CHAPTER THIRTY

Cursing aloud as the blanket in her hand burst into flames, Ella dropped it on the nursery floor in surprise. "I am sick and tired of this shit."

Beside her, Mia quickly dowsed the fire with a flick of her hand, her expression sympathetic. "Dr. Greene warned you that your abilities might—"

"I know, I know. But she said the power-hiccups happen in the third stage of pregnancy. I'm not even fully out of stage one yet."

"Only by typical demonic pregnancy standards. I think the gestation period for you is going to be more that of a celestial."

As did Viper. It was kind of unnerving. As was the fact that, according to him, the baby was psychically developing at a faster rate than expected. That would mean Peanut was physically developing at much the same speed. Hence her bump.

"If that is the case, you're firmly in stage two," Mia added. "You should be pleased by that. It means you'll get to meet your little ball of wonder sooner than you thought."

"But I can't do something as simple as place a protective spell on one of the baby's blankets without damaging something," Ella sulked.

It had gotten to the point where people held their breath whenever she tried using her abilities. Sometimes she'd manage to conjure only a spurt of magick rather than emit a long stream of it. Other times, it would be vice versa.

Plucking the scorched blanket from the hardwood floor, she grimaced. "It's completely ruined." Her voice cracked.

Mia took the blanket from her, tossed it out of the open door, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's all right. I'll bet Peanut's not upset about it."

Ella touched the baby's mind, and she had the impression of laughter. She huffed. "At least someone finds it funny." It no longer felt strange that the baby was so advanced. She'd gotten used to it.

Each time she and Viper touched Peanut's mind, they found only contentment. Providing, of course, it wasn't tired, sleepy, or annoyed by something happening outside the womb. Like when strangers boldly tried touching her belly—it really didn't like that.

Mia rubbed her back. "Peanut's got more blankets where that one came from. And after the birth, you can put protective spells on them all. Though the baby's safe enough here. You put wards all over the room."

Of course she had. It wasn't that she didn't trust his brothers, it was that you could never be too careful.

Mia had added her own magick to the wards, strengthening them. As had both Melodie and Jocelyn when they visited two days ago.

Viper's plan to make them back down had worked. Her mother had Ella called the morning after Luka's visit to the compound a week ago, apologized for her behavior, promised to make it all right, and then suggested they try the family dinner thing again.

During the meal, Melodie had been perfectly polite toward Viper. Jocelyn had been equally polite, though a little tense. Luka had thankfully stuck to his word and kept things civil. Though Luka's civility held a standoffish edge, there was a little mirth there. Ella got the feeling he got a kick out of the ‘friction' between himself and Viper; like it would be part of their dynamic.

Despite that the dinner had gone without incident, Ella was taken aback when her mother and aunt asked to stop by the compound a few days later. They'd wanted to see where Ella lived.

While they were here, Viper had introduced them to his brothers. The visit had gone better than expected. Probably because it was plain to see that these particular fallen angels weren't as cold and scary as they seemed.

Okay, they could certainly be scary. And they were more dangerous than people assumed. But they could joke, laugh, shoot the shit, and come across as somewhat normal. Neither Melodie nor Jocelyn had been able to keep smiles off their faces.

What really won them over was how obvious it was that the entire club were not only supremely protective of Ella but were helping take care of preparations for the baby—including with decorating the nursery.

Ella let her gaze scan the room. It had been painted a lemony yellow and furnished with a crib, rocking chair, dresser, and wardrobe. Toys practically spilled out of baskets. Clothes had been washed and placed in drawers. A baby monitor stood on the dresser near the crib. Other items such as feeding essentials, diapers, hooded towels, and a bathtub were neatly positioned here and there.

As something hanging on the wardrobe door caught her eye, Ella frowned. "Who bought that?" It was a sleepsuit with a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Apt.

Looking at it, Mia gave a wan smile. "Not sure. Probably Ghost."

"No, he bought the tiny superhero suit." Ella thought it was super cute how the Black Saints were as bad at buying baby stuff on impulse as she was.

Things appeared in the nursery all the time. Some were necessities, others were cute stuff like plushies and toys. Darko had even had a little biker jacket made for the baby.

"On the subject of Ghost," began Mia, "want to tell me why you shoved him off the sofa and zapped his ass with magick?"

Ella scowled. "He went whining to you about it?"

"No, Omen told me; thought it was hilarious. What did Ghost do?"

"We were sitting together in the main area. I'd fallen asleep. I woke up to find him reading to the baby."

"And that's bad?"

"He was reading The Exorcist ."

Mia clamped her lips shut, clearly fighting a smile.

"He even did the demonic voice," Ella griped. "The baby thought it was funny. I didn't. And neither should you."

"I don't."

"Your eyes are laughing."

"How can eyes laugh?"

"I don't know, but yours are cracking up."

