Chapter 25
Cori
One thing Cori had learned was that there were certain times in life that could be completely surreal, and this evening was most definitely one of them. As she stared at the monitor, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing on the screen. A tiny new life had formed in her belly, all without her even realizing it. She was totally blown away by how big the baby had already gotten.
She’d left work early at six in the evening so she could make her appointment with the local supernatural doctor, Paula Dupree. It had to be late since this particular physician was a vampire, and with all the sups that had moved into the Fairbanks area, she kept a busy night schedule. As it was, Cori had had to wait several days for an opening. Going somewhere else hadn’t been a choice since this was no normal pregnancy.
As she lay on the examination table, Cori felt the pressure of the ultrasound wand against her lower stomach. Paula angled it down near her pelvic bone to catch the best possible picture of the growing embryo. It was wiggling around and wouldn’t stay still.
Cori frowned. “I could have only conceived four weeks ago, how is it that big already?”
“Children of nephilim are different,” Paula said, pressing keys on the computer to take snapshots. “Their growth rate is a little faster than human children.”
“Tormod was the last nerou to be born, and that was over fifty years ago. How do you know?” Cori asked. She could tell by Paula’s aura that she was only about eighty and likely would have still been human back then.
The thin, pale woman with light brown hair smiled. “I’ve always been curious about the nerou. When Melena started coming to me for birth control, I made a point of doing as much research as possible just in case the medicine I gave her didn’t work. Yerik’s mate, Lorna, also helped fill in a few blanks for me. She said she carried Tormod for approximately six months and that was common from what she’d heard, so it should be close to the same for you.”
Cori swallowed and glanced down at her stomach. “Is that why the baby looks a few weeks ahead of schedule?”
“I believe so,” Paula said. She removed the wand and wiped Cori’s stomach clean of gel. “Because of that, I’ll need you to come in here every two weeks for checkups. Also, you’re going to have to maintain a good, healthy diet and take prenatal vitamins religiously. Most supernatural children have higher nutritional requirements than humans, and your baby will take a lot from you if you don’t—even with your enhanced physical state.”
To say Cori was starting to feel even more overwhelmed than before was an understatement. “When would you estimate my due date?”
“It’s difficult to say a precise day, and I may adjust the timing a bit later, but I’d guess you’ll give birth in late May if all goes well.” Paula helped Cori sit up. “On a bright note, your child is much more resilient in the womb than mortals, so you won’t have as many restrictions as you did in your first pregnancy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you can’t get sick anymore, though you should avoid Melena’s cooking to be on the safe side because if anyone could inadvertently kill an unborn child…”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll avoid that,” Cori said, amused by the doctor’s humor. “What else?”
“Don’t get into fights or do anything that could cause you serious physical harm.” Paula gave her a stern look. “One of the greatest difficulties pregnant supernatural women have is remembering they aren’t bulletproof. If you die, so does your baby. The child in your womb can survive most anything except direct physical trauma such as stabbing or your death. So be careful and don’t do anything stupid.”
Cori wasn’t planning on it. She wanted this baby more with each passing day and would do all she could to protect it. “I will. I promise.”
“Good, because if you get hurt, you can’t drink immortal blood right now to heal. It will likely start your final transition, and we have no idea what that could do to your child. According to Melena, it was an incredibly painful change that altered her body on a molecular level. For now, you are stuck at your current state. If you decide to become immortal, do it after the baby is born.”
“I wasn’t planning on taking that step yet anyway,” Cori said, though she was glad it gave her the excuse she needed. It bought her time. She could wait until her child was weaned and then reconsider immortality.
“Glad to hear it.” Paula handed her several printouts from the ultrasound. “Be sure to schedule your next appointment with the nurse on your way out and call me anytime if you have any problems.”
“Okay, thanks.”
The vampire doctor left, shutting the door behind her. Cori took a few moments to straighten her clothing and study the printout pictures. She ran her fingertips over the clearest shot, wondering what Bartol would think when he saw it.
