Dage padded across the room and slid down to sit by his brother. Two skinny former warriors during their last moments. “We’ll be here. Let us know the good news.” He slung an arm around a swaying Talen.
Talen exhaled and leaned his head back on the stone, his eyes closing. “I’m almost a grandpa.”
Emma swallowed and turned to stare at her mate. “I’ll be back. Please be . . . here.”
Dage slowly winked.
The room spun. Zane caught his breath and tried to remain upright.
A scream rent the day. Janie!
Emma tightened her hold. “We need to hurry, Zane.”
He stumbled along next to her into the hallway and toward the makeshift medical room. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I think maybe the baby is breech.” Panic filled Emma’s voice.
They reached the room, and Emma helped him into a chair by Janie’s head.
Pain filled Janie’s face and blood scented the room with sulfur and copper. Her sable hair was plastered against her forehead, and tears streaked down her pale face.
She truly was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Zane clasped her hand in both of his. “Belle?”
She turned toward him and sobbed. Her back arched, going rigid. With a cry, she closed her eyes and seemed to push.
Cara fumbled beneath the sheet, her hair a wild mess, her eyes a panicked blue. “Don’t push yet, Janie. I think I can turn him.”
Janie groaned and subsided into the bed. “Oh God.”
Helplessness coated Zane’s throat, and his body trembled. “You’re so strong, baby. You always have been and always will be.” He leaned his face closer to hers. “Trust me.”
Her eyes widened, and then she nodded.
“Okay. Push now, Janie,” Cara urged.
Janie drew in a deep breath and bore down. A vein filled with purple in her neck.
Zane whispered soft words without meaning, trying to stay conscious. Just to help Janie through the storm and to see his son. Just once.
Janie flopped back onto the bed, gasping for air.
“Again,” Emma said. “Whoa. Tons of black hair on this little guy.”
Janie’s eyes widened, and she hissed out air before bearing down again. Zane counted seconds to her until she sank onto the barely padded table.
“You’re doing so well,” he murmured, drawing in her scent. “Think how special he will be. Human, vampire, demon, and several shifter species. Plus, you’re enhanced, so you’re a cousin to the witches.”
Janie gave him a pained smile. “He’ll be a man of the world.”
From the world and to the world. Zane rubbed his cheek on hers. “I’m proud of you.”
“One more time,” Cara said, her hands full of a towel.
Janie shook her head. “I can’t. No more.”
Zane kissed her hand. “One more time. For me. So I can meet him.”
