Ashes (Dark in You 3)

“You know,” began Harper, “I have the distinct feeling that finding out I’m pregnant may draw out the remaining Horsemen.” She looked at Knox. “What better way to make you lose all control than to take your pregnant mate from you?”

A muscle in Knox’s cheek ticked. “I know that, and I hate it.”

Yeah, so did she.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

As Harper took her jacket from the coat rack, the girls gathered close – their expressions sad, eyes shiny with unshed tears. She rolled her eyes. “For God’s sake, I’m not going off to war or anything.”

“It just won’t be the same without you around,” said Devon, shoulders drooping. “I’ll bet Knox is delighted that this was your last day at work for a while.”

“Oh, he’s ecstatic,” said Harper. “He doesn’t even have the courtesy to pretend differently.” Earlier that morning, he’d given her a self-satisfied, lopsided smile as they parted ways. She’d bet he’d been doing a mental countdown, ticking off each day with utter pleasure.

“You decorated the nursery yet?” asked Khloë.

Slipping on her jacket, Harper flicked her hair out of her collar. “No, I decided to leave everything until I started maternity leave or I’d have nothing at all to do.”

“If you need any help with anything, just let us know,” said Raini.

Harper smiled. “Thanks.” The days since she’d found out she was pregnant had passed so fast. It had also passed without incident. Nonetheless, her demon had become edgier and edgier as time went on. It looked upon each stranger as a threat, and craved Knox’s company more than usual – he was the one thing that made her demon feel safe and secure. The entity needed that sense of safety right now.

Tanner raised a brow at Harper as he and Keenan rose from the sofa. “Ready to go?”

She grabbed her purse. “Yep.” Each of the girls pulled her into a hug one at a time.

Raini bit her lip. “It’s going to be so weird not seeing you every day.”

“Same here. And it’s also going to be weird not coming here every day. I’ll pop in occasionally.” At Tanner’s disgruntled growl, Harper shot him a hostile look. “I will not confine myself to my home, no matter how totally cool that home is.”

“I’ll miss you.” Devon patted her arm. “But one good thing will come from you not being here so much. It means the pooch won’t be here so much either.”

Tanner grinned. “Ah, kitty, we both know you’ll miss me. Want a tissue?”

“For my tears of joy? No.”

“We went shopping for baby clothes.” Raini held up her hand. “Don’t worry, we took Aunt Kayla, so it didn’t look suspicious. Next time we come see you, we’ll bring the little outfits with us. Wait till you see how cute they are!”

Khloë tilted her head, frowning at Harper. “You don’t look good.”

“I don’t feel good,” she admitted. She felt a little flushed and just… off.

“And you didn’t say anything earlier?” Raini shook her head in frustration. “I know you’re used to soldiering on, no matter what happens, but you don’t have just you to think about now. Your body’s telling you it needs to rest, so listen to it.”

“I didn’t say I was tired, I said I didn’t feel good. But I haven’t exactly felt ‘right’ since the moment I conceived.” As Dr. Rodgers had predicted, the fatigue was gone, her appetite was back, and she no longer had a problem sleeping. She’d also regained the weight that she’d lost and had a noticeable pouch going on. She’d so far been able to conceal it with baggy clothes, but she wouldn’t manage that much longer, so it really was best that she started her maternity leave now.

“Fine,” said Raini. “Just take care of yourself, okay?”

Harper saluted her. “Sure thing, Mom.” Slinging her purse on her shoulder, she gripped the strap as she gave the studio one last look. She was going to miss her job big time.

Tanner opened the door for her, but he didn’t usher her out. He just stood there, patiently giving her a few moments.

Harper shot the girls one last smile. “Don’t be strangers.” With their goodbyes ringing in her ears, Harper followed Keenan out of the studio. The two sentinels flanked her as they stalked down the strip. The Underground was busier than usual, making both her and her demon feel crowded, and she found herself repeatedly blowing out a long breath to stay cool and calm.

Soon enough, they were heading up the elevator and then leaving the club. The valet waited outside with the Audi. As usual, Keenan rode shotgun as Tanner drove them back to the mansion. Taking off her jacket, Harper slung it aside and fanned her face. The cool leather and the blast of cold air from the vents felt so good.

She relaxed in the seat, feeling… conflicted. While she knew that spending the last stage of her pregnancy at home was the right thing to do, it was going to be damn weird. Since the age of fourteen, she’d had one job or another – even when she was attending many of the different high schools during her traveling years with Lucian. It would be strange to not have her days filled with work, to not have her own money, and to not be doing what she loved.

She wasn’t going to renege on her promise – she’d made the right choice for her, Knox, and the baby. But being at home all the time was going to take some adjusting to.

Feeling a jab on the left side of her stomach, she smiled. Now that the baby was bigger, its movements were more noticeable – just as the doc had predicted. The fluttering sensations had become light jabs, thuds, and sometimes she could swear she felt it turn and roll. She put a hand on her stomach, feeling yet another jab. The kicks weren’t hard enough to be uncomfortable, but they soon would be. It was scary to think that in another twelve weeks, she’d be holding the baby in her arms. Yep, seriously scary… but she was looking forward to it. Couldn’t wait to see what this little person looked like; whether it was a boy or a girl; what abilities it would have.

A dark, familiar mind touched hers. I’m on my way home. Where are you?

She knew from Knox’s telepathic check-in earlier that he’d attended a long-ass meeting in one of his Vegas hotels, where he’d fired a board member who’d been doing a little inside trading. Her mate was known for being ruthless, so she had no idea why anyone would even try to cross him, but whatever. I’m in the car, on my way back too.

A vibe of contentment tinged her mind. Good. I’ll see you soon.

Soon. Puffing out a long breath, she said, “Tanner, could you turn up the air conditioning please?”

“It’s already on full blast.”

Twisting in his seat, Keenan eyed her curiously. “You all right?”

She shifted against the leather, which seemed to be heating beneath her. “Just feeling a little warm, that’s all.”

By the time they drove through the iron gates of the estate, she was no longer feeling just “warm”. Harper scrunched up her hair to bare the nape of her neck. “God, I’m hot. Isn’t it hot?”

“No, it’s not hot.” Keenan reached over and put his palm to her forehead. “Shit, you’re burning up. I mean really burning up. Tanner, check her.”

Once Tanner braked outside the steps of the mansion, he turned to press his hand to her forehead. “Your temperature is way too high.”

Keenan cursed. “I’ll tell Knox she seems to be running a fever.” He opened the rear door, helped her out of the car, and guided her inside, passing a concerned Dan. “Knox and Levi are almost here,” Keenan assured her as he tossed her jacket at Dan, so she guessed he’d contacted Knox telepathically.

“Is something wrong?” asked Dan, following them into the living room.

“Yes. She’s fevered.” Keenan led her to the sofa and urged her to lean back as Dan disappeared down the hall, calling out to Meg.

Harper almost jumped out of her skin as fire burst to life in front of her. It crackled and popped as it died off, and then Knox was there – the image of concern.