Aeromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 3)

“It’s a translation,” Eve said, “of what I’m now thinking is some kind of ancient medical report.”

Lann stabbed his fingers into his hair. “This aeromancist needed a specific female to breed?”

“What we mistakenly assumed was infertility, was, in fact, just a normal condition. Your sperm count doesn’t rise unless you’re with a female that can provide the right cocktail.”

“If that’s the case, it explains a lot.” He left the report on the counter. “Has anything new about gifted births turned up?”

Eve gave him an apologetic look. “I’m not going to give you false hope. Your kind … there’s too little information for me to pull other case studies.”

“Has her body altered more?” he asked, dreading the answer.

“Yes. The baby is changing her.”

“Can’t we create some kind of serum, antibodies?”

“I’m working on it.” Eve paused. “The problem is that I won’t be able to test anything before the birth.” Her tone held a warning. “You do realize that Kat’s going to be a guinea pig for whatever I can come up with, right?”

Removing his glasses, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly.

He looked back at her and tried to smile. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.”

“Stop saying that. It’s not helping you or Kat.”

Lann finished his coffee and left the mug on the counter. “I’ll speak to Cain tomorrow. Maybe we can pull in another expert.”

“I’m the only one and you know it.”

Yes. He knew he was grasping at straws. “I’m losing it, Eve.” The storm outside … he almost couldn’t stop himself from calling down lightning. He’d never lost his control. He was finding it harder to hold back. If this carried on, Cain would have him locked up.

“It’s emotional. You’ll get a grip.”

Lann patted her shoulder. “Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

“Bring Kat in tomorrow early. I’ll run another test to measure her change.”

Lann left the lab and went in search of his woman. He found her sleeping in their bed. Her hair was spread out around her face. Her long lashes brushed her cheek. The movement of air around him was faint. She seemed pale. He got undressed and slipped into bed next to her without waking her, putting his arms around her body. Despite the covers, she was cold. He placed his hand on her chest. Her heart was beating fast. Too fast. He didn’t need Eve’s tests to know the truth. Kat’s body had turned more. The difficult part was only starting.

The storm had raged all night. The sound of rain on the windows came to Kat as she opened her eyes. She’d woken a few times in the evening to loud thunder. Now it seemed as if the storm had spilled its anger, and all that remained was a persistent drizzle.

When she stretched in Lann’s arms, he tightened his embrace. When had he come to bed? She’d been so tired. Her heart grew heavy when she remembered the previous night’s conversation, and how Lann had walked out on her.

“You skipped dinner,” Lann said in a sleepy voice.

“I didn’t hear you come to bed.”

He kissed her shoulder. “I didn’t want to wake you, but you should eat before going to bed. It’s not good for you to skip meals.”

She kicked the covers aside. “I eat when I’m hungry.”

When she made to sit up, he held her down.

“Under normal circumstances, maybe,” he said. “But these aren’t normal circumstances.”

“Speak to your child,” she teased. “It’s his fault I can’t stomach food.”

He tensed.

“Lann.” She rolled her eyes. “It was a joke.” They couldn’t tiptoe around the subject forever. Sooner than later, they had to face what needed to be done.

Rolling over her, he pinned her down while keeping his weight on his arms. He kissed the tip of her nose, and her cheeks.

He seemed in no better mood than the night before. She’d give him more time before bringing up the subject again, not that time was a luxury she had.

Lann pushed up on his elbows to stare down at her face.

“What?” She squirmed underneath him. “Do I look funny?”

He remained serious. “You’re beautiful.”

Cupping his cheek, she said, “Thank you. That’s such a nice thing to say when I’m still wearing my messy bed look.”

“Katherine…” He hesitated.

She dropped her hand. “Yes?”

“What would you like to do today?”

She flashed him a smile. “You’re that serious about asking me what I’d like to do today?”

“What I mean to ask is what do you want to do from today on and every day after?”

Wow, he really wasn’t good with words. Slowly, his meaning sunk in. “You want my bucket list?”

He frowned. “Don’t say that.”

She took his hand and guided it to her stomach. “We’re the parents of this child. I’d like to have an open and honest relationship with you. We need to be open if we’re going to talk about the future, but we can’t do that if you keep on skirting the issues. Just say it. Just say that you want me to tell you what I’d like to do before I die.”