by Dianna Love
He’d met Phoedra’s mother, Kizira, a Medb priestess and enemy of the Belador, when they were both young. She’d kept her true identity hidden from him back then. He learned of his child only recently and that had been as Kizira died in his arms during a battle between the Medb and Beladors.
He’d been a tangle of barbed emotions for too long.
Then Reese showed up and smacked his heart around until it came back to life.
He could sit here and convince himself he was angry about not having his daughter with him, but in truth he wanted both of them. His relationship with Phoedra’s mother had been long ago with the exception of a few dysfunctional meetings right before Kizira died.
When Reese came into his world, she challenged and comforted him at the same time. She’d also been the one to gently show him that he owed it to Phoedra to become whole again.
She’d kickstarted that metamorphosis.
Then he bogged down in his own head again.
More like his head had been stuck somewhere he couldn’t see daylight.
He would find out what was going on with Reese.
If she didn’t tell him by the end of this trip, then he’d break his personal rule not to put his child between them and ask Phoedra. They were going to have a real relationship.
No more secrets.
The car pulled up at the entrance to a tall apartment building on the north side of downtown. He instructed the driver he wouldn’t need him for the rest of the day.
Quinn strode across the canopy-covered walkway to the entrance where a Belador, working secretly as a doorman, nodded at him and pulled the door open.
He paused and softly asked, “Have they been out today?”
“Reese was on her way out a few minutes back when someone called. She, Phoedra, and Gibbons, the dog, turned around and returned to the elevator.”
Silently thanking Lanna again, Quinn nodded at his Belador. “They’ll be gone for a few days. I’ll let you know when they return.”
“Yes, Maistir.”
Quinn started to inform him that Evalle would take over for a while, but Trey would make that announcement telepathically as soon as Quinn left. He made short time of reaching the apartment and rapped on the door.
Reese yelled, “Check the peephole, Phoedra.”
“Ohhh-kay.” After a fumbling noise, the door opened and his beautiful daughter stood there. Chin-length black hair with aqua-blue highlights framed a face that held Quinn’s narrow nose, but more of her mother’s exceptional features. This young girl would be striking as a woman one day. The idea of that time passing quickly hurt to think about.
Surprise hit Phoedra’s face then she smiled. “Hi.”
His vivacious, soon-to-be fourteen-year-old was a vision. Phoedra may have been an accident, but he would never regret her birth. Only the time they hadn’t spent together.
Would she ever call him dad or father? He didn’t know, but held out hope. “Hello, Phoedra. You look dressed for a run.”
“We were headed to the park, but Lanna called and said you had something important to tell us.”
She meant Piedmont Park. His blood pressure shot up at the thought of those two being exposed to Imortiks, but he’d made a deal with himself to show patience. Not sound like an overly-protective father.
“I’m glad Lanna caught you. May I come in?” Quinn asked.
“Oh, sorry about that.” Phoedra backed up, opening the door as she did.
Reese was nowhere in sight.
Quinn stepped into the comfortable room, admiring the wonderful job these two had done decorating.
Left to himself, he’d have brought in professionals and the result would not have been as warm.
The air held a light floral scent.
Between Reese and Phoedra, they’d turned this into a place of soft colors, comfy furniture, glass vases with fresh cut snapdragons and ... a definite woman’s touch. He’d given Phoedra a credit card with instructions to buy what they’d like for furnishings, because Reese had ignored his offer.
What a hedgehog she could be.
Thinking back, he smiled at her stubborn attitude.
She’d put him in a position of handing the card to Phoedra along with the responsibility to purchase furnishings. Reese had facilitated masterfully. He really had to start looking at her actions differently.
Making a show of taking in the room, he said, “You two have accomplished a great deal more since my last visit. It’s quite attractive. I think you both have a talent for decorating. You’ve created a very inviting atmosphere.”
Phoedra beamed a smile. “Thanks.”
One win today. “I’d like to speak to Reese, too.”
