
“What about aches and pains? The kind you get with the flu.”
“Yeah. I started feeling tired last night, and this morning I didn’t want to get out of bed.”
“I think Leon should bring you to the clinic so we can run some tests. Can you give the phone back to him?”
“What do you suspect I have?”
“It’s probably just a cold, but since you don’t have a sore throat or a runny nose, I want to make sure that it’s not food poisoning. That could be very dangerous.”
“Okay.” She handed him the phone. “Are you feeling okay? We ate the same food.”
“Mutant metabolism.” He patted his stomach. “We don’t get food poisoning.”
51
Anastasia
After handing Leon the phone, Ana regretted telling the doctor that she would come over. She was feeling fine, and her temperature was just slightly higher than normal.
“Are you sure Julian can handle it?” Leon asked the doctor.
Ana couldn’t hear Bridget’s response, but given Leon’s expression, he wasn’t happy about something.
“We will head out in about an hour. I estimate we'll get there at noon. Is that okay?”
He nodded as he listened to the doctor’s answer. “Thank you.” He ended the call.
“I feel fine.” Ana rose to her feet. “And I don’t feel like making a five-hour round trip because of some body aches and a little fever. Perhaps you should call Bridget back and tell her that we decided not to come after all.”
He took her hand and lifted it to his lips for a soft kiss. “I’m glad that you feel better, but if Bridget thinks that there is cause for worry, we shouldn’t ignore it. Neither of us is a medical expert.”
“True.” Ana headed to the bathroom. “But I’m worried about leaving Margaret out here without a proper mode of transportation. What if she starts to feel sick? Perhaps the restaurant food wasn’t the culprit but something that we ate in here. Bowen can’t take her on the motorcycle. I think that we should take them with us just in case.”
He followed her into the bathroom. “That’s actually not a bad idea. Bowen ca
n drop us off at the clinic, and I’ll get someone to deliver my car to me.”
“I have a better idea. They can go for a cup of coffee while Bridget performs her tests. And after she’s done, the four of us can go out to dinner.” She smiled. “Margaret probably hasn’t been in a restaurant in twenty years or more. It would be a treat for her.”
He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I’ll ask Bowen if he wants to drive us, or if he would prefer that someone delivered another car for them here.”
“That will leave him and Margaret without a car for a couple of hours. If she got food poisoning, and starts throwing up, she will need immediate medical attention. She won’t be able to keep the pain medications down. Besides, she’s so frail that it could be dangerous to her.”
Leon nodded. “I’ll tell them to get ready.”
After all the work that Ana had put into styling her hair the day before, it was a shame to wash it, but even though none of the puke had gotten on it, she decided to wash it anyway.
When she was done, she blow-dried it just enough so it wasn’t dripping wet. She put on a pair of black pants and a dark blue sweater, and applied a little lip-gloss.
A soft knock sounded at the door. “Can I come in?” Margaret asked.
Ana opened the door for her. “So, what was decided? Are you and Bowen coming with us?”
Margaret hobbled inside. “We are. Did you pack an overnight bag?”
“Why would I? The doctor is just going to run some tests.”
“What if the test comes out positive and you need to stay? I went to the hospital with nothing, and Bowen had to buy clothes for me, including panties and bras. I was so embarrassed.” She lowered herself carefully to sit on the bed. “Especially since he refused to let me pay him back. He wouldn’t even tell me how much everything cost.”
“Bowen is a really nice guy.” Ana pulled a duffle bag out of the closet and opened her dresser drawer. “And he’s a hunk. I bet you are half in love with him already.”
“Don’t be silly.” Margaret waved a dismissive hand. “He’s at least ten years younger than me.”
“So?” Ana put two pairs of panties and a bra into the duffle bag.
“I’m not some Hollywood celebrity. A handsome young man like Bowen wouldn’t spare me a second glance.”
Ana walked up to the closet. “Then why did he volunteer to take care of you?” She folded a couple of T-shirts, a pair of yoga pants, and a sleep shirt.
“Bowen did it for Leon and you. He wanted you to focus on your romance and not on playing nursemaid to me.”
Ana put the bundle of clothes into the bag. “I’m sure that wasn’t the only reason.” She moved into the bathroom and left the door open. “It’s obvious that he likes you.”
“He also wanted a vacation, and I provided a convenient excuse for him to ask for one.”
Remembering Leon and Bowen’s exceptional hearing a little too late, Ana whispered, “He likes you.” She put the toiletries into the duffle bag.
“Why are you whispering?” Margaret asked. “Do you think they can hear us with the door closed?”
“Maybe.”
Margaret giggled like a schoolgirl and then whispered, “Bowen’s ego must be soaring high right now.”
“He’s not the type.”
“That’s true.” Margaret sighed. “If only he was a little older and a little less handsome. Or I was a little younger and prettier.”
“You are very pretty, and the age difference is meaningless.”
“Right.” Margaret grimaced. “Perhaps in a romance novel, but not in the real world.”
52
Leon
“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.” Bowen clapped Leon on the back. “Besides, she doesn’t mean anything by it. Anastasia has eyes only for you.”
Leon grimaced. “Her eyes seem to be seeing you just fine.”
It was the fifth or sixth time she’d called Bowen a hunk. A guy could only tolerate so much.
