He was tall, and his head bumped against my big belly. The baby kicked back in response, making him laugh and bump it again on purpose.
David stepped forward to put his hand on his unborn brother. “Don’t be born until you come back, kid.”
I beamed, thrilled that they were excited about the baby. “I love you two.”
Daniel grinned up at me. “I love you too, Mama!” That was all he needed. He ran off to join his friends.
David scuffed his toe, glancing toward Elias and Anthony. “Yeah, have fun.” He gave me a quick sideways hug and loped off toward Stephen.
“He’s not totally opened up yet,” I whispered, saddened by his reluctance to show affection.
“He will,” Anthony said. “We have all the time in the world now.”
“Just step through,” the blonde, Cindy said, interrupting my sadness and reminding me of the fun to come. “It’ll take you straight to Ba—”
“Don’t say it!” Elias barked. “It’s a surprise.”
Cindy clapped a hand over her mouth before splitting her fingers and talking through them. “It’ll take you straight to your destination.” She winked and nodded her head toward the portal, which showed me a beach, but it was like I was looking at it through a waterfall.
With a wave at Axoular, who gave me a sad smile I didn’t want to analyze, I stepped through, and like every time I’d been through one, it left me with the feeling of being soaked. Once I was on the other side, I was bone dry.
I walked out into intense summer heat, tempered by a salty sea breeze. Clapping my hands, I waddled toward the water, the urge to get my feet wet overwhelming. Leaving my sandals on dry land, I splashed into the surf, not caring that the hem of my dress was getting soaked.
Elias and Anthony laughed behind me, and soon their arms were around me on either side. Elias wore khaki shorts, but Anthony had on jeans, which he’d rolled up to the knee to join me in the water. We looked ridiculous, so excited to be on a beach.
No matter how hard I looked up and down the coast, I couldn’t see another person. “How’d you manage a private beach?”
“This stretch of coastline is owned by the Junta. It’s made available to all Unseen for a cost. Sometimes we just want to get away like anyone else, but it can be difficult to arrange a vacation when you have some of our limitations and special dietary needs.”
I was delighted that they had such a thing. A vacation destination away from humans. “Where are we staying?”
“Look behind you,” Elias said with a laugh.
I hadn’t even turned around since we arrived, I was enthralled with the water. I’d only ever been to the beach a few times. Turquoise water swelled into low, frothy waves. The colored water was also somehow clear, and the floor of the ocean lured me with colorful fish and golden sand.
Behind us was a large cottage. Every window was lit up, making it homey and welcoming. “That’s ours for the next week, Coya.” Anthony pulled me toward the house, which was almost entirely made of glass. The windows were so large they took the place of the walls. The roof was thatched in grass, most likely for looks. He let me go so he could help Elias grab our bags, and I walked leisurely past a pristine blue in-ground pool.I’ll be with somebody in that pool if I have my way.
The inside of the house was magnificent. High ceilings and plush furniture, it was made for relaxation and beauty.
Peeking inside the fridge, I found it fully stocked with food and blood. I made my way to the back of the house, poking my head into rooms along the way. There weren’t many rooms to see since the downstairs was an open floor plan.
A bathroom and pantry off the kitchen-living room combo, and a coat closet by the front door. The entire rest of the downstairs was split between the kitchen, dining area, and living area. Wide, pale wood stairs led to the bedrooms, and I climbed them carefully to continue exploring.
A hand touched my back as I walked up the stairs. I looked back to see both of them following me up. “I won’t fall down the stairs.”
“We know,” said Anthony.
Elias rubbed his hand on my back. “We just wanted to see the upstairs, too. It’s the first time we’ve stayed here.”
“Why haven’t you stayed before?” Surely their parents had at some point.
“It’s very expensive to rent, and usually booked for years in advance.” Elias took my hand at the top and pulled me to the right.
“How’d we get it?” I asked as I looked around a basic bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.
“You’re a bit of a hot topic right now, sweetheart,” said Elias. “They were quick to free up the week for us.”
“I hope we didn’t kick someone out of their vacation.” I didn’t want to put someone else off their fun just for me. We could’ve gone anywhere.
