“What about her?” Damian took the chair next to him. “We know she’s in town.”

“Not anymore. She’s already gone back to Corvinestri. Where she thinks I’ll be joining her.”

Damian frowned. “Why?”

Mal explained everything that had happened, from Tatiana coming to see him to his encounter with Creek to the tainted blood Dominic had been sending.

Mortalis nodded. “Chrysabelle asked him to do that.”

“It was a good idea. I can’t imagine how many people she kept me from killing.”

Doc frowned. “How many did you kill?”

“None.” He tried to think, but ingesting so many drugs in so few days had left a few hazy spots in his memory. “At least, I don’t think I did.”

“Think harder,” Damian said. “There have been a couple humans murdered in the last few days and everything I’ve heard says it was a vampire.”

“Bloody hell.” Mal racked his brain, trying to remember. He looked around. “I don’t seem to have any new ghosts following me, so I’m going to take that as a good sign.” He stood and stretched. “But if you want to stand guard over me while I sleep, be my guest. The sun will be up soon and I’m exhausted. Wake me when Chrysabelle gets home. I’ll be in the hurricane shelter until then.” Without waiting for a response, he headed down the hall.

He locked the door behind him and leaned against it. He’d remember if he killed someone, wouldn’t he? But he couldn’t answer that definitively. There was one way to tell. He stripped his clothes off and checked his skin for new names. Nothing but the usual that he could see.

He’d need a mirror to check the rest of his skin, but that would have to wait until the sun went down again. Until then, he needed to get unconscious and hope no new ghosts showed up to haunt him.

Chapter Twenty-six

I wish Velimai had made enough sandwiches for the flight home. I’m starving.”

Chrysabelle shook her head at Fi as she slid into the car beside her. “You’re always hungry, but this time so am I. A little.” She wasn’t totally over the lethargy of being on the fae plane, but as it diminished, her appetite increased. It probably helped that they were back on the ground in New Florida. She was finally starting to feel safe again.

Jerem stuck his head in before closing the car door. “You want me to swing through a drive-thru on the way home?”

“Yes,” Fi said just as Chrysabelle said, “No.”

Chrysabelle smiled. “Fi, you know Velimai will have a better meal than anything you can get at a fast-food joint.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” She waved at Jerem. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay. Just drive fast.”

He laughed and shut the door. A minute later, they were leaving the hangar behind and off toward the freeway.

Fi unclipped her seatbelt to scoot to the seat across from Chrysabelle. “How are you feeling? Better?”

“Yes. I think the residual effects of the fae plane have finally worn off.”

“That was the scariest place I’ve ever been in.” Fi tucked one leg underneath her. “We probably shouldn’t tell Doc too much about it. He’ll freak. I know him. And in your condition, you probably shouldn’t be getting all stressed by being yelled at.”

“I can handle Doc.” Chrysabelle’s hand slipped to her belly. “Whoa.” She looked down. “Is it just me or does my stomach seem bigger?”

Fi nodded. “You’re definitely showing a little. Maybe you should go back to your loose tunics. T-shirts and snug jeans don’t hide much.”

“You’re the one who bought me these clothes.”

Fi smirked. “Check the label. Those are maternity jeans. Why do you think you’re still fitting into them?” She laughed. “You think all jeans are that stretchy?”

“They don’t look like maternity jeans. Not that I’ve ever owned a pair before. Of any kind.”

Fi yawned. “I’d say it was weird how fast this is happening, but considering this kid’s parents, I guess it’s not that weird at all. I wonder what your due date is. You should really go see a doctor.”

Chrysabelle shot Fi a look. “And tell him what? I’m carrying a half-vampire baby? I realize with the covenant broken, othernaturals aren’t a secret to humans anymore, but I doubt there’s a doctor out there who’s studied anything close to what’s happening with me.”

“Actually…” Fi’s eyes took on a curious glow. “Barasa, he’s one of Doc’s council members and the pride’s chief physician, he studied at a hospital that specialized in othernaturals. If anyone could give you some insight into this pregnancy, I bet he could.”

Chrysabelle thought for a moment. “Couldn’t hurt to see him, I guess.” She shrugged. “Might be a little strange, but normal hasn’t been a big part of my life so far. Why start now?” She glanced down at her belly again. Soon everyone would know her secret.

“Something wrong?”

“Just thinking.” She looked out the window.

“About?”

“If things didn’t go the way they were supposed to with Mal… I’m not going to be able to hide this pregnancy from him for much longer.”

“You did everything you were supposed to. You killed the raptor, and the emotions were released. It’s all going to be fine.”