“Damn supernatural hearing,” Kara muttered.
Sally laughed. She was only able to stay relaxed because Costin kept her up-to-date on what was happening. The moment the door to the playroom opened, she was on her feet and running at him full speed, Titus right on her heels. Costin caught them both and pulled them tightly against him.
“There’s still more,” Sally whispered against his neck.
Costin nodded.“We’ll talk about it after T goes to bed.”
She nodded her head and then stepped back so that Costin could kneel and give Titus a proper hug. Drake, looking for Bethany, was next through the door, then Nick marched in and scooped up Kara. She gave Sally a wave as her mate carried her from the room. They were such Neanderthals.
“And yet you let me carry you around any time I want.”Costin picked up on her thoughts.
“Only because there’s no point in arguing with you.”
Titus prattled on to Costin as they walked to their room.
“Thia straight up ate the markers, Daddy,” their little man told him, sounding completely shocked. “I mean, should we be concerned for her mental health?”
“She’s lived this long without serious injury,” Sally pointed out. “I imagine she will be just fine.”
“I do not envy Torion.” Titus sighed. “He’s going to be mated to a female who eats markers.”
“Well, your future mate was chewing on her feet.” Sally laughed. “So maybe worry about your own plight. Torion wouldn’t be destined for Thia if the Great Luna didn’t think he could handle her.”
Titus tapped his chin, then nodded. “You’re right. Besides, it could be worse. She could eat something really dangerous, like staples or paperclips.”
“Oh good grief, let’s make sure that never happens. It’s bad enough that your father and Uncle Fane dyed her blue.” Sally shook her head. “Jen is going to blame every behavior issue on that dye job.”
“We could just dye Titus, and then she wouldn’t have anything to complain about,” Costin suggested. “You have a favorite color you want to be, little man?”
“You’re not dyeing our son.” Sally huffed as they reached the door to their room. She wiggled until Costin finally set her on her feet.
“Can we do camouflage?” Titus clapped eagerly. “That way, I blend in with my surroundings outside in my human form. I’d be able to out hunt Uncle Gavril.”
Sally pushed the door open and called back over her shoulder. “I will not be a party to this ploy.”
“No worries,” Costin replied. “When he kills more rabbits than Gavril, I’ll let you take credit for the idea.”
Sally snorted. “Smart man. I knew you were more than just a pretty package.”
“Titus, time for bed,” Costin said, his voice deepening.
“Is Mommy in trouble again? Because, I gotta tell you, I think she does it on purpose. It’s almost as if she likes getting in trouble with you.”
“And that’s enough of that.” Sally shooed Titus to the bathroom. “Go brush your teeth and think about stuff little boys your age should be thinking about, like action figures and climbing trees.”
* * *
Cain observed impassively astwo of his latest hybrid creations faced off in the testing chamber. The hulking beasts circled each other, lips peeled back in animalistic snarls. At his signal, they attacked in a blur of fangs and claws.
Despite his ambivalence, Cain made careful note of their enhanced speed and strength. Physically, the hybrid transformation was progressing well. But he needed to know just how unbreakable their loyalty would prove.
The larger hybrid finally gained the advantage, his massive jaws crushing his opponent’s windpipe in a spray of crimson. The defeated beast spasmed violently in death throes. Cain’s gaze narrowed, waiting. When the convulsing stilled, the victor threw back his head in a bellowing roar of victory. But the hybrid who had dealt the killing blow did not fall dead as expected.
Cain froze, mind racing. The defeated hybrid’s sires had been two of Cain’s original creations, yet this newly turned beast showed no effects from their demise. Troubling.
“How is this possible?” Willis murmured, voicing Cain’s own shock.
“It appears the hybrid blood alters the vampire progeny bond,” Cain mused thoughtfully. This could prove either a weakness or an asset. If his hybrid children could create vampires with no controlling sire bond, it eliminated a vulnerability. His army could continue spreading, with no central figure to strike down.
