CHAPTER 18

We didn’t go to my apartment as I expected. Instead, Dan drives toward a very fancy neighborhood that requires codes and having license plates scanned by security guards to enter. This has to be Zeke’s home. He owns several pieces of property, including a penthouse apartment. He did say last month he bought an actual home. I’m assuming he did it in case Dan and I decided to make Chicago home. I had a feeling he wasn’t going to let us just go waltzing off into the sunset without him. I’m surprised he’s given us this long.

The houses are uber expensive and spread out. I’d say they all sit on ten or more acres of land. Zeke’s place is at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s a three story Victorian with a wraparound porch. But every home we passed seemed to be unique and not the cookie-cutter style of neighborhoods you see so often today.

Dan pulls into the drive and cuts the engine. He looks at me, and I reach for his hand. I need something to anchor me in the here and now so I can escape the white space in my head.

“How long was I missing?”

“Fourteen hours.”

I look out at the night sky, which is just starting to show signs of daybreak, and then check the clock on the dash. It’s a little after six in the morning.

“How many officers died?”

“All of them. We had to put a few down because they were changing.”

“I should have pulled my Sword and killed them all.”

“No. Gloria told me how many Elders were at that house. Not even the Sword could have protected you from all of them. Pulling that Sword would have been a death sentence.”

“My Sword is going to serve justice to Gloria before we leave Chicago.”

“You want to leave?”

I nod. “I wanted this to be home because I love the city, but it’s not.”

“Our family’s not here.”

“I miss them.”

“Me too.” He leans over and pulls me to him. “I was so scared.”

“You and me both. I did my best to act like I wasn’t. I’m not sure if I pulled it off or not. There was an Elder there, Babis, he has dominion over animals. All animals.”

“Shifters?”

I nod. “I was terrified he’d have control over me.”

Dan pulls away. “Let’s get into the house, get some fresh blood in you, and we’ll talk about it all. Your father is waiting with orange juice and pancakes. Cass is here, too.”

“Cass?”

“He came with Stanley to help clear the nest.”

Cass Willow is the middle child when it comes to me and Nathaniel, with me being the baby of the bunch. He grew up hating the Cranes, and we only found out we were siblings about a year ago. It’s been hard on Zeke, who loves Cass as much as he does me. He loved him the moment he found out Cass was his. Cass is trying, and that’s all that can be said. The fact he’s trying is a feat all on its own, considering his hatred for the Cranes.

I’ll be happy to see him, regardless.

Dan goes to open the car door, but I stop him. “There’s something you need to know.”

He looks at me questioningly.

“One of them said something to me. I don’t know if I believe it or not.”

“What?”

“He said I was pregnant.”

Dan blinks several times.

“We need to get a test from the pharmacy.”

“But…the hospital…how…surgery…”

“I know. The same thoughts have been running through my head. The vampires might have just been messing with me, but what would their goal be? Why lie about something so easily proven?”

“I’ll go the twenty-four-hour Walgreens as soon as I get you settled inside.”

He’s reeling. I see it in his eyes. The exact same emotion I’m currently struggling with. Which is probably why I’m still in that white space in my head. It’s easier, and I don’t have to deal with the emotions.

“Get a couple different ones.”

He nods and shakes his head at the same time. It’s actually comical to see him so thrown. “Do we say anything to Zeke about this?”

“No. Not until we find out one way or another.”

“Agreed. I don’t want to deal with Zeke on that kind of energy.”

And I still have a monster to hunt down. Zeke would try to lock me up in a tower and throw away the key until the baby’s born. Then again, if there is a baby, Dan might want to do the same thing.

Dan gets out of the car and comes around to open my door. It’s something he does, and I don’t get upset about it. He’s simply trying to show his love, and if opening a door for me makes him feel better, I’m not going to harp about it. It’s kind of nice.

The inside of the house is an architect and historian’s dream. All the woodwork looks original, and the dark cherry stain on the hardwoods calls to me. I love dark wood. The walls are a soft cream color, and the furniture, while modern, is tasteful and harkens back to the history of the house. I love it.

Dan leads us down a hallway and into the kitchen. Only bad thing about historical homes? They’re not open concept, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, just something I’d have to get used to or risk damaging the house’s woodwork.

Zeke is sitting at the island reading a paper. He glares at me. Actually glares like I did something wrong.

“What?” I demand.

“How could you let them get the jump on you? Papa and I have taught you better. Silas has taught you better.”

“Forgive me for not hearing a centuries-old vampire who doesn’t make noise when they move.”

