The world tilted, and she found herself buck naked over his knee. “Hey.” The first slap to her butt made her chuckle. The second made her protest. The third made her realize he hadn’t been joking. The next round of sex had better be good. Then he paused. “What?” She kicked her legs to gain freedom.
He rubbed her hip, and she stilled at the lovely pleasure. “Your marking. It’s already fading.”
She’d hoped this time was different, but she should’ve known better.
There was no way to save her.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The marking on Dessie’s hip faded completely by noon. Again. Garrett tugged on the tie of his tuxedo, his mind at war. Dessie’s system was still unenhanced. Brain surgery was soon to be the only option if he didn’t figure out a way to get Ulric’s blood.
There were few secrets in the Realm, and he’d noticed whispers while moving around earlier. It was odd. People were doubting him—not only due to his ties to the Seven, but now for trying to keep a murderous human in their midst.
For so long, he’d been the golden boy of the Realm.
Now he was being doubted. Not by family, though. He’d always have family at his back.
“The Kurjans have Ulric’s blood,” Janie said, reaching for and straightening his tie in his living room. “We know they do because they used it on Dessie and the other women at the school. We just have to find it.”
If there was any left. If there was, why weren’t the Kurjans experimenting on a new generation of enhanced females?
Janie stepped back, looking like a princess in her long silver gown with sparkles everywhere. Even in her long hair. “I can’t believe you’re mated and Hope is turning twenty-one.” Her eyes were clear and her features pale.
Garrett ran a knuckle down his big sister’s flawless face. Well, she was flawless to him. “Why are you so pale?” It had made sense that she’d come to his house to help Dessie get ready for the ball because she was his sister and a total sweetheart. But maybe there was something more.
She swallowed, and her eyes glimmered.
“Whatever it is, I’ll fix it,” he promised.
She snorted. “I’m your older sister, remember? I’m supposed to fix your problems.” Her smile faded. “I wish I could. There has to be a way.”
He brushed a tendril of hair away from her face. “We’ll figure it out. For now, tell me what’s happening.”
She faltered. “I know things are difficult right now, and I don’t want to be insensitive. But you’re my brother, and I, well—”
The scent of baby powder caught him. His chest settled. “You’re pregnant.”
Her mouth opened and then closed. “I am.” Joy filtered across her face, followed by concern. For him. She was worried about him.
He enfolded her in a hug, careful not to crush her. “This is good news, Janie.” Still holding her, he leaned down to study her happy expression. “What are the odds of another girl?”
She shrugged, and sparkles danced. “I have no idea. Hope is so rare, I think I’d bet on a boy. But again, who knows?” Ultrasounds didn’t work on immortal babies because of the protection around them, so they wouldn’t know for nine months. “You’re pleased?”
“Delighted,” he said honestly.
The door opened, and Zane Kyllwood stalked in, his gaze taking in the scene. “You’re lucky you’re her brother.” The head of the demon nation wore a tux with his tie askew, looking every bit as deadly as he needed to be. His eyes were Kyllwood green, his hair black, and his body fighting hard. “Don’t squeeze her, Kayrs.”
Garrett kept his sister right where she was. “So you knocked her up again.”
Zane grinned. “It was a pleasure, I promise you.”
Garrett gagged. “Stop. Just please stop.” When Janie slapped him on the chest, he released her. “No more worrying about me. About anything, actually. You stay calm and peaceful and take care of my nephew. Or niece.”
Janie turned and moved toward Zane to fix his tie. “I swear. You can disassemble and reassemble every weapon known to any species while blindfolded and bleeding, but you can’t fix a tie?”
“Maybe I just like your hands on me,” Zane murmured, his gaze on his mate.
Garrett gagged again. “Dude. That’s my sister. Knock it off.” Nothing in this world pleased him more than seeing Janie happy and safe with Zane. He’d die for the guy, but he still didn’t need them flirting in front of him. Not that he hadn’t basically seen his father maul his mother the other day. What was up with his family? “There’s nothing wrong with discretion.”