Would he be happy? Sad? Angry? Had he ever considered being a father or did he never want it? Cori was scared of his reaction, and yet she was excited for this second chance at motherhood. The baby couldn’t possibly replace her daughter, but it could bring joy to her life that she hadn’t had in a long time. She only hoped this didn’t put greater complications on her and Bartol’s relationship. They were only starting to get on better footing.
She grabbed her purse and headed out of the office. Her mother was waiting for her in the hallway, still unhappy that she hadn’t got to come inside the room for the examination and ultrasound. Cori had wanted this first visit all to herself and insisted Joy wait outside.
“How did it go?” her mother asked, leaping to her feet. “The doctor wouldn’t tell me anything.”
Cori handed her the printouts. “Apparently, I’m due in late May.”
“May?” Joy’s eyes rounded as she took in the baby on the black and white ultrasound pictures. “But I thought you said you only conceived a month ago.”
“Apparently, this case is different because of the supernatural element.”
“Oh, but that leaves us even less time to prepare.” Her mother pulled out her cell phone and started tapping on the screen. “I’ll have to adjust my list and let your sister know.”
“Mom, you don’t need to go through all that trouble. This isn’t my first time,” Cori argued.
Joy sniffed. “It’s been years since the last time I’ve had a grandchild on the way. Don’t take this small pleasure away from me.”
The woman had a way of making people feel guilty even when they should be in the right. “Fine. Do what you want, but at least run the big things by me so I’m not caught off guard.”
“Do you know if the baby is a boy or girl yet?” her mother asked, still tapping on her phone.
“No. Paula said it was still too early for that.” Cori had asked as soon as the doctor started the ultrasound.
“Well, we’ll work with what we know for now.”
They headed down the hallway toward the nurse’s station. The vampire doctor worked out of her home since technically her operation wasn’t legal and her original license expired decades ago, but she’d expanded since her workload increased over the last year. She now had two assistants to help her, both nurses—one a werewolf and another a pixie. The extra help was especially important since if a woman went into labor during daylight, Paula might not be able to attend them right away. The fae were her primary customers for pregnancy and childbirth, and they could be rather demanding.
Cori got her next appointment time for two weeks from then. As she looked at the date, she realized it would be after the New Year. Christmas was creeping up on them—only a week away—and she’d hardly done anything to prepare. Ever since her daughter died, she’d avoided celebrating the holiday, but for the first time, she wanted to put up decorations and buy gifts. So far, all she and her mother had done was pick out a tree and put up lights outside.
Her cell phone rang, and Melena’s name popped up on the caller ID. “Hello.”
“Hey, sorry to bother you, but I need you over at my house right away.”
“I’m just leaving Paula’s office. What’s this about?” Cori asked.
“It’s complicated, but you’ll see when you get here,” Melena said.
Cori glanced at Joy. “My mother is with me.”
Melena was silent for a moment, as if she’d covered the phone speaker, or put it on mute. Then she came back on the line. “It’s fine. Bring her with you.”
“Okay.” Cori hung up and glanced at her mom. “Looks like we’re going to Mel’s house.”
Joy lifted a brow. “Any particular reason?”
“No idea.”
***
Cori and her mother entered the sensor’s home to find a small gathering in the living room. Some people were expected but others not. Melena pulled her into a hug right away.
“I know I said it on the phone before, but I wanted to wish you congratulations in person.” She pulled back. “Whatever you need, I’m here.”
“Thanks,” Cori said, a small lump forming in her throat. She pulled the ultrasound pictures from her purse and let the sensor admire them for a minute.
“Oh, my God. These are amazing! I’m not ready for this yet, but maybe someday.”
Lucas—to her shock—pulled Cori into a hug next. “Don’t give her any ideas,” he whispered. “I want my wife to myself for a little while.”
Emily, who’d been the one to escort them inside, laughed. “What he really means is that as soon as he gets me shipped off to college, he wants some alone time with Mel.”
Lucas gave the teenager a disgruntled look before returning his attention to Cori. He studied her features closely. “Don’t worry. I am certain Bartol will be pleased when you tell him the news.”