He nods to the vial sitting on the counter, and I start to reach for it but pause mid-reach. Will dead man’s blood hurt the baby? I’m not sure.

Dan side eyes me and then looks at the vial. He understands immediately.

“I already had her drink some in the car.” Plucking it off the table, he slides it into his pocket. “Your food is in the warmer. You eat, and I’ll be back soon.”

“Where’s he going?” Zeke frowns after him.

“He has to deal with the cops, I think. He said something about the station, but I barely heard him. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Zeke gets up and hugs me so tight I think he might cut off my air, but I don’t fuss. I understand he needs to hug me to assure himself I’m safe.

“Is Cass asleep?”

“No, he’s on the phone to his cousin Robert. We’re going to need backup if we plan on clearing out Crush.”

“Don’t do that. It’s not just vampires. The Council of Elders is in town—eight of them, to be exact.”

His face goes gray. “What?”

“They’re here because of me.”

“You? What did you do to draw their attention?”

“Gloria tried to use her power to intimidate me, and I in turn made her age. It got them wondering how someone who is not a Necromancer could do that. I told them the truth. I’m not sure. I just can.”

Zeke doesn’t say anything as he studies me. I hope he understands that until I can verify they did nothing to me and that none of them are listening, that I can’t say anything.

Papa’s not stupid. He picks up the vibe.

“Well, the truth is always your best option. If they choose not to believe it, that’s on them.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“I need a shower. Let me go cleaned up and then we can all sit down and have breakfast.”

“Frieda not been fed?”

“They did feed me cheese sandwiches while I was there. Can you call Grandpa and see if Peaches delivered RJ to him yet? If so, have Cam or Amy pick him up. He needs to spend some R and R with Molly, anyway.”

“Peaches?” Zeke blinks much the same way Dan did.

“I told her to go get him and take him to Grandpa.”

“She might assume you meant Silas.”

“Can you please figure it out for me? I’m tired.”

“Of course, ma petite. You go shower, and I’ll deal with RJ.” He hugs me again, and I scoot out of the kitchen.

I hear Cass on the phone as I go upstairs and then see him leaning against a wall, arguing with presumably Robert. His blond hair is sticking up in all directions like he’s been running his hands through it most of the night. He looks as tired as I feel, but the instant relief on his face when he looks up and sees me is palpable.

“Rob, I have to call you back. Emma just got home.”

Like Papa, he hugs me so tight I can’t breathe. “Didn’t your last encounter wit’ vampires teach you no’ to rile dem up?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.” I disentangle myself and yawn. “I was only protecting me, Dan, and Evan at the time.”

“Dat demon…I swear if he gets you killed, I’m going to hurt him.”

“Wasn’t his fault. I asked him to come, and the vampire in question tried to intimidate me. That never goes over well with me, as you know.”

He shakes his head. “You stink of de dead.”

“Considering I’ve been in a house infested with them, I’m not surprised. I need a shower. Do you have a pair of sweats and a clean shirt I can borrow? I don’t know if Dan has clothes here or not.”

“Oui.” He beckons me to follow him into a bedroom where he pulls sweats and a red t-shirt out of the duffel on the bed. “Use my shower. I doan know if Dan has a room here or no’.”

“You and Zeke not arguing?”

“We doan have time to argue wit’ tryin’ to keep you out of trouble.”

Fair.

“The Council of Elders is in town. We can’t send more Hunters into Crush until we deal with that.”

His face goes ashen. “Wha’?”

“Eight of them are in town. Tell the Hunters to stand down, Cass, or they’re going to die.”

He nods and pulls his phone out.

“After I shower, we’re having breakfast. No buts. We’re all sitting down as a family and eating. Got it?”

“Oui.”

Turning to go to the bathroom, I stop and decide on something. Cass is not going to freak out. “Cass, will dead man’s blood harm an unborn baby?”

His head whips around. “Are you pregnant?”

I shrug. “Don’t know. The Judge said I was. He’s one of the Elders. Dan’s gone to pick up some pregnancy tests.”

“It’s safe to drink. It woan hurt de baby. If any’tin’, it will give de babe an immunity to dem. Dere be several vials of it in de duffle.”

“And, Cass? Don’t tell Papa. We want to make sure, and I think Dan and I want a little time with this before we go shouting it out to the world, you know?” My hand goes to my stomach and hovers there. It’s all just so surreal.

“I woan say a word. I swear.”

Nodding, I go to get cleaned up, drink some dead man’s blood, and wait for Dan to get back.