Mia held up two placatory hands. "Ghost would never read a book like that to the baby, he had to have been messing with you. He probably hadn't read a single word from the book until he saw you start to wake."

"Didn't look like it to me." With an indignant huff, Ella rested her hand on her slightly swollen belly.

"You're not gonna be able to hide that bump with baggy clothes for much longer," remarked Mia.

"I know." Ella sighed. "That's when I'll have to be real careful. Stuff travels fast through the demonic grapevine, so the news of my pregnancy will spread like wildfire. And considering I'm often seen with Viper, people will be quick to assume he's the father. Not all will like it."

Ella was already well-protected—she was never alone outside the compound, and she now drove the brand new and much safer vehicle that Viper had bought for her. But the Black Saints would likely step up the security around her even further when her pregnancy became common knowledge.

Some demons would be unbothered by the baby being half celestial. Others? There would be those who were merely concerned or wary. However, there'd be demons who would be downright rude and unfriendly to Ella, as if she'd betrayed her race by procreating with ‘the enemy'.

A part of Ella chafed at being so coddled, but she accepted the overprotective security measures for the sake of her child—and also because they made her demon less tense. Having been claimed by Viper also seemed to have settled something in her demon.

A phone beeped, making Mia dip her hand down the pocket of her jeans. Fishing out her cell, she frowned. "It's Joe."

Ella felt her brows knit. "Why would he text you when he can just telepath you?"

Mia exhaled heavily. "He finds telepathy intimate, so he'll avoid talking to people mind-to-mind when he's unhappy with them."

Hello, man child. "What does he want?"

Mia angled the phone so Ella could the read text: Can we talk?

Ella wasn't exactly in a ‘let's forgive Joe' frame of mind. However, there was the little problem that a lot of physical distance between anchors could cause them issues psychically. So Ella wasn't going to urge Mia to ignore Joe's request. Besides, it wasn't her decision to make.

As such, Ella softly asked, "What are you going to do?"

Mia rubbed at her throat. "What I want to do is tell him to wait awhile before we talk again. None of the recent conversations we've had have really helped our situation. But I want it resolved once and for all. Before all this, we never had a single problem. I would never have imagined we'd be where we are now.

"The person he's been lately … it's not him . It's a hurt, defensive, guarded version of him. We can all get twisted up inside when we're in pain. I don't like knowing he has to feel very alone right now. You'd be the same if it was Luka."

Yes, Ella would. And so she knew … "You're going to respond to the text."

"Yes. I have to know if he finally means for us to move forward." Mia typed out a response and then showed it to Ella. It read: Depends what you want to talk about. Lately, it's never been anything good. "Do you think that was a little mean?"

"No," Ella assured her. "I think you needed to make it clear that you acknowledging his message doesn't mean he isn't still firmly in the dog house."

Another beep came. Mia angled the phone so Ella could easily read the text as well. It simply said: I deserved that.

Mia snorted and typed: Yeah, dude, you did.

I don't want to fight, we've done enough of that. I can't claim my head is on straight yet—it'd be a lie. I need time. But I want us to at least be on good terms. I hate that we're in a situation where I hesitated to telepath you because I wasn't sure you'd welcome it.

Ella hummed. "He's saying all the right things."

"Yeah, but he does that. And each time I think, hey, maybe he's really done being an ass, he proves me wrong."

Another message came through: I'm outside the Black Saints' compound right now. You don't have to let me in if you don't want to, but can you at least come outside and talk to me through the fence? I want to be able to apologize to your face.

Ella stilled. "Wait, he's here?"

You don't have to come alone , he added . You can bring someone with you if you want.

Mia shook her head. "I really wouldn't have expected this. He must genuinely mean to apologize. Though that doesn't mean we won't end up bickering again. Would you come with me? I just think he's less likely to start an argument if there's someone else around."

"Of course." Ella would prefer it that way.

Mia texted him again: I'll be right out.

Together, they left the nursery and made their way toward the exit. Just as they neared it, a bunch of the Black Saints filed inside. All frowned on realizing that Ella seemed about to go outside.

"Where are you two ladies heading?" asked Merchant.

"My anchor's outside. He wants to talk." Mia raised a reassuring hand. "I'm not going to invite him in here, so relax."

"I don't much like the idea of you speaking to him out there either," commented Blackjack, his brow creased. "He's a dick."

"I'm going to hear him out. Ella will be with me. And we'll stay within the gates."

She and Mia walked out of the building, their arms linked. Some of the Black Saints followed them outside but lingered near the bikes—making no attempt to hide that they would be keeping an eye on things.

Joe stood beyond the chain link fence several feet away from the gates. His stance was casual, but his face was lined with tension.

They moved to stand opposite him, keeping the fence between them.

He paid no attention to Ella, his eyes focused on her sister. "Hey, Mia," he said, an odd hitch in his voice.

Something's wrong , Mia told her telepathically.

