My throat tightens, but I choose to believe him. I have to. I nod once, drawing in a slow breath as we face the door together.
The infirmary smells faintly of herbs and clean air, a sharp contrast to the scorched streets outside. I expected to find Jess resting. Instead, we walk right into the tail-end of an argument.
“I’m not lying down again,” she snaps, her voice sharp enough to make the healer flinch. She’s standing beside the cot, arms crossed, chin lifted. Her face is as pale as parchment but she still somehow manages to look defiant.
Graven stands opposite her with his arms folded. He definitely wants to throttle her. “You can barely stay on your feet. Sit down before you pass out and crack your skull open. Don’t make me strap you to the bed.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Jess shoots back.
His blue eyes narrow. “Try me, human.”
She plants her hands on her hips. “I’d rather die on my feet than let you boss me around like some fragile child.”
Zarreth clears his throat, and both of them glance over as we come in.
“Frankie!” She smiles, but the way she sways on her feet makes me quickly step forward. Graven mutters, clearly exasperated, but probably relieved when I help her sit.
I sink down on the mattress next to her. “How are you feeling?”
“Eh, it comes and goes. I haven’t had an episode in a while. I’d feel a lot better if I wasn’t linked to that asshole.” She nods at Graven, who’s busy discussing the battle with Zarreth. “I heard about the attack. I’m so happy…wait a minute. What’s going on with you?” Her brows furrow as she looks me up and down. “You’re…glowing, weirdly.”
Oh shit! Leave it to Jess to notice the slightest change in me, even as sick as she is. My eyes shoot to Zarreth’s. He gives me the smallest nod, letting me know it’s my call if I want to tell her. Not that I would listen if he told me not to. I lean in, lowering my voice. “You have to promise you won’t tell…”
Her eyes nearly bulge out of her head when she grabs my hand. “Oh my God! You’re freaking pregnant!” She exclaims, covering her mouth and lowering her voice. “I’m going to be an auntie, aren’t I?”
I can’t help the teary laugh that bubbles out of me. I’ve been meaning to tell her, but so much has happened and I wanted her to focus on getting better. Her excitement is exactly what I needed after this evening. “You are. But seriously, no one else can know.”
She grins and it looks too big for her face. Is she losing weight? “Fine, I won’t say a word. But you’d better believe I’m going to have the best-dressed niece or nephew in all the realms. Tiny little combat boots. A baby-sized leather jacket. And you know we’re painting those cute tiny nails to match mine.”
I blink back the tears. I love her so much. I knew she’d be excited, even with everything she’s going through. “What if I said you’re going to need two baby-sized leather jackets?” I glance at her from the corner of my eye and laugh when her jaw drops, speechless…well, for a moment anyway.
“Oh my God! Are you serious? This might be the best day of my life.” She squeals, but instantly goes into a coughing fit, doubling over.
I grab the water sitting next to the bed, but before I can hand it to her, the infirmary doors slam open. Two falkyrie warriors stride in, carrying a half-dead demon. His skin is scorched and torn, his eyes clouded.
“Found him near the portal,” one of the warriors says.
The demon’s head lolls, lips moving as they place him on an empty cot. We all lean in as a ragged whisper escapes him. “The beast…the one who bit the human…freed Dante…killed guards… others fell…”
My hands drift to my belly. That can’t be right. Dante was in the Hole, buried beneath the ground with guards. How could this have happened? And Nate…I hate him for biting Jess, for what he’s become. But a small part of me was holding onto hope after he gave me that potion. I’m so fucking stupid for believing my brother was still in there somewhere. I grab Jess’ hand, our eyes locking on one another, too stunned for words.
Zarreth sinks to one knee beside the demon, his large hand closing around the other’s forearm. “When?” The question comes out low, rough.
The soldier tries to answer, but only a wet cough comes out, struggling to speak. His eyes go wide, a quick flash of fear before his gaze turns glassy. He’s not moving. His chest stays still. Come on. Just one breath. But there’s nothing.
Zarreth stays there, head slightly bowed. “Noctar Zuhl.” The old battle-cry comes out like a farewell, a reminder that the soldier met death the way he was taught.No fear, just fight.
The infirmary is silent until Jess finally speaks, her voice a whisper when her eyes fall to my stomach. “If Dante’s free, then he’ll…he’ll come for them.”
What the hell are we going to do? We assumed Dante was taken care of, that he wasn’t a problem anymore. We should’ve been prepared for this, but we’ve spent weeks worrying about the portal tearing itself apart, about finding a cure for Jess before it’s too late. Dammit! How did we let this happen?
She jolts, fingers curling hard into the cot. “It must be surging again.” She falls back. Graven is at her side before her head hits the pillow.
“Jess.” I wipe a stray hair away from her sweaty forehead as Zarreth’s warm hands find my shoulders. I look up, tears blurring him into a smear of color. “We can’t go after him now. Not when the portal’s worsening, not when she’s like this.”
His eyes are so tender when he speaks. “I know, Melita. We finish what we came for, get the cure, and stabilize the portal. Then we deal with Dante.”
CHAPTER 34
