Page 35 of From the Edge

The doctor lifted the boxes on his vines. “How many options do we have?”

“Twenty pack suites with ensuite bathrooms. Once you have made your selections, I will turn on the individual on-demand water heaters, and you will be all set. Individual environmental controls are on the walls.”

He blinked. “Wait, we can set it to anything?”

“Absolutely. This was a place to bring different clans together. They had different needs, and my ancestors were excellent hosts.” She smiled, and a curl of pride went through her.

“What happened to your parents?”

“They have a bed and breakfast on Emerald. This place was bequeathed to me by my grandparents to keep the Omega Centre at bay.”

He froze. “They could not force you to the centre?”

“Not with a historically registered pack assembly building. I am the sole manager of the property and sole beneficiary of the family trust. That is what started my interest in contracts and trusts.” She nodded. “Now go and pick your room before the other guys get there first.”

He nodded and headed for the house with long strides and his boxes carried in thick vines that emerged from his back and sides.

She made sure that the house memorized the guys as they moved inside. It was important, or it could lead to being locked in a room when one didn’t expect it.

Rowan smiled, and Keres offered her the baby. “Do you want to hold your namesake?”

“Um, no. I am still in a lot of pain from earlier shenanigans. Any contact with my skin creates ripples under it like a rock hitting a pond. It continues to cause pain for days. I should be fine by Monday.”

Keres gasped. “What kind of spell is that?”

The doctor returned. “It’s called crystal skin. It’s an opal omega emergency spell. It keeps them from showing damage after harsh sexual encounters. I have never heard of it being used to hide repeated battle damage.”

Rowan smiled. “I am creative; I didn’t know that was a born spell.”

The doctor said, “I can help you lift it.”

She paused. “So you figured out that I am stuck?”

“It was an intuitive leap.”

“Nice jump.”

Keres frowned. “Holding a baby hurts?”

“Yes. It is like a heavy weight tearing at my joints. A hug is a burn along my nerves. A punch feels like I am being crushed.” She inhaled and said, “And it does. Not. Stop.”

She reached for the baby and held him with a slight grimace. “But he is little Rowan, and he will know I love him and will not know what it costs until he asks why I make a face. That will be a while. His dad doesn’t look too bright.”

His father paused.

“Don’t worry. You just have to deal with it for the next two years.” She smiled brilliantly at him and slowly tipped the baby to rest on her shoulder, enjoying the little scrunch.

Mell raised and lowered her hands. “You said it hurts.”

“It does.” She swayed with the little one.

“Then why?”

“Because he needs to know who loves him and who is safe to be with. If he doesn’t learn my scent, he won’t know I am a good place to hide.” She rubbed his back, and he let out a thunderous burp. “Mell, you have to get better at this. He’s going to be a gassy little dude.”

Mellwyn smiled. “Auntie needs a job. Auntie is good at this.”

“Mommy is lazy and doesn’t want to hear you cry, but the crying will get worse if she doesn’t help the gas out.” She felt something happening in the little body and smiled. “Time for Daddy to take him.”