by Lexy Timms
Like knowing he’s still alive since I haven’t heard from him recently.
“Speaking of Kyle, have you talked with him, Theo?” Vlad asks.
“No, I haven’t. I haven’t heard him in my mind for a couple of days now.”
“I have,” I say.
Everyone whips their heads over toward me, and I can see their eyes rolling with questions.
“A couple of days ago, I heard Kyle pleading for help inside my head. That’s why it isn’t a shock to me when Vlad says he’s still alive,” I say.
“What did he say? Why the hell didn’t you tell someone?” Toshi asks. “Does Clarissa know?”
“She doesn’t,” I say. “And she won’t. Got it?”
“Sebastian, we made her a promise,” Theo says.
“To go get Kyle if he turned up alive. But not to inform her of anything in between. She’s sick. If she knows she missed an opportunity to talk to him because I wasn’t willing to sever whatever connection I had with him, it’s going to make things worse.”
“What did he say?” Vlad asks.
“I know where he is,” I say.
“What?” Toshi asks.
“According to him, he is underneath the Council building. On level six. Though if they’re moving him from crate to crate like Vlad suggests, then it’s possible they’re moving him from level to level, too.”
“They said something about a dungeon master,” Vlad says.
“I know about that,” Theo says. “The dungeon master was Chief’s idea.”
“What?” I growl. “You know about these lower levels, and you didn’t tell us?”
“Not the lower levels. I thought they were all offshoots of the hallways. You know, like the hallways were numbered?” Theo says.
“Tell us what you know,” I say.
“The dungeon master was a suggestion made by Chief to guard the level or area or hallway or whatever that is completely lined with lead. They originally crafted it underneath the guidance of Chief in case one of the council meetings spun out of control. Because of their heated debates and arguments on a regular basis that guide the whole of the Primal population, it gave the building a neutral space to drain all of them of their energy so they could talk on even ground without slaughtering one another in anger.”
“So what does the dungeon master do?” Vlad asks.
“I’m shocked you don’t know,” Theo says.
“I know a lot, but even these secret chambers are news to me,” Vlad says.
“The dungeon master is a human. A weaponized human. When a Primal is drained of their energy in a lead room, human weapons can destroy them if timed right. The dungeon master serves as a final switch if things still get out of control.”
“So the dungeon master is there if Kyle spins out of control and they need to kill him,” I say.
Clarissa begins to stir on the couch, and we all fall silent. I watch as she sniffs the air, but instead of gravitating toward the food she crinkles her nose. Like she’s disgusted with it. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her eat, and I’ve got half a mind to wake her ass up and shove bread down her throat.
We all stay silent until Clarissa settles back into a deep slumber, then Theo’s gaze turns to me.
“Exactly,” he says. “The dungeon master is there in case he has to kill Kyle.”
“Well, I made a deal with Kyle that might make the dungeon master null and void,” I say.
“What does that even mean?” Toshi asks.
“I told Kyle that we were coming for him. That we made Clarissa a promise. But I also told him that if he spun out of control—if he couldn’t control himself and it looked as if he was going to hurt her—I would kill him.”
“You didn’t,” Theo says.
“I did. And he seemed to be okay with it. Until he started freaking out.”
“Freaking out? About what?” Vlad asks.
“I wasn't sure. One minute he was gnashing and snarling, and the next the connection was broken. I don’t know what happened to him, but I know he was angry,” I say.
“Okay. So we’ve got Kyle alive and the Council meeting tonight. Did you find out anything else?” Toshi asks.
“Yes. The guards were talking about coating their spears in something meant for either men or women. And that makes me think that they’re going to be using the eradication of humans as a way to disperse the serum they’ve been experimenting with,” Vlad says.
“So they don’t want to kill the humans. They want to turn them?” Theo asks.
“It’s just a working theory, but it’s the only one we’ve got that lines up with the intel we have,” Vlad says. “It’s obvious the serum worked because of Clarissa. But if that same serum has been engineered to work on a fully-formed human male, who’s to say they didn’t tweak the female version of that serum to work on a fully-formed woman?” Vlad asks.
“When did you get so smart?” Toshi asks.
“Believe it or not, Cats aren’t the only intelligent Primal species,” Vlad says.
“Could’ve fooled me,” Toshi says with a grin.
“Knock it off,” I grumble. “We don’t have time.”
“And with that, can we put a pin in this for a second and talk about this promise to go after Kyle?” Vlad asks.
“What about it?” Toshi asks.
“I didn’t technically make her this promise.”
I growl at Vlad and quickly stand to my feet.
“I know what card you’re about to play, and it’s not going to happen. If you’re with Clarissa, then you’re with us. And that means you abide by the promise we made her.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. We have a war coming, and we’re really focused on one man we aren’t even sure is stable any longer?” Vlad asks.
“If you care for Clarissa at all given everything you’ve put her through, then you’ll follow through with the promise,” Theo says.
“And if you don’t, then we’ve got no issues kicking you to the curb,” Toshi says.
“I’d like to see you try,” Vlad growls.
“Now you know how it feels,” I say. “But we have a much bigger ordeal on our hands.”
“What?” Theo asks.
“I know these humans are training for war, and I know they think they can fend off the Council on their own, but I don’t trust them to keep Clarissa safe.”
“Why would they need to keep her safe if she’s fighting with us?” Vlad asks.
“She’s sick, you idiot. And even if she was feeling better, I still don’t like the idea of her fighting in this. The prophecy states—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Prophecy?” Vlad asks.