Ella didn't let her expression change. What do you mean?

I don't know, I can't explain it. There's just something off with him psychically. Like when you hear a song and there's an off-note that jars.

Her belly roiling, Ella was just about to suggest—okay, insist—they return inside. But she froze as his hands splayed against the fence, his fingers poking through the diamond-shaped gaps.

Fingers with black tips, like they'd been charred.

Mia gasped. "Oh my God, what happened?" She instinctively reached out and touched his hand.

Like that, Ella felt a wrench on her body as she and Mia were swiftly teleported out of the compound.

A field. They now stood on an open, wide-ass field. A tall, blond, winged male who carried an aura of power faced them— archangel , Ella thought. On his left was a slender grim-looking male who didn't seem entirely sure he wanted to be there. On the archangel's right stood none other than goddamn Maxine.

Son of a bitch.

More, as if the situation wasn't bad enough, they were surrounded by dozens upon dozens of strix.

Fuck .

The archangel looked at Joe. "Sleep."

Like that, the demon toppled to the ground at the sisters' feet, out cold.

Oh, hell.

In a matter of milliseconds, three things happened.

Ella's demon went AWOL.

The archangel took a step forward.

A ring of ultraviolet flames formed around her, Mia, and Joe. Flames that grew and curved and swam … before then forming a glowing-ultraviolet shield.

Mia slid her a sideways look. That wasn't me.

It wasn't me either . It was Peanut. And that wasn't scary at all.

Through the shield, Ella watched the archangel curiously cock his head.

"That I did not expect," he said.

That made two of them. Call out to Dice, Mia. Do it fast. We need to get away from here right the fuck now .

Grabbing his ringing cell phone from his office desk, Viper looked at the screen. Teague. He felt his brow dent. It wasn't often he heard from the hellhorse.

Leaning back in his leather chair, he was just about to answer the call when Darko materialized in front of him. his expression hard.

"Don't go postal, okay," urged Darko, "but you should know that, uh … Ella and Mia disappeared."

Everything in Viper and his entity went rigid. "What do you mean they disappeared?"

"They were there and then they were gone. Poof. Mia's anchor teleported them away from the compound."

Rage and dread clawing at him and his entity, Viper shot out of his seat as he tried touching Ella's mind. Nothing but dead air. "I can't reach Ella telepathically, so she isn't close by." Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Terror took him over. Terror for her, for their child. Terror that he'd lose them both.

Dice. He should contact Dice and have him reach out to Mia.

Viper would have done exactly that if the seraphim hadn't right then appeared beside Darko.

"I just heard from Mia," Dice clipped, his eyes hard. "Fucking Joe took her and Ella. Only it seems like he was forced to do it by an archangel. A blond archangel with dove-gray wings."

Realization smacked Viper right in the face. "Ophaniel," he snarled, his entity bashing at his insides, demanding they track and kill the archangel. "Either he lied that he hadn't taken up the Uppers on their offer, or he's since then changed his mind." Viper took a quick step toward Dice, urgency gripping his gut. "Where are they?"

"They don't know. Mia said there are no landmarks, nothing that stands out. Just grass and trees and dark fucking clouds. Oh, and strix. They're fucking surrounded by strix. Ophaniel is working with them somehow."

It had to have been him who'd lowered Ghost's cloak and possibly even targeted Ella. "Then his plan must be to allow the strix to do his dirty work." Viper gripped his still-ringing phone tight.

"He's having trouble with that right now, because your kid decided to pop up a protective shield."

The startling news made both Viper and his entity go still. "A shield?"

"Yeah, one constructed of ultraviolet flames." Dice shook his head, stunned.

"The shield is a good thing, but only to an extent."

"What do you mean?" asked Darko.

"I mean Ophaniel will know there's no way Ella could pop up a shield of unholy flames … unless she was pregnant."

Darko's jaw dropped. "Oh, shit."

Right then, Viper's phone finally stopped ringing.

Moments later, Dice's began chiming.

The VP checked his cell phone screen. "It's Teague." He dismissively canceled the call. "I say we head to the spot of land I was at earlier. The strix aren't there, but maybe there's something I missed, something—" He stopped talking as Viper's phone again rang.

Cursing, Viper jabbed his thumb on the screen. "Teague, I'll call you back—I got some shit going down."

"Well, I figured that," said the hellhorse, "since your woman and her sister have been taken."

Viper stiffened, and his entity narrowed its eyes. "How would you know?"

"I'm looking at them right now. Me and my clan have been scouting for strix. We found them. They're circling the sisters and some guy who's now unconscious. Looks like there's two celestials in the mix as well. Also a she-demon who Larkin says is from her lair."

"Where are they?" Viper bit out, his heart pounding.

"Don't come in hot. There's a lot of the fuckers, and we need to move carefully or they'll scatter."

" Where , Teague?"