His daughter’s smile faltered and that sick feeling hit him hard again. “Is anything wrong?”
That was so much nicer than shouting that he wanted to know what the hell was going on. These were not his men to order around, but damn it was hard to be patient when he wanted answers.
Before Phoedra could say anything, Reese walked into the room. “I’m here. What’s the big emergency?”
Brunette curls bounced around her sweet face. Whiskey-gold eyes always so full of life and adept at hiding secrets flashed a look his way. For an average-size female, she jumped into battles with any size threat, especially demons drawn to the energy inside her. The long-sleeved pale brown T-shirt and jeans hugged her body in a way he envied.
Her lips parted and he lost his ability to think.
Her mutt jumped up and ran over to her as if he hadn’t seen her in months. “Down, Gibbons.”
The beast continued to beg for attention.
Quinn suggested, “There are excellent dog trainers in the city.”
Her pretty eyes turned dangerously angry. She snapped her fingers. “Go lay down, Gibbons.”
Damn if that mutt didn’t trot over to the sofa, leap on it, and slump down. Reese turned that same tone on Quinn. “What’s going on?”
As always, off on the wrong foot with her. He got right to the point. “We’ve had a deadly force enter the city.”
“Demons?” Reese asked in a tense voice.
“Possibly, but the beings attacking our people are worse. They’re called Imortiks.”
Phoedra cut her gaze to Reese who shrugged that she didn’t know. His daughter asked, “What are those?”
“I don’t have all the answers yet. We’ve had a long night of trying to figure this out and we’re not done. That’s why I called to warn you earlier, but you must not have heard the phone.” He slashed a look at Reese whose cheeks pinked with embarrassment.
Yes, she’d intentionally avoided answering his call.
Phoedra kept her gaze on Reese, who did not look happy. His daughter turned a glare on him. She evidently assumed Reese unhappy was automatically his fault.
Quinn held his temper. “I am not upset that Reese didn’t answer my call, Phoedra. I understand you two are busy.”
Now Reese’s jaw dropped, but she quickly pulled it back up.
Huh. He’d surprised her by giving her an out? Note to self, do a better job of sounding understanding.
Returning to why he was there, he said, “I’ve come to ask both of you for a favor.”
After fidgeting with her hands, Phoedra stuck her thumbs inside the top of her jeans waistband. “Whatcha need?”
Reese ran a hand through her wild brown locks, then shoved loose curls off her face. “Uhm, yeah, what do you want, Quinn?”
“Daegan is hunting for something to stop the Imortiks and ran into a problem during his search. He asked if you would be willing to use your gift for remote viewing to help him find someone.” He’d wait to explain about Tristan once Phoedra was not around.
Reese’s face flipped from suspicious to open. “Oh, well, sure. I can do that.”
Quinn debated on asking if she felt physically up for the trip, but she bristled every time he asked if she had recovered from the battles. Maybe whatever bothered her had passed b
y now. Her demon-killing energy might have wiped out a venom or blood that had affected her.
But if that was so, why couldn’t she just tell him what the problem had been?
Don’t get off track right now, he reminded himself. “Daegan and I appreciate you doing this, Reese. We’ll have to teleport to Ireland to help him.”
“Wow, can I go?” Phoedra asked, now excited at the idea of an overseas adventure.
“Unfortunately not, but I’d like for you to take another trip,” Quinn said quickly, hoping to avoid teen drama.
“Where?” Phoedra’s happiness fled, but she hadn’t pitched a fit. Yet.
“I would love for you to visit Treoir realm again. Lanna is already there. She’d really enjoy the company.”
That created turmoil for Phoedra, based on the confusion on her face.
Reese started to reach for Phoedra then glanced at Quinn. He hadn’t said a word or made any expression, but she seemed to realize she should let Phoedra work through this with him.
She pulled her hand back and waited.
Quinn’s lips turned up. He mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
Her eyes widened with surprise.
