Chapter Twelve

Shilah opened the door and threw her arms around her sister. Chaya returned the embrace. “Leave it to you to top a kidnapping,” she said with a laugh.

Shilah released her. “Come on in.”

“Nice place,” Chaya commented as Shilah led the way to the back terrace.

“It still feels kind of strange,” Shilah admitted as she sank down into one of the cushioned lounge chairs. “Want something to drink?”

“Naw, I’m good. So any ill effects from Doc removing that implant in your neck?”

Shilah shook her head. “Nope, but I can tell you Leo was pissed to the gills when he found out the Nyx had stuck one in him.”

“I can imagine. He does have a temper, doesn’t he?”

“You might say that. Have you heard anything about those things?  Has Doc found out what they do?”

“A combination of iridium and some substance – I don’t remember the name – but according to Mom’s encyclopedic Vox Narr, it works with the iridium to suppress our natural ability to transform, and over time weakens us physically.”

“Talk about a time-released capsule,” Shilah commented.  “I guess it’s good it happened.  Now we know they’ll be trying to find a way to use it against us and Doc can come up with a way of neutralizing it if any more of us are implanted.”

Chaya stared at her thoughtfully for a few moments.  “Shi, are you really okay with what happened?  I mean what that Nyx did to you?”

Shilah looked away.  “You already know the answer to that.  Some days I don’t think about it and others … let’s just say that one day I plan on getting even.”

“Not if Leo finds him first.”

Shilah chuckled.  “Yeah, there is that. “

He’s pretty freaking hot,”  Chaya remarked.

“Nuclear,”  Shilah agreed.

“So being bonded is…?”

“I was wondering when you’d finally get around to asking.   It’s good, Chay.  I never imagined it would be so good.  But,” she paused and gave her sister a sly smile.  “I don’t think this is about me, is it?”

Chaya leaned back, closed her eyes and blew out her breath.  “I…”

“Come on, out with it.   You’ve been hiding something from me for a while.”

Chaya opened her eyes to look at Shilah.  “Octavian.”

Shilah should have been surprised, but she was not.  Chaya developed a crush on Octavian when they were teenagers.  She’d just assumed it had faded.  “So, you still have that thing for him?”

“It’s horrible!”  Chaya suddenly sat up and swung her legs over to the side so she faced Shilah’s seat.  “I can’t stop thinking about him.”

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know.  Nothing.”

“Why?  If you feel that way why not at least let him know you’re interested.  Leo and I are living proof that anything can happen.  And our parents accepted him.  Mom adores Octavian.  I bet they wouldn’t oppose a bonding between you two.”

“I know but… I’m just not ready.”

“Okay.  It’s your life.  So, mom tells me Father is going to give you command of a field office.”

Chaya’s face brightened in a smile.  “Yes.  I can’t wait.  It’s one of our small stations in North Carolina.”

“Any action?”

“Not normally, but we think our overtures for peace with the Alliance are being subverted.”

“In what way?”

“Just rumors of an impending plan we’ve picked up snippets on.   I’m going to go see if I can pick up anything.”

“As Chaya Belenus?  The Alliance will peg you in a nanosecond.”

“No, as Chay Whitestone.  My cover is as a reporter for a weekly paranormal show.”

“Might be fun,” Shilah commented.  “When do you leave?”

“A couple of days.  But if you need me to stay.”

“I’m fine, Chay.”

”You sure?”

“Yes, positive.”

“Okay, but… look I know you’re hiding something, Shi.  Did the Nyx do something to you that you don’t want us to know?”

Shilah considered her answer for a few moments.  If there was anyone she could trust it was Chay. “There is something.” She admitted.

“What?”

Shilah wouldn’t put it into words, but she could lower her barriers so that Chay could glean the information from her mind.  Chaya’s eyes widened and a smile took shape on her face.

“Holy shit!”

“I know,”  Shilah said with a grin.

Chaya moved over to Shilah’s chair to hug her.  “I can stay if you want.”

“No.  You go.  This is your chance to prove yourself, Chay.  In the field I mean.  You’ve already shown everyone you’re smart. Hell I don’t have one University degree and you have two.”

“But you’re one of our top warriors.”

“Yeah, whatever,”  Shilah dismissed it.  “This isn’t about me.  This is your chance to show our parents that you’ve got what it takes.  So get out there and kick some ass.”

“I’m going to give it my best shot.”

“Who’s getting shot?”  Leonidas’ voice came from the door.

Chaya got up.  “No one.  At least not here.  I’ve got to go.”

“You can stay,”  Leonidas said.

“Thanks but I’ve got a lot to do before I leave.”

“Good luck in the Carolina station.”

“Thanks,”  she gave him a smile then looked at Shilah.  “See ya.”

“Love you,”  Shilah replied.

“Ditto.”

Shilah watched her leave.   Leonidas walked over and sat down on the vacant lounge.  “You okay with her being given command of a field offce?”

“Absolutely.”

One eyebrow rose.  “You sure?  Ever since Constantine ordered you off active duty—“

“I’m fine.”  She reached for his hand.  “Leo, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“I know you’re holding something back,”  he replied.  “You’ve been closed off ever since we got back.”

“I know. I’m sorry.  I just wanted to wait for the right time.”

He suddenly jumped up.  “No, you aren’t walking away from this, Shi.”

She got up and went to him. “No, I’m not.  I would never want to.”

“And it’s too soon for you to go back into the field. I agree with your father.  After what happened with the Nyx you need to—“

“I’m pregnant.”

His mouth closed then opened and closed again.  She felt the tension and excitement course through him, along with a good measure of disbelief.  She knew he never thought he’d have a family.

After he lost his first mate, he’d resigned himself to being alone, to never knowing what it was like to have a home and a family.

“Pregnant?”  he finally asked.

“With your son.”

“My son?”  His voice was a shocked whisper.

She nodded and smiled up at him.

“My son!”  He bellowed, swept her up off her feet and swung her around.

She could feel the joy that flooded through him.  He now had what he thought would be forever denied to him.

“Shi,”  he finally stopped spinning and held her close.  “We’re having a son.”

He abruptly put her down and held her by the upper arms.  “Are you okay with this?  I know you want to be in the middle of the action and being pregnant—“

“Doesn’t mean I can’t be involved.  I can be part of things without being in the field, Leo.  And this is more important.  You and our son are what matter the most.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.  Besides there are other ways to quell a warrior’s restlessness, aren’t there?”

“Indeed,”  he agreed with a sexy grin.  “And I’m just the man to show you all those ways.”

“Promises, promises,” she laughed.

“Iron clad guarantee,” he argued.

Of that she had no doubt.  Life with Leo promised to be filled with highs and lows, with explosions of temper and times when they butted heads.  It would be a challenge but one she welcomed.  There was fire between them and she knew that nothing would ever dim the irresistible hunger he inspired in her.

He was and ever would be her mate.