Zane’s gaze caught Janie’s and held as he stomped inside. “I’d rather have this discussion in private.” His voice held a low threat.
Max rolled his eyes. “This is my house. I’m not leaving.”
“We are.” Zane nodded to Janie. “Let’s go, Belle.”
Janie stood, her own temper pricking the back of her neck. “Fine.”
Max eyed Zane. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine. You?” Zane glowered back.
“Like shit, actually. My head hurts, my heart is beating too slowly, and my fucking knees feel weird.” Max leaned back against a jam-packed bookshelf. “Sound familiar?”
Zane’s shoulders relaxed. “Very.”
Max clapped him on the back. “So teleporting to Suri, teleporting him out, and then fighting him sucks as an idea right now. Right?”
Zane shut his eyes. “Yes.”
“It’s okay, Zane. We’re family, and we’ll figure this out,” Max said.
Janie clutched the back of the sofa. Max had just called Zane family. She hadn’t realized how badly she’d needed Max to acknowledge Zane. “We’ll come up with a plan.”
Max nodded and reached for a small package next to all the books. “I agree. Now, you two get back to work so I can make a nice dinner for my Sarah.” He handed the package to Janie as Zane drew her outside. “This is for you.” Without another word, he shut the door.
Janie stood on the porch, her gaze on the package. Slowly, she slid out a picture of her and Max at her fifth birthday party. They both wore party hats, and delight filled her young face while amusement danced on Max’s deadly features.
She turned toward Zane. “Why would he give me this now?”
Zane faltered and then kept silent.
Yeah. The shot was a remembrance of better times. “This is not good-bye,” Janie yelled.
Month 5: Dage
Janie rubbed her protruding belly in circular motions, humming to her son. She lounged on the sofa in the main gathering room of the lodge, watching the tumultuous ocean outside. The baby kicked her hand, and despite her sorrow, she smiled. She’d kill to have an ultrasound of the little guy, but vampire babies created too strong an amnio sac, and waves couldn’t permeate it.
But her psychic abilities granted her some comfort. She could sense the spirit inside her—strong and good. Probably stubborn as heck. Just like Zane.
“I’m glad to see you resting.” Dage crossed into the room, leaning heavily on a handmade walking stick.
Seeing the king moving as if decrepit stabbed harsh nails into Janie’s heart. After months of searching, months of trials, they hadn’t found a cure for the virus. The Kayrs men were practically human by now. “The baby is kicking. Want to feel?”
Delight flickered in Dage’s eyes, and he carefully spread a gnarled hand on Janie’s belly.
The liver spots were new.
The baby kicked. Hard.
Dage chuckled and removed his hand. “He’s strong. Definitely a Kayrs.”
“Kyllwood,” said a low voice from the doorway as Zane hitched into the room. While he didn’t require a cane, he moved like an old man. “I have Sam and Logan reaching out to any demon allies we might still have out there.”
“Is Sam going to take on Suri?” Dage asked.
“No.” Zane sat next to Janie and slipped his thin fingers through hers. “Talen and I have come up with a plan. We’re waiting another month, tops, and then we’re sending in a full assault with healthy vampires and shifters to Suri’s Idaho compound.”
“Then what?” the king asked wearily.
