Laken and Coop share a laugh—Coop’s being the loudest andlongest.
“We’ll see what happens in the future. We both applied to grad school.” He shoots a look to Ezrina and Nev. “How about you two? Any kids in your future? I know you’re both busy, but, like my mother says, don’t wait for the perfecttime.”
Sounds like Coop’s mama is gunning for a mini-Cooper just as much as I am. I’d love for Laken to have kids close in age with theboys.
Ezrina and Nev grow quiet with Nev suddenly craning his neck toward the kitchen and Ezrina tossing up a hand indefeat.
“It’s happened.” Her voice cracks. “I’m withchild.”
A collective gasp comes from our little group. Marshall jumps to his feet before I can congratulate either of them and bows toward the mother-to-be.
“Well done, Rina.” He picks up her hand and lands a gentle kiss to the back. “How ardent, how ruddy your cheeks. I should dare say you look resplendent withchild.”
My jaw goes slack a moment. I don’t remember a single ardent, ruby, or resplendent compliment while I was expecting. But, truthfully, I looked like a pile of diarrhea on fire, so I can’t really blame him. Marshall does staunchly believe in telling thetruth.
“Ezrina!” Laken and I lunge over her at the same time. “This is amazing,” I pant. “You and Nev will be parents. How beautiful isthat?”
“Yes.” She pulls back with her hand on her stomach, and I can’t help but think she looks forlorn. “Chloe’s child,too.”
“Oh no.” I try to pull her out of that Bishop stupor. “This will be yours through andthrough.”
“I’ve come to peace with it.” She lifts a hand. “Just like I came to peace with it when Tobie wasborn.”
I never thought of it that way. Chloe had Tobie while in Ezrina’s body. So, yes, that child is genetically Ezrina’s. No wonder she went running with bells on the minute Wesley hired her as a nanny. It was her own baby she was looking after. I’ll make it a point to bring Tobie around more often. I think Ezrina would appreciatethat.
“Ezrina.” Laken pulls her in for a quick hug, but Ezrina yanks free with a wild look in her eyes that I haven’t seen since she and I were on opposite ends of the fightingarena.
“I have to go.” She lands the baby back in my arms and takes off for thekitchen.
A strangulating awkwardness permeates our smallgroup.
I look to Nev. “What was that about?” My heart thumps wild because Ezrina isn’t known for acting erratic—at least notanymore.
Nev glances to Laken, his cheeks flushing with color. “I’m afraid her temperament as of late has yet to adjust to the needs of creating new life.” He nods toward the floor as if he had just spilled an honest truth. “If you’ll excuse me.” He gives a slight bow and starts toward the kitchen, but I cut him off and pull him to theside.
“Nev, you know something. I can see it in your eyes.” Nevermore may have only been mine in raven form for a short while, but I’d like to think we’ve gotten to know one another beyond the borders of the flesh. “Tell me what it is. Shed light on this mystery for me.” My mother said that something was up with Ezrina, and I highly doubt it had to do with that baby brewing in herbelly.
“Skyla—” He cranes his neck past me trying to get a better look at Ezrina who has long since disappeared into the bowels of the kitchen. “I’m afraid this isn’t my matter.” He closes his eyes a moment. You can see the fear, the disappointment pulsating through his surface veins. “Now let me comfort mywife.”
“I’m here for you, Nev. I know that something is afoot with Ezrina. My mother warnedme.”
“Your mother!” Nevermore blanches with fear at the mention of her. She’s the one who put him in the raven’s body and the same one who took him right back out again. Needless to say, she can produce quite the reversal of feathered fortune if needbe.
“Wait, Nev!” I call after him, but he’s long gone. Nathan pulls at my hair and bubbles with a laugh as he looks lovingly into my eyes. “Oh my God,” I whisper, the panic quickly draining from me. “You make everything better.” I gift him a little kiss to theforehead.
Laken steps forward, a stern look on her face. “What was thatabout?”
Marshall and Cooper close in our circle as the three of them await ananswer.
“Ezrina is up to something.” I glance back at the kitchen. “And it’s not that bun she’s got in theoven.”
“Knew it.” Coop digs his hands into his pockets as he gazes past me. “I went down last week to speak with her, and she ushered me out of the lab so fast you would think it were onfire.”
Ezrina comes out once again and gets straight to helping a customer out. Marshall pins her with a look, and I can tell by the way his eyes do that sexy little squint that he’s engaging with hersomehow.
“What is it?” I’m breathless at the prospect. Ezrina is a wild card. There is so much good she can do for our people, but one misstep could cost useverything.
Marshall lets out a hard breath as he continues to glower at her. “Rina.” Her name bleeds from his lips with the utmost disappointment. Whatever it is, Marshall has just been apprised, and judging by his response, he’s not that thrilled with her either. Both my mother and Marshall are disappointed in her? Strikes one and two. I’m betting strike three will be me as soon as I get wind of whatever it is she’s cookingup.
