As I took care of my business, a small voice at the back of my mind whispered that maybe Casimir was right. Maybe I wasn’t ready. But I pushed it away. I would never be ready if I never tried.
Washing my hands, I took one last look at myself in the mirror and squared my shoulders.
“You are not helpless anymore,” I told my reflection. “You are not weak anymore. You are notworthless.”
Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the door and stepped out of the bathroom.
They were waiting for me, of course, and had probably heard every word of my pep talk. Casimir with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed, the picture of immovable disapproval. Koa, silent and watchful, his dark eyes seeing straight through to my soul. And Zane,fidgeting like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, apology written all over his face.
My Zoodle wassucha tattletale.
“C’mon, moonbeam,” he coaxed. “We’re gonna work it out, I promise. We just gotta make sure everything’s airtight, yeah?”
“Serafina,” Casimir ground out, “you are not worthless. Neither are you weak. You were never either.”
I shrugged and wiggled between their giant bodies. Being married to three dhampirs was like living with a wall of muscle that followed you everywhere. I headed back to the library to continue the research I’d been doing before my bathroom break. Behind me came the shuffle of boots as they fell into step, three powerful predators trailing in my wake like lost puppies.
Despite everything, I bit back a smile. For all their supernatural strength and tactical brilliance and special talents, my husbands could be adorably predictable. They hated when I was upset with them almost as much as they hated the idea of me being in danger.
It was a delicate balance, loving a trio of overprotective men. They’d been trained from childhood to face the darkest evils without flinching, but me getting a paper cut sent them into crisis mode.
One step at a time,I told myself.First, I’ll convince them to let me help in some small way. Then next time, maybe I’ll get to actually use some of this magic bubbling inside me.
#
When I entered the library, I didn’t see Brumous where I’d left him, and unease rippled through my chest. Despite his size, he moved silently when he wanted to, but he rarely left my side willingly. Plus, I’d told him I’d be right back, and I knew he understood that.
“Brummy?” I called. No answering woof. No click of claws. Nothing. “Did one of you let him out?”
“No, beloved,” Koa rumbled, and Casimir shook his head.
A sliver of worry wormed its way into my chest. Brummy wasn’t one to wander off.
“Maybe he went to get a drink?” Zane suggested. “Or raid the kitchen—”
“What’s that sound?” Koa interrupted, his head tilting slightly in that predatory way they all had when they caught something beyond human hearing.
I held my breath, straining my ears. At first, I heard nothing. Then a faint whimpering, like the sound a wounded animal might make, coming from the far corner of the library where ancient grimoires were stored behind glass cabinets.
Zane moved before any of us could, a blur crossing the room with supernatural speed.
“No no no no! Brumster, look at me!” His panicked shout sent my heart into my throat.
As the rest of us ran over, what I saw made my stomach drop like a stone.
My baby lay on his side, fur damp with vomit, his whole body shuddering with each shallow breath. His blue eyes were hazy and unfocused, staring at nothing. Foam flecked the corners of his mouth, and his long legs twitched and trembled like he was trying to run from something even while lying helpless on the floor.
“Brummy!” I fell to my knees beside Zane, not knowing what to do. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Zane pressed his hand to the wolf’s head as he tried to connect with him telepathically.
“He’s not responding right. It’s all static and confusion. Hey, buddy! Focus on Zaddy’s voice! Show me what’s wrong!”
Brummy’s only response was a weak whine as another violent tremor wracked his body.
“What the hell happened?” Koa demanded, looking ready to tear apart anyone responsible.
My eyes burned as I stroked Brummy’s fur, feeling the unnatural heat radiating from his skin. Whatever was happening, it was getting worse by the second.
