I bite my lower lip and stare at my hands. “I don’t know.”
“If you are indeed pregnant, would that be good news?”
I lift my chin. “Yes, the best of news, but… what if Lucca doesn’t see it that way.”
She cocks her head and studies me. “Are you kidding me? Lucca is completely gaga over you. He’d be thrilled.”
I allow Miranda’s certainty to lift my mood, but Lucca’s reaction isn’t the only thing I’m worried about. I’m the crown princess of Ellnesari. If my mother took away my powers and banished me because I fell in love with a vampire, what would she do if she learns I’m expecting his baby?
Forty-Eight
VAUGHN
Saxon went overboard packing steel. We both have swords strapped to our backs—concealed by magic thanks to Aurora—plus I have daggers strapped to both my ankles and flying stars in my jacket pockets. When Saxon wasn’t looking, I slipped Igor a hunting knife. I don’t doubt his fists are lethal weapons, but I feel better that he has a sharp blade on him.
Sophie and Aurora both have a plethora of energized crystals at their disposal, plus flying stars and knives. We’re dressed for war; I just hope we don’t have to actually engage in battle. The Nightshade Market isn’t exactly the best place to fight anyone. The walkways are narrow and crowded, and there are too many individuals with magic at their fingertips. It could get ugly in the blink of an eye.
“All right, gang. Let’s stick together. No wandering off on your own,” Saxon tells us before we enter the market.
I scan our surroundings, but I don’t see anyone suspicious, and my Spidey senses aren’t picking up anything either.
Aurora walks ahead, Sophie is sandwiched between Igor and me holding Tish, and Saxon brings up the rear. He made it clear that he trusts Igor as far as he can throw him. They obviouslyhave a past, and I’m dying to know what Saxon’s beef with the male is—besides the fact that he was Jacques Tellier’s enforcer.
Being a baby vampire, I feel out of my depth most of the time. I lack the history and knowledge they all have. Life was definitely much simpler when I was human.
“Do you know where you’re going?” I ask Aurora.
“There’s a vendor who sometimes carry one of the ingredients we’re looking for.”
She speed-walks ahead, weaving through the crowd. We can’t move as fast walking side by side like we are, and soon Igor has to fall back and follow us. I put my hand on Sophie’s back so I don’t lose her. Unfortunately, a group of people enters our lane from an intersection, and I lose sight of Aurora. Someone bumps into me, forcing me to stagger back.
“Is it me, or is it getting very busy all of a sudden?” I ask.
“Hey! Watch it,” Igor yells at someone.
“Bite me, bloodsucker.”
“That’s not something to say to a vampire unless you truly want them to bite you,” Tish pipes up.
“I don’t see Aurora anymore,” Sophie says.
“Come on, let’s quicken the pace. I’m sure she’s just ahead of us,” I say.
We sprint, and I don’t look back to see if Igor and Saxon are close behind us. That quickly proves to be a great error on my part. A weird fog materializes, spreading through the market at an abnormal speed.
“What’s going on?” Tish asks.
The smalls hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and my stomach coils. “I don’t like this.”
“This feels like dark magic,” Sophie says.
A second layer, a loud piercing sound blares, hurting my ears. I let go of Sophie to cover them and try to block the sound, but it’s little help. “What the hell!”
The noise persists, causing confusion all around us. This is probably a trap. I look for Sophie, ready to drag her out of here, but she’s not next to me.
“Sophie!” I yell through the cacophony.
Something hits the back of my head hard, sending me to my knees. Bodies collide with me as people try to flee the market in a panic. If I don’t get back on my feet, I’ll be trampled on. By a miracle, I manage to stand up, then look for Sophie.
