Janie sighed. “I know it’s rare for a mate to become pregnant so quickly.”
Rare? “It’s unheard of,” Zane said. Vampires and demons took centuries to procreate.
“Except for my parents. Mom became pregnant with Garrett right away,” Janie said. “So maybe it runs in the family.”
“Maybe.” Zane tried to keep his head from blowing off. “What will the virus do to him?”
Janie snuggled closer. “I don’t know, but my mom contracted the virus when pregnant with Garrett, and he’s okay. Besides, what makes you think it’s a boy?”
“Vampires only have boys.”
“You’re part-demon.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Zane kissed the top of her head. “Through all history, vampire males, regardless of cross-species, have boys. We don’t shoot X chromosomes.” The raw need to make the world safe for his family heated his breath and weakened his knees. Drawing on strength, and drawing deep, he slowly fortified his thoughts. “Everything is going to be okay, Belle. You have my word.”
She kissed his neck, sending emotion through his veins. “That’s good. Because we need to tell my dad now.”
Chapter 23
Janie drew a deep breath in as Zane knocked on the door to a suite in the main lodge. Would Zane’s mom hate her? Their people were technically still enemies.
“Come in,” came a throaty female voice followed by a series of loud thunks.
“What in the world?” Zane pushed through first, keeping Janie behind him. “Oh.” His shoulders straightened as he pulled Janie to stand next to him. “Janet Isabella Kayrs, please meet my mother, Felicity Kyllwood.”
Janie forced a smile. Zane’s mom stood an inch or two above five feet tall, dressed in workout gear, her chest damp and her white-blond hair pulled back from her face. Black eyes sparkled in a finely boned face. The woman was beyond beautiful to truly stunning. Two wooden sticks rested easily in her hands, while her bare feet slowed to a dance on workout mats spread across an empty living room. A quick look confirmed all the furniture had been shoved into the kitchen.
Felicity smiled. “Nice to meet you, Janie. You’ve met Logan, right?”
Logan lay on his side, two sticks by his feet, a low groan erupting from his chest. He pushed to his feet. “Hi.”
Zane snorted. “Mom being too rough on you, kid?”
Logan shoved his brother. “No. We were just training.”
Felicity dropped the sticks and grabbed a towel to wipe her hands. “I’m sorry for the lack of sitting area. Can I get either of you anything?” She peered at a sofa end sticking out from the kitchen. “Logan can probably make it to the fridge.”
“No, that’s fine. Thank you,” Janie said, her knees weakening. A flush heated down her back, and she swayed. Even so, she wanted to stay strong in front of the purebred demonness. A real demonness. They were so rare they were almost just legend.
“Whoa.” Zane clasped Janie’s elbow and helped her to the mat before feeling her head. “You’re feverish.”
She nodded. “It’s all part of the initial stages of the virus. I’m fine.”
Felicity bustled forward. “You poor woman. I heard all about the new form of the virus, and it’s such a disaster. Logan, go get her some water.” As a full demon, Felicity wasn’t subject to contamination by the virus.
Janie shook her head. “I’m okay. Sorry to be a pain.”
Felicity slid down to sit on the mat in a move beyond graceful. Her symmetrical nostrils flared. Then she lifted her chin, her gaze narrowing on Janie. “Oh my. Um, well—”
“We know she’s pregnant,” Zane cut in.
A stunning smile lit up Felicity’s face, and she grabbed both of Janie’s hands. “Pregnant? That’s so wonderful. Congratulations.”
Janie finally relaxed and returned the smile, even though she still wanted to throw up. “Thank you.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to meet my grandson.” Felicity threw back her head and laughed. “Although, you might be feeling ill from the pregnancy as well as the virus. I was sicker than three dogs on meth while pregnant with Zane.”
Janie chuckled. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
