Chapter Six #2
Solor walked up and touched her belly through the protective layers. “You do not look pregnant, but I can feel it.”
“Good. So can I.” She grimaced.
His expression was concerned. “Does it hurt?”
“It is weird, but I am used to it.”
Demuel murmured, “You didn’t have to do this alone.”
“Really? I honestly didn’t know how to mention that I wanted to kick that satyr’s groin repeatedly.”
Solor chuckled. “It was quite the backlash.”
“Yeah, but if we hadn’t been staying at the same hotel, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“About that, in full disclosure, we were staying at the governor’s mansion; we just followed you to your hotel.”
She winced. “Of course. Figures.”
Demuel chuckled as he held her hips. That appeared to be his move. “You left a trail of energy a mile wide. You were also the most receptive of anyone at the meeting, even if you were on the sidelines.”
“If I ever see Zerul again, I am going to kick his ass.”
“I am going to send him something nice.” Demuel stroked her hips.
She glared up at Solor, and he wisely remained quiet.
She huffed. “So, I will meet you guys at the diner at the end of the shift.”
Solor pulled out his phone. “Give me your number.”
She tutted and juggled the precious snacks to get her phone out.
She felt one of Demuel’s hands leave her hips and saw his phone out of the corner of her eye.
She rattled off her number, and they each sent her a text.
Demuel’s was a black unicorn emoji, and Solor’s was a stag.
She felt the hum of her phone as they each set a tracking spell on it.
“I said I would be there.”
Solor nodded. “We are just being careful.”
She stepped away from Demuel and stood between them.
“If either of you interferes with my duties, I am going to move halfway across the continent. I am a medic when I am on duty and driving that thing, and if you guys get in the way at all, I will blaze so bright I will melt the hair right off your heads.”
Demuel smiled. “Understood. Just don’t do anything dangerous if you can help it.”
“I am wearing the protective spells and charms so I can go about my normal duties. The baby is starting to change the way I move. I need all the help I could get.”
Solor sighed. “Please tell me you have prenatal care.”
“Of course. My roomie is a midwife, and Matthias can confirm he found my medical records. I go for regular checks.” She smiled. “And get checks while I eat dinner at home.”
Solor’s shoulders relaxed.
She looked at Demuel. “Can you move the SUV, or do you want to see how much the rig can push. I guarantee it will surprise you. We have a bush bar for a reason.”
He grinned and went to move the vehicle that had blocked her in.
Solor said, “You didn’t kiss him.”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“I didn’t kiss him then either. I don’t know what he tastes like.”
Solor looked surprised. “He didn’t?”
“Nope. You were fixated on the front of me, and him the back, and as often as I tell folks to kiss my ass, it doesn’t kiss back.”
He snorted. “Good thing we are on different teams. I would be ribbing him about that all night.”
She smiled. “Right. I am heading out. Skip had to drive and do some paperwork yesterday, and he hates doing both, so I have stuff to do before we are on shift. I will see you two later, and we can discuss what you want to discuss. I am set. I have friends, a support system, and a village.” Nylora smiled brightly. “Take an inventory and bring it along.”
She walked around the truck and opened the door, yelping as she was lifted up and into the driver’s seat. She turned, and it was Demuel. He leaned in and kissed her softly. “My first chance to do that.”
“Yeah.”
“We have to make up for lost time.”
“If you say so.”
He grinned. “What’s your favourite breakfast?”
“Eggs benedict on bacon, with a side of toast and hashbrowns and fresh fruit.”
He nodded. “Very doable, as are you.”
“You won’t say that when you see me all round and awkward.”
His smile was slow. “Let me be the judge of that. Oh, wait. I will be.”
“Maybe, maybe not. It’s up for discussion. Hence, breakfast in a diner filled with people with excellent hearing.” She pivoted into drive position and buckled up. “Back up or lose a digit.”
He grinned and followed directions. The window was open, so when Solor popped up, she turned to him in surprise.
The kiss shouldn’t have caught her by surprise, but it did.
He held her chin and slid protection magic into her with the deepening of the kiss.
She sat for a moment when he let her go, and to her horror, Demuel did the same.
As he backed up, she licked her lips, and he grinned. “Why did you guys do that?”
Demuel smiled. “We have weapons and vests and other agents. It’s you, a truck, and a brownie.”
“And a lot of syringes. Never underestimate the syringes.” She sighed. “See you in the morning.”
“Or maybe sooner.”