“Sit down, shut up, and listen.”
I bare my teeth at Vlad, and I can smell his pulsing anger. He doesn't take orders, and I get that. But war is knocking on our door so a pissing contest is the last thing we need. I stare at Vlad, allowing my claws to take form as Theo slowly stands from his chair.
“Clarissa’s on that couch,” Theo says. “Settle down.”
“Are you ready to listen?” I ask.
“What prophecy?” Vlad asks.
“There’s a prophecy from Theo’s clan leader that states a woman will be sent to save the Primal races,” Toshi says.
“That same prophecy also states that woman is pregnant,” I say.
Vlad’s eyes wander back over to Clarissa as I watch the realization cross his face.
“You guys think Clarissa’s pregnant,” he says. “Which would fulfill this prophecy.”
“That’s why I’m not fond of her going into battle,” I say.
“And I do agree with Sebastian. Even if she isn’t pregnant, and this is just a bug or something, we made a vow to protect her. And thrusting her into the middle of a war isn’t protecting her,” Theo says.
“Clarissa isn’t going to like that we’re orchestrating all of this behind her back,” Toshi says.
“For once, I agree with a Cat,” Vlad says. “Cl
arissa’s smart. She’ll figure out what you guys are doing.”
“Not if no one tells her,” I snarl.
My eyes are still hooked onto Vlad’s stare and he snickers.
“What? You think I’m going to tell her and suffer her wrath?”
“Right now, I’m not sure what you're doing or why you’re here,” I say.
“So you still don’t trust me. After helping you prepare and after helping to hide Clarissa and after telling you the truth about Kyle and bringing you all back here, you still don’t trust me?” Vlad asks.
“No,” I say. “I don’t.”
“But setting all that aside,” Toshi says, “Sebastian had a point a moment ago. These humans can’t keep Clarissa safe from this war or from the Council. And even though it pains me to admit it, I think Sebastian’s right.”
“Wow. That’s a first,” Theo says.
“I know you all smell it. She’s been sick, yes. But even before that. There’s a pungent odor coming from her. And if she is pregnant, then her changing body chemistry could be the source of it.”
“I thought I was the only one who smelled it,” Vlad says.
“Nope. I think we all smell it. Minus the humans. They can’t smell anything,” I say.
“Which means, no matter what, our main objective is to keep Clarissa safe. By any means necessary,” Theo says.
My eyes dance around the table at the men nodding their heads. Finally. We could all fucking agree on something.
“Then that’s the most important thing,” I say. “We uphold our promise to Clarissa to find Kyle, but not at the expense of her safety. That should be first and foremost.”
“First and foremost,” Theo says.
“First and foremost,” Toshi says.
My eyes pan over to Vlad, and he sighs and rolls his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. First and whatever,” he says.
“Good. Now. Who’s waking her up to see if she wants to eat?”
I watch all of the guys shoot up from the table and head for the hallway.
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” Toshi says.
“I think I’ve got something to help with her nausea,” Theo says.
“And I’ve got something else to do,” Vlad says.
I grin as they all trample each other to get down the hallway and into their respective rooms before my eyes fall on Clarissa’s sleeping form.
Cowards.
Chapter 9
Clarissa
“S o this prophecy’s true?” Joel asks.
“Looks like it,” I say.
“You’re the woman in the prophecy.”
“I must be,” I say.
“But you being pregnant doesn’t suddenly make you the savior of the Primal races,” he says.
“No, but being pregnant and being the only female that can successfully mate with all the Primal races does.”
“Then we need to get you somewhere safe. If you’re pregnant—”
“I am pregnant,” I snarl.
“Since you’re pregnant,” Joel corrects, “then you need to be safe. This war is coming, and you don’t have only you to look after any longer. You have a child you have to consider.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m backing down from this fight. I can’t explain it, but this pregnancy is changing me.”
“It changes every woman, Clarissa.”
“Not what I mean,” I say.
“Then what do you mean?” he asks.
“I mean, I feel different. Stronger. Yes, the nausea’s kicking my ass, but there are other differences. I feel bolder. My bite is more potent. I’m salivating more. My grip is stronger. I tried to help Josie cook the other day and when I gripped the wooden spoon too tightly, it splintered. In my human hands.”
“You don’t have to specify, Clarissa. You’re human. I know you have human hands.”
“I’m not human, Joel.”
“Yes, you are. Which is why you need to stay behind. Primal females can do all sorts of things when they’re pregnant. Their wombs become like iron caves. It’s almost impossible to kill the fetus of a Primal, but you aren’t one of them.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No, you’re not. You’re human. You started off human, so you’ll always be human.”
“Joel, stop it. I’m more Primal with each passing day,” I say. “And it took me a long time to digest that and accept it.”
“But you don’t have to. Clarissa. Whether a car is in a garage or sitting on a building, it’s still a car. Right?”
“What? Of course, it is,” I say.
“And if you change out the engine and add wings and change the oil and add different tires and give it a new coat of paint, it’s still a car. Right?”
“Joel, really. I get your point, but it’s not the same.”
“Clarissa, just because you had elements added to you doesn’t mean your base form changed. You’re still human. You’ve got Primal aspects, but you’re still human. Just like that car is still a car. No matter where you stick it or what you add to it, the base of it will always be a car.”
“I was altered, Joel. As a fetus in my mother’s body. My DNA changed. All of this, it’s encoded into my DNA.”
“But you don’t know that. Not for sure. And with you carrying a child, you have