If she needed knowledge about her pregnancy, she pressed a button on her computer mouse.
In fact, she might have discovered a way to hedge against that fork-in-the-road foretelling. Ren told Chloe, “But just in case I don’t conquer the beast in time, I’m going to schedule a cesarean section.” She’d already consulted a doctor that Loa had recommended.
Chloe’s eyes widened. “That would allow you to keep your cuff on!” She made like she was dusting off her hands and said, “Problem solved.”
“I’ll still keep working, but I think it’s a good option.” Ren had also started thinking about other worst-case scenarios: the warlocks striking again. She felt safe behind Glenrial’s barrier spell, but as she reminded Munro, hiding was never a good course when dealing with immortal adversaries. Traps worked best.
As she pondered strategy, she noticed Rónan consistently hitting the target with his knife handle. “Rónan, you’re throwing with the same number of rotations each time, which is good, but try backing up one step.”
“Got it.” He backed up, took aim, and threw. Just shy of the bull’s-eye.
“There! That’s your sweet-spot distance to the target.”
“Thanks, carnie,” he called back with a grin, using his nickname for her.
When it was Benneit’s turn, she said, “Remember, Ben, it’s almost like you’re pushing as you throw. That’ll help your consistency.” She stood to demonstrate the motion, her round belly affecting her center of balance. When Benneit hit the bull’s-eye on his second throw, she called, “Good show, Ben!”
His longish black hair hung in his eyes, and he blushed furiously, but she could tell the praise pleased him. The two brothers were down-to-earth and as kindhearted as she’d imagined them.
Unfortunately, their family unit in the lodge would be splitting up soon. Last night Munro had told Ren that Will, the elder brother and Lord of Conall, had a duty to live at his ancestral estate in the Highlands. He’d added, “Mayhap it’s time for us to separate.” But he’d looked dismayed by the prospect.
Ren sat back down and said to Chloe, “Munro mentioned you two are moving once all the excitement passes.”
Chloe said, “Conall is so nice, and I like being close to my relatives.” The portal to the Ubus Realm lay within the Woods of Murk. “Plus, the boys miss Scotland.”
Few things could get Benneit to talk, but he grew almost chatty if she asked him about the Highlands. Even Rónan—who had a crush on that local witch—longed for the land of his birth.
Chloe continued, “It’d be a great place to raise kids, so I took it upon myself to buy even more acreage in case you guys want to build there.”
“Really?”
Chloe grabbed her phone and showed Ren pictures of the gorgeous property. “Not bad, huh?”
“Oh, that looks incredible!” Then she frowned. “But Munro will have to lead Bheinnrose in Nova Scotia. He told me he feels guilty that he’s left it without a chieftain for so long.”
Chloe leaned in and confided, “Will thinks that’s just an excuse, and that really Munro is angling for a mental-health break from him, which I could totally understand.”
“Not at all! Munro doesn’t want a break.”
Chloe sighed. “Men. So let’s find another chieftain for Bheinnrose.”
Ren tapped her chin. “Yes, great idea.” She already had someone in mind, a clan elder who’d taken over Glenrial’s watch while Madadh was imprisoned in Quondam.
“Full disclosure,” Chloe said. “The Woods of Murk are stirring a touch because of the Accession. My family has spotted a few unwelcome creatures popping up here and there, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Creatures in the woods? Ren sucked in a breath. “Oh, Chloe.” She suddenly knew what her future would entail. “I want to patrol those woods. I want to be . . . a Sentinel.” Had everything in her life led up to this? As an immortal, she could inflict serious damage on predatory Loreans. The Night War would continue in its new iteration.
Chloe clapped with delight. “Then welcome to the neighborhood watch!”
They cracked up at that, were still laughing when the twins arrived home, striding out to join them.
Chloe muttered, “Man, what a pair. I figured out why we get along so well. You’re the only female who knows how good my mate looks naked that I don’t want to skewer.”
Ren chuckled. “Whenever I catch sight of Munro, my beast leaps inside me.”
“It must be so weird to have a force like that taking up residence in your body.”
“Wait till you get pregnant.” When Munro greeted her with a toe-curling kiss, she asked him, “Any leads?” But she was so attuned to him that she sensed the frustration he tried to hide.
He opened the cooler. “Mayhap tomorrow.” He politely refilled her cider, then popped the top on a bottle of beer. “Jels is squirrelly, but we’ll keep at it.”
Will asked Chloe, “You in the mood for dinner, lass?” He gave her a look that could turn rock into lava.