Solor was still too close, so she whopped the siren, and he jumped back. She steered around the startled agent and drove off. She didn’t breathe easy until she made it onto the highway, and then she headed for the hospital to visit Isocar. Good thing she didn’t have to worry about a parking space.
The private ward was nice, and Nylora stopped as she got to the ward clerk. “Hiya, can Isocar have visitors?”
She looked at her. “Are you family?”
“Yes, but we haven’t met before.”
The ward clerk looked at her and scowled. “Only family are allowed.”
Nylora sighed and shifted to dark fae.
“Oh. You! Yes, she’s been waiting for you. Sign in, please.”
Nylora went back to human and signed the register.
“Room four ten. Thanks for making that drill worth everything. Every minute of your entry into the hospital is being studied and analyzed for what we could do better or more efficiently.”
Nylora paused. “Good thing or bad thing?”
The ward clerk smiled. “Good thing. It really drove home how every minute counts. We see that here all the time. Outcomes could be so much better if folks took delays more seriously. Allergic reactions especially.”
Nylora smiled. “Yeah, I agree there. If more people learned how to use an EpiPen, I would have to spend a lot less time with resuscitation.”
She nodded and walked down the hall to the room and knocked softly on the door.
“Come in.” The voice was masculine.
Nylora came in and looked to her sister, her colouration split down the middle, half forest brown and half the same starry black that Nylora wore when she was powered up. “Um, I am just here to check on you, Isocar.”
Her sister looked at her and smiled. “Yup. There’s my face. I thought I was seeing things when they showed me the video. You single-handedly did more for dark fae public relations than years of just being good in public.”
Nylora chuckled and saw the older couple in the corner near the window. “Hello.”
Isocar said, “These are the Gangers. Lenora and Harcourt. I used to babysit for them. They were friends of my grandmother.”
Nylora nodded. “Pleased to meet you. I am Nylora Mills. Isocar’s older sister by five minutes and five years.”
Isocar asked, “You are?”
“I are.” Nylora walked up to her.
“Where have you been?”
“Today, or in general?”
“Both. Either.”
“Well, in general, I am a foster kid or was two decades ago. I got you to a mage who surrendered and then adopted you. After that, I got myself over to the authorities and bawled until they took me into care.”
Isocar blinked. “Wait. You were five?”
“Actually, I was the same age as you, but I was able to age myself up enough to carry you. Then, I ran and got us out of the demon zone and into this realm.” Nylora smiled, “On my chubby little legs.”
The Gangers sat up straight, and Harcourt said, “Demon zone?”
“Demonborn but not demonblood. Mom was on a mission.” Nylora smiled.
Isocar stared.
“How are you doing? You were pretty pulpy when I brought you in.”
“I am doing well. Great actually. The surgeons were ready, the blood was ready, and the team was ready.” Isocar stared at her. “How did you do that?”
“I practiced. I practiced until the scenario was perfect, and you survived. It had an effect on my social life that I am dealing with, but you were worth it.”
Isocar blinked. “Wait. I know that pattern. Are you a time seer?”
“Sort of. It only works occasionally, and I only have one vision at a time. Now that yours is complete, I can work on the next one.” She smiled.
Isocar stretched out her hand, and Nylora touched her fingers before the grip on her hand got tight.
Isocar stared into her face, and Nylora let the rage roll through her.
She was justified. Nylora said calmly, “I couldn’t stop it because I wasn’t there.
I was half a world away, and I didn’t see anything. ”
Isocar’s rage faded slightly. “There is something else there. I can feel it.”
“I could only save your life once. I chose this moment. You survived the other on your own.” Nylora looked at her.
“I chose this version of you because this is the one where we meet. Twins in the womb, I have missed you, but I am glad you are safe. I also respect your rage and frustration. I will be available if you ever want to talk.”
Isocar paused. “You are leaving me?”
“I am in town. I live nearby. I am currently working for the ambulance services.”
“You did that for me?”
Nylora nodded. “I needed to be in the right place.”
“So, what happens now?”
“We each get to live a life. Yours starts all over again. Scars gone, friends, and family wrapping around you.”
Isocar stared at her. “What is your natural face?”
Nylora wore her night and starlight with the lunar scars across her forehead and arms.
Isocar smiled. “You have big ears.”
“So do you, junior. Any piercings?”
“I can’t get them to stick.”
“I could help with that.”
Isocar smiled. “You had a good upbringing?”