Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 3)

When Kat didn’t reply, Eve said, “I need the data for future cases, Kat. You’re the only one in the world who can provide us with this. Lann’s type is unique.” Her smile was wry. “In fact, he’s the last of his kind.”

“He won’t be if I have this baby. If I do what he’s asking, if I have an abortion, his kind will be extinct.”

Eve pursed her lips. “Yes, that’s true.”

Kat considered Eve’s proposal. The least she could do was supply the doctor with whatever data she could gather to help prevent the death of future mothers of gifted babies.

“There are seven arts,” Kat said. “Does that mean there are other kinds out there, other people like Lann with different gifts?”

“I’m not at liberty to discuss that, but there is a woman who’s very interested in what I can learn from you.”

Kat nodded. “When do you want to do this?”

“I’ve set up a room in Lann’s residence. I can drive you there now if you feel strong enough.”

“No,” Kat said quickly. She couldn’t face him.

“I know this is emotional for you, but Lann’s monastery is the most secure place for us to work.”

“The media’s not a threat any longer.”

“It’s not the media I’m concerned about. Have you considered what would happen if anyone finds out what Lann really is, and that you’re expecting his baby?”

Kat frowned.

“You’ll be the most hunted person on the planet,” Eve said with an even voice.

Kat’s body went cold. It was as if the air had been sucked from her lungs. The thought hadn’t occurred to her. Trying not to show how shaken she was, she said, “Let’s hope then that nobody finds out.”

“You haven’t said anything about this to Diana, have you?”

Kat shook her head.

“Good.” Eve got to her feet. “There’s no point in wasting time. Shall we go?”

“Can Lann please not be there?” She cleared her throat. “It will be easier for me if I don’t have to face him.”

Eve’s expression was compassionate. “I’ll ask, but you know Lann. Nobody makes up his mind for him.”

Despite the fact that it was Monday, the monastery was quiet when Kat and Eve arrived. Only the security guards and Alfonso were around.

“Where’s everyone?” Kat asked.

“Lann had to give them the day off,” Eve replied. “We didn’t want to risk any info leaking out.”

At least Lann had left with them. It was no small measure of relief. Kat took in the garden she’d once found serene as they made their way down the hallway past the library. Now the small paradise in the middle of town only left her with sadness and a sense of loss. They took the stairs to the first floor, she guessed to use one of the unoccupied bedrooms, but at the top of the staircase she stopped dead.

Tall and imposing with an unreadable expression, Lann stood on the landing.

Eve shot Kat an apologetic look. Moving past him, she said, “I’ll wait inside.”

Kat approached slowly, as if she could postpone the inevitable.

“Thanks for doing this,” he said in a formal voice, adjusting his glasses.

She couldn’t help the bite in her tone. “I’m not doing it for you.”

“You’re not doing it for yourself, either. That’s brave.”

“I am doing it for myself.”

A frown marred his features. “What do you mean?”

“I’m hoping Eve will find a cure.”

At the end of the hallway, Eve entered the bedroom where Kat had stayed when she’d lived here.

A warning flashed in his golden eyes behind his glasses. “Katherine.”

She got it. He didn’t want her to have hope. There was nothing more to say.

When she walked past him, he grabbed her arm.

“This is not what I want,” he said.

Meaning a baby. It stung. His rejection was still too fresh a wound. She couldn’t deal with this too. Not now. Freeing her arm, she said, “Then I’m on my own.”

Not sparing him another glance, she carried on down the hallway and entered the bedroom into which Eve had disappeared.

Her old room had been converted into a lab. There was a desk with computers, a long counter with microscopes and various other instruments, and an ultrasound scanner.

“You can lie down,” Eve said, pointing at the bed.

The air shifted around them as a memory of what Lann had done to her in that bed made Kat’s stomach flip. At the click of the door, she spun around. The reason for the subtle displacement of air was standing in front of the closed door, his arms crossed over his chest and his stance wide.

Oh, no. This wasn’t going to happen. “I’m not doing this with you here.”

The golden color of his eyes turned to a frosty yellow. “You’ll have my support whether you want it or not.”

“Please, don’t put yourself out on my behalf. I’m sure you have places to be.”

He narrowed his gaze. “I’m going nowhere.”