Spellbound (Otherworld 12)

I stifled a laugh.

"She'd better know what she's doing," Benicio said.

"She usually does," Karl said.

We turned back to the video screen. Jaz had slid off the bed and was pulling a chair over to Hope. She tensed, and I could tell s

he was fighting the urge to ease back.

"You've changed," he said. "And I don't just mean that." A dismissive wave at her stomach. "Yes, I can tell you're pregnant. You look like shit, Hope. He's not taking care of you. Oh, I'm sure he's trying, but he has no idea how."

"And you do."

"Of course I do. First thing? I'd never tie you down with a squalling brat. That's what he's doing, you know. Tying you to him. He knows he can't hold on to you otherwise, so he's got to throw on all the ropes he can. First a wedding ring. Then a baby. Then more babies. Make it harder and harder for you to leave."

Hope said nothing. I glanced over at Karl, but his expression was unreadable.

"But you have changed," Jaz said. "You're calmer. More centered. You're not as conflicted about the chaos. Learning to live with it. Learning to feed it."

"I'm managing."

"But not lately." He eased his chair forward. "It isn't the baby wearing you down, is it?"

Hope shook her head, then looked up at him. "You know why I'm here, and what it means. They know about the plan, so you aren't going to get what you've been promised."

"No? Damn. And it seemed like such a good plan, too." He grinned and rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward until her curls brushed his face. "Did it seem like a good plan to you, Hope?"

"Not particularly. But if you were desperate enough, you might bite."

He lifted his face to hers, and Hope's hands clenched at her side. But he only hovered there, his face so close to hers they had to be touching.

"I'm not that desperate," he said. "Not that stupid. Not that gullible. And not about to become a pawn in someone else's scheme. I have my own."

His lips brushed hers, and she jerked back, but he only settled into his chair and grinned. "Sorry. Couldn't resist. Now let's talk about the plan. That's the point of this reunion, isn't it? The plan, the plan. A ridiculous plan, but that's the point, is it? It must be the point. Otherwise, there is no point."

"You're losing me, Jaz."

"Am I? I don't think I am. I think you're tired. I think all this talk of kidnapping and oracles and prophecies has your brain spinning, and you don't know where to focus. But when you get past all the noise, you'll know where to focus. On the plan."

I looked at Benicio. "What the hell is he talking about?"

"He's crazy," Karl said. "A small matter that some people like to forget."

Hope didn't seem fazed. She must have seen this side of Jaz before, and only settled back in her chair, watching him.

"Their plan," she said. "They say they want to free you as a sign. Proof of some prophecy coming true. But they're going to too much trouble for just that. They have a bigger scheme, don't they?"

Jaz shot her a blazing grin. "Everyone does."

"Especially you."

"I have my moments."

"And you have a plan. One that may or may not coincide with theirs. At least, not past the point where they help you."

"Whatever do you mean?" He arched his brows, but couldn't stop grinning. She knew he was up to something and he was pleased she knew him so well.

"So what's the plan?" Hope asked. "Theirs, I mean. I know you won't tell me yours. Why do they want you?"