Maybe if she’d stop fighting him he’d have a chance to show her he could meet her halfway, more than halfway. He held hope they could finally talk and resolve this friction between them.
A longing for Reese hit him that he couldn’t put into words. He woke up at night missing her and wishing to see her beside him, smiling.
“Sure.” Phoedra started nodding to herself while looking down as she made a decision. Then she glanced over to where that big hairy mutt slept on the sofa. “Gibbons can go with me, too, right?”
Quinn said, “I am certain that would be acceptable if Reese approves.”
“Yes, of course,” Reese interjected quickly. “I’ll be more relaxed knowing he’s with you.”
“Great. How soon am I leaving?” Phoedra asked, now back to being happy.
“As soon as you are packed. We have to wait for you to teleport before we leave to meet Daegan,” Quinn explained.
“Two minutes.” Phoedra ran out of the room.
Reese muttered, “More like ten.”
To Quinn’s great relief, his daughter sounded enthusiastic. He and Reese had not stood alone in the same space for a long time. He hurried to keep the bridge in place that had started between them.
“I really appreciate you doing this, Reese. It means a lot to all of us.”
“Sure, Quinn. Who is Daegan looking for?” Her nervous gaze bounced around, never pausing on him.
He kept his voice down as he explained about Daegan and Tristan traveling to Ireland in search of the grimoire volumes. “Tristan has gone missing. That’s what Daegan needs your help for.”
“Oh, hell.” She finally lifted her gaze to his and nodded with determination. “I’m in. Take me to Daegan. I’ll do anything I can to find Tristan. I’ll do whatever I can to help stop Imortiks, too.”
Did he make her anxious? Maybe this was his chance. “Reese, I’m sorry if I’ve been difficult.”
She held up a hand. “You’re fine. I’m sorry I didn’t take your call. Phoedra might have needed to know if you had been hurt. I won’t avoid answering again. I promise.”
Oddly, he didn’t feel the usual anger that reply would bring on. Instead, remorse filled the hollow place in his chest. He’d failed yet again to fix whatever had broken between them after sharing one incredible moment in time.
While hunting for his kidnapped daughter, they landed in the infamous InchKeith’s realm where Quinn had been desperate to make a deal for the kidnapper’s identity. The realm had a hidden entrance in a New Orleans French Quarter hotel. The InchKieth had tossed him and Reese separately into a living video game environment where they’d been forced to battle their way individually to the end of a challenge.
No one escaped the InchKeith without entertaining him.
Quinn had waited in a cabin inside the game, pleading with the gods for Reese to survive a gauntlet he’d barely finished alive.
When she finally showed up, relief had shaken him to his core.
They crashed into each other’s arms, exhausted and so glad to have both survived. The InchKeith owed them a name, which would put them back on Phoedra’s trail.
A message arrived immediately informing Quinn the InchKeith would send for them, but not before two hours.
Quinn’s self-imposed resistance to Reese fell faster than a house of cards.
That moment of intimacy seemed so long ago, but it had only been a few weeks back.
Every minute since had dragged by for Quinn with missing Reese and Phoedra. They would never have normal lives like humans, but ... he’d once thought whatever form their lives took that they’d spend it together.
He would prefer to keep Reese somewhere safe from demons and any other threat, but he had no say in Reese’s decisions about putting herself at risk.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t be at her side to keep her safe.
She finally looked at him with guilty eyes. “Give me a minute and I’ll be ready to go. Do I need to pack clothes?”
Keeping his tone gentle in hopes to put her at ease, he said, “I don’t expect this to take more than a few hours, but pack some anyhow just in case.”
She started to leave then turned back to him. “I’m glad you sent Phoedra to Treoir so we don’t have to worry about her.”
“We?” Quinn had no chance to hide the longing in his voice.
She almost replied, then shook it off and disappeared down the hall.
Bloody hell. He had to save Tristan and help Daegan lock down these Imortiks, but as soon as that was done he would tackle the only other goal that mattered.
