There was some murmuring as the others began trickling out, all of them headed into the mansion. Probably going to gossip for a while about the shit that had gone down.
“And you”—Obsidian pointed directly at Michael—“you’ll stay here for now. Should something happen, it’s on you.”
Michael opened his mouth, probably to add some smart-ass comment, but then closed it just as quickly, instead offering a nod of compliance.
“I expect updates hourly,” Obsidian told Apollo and Amethyst. “Both on the human and the vampire.”
“Same for me,” Kaj noted.
“Hey, boss?” Blaz said as Kaj began walking back toward the Lair. “I thought maybe you’d want to meet Leilana.”
“Who’s that?” he asked, head down as he moved forward.
“The female we interviewed to be your assistant?”
Oh, right. Kaj recalled Blaz mentioning her.
“Did you hire her?”
“Not yet, no.”
“But you think she’ll be a good fit?”
“I do.”
“Then hire her. Get her here. Let’s get a move on this.” Those damn emails weren’t slowing, and Kaj figured they would only increase once they got word out that Khari was alive. Which was another task she could handle. Draft something to go out, something that made a little sense, maybe.
Christ. There was so much to do and Kaj wasn’t even sure where to start.
He stopped, spun around.
“Where’re you going,phaal?”
“To get my female,” he said. Because right now, he suspected she was the only one who might possibly be able to calm the chaos in his head.
Acadia was sitting in Ari’el’s room, holdingthe sleeping baby as she rocked the little one.
She’d been in here for some time now, though she wasn’t sure how long. From the other side of the door, she’d heard Penelope pacing the room. Part of her had wanted to go to the female, to assure her all would be fine. Offer platitudes, spew words that held little meaning because, truth was, no one knew the outcome. However, she’d opted to keep her thoughts to herself, to allow the female to pace the floor to expend some of her restless energy.
“I have a feeling your uncle’ll be just fine,” she whispered to the beautiful child. “He’s strong. Like your mom.”
As she stared down at the baby, Acadia wondered whether one day she would have a child of her own. She’d always wanted one, though she’d spent no time in the presence of children. That had never stopped her from fantasizing.
Of course, that was all she’d been capable of doing because she was infertile thanks to God’s punishment of her race. According to Kaj, Michael had relieved them of that punishment, but was it really true? Only time would tell, she figured.
There was a soft knock on the door, drawing her attention.
“The Alpha’s here to see you,” Josie whispered, peeking into the room.
She nodded, overwhelmed with worry. Had he come up here to find her because he wanted to see her? Or because something had gone wrong?
Acadia got to her feet, ensuring she didn’t jostle the tiny bundle in her arms. She settled Ari’el into her crib, keeping a gentle hand on the infant’s belly until she settled. Once she was peacefully at rest once more, she hurried out of the room and into the small hallway that led back to the third-floor living area.
Kaj was pacing the room, hands in his pockets, chin resting on his chest as though he was deep in thought.
He must’ve heard her because his head instantly lifted and he redirected, coming right for her.
“Is everything all right?”