“You should pack a bag as well,” Bowen said. “In fact, you can probably pack all of your and Anastasia’s things because you are not coming back here.”
“We don’t know that she’s transitioning yet. It might be food poisoning after all. Besides, how will I explain packing all my stuff? She thinks we are coming back here tonight or the next day.”
“True. Well, pack what you can.”
Leon paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Anastasia and I will need to come back here anyway. How else are we going to explain it to Margaret?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but you are right. We will have to keep the charade going until Margaret is well enough to go back to Safe Haven.”
Apparently, Leon was wrong again about Bowen’s intentions. The guy didn’t seem bothered by the idea of Margaret going back to the cult, which meant that he wasn’t interested in her romantically after all.
That was good. Having a relationship with a human was always a bad idea, and after befriending the woman, Bowen couldn’t regard her as just a hookup.
Bowen rubbed his jaw. “I just hope the place will not go under without its leader.”
“I have an idea.” Leon’s lips lifted in a smirk. “Since you are such a hunk, you can take over as Safe Haven’s new guru. You just need to grow out your beard and put on a white gown.”
Bowen flipped him off. “You’ll look much better in it. I can come as your assistant.”
Laughing, Leon opened the door and walked into the bedroom. “Bowen suggested that I pack a bag as well. If you have to stay in the clinic, I’ll need a change of clothes.”
Anastasia shook her head. “We are all making a big fuss over nothing, but whatever. At least the four of us will get to enjoy dinner in town.”
“Speaking of food.” Margaret braced her weight on the crutches and got up. “I’ll make us sandwiches for the way.” She smiled at Anastasia. “It’s going to be fun. Think of it as a road trip.”
“I’m not going to eat anything. I don’t want to barf in Bowen’s car.”
Half an hour later, the four of them got into the car, with Bowen and Margaret up front and Anastasia and Leon in the back.
“Where is Bridget’s clinic?” Anastasia asked when they got to the main road.
“Downtown Los Angeles.” Leon wrapped his arm around her. “Put your head on my shoulder.”
“Don’t fall asleep yet.” Margaret looked at them through the rearview mirror. “I made sandwiches, and I packed a bag of potato chips for you. They shouldn’t make you nauseous.”
Anastasia made a face.
“I don’t want to eat anything.”
“How about carrot sticks?” Margaret lifted a small Ziploc bag with cut carrots.
“No thanks.”
“You need to at least drink water.” Leon pulled out a bottle from the bag and unscrewed the cap.
She took a few small sips and handed him the bottle. “I think I’ll take a little nap. I always get sleepy during car rides.”
An hour into the drive, both ladies were asleep. Hopefully, they would stay like that all the way to the keep. Margaret could be thralled to forget where it was, but in her fragile state and with the pain medications she was taking, Bowen was right about it not being safe for her.
They were both still sleeping when Bowen turned into the keep’s underground parking, and neither woke up when he parked the car and turned the engine off.
“We are here.” Leon planted a gentle kiss on Anastasia’s forehead and frowned.
She felt way too hot.
“Anastasia, baby, it’s time to wake up.” He nudged her lightly.
When there was no response, he lifted her head off his shoulder and patted her thigh. “Anastasia.”
As soon as he removed his finger from under her chin, she slumped against him like a rag doll.
“I think she’s passed out,” Leon whispered. “Call Julian and tell him to come.”
“What happened?” Margaret asked sleepil
y. “Are we at the clinic?”
“Not yet.” Bowen put a hand on her shoulder. “Go back to sleep.”
“Okay.”
He must have pushed a little thrall because Margaret’s breathing slowed down and deepened even before Bowen lifted his phone and placed the call.
Julian answered after only one ring. “When will you be here??”
“We are parked on the clan’s level. Anastasia passed out sometime during the drive. We thought she was sleeping.”
“Is she breathing?”
“Yes,” Leon said.
“Good. I’m on my way.”
53
Bowen
When Julian arrived with the gurney, Leon carried Anastasia out of the car and carefully laid her on it.
Poor guy was radiating anxiety so thick that it had become suffocating inside the car. Bowen had opened all the windows, but the heaviness hadn’t subsided until Leon got out, taking his precious cargo with him.
Bowen followed, walking over to the gurney but staying a few feet away as he watched Julian check Anastasia’s vitals.
“She’ll be fine,” the doctor reassured Leon. “The nausea is unexpected, but all of her other symptoms follow the pattern.” He smiled. “I don’t want to congratulate you yet, but it’s all good. Let’s take her to the clinic and hook her up to the monitoring equipment. I brought Gertrude with me, and she has everything ready for Anastasia’s arrival. Together, we are going to take good care of your girl.”
“Good luck.” Bowen clapped Leon’s back before turning to Julian. “After you are done with Anastasia, can you check on Margaret’s leg? Since you need to stay here and watch over your patient, you won’t be able to come to the cabin tomorrow.”
Julian cast a quick look at the sleeping Margaret. “I’ve already scheduled it with Gertrude. She will be there tomorrow afternoon.”
“Don’t you need her to stay with Anastasia?”
“She doesn’t need both of us at the same time. Gertrude will assist me with the intake, and she will come back to assist with the release. It’s better if Margaret doesn’t visit the bowels of the keep.”