A future with Reese and Phoedra.
He wanted a family and he had one waiting. All he had to do was convince them to let him earn his place with them.
While Reese was gone, Phoedra returned, eyes bright with excitement. She had a backpack strapped on and reached for a leash she clipped to the mongrel. “Up, boy. Let’s go.”
Gibbons stepped off the sofa, tail wagging.
Excitement poured off his daughter. “We’re ready to teleport. I love doing that, by the way.”
Quinn smiled and walked over to kiss her forehead. “I’m glad I can do things to make you happy.”
Now she looked a bit shamefaced. “I appreciate all you do.”
He hadn’t wanted that admission. It sounded as if he’d said something to make her feel guilty about tangible items.
He wanted Phoedra to care for him and to know how much he loved her. Not be beholding to him.
Sorrow swept over him, but he kept it from his voice. “Providing material things for you is easy. I want to get to know you better and for our visits to be comfortable. I hope one day that you’ll want to travel somewhere with me, but I’m not asking for that today. Just know that while I can’t change the past, I do want a real future together.”
“I do too,” she whispered then lifted an arm and leaned forward. He opened his arms. The hug was awkward, but made him smile with pure joy.
She’d reached for him.
Her eyes glistened. Allergies or ... emotion? She sniffled.
He withdrew a handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to her.
She gave him a watery smile and quirked an eyebrow. “Who carries these around?”
“Gentlemen do.” He had to blink away moisture stinging his eyes and smiled. He’d like to stand here and savor this moment just a few seconds longer, but he wanted her to hold onto that smile and depart on an up note. “Ready to go?”
“Yep!”
He called Trey telepathically and arranged to have Brina teleport Phoedra right away. Smiling as wide as he could to send her off with a happy visual of him, he stepped back. “You should be departing any moment now.”
She gave him a small wave.
Then she was gone.
His heart sq
ueezed with that tiny moment he’d shared with her. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve. How was he going to get his mind on business after that?
As if in answer, his stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten since ... hell, he couldn’t remember. He’d had no time for a meal. Heading for the kitchen, he started opening cabinets until he found a bag of crispy cheese snacks.
He grabbed a handful and crunched them.
A wonderful cheesy smell clouded the air.
He’d eaten half the bag when Reese came down the hall, saying, “I’m ready to go if you—”
When she stepped into the kitchen, she inhaled sharply. Her eyes went round. She covered her mouth and ran back down the hall.
What the ... ? Quinn dashed out to the hallway in time to see the powder room door slam shut.
That didn’t muffle the awful retching.
Reese smelled cheese and threw up?
Oh, shit.
She was pregnant.
Chapter 5
Daegan! Tristan shouted telepathically.
The word shot back at him, slamming his head so hard he surfaced from being lost in his hell. Where was Daegan?
Bindings cut his wrists. Warm blood trickled down to his arms stretched above his head.
He tried to teleport. Energy inside him spun up, but nothing happened. Shit. He stopped before he threw up.
Searching inside, he called up his gryphon to boost his power.
His beast rumbled, sounding sluggish. What was wrong? Tristan dug through his memory. Had he been drugged?
Teleporting was a dud. He had no gryphon power. And his telepathic communication boomeranged.
If only he had a paperclip to make a bomb out of like on that old television show.
Voices came to him from a distance, as if two people had climbed inside a barrel to muffle their conversation.
That was just stupid.
Think harder.
He focused on the voices in spite of pain jabbing his head. Not just there. His chest hurt like someone had rammed him with a spiked club.
Fog, dark and sluggish, began to slowly clear from his mind. Beladors had exceptional hearing. He should be able to understand words better.
“No!” a high-pitched voice screeched.
Tristan clenched his jaw and groaned. Too fucking loud this time. He swallowed a disgusting taste that his stomach considered returning. A chill ran across his skin. He shuddered.