“I hope so.” She glanced around the room at the others present. Micah, Kerbasi, Remiel and even Ariel were there. “So what’s this about?”
“Battle plans, and how you can help,” Melena replied.
Cori had to believe the sensor would never involve her in something dangerous under the circumstances. “What do you mean?”
The archangel stepped forward, his features serious. “You are aware that your mate plays a significant role in stopping the demon?”
She nodded.
“But he will need a lot of help before he can do his part,” Remiel said.
Cori knew that much already. “Like needing sensors to nullify the Gregorian stones? How are we going to find enough of them who don’t have angel blood.”
“We are already working on that,” Melena said, nodding when Patrick—Emily’s birth father—entered the room with a young woman. They both had pure blue auras around them. “Patrick is willing. And Honor, who I’ve worked with before, has also volunteered. We are working on getting at least a few more from Europe.”
Cori frowned. “Do you know any over there?”
“She doesn’t.” Patrick stuffed his hands in his pockets. “But I do from the message boards.”
Melena had once told her something about how sensors had created secret communication networks with each other that started when the internet got popular. Cori didn’t know much more than that, but she supposed that was one way to get recruits.
“And I might be able to get a guy I know from France,” Honor added.
The beautiful young woman appeared to be college age with a Latin heritage. She had dark brown hair that ran partway down her back and a tan most people in Alaska would envy. Cori had met Honor once before when she’d come to Fairbanks to help Melena and the gang regain control from Zoe when that crazy woman had taken over the city, but they’d barely spoken to each other that time.
She turned her attention back to the male sensor, who was middle-aged with a hint of nerd in the way he dressed and carried himself. When Patrick had first arrived in their lives, Cori had doubted him, but he was steadily proving his loyalty. “Are there any takers yet from the boards?”
“A few nibbles, but I think they want to see what we bring to the table before they make any commitments.” He shrugged. “It’s been even more dangerous for sensors in Europe than it has in America. No one can blame them for wanting to be cautious.”
“So what is the plan?”
Melena rubbed her hands together. “We’re forming a task force.”
“A supernatural one?” This question came from Joy.
“Not exactly.” Melena shook her head. “I’m working with DHS, Interpol, and the London authorities so that we can work in tandem with supernaturals. The best way to prevent more human lives from being lost is to use official channels. We need every advantage we can get, and they need to know the truth if they’re going to be able to do their jobs properly.”
There had only been one other time Cori knew of where such a task force was formed, but that had been a small one, and it had been formed in the United States to take down an extremist sensor group—which included Melena’s father and brother. “Are you sure you can get all the groups to cooperate on such a short timetable?”
“They don’t have a choice.” Melena lifted her chin. “If we want to save the world from this demon, everyone’s got to put their bullshit aside and work together. I’ve made that abundantly clear to all of them over the last few days, believe me.”
Cori never ceased to be amazed at what the sensor could accomplish when she put her mind to it. “So where do I fit in?”
Remiel took a step closer to her. “There are going to be a lot of eyes on your mate and his father when they face the demon. The last thing we need is for Bartol to lose control.”
“But I thought you told him his father could help him with that problem,” Cori argued.
“Raguel can to a certain degree. He can teach his son the principles of how to release himself of the demonic energy that will drive away his sanity, but there won’t be enough time to train fully against someone as powerful as the demon they will face.” The archangel worked his jaw. “Bartol will still need some help if he is to survive intact.”
Cori stilled. “What do you mean?”
“As his mate, you may be the only person who has a chance of stopping him from a killing spree.”
“Why can’t you or his father do it?” she asked.
“We don’t have the ability to reach your mate on an emotional level to help him.” The archangel paused, lips thinning. “Our way would require seriously harming your mate—or possibly killing him if it comes to it. Just after he takes the demon down, he will be at his strongest, and difficult to stop without resorting to physical violence. Only you have a chance of doing it peacefully.”
Cori moved her hand protectively over her stomach. Was she going to have to choose between Bartol and her child? “You are aware of my condition.”
“I am.” He nodded. “It was clear the last time I last saw you.”
“And you didn’t say anything?” she gasped.
Ariel spoke up from where she’d been sitting quietly on the couch. “He didn’t for the same reasons I did not. There are some things best discovered in their own time.”
“Why are you here?” Cori asked, shooting an accusing look at the fallen angel. She must have known during their last card game and kept it to herself.
Ariel stood and moved closer. “Because though I have lost much, I do still retain one special ability you’ll need—protection for you and your unborn child.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Consider it a Hail Mary in human terms,” Remiel said, pulling his intense gaze away from the fallen angel. “It will drain Ariel of nearly all her powers to do it, but she can cast a protection spell on you that nothing can penetrate, not even the demon, for twelve hours.”
Cori shook her head. “Why are we only hearing about this spell now? There have been so many times in the past that it could have been useful.”
Ariel clasped her hands in front of her. “It is rarely authorized, and when it is, usually only when miracles are called for on a special human.” A sad smile crossed her face. “This child of yours is a second chance for you and Bartol, and though it may be the last time I have the power to manage it, I would give it as a gift to you.”
Maybe it was Cori’s hormones, but she’d never felt more honored or humbled. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Ariel cast a light shrug. “It will make me feel important again—for a little while.”
“Are you certain my daughter and grandchild will be safe?” Joy asked the fallen angel.
She nodded. “As long as I’m alive.”
Micah spoke up, “And I will be staying near Cori as well since I must save my energy for healing any wounded after the battle. I will watch over your daughter until it is safe.”
“Maybe I should come as well,” Joy said.
“No, mom.” Cori put an arm on her mother. “You have to stay here where it’s safe, or else I won’t be able to do this.”
Joy gave her an incredulous look. “You’re actually considering this insanity?”
“If Bartol needs me, I have to be there for him.”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t be, but this isn’t the best time,” her mother argued.
“There is more Cori can do while she’s there,” Melena said, drawing Joy’s attention. “We think her new tattoo ability could come in handy for the task force to protect them from the demon’s influence.”
Joy gestured at Kerbasi. “And what’s that one’s purpose?”
The guardian lifted his chin. “Along with Lucas and Micah, I’ve gotten special permission to go as well, so that I can protect the sensors while they are nullifying the Gregorian stones.”
“But you’ve got angel blood,” Cori argued.
“True,” he agreed. “But I have range powers that work from far enough away that the stones will not affect me.”
It made sense, though she was surprised Kerbasi volunteered for the job. “You do realize you’ll be putting yourself in the demon’s crosshairs, right?”
“It is my hope…” he hesitated, darting a glance at Melena, who nodded. “That if I do this, it might begin to make amends for the horrible things I did to your mate. If I can assist Bartol in succeeding in this battle, I am willing to risk it.”
“Even if it gets you killed.”
The guardian worked his jaw. “Even then.”
Cori would have to see it to believe it, but maybe Kerbasi was finally coming around to being a decent person after all—or at least trying. She glanced at the assembled crowd. “So when do we leave?”
“Tomorrow evening,” Melena answered. “We should arrive in London by late morning the following day.”
They were going to lose a lot of hours traveling from Alaska. As much as it made Cori nervous to go right into the current most dangerous place in the world, especially being pregnant, she couldn’t wait to see Bartol again. It had been too long, and the mate bond was calling out to her.
“There is one more thing,” Lucas said, and the others cast nervous glances at him as if they knew what he was about to say. “You can’t tell Bartol you’re pregnant until after the battle is over. Even if I were in his place, I’d recognize the importance of focusing on the mission first. Otherwise, it will be a distraction to him.”
Cori didn’t like it, but she’d considered the same thing. “I won’t.”
The tension let out in the room. Melena took a look around at everyone assembled and moved to a central spot among them. “Okay, so we have a few more things to go over, but after that everyone needs to go home and get ready. There’s a lot to do before we head out.”
“Does Bartol know I’m coming?” Cori asked.
“He’ll be informed,” Remiel replied.
Something told her he wasn’t going to be happy—even without knowing about the pregnancy—but he’d have to get over it. She’d find a way to make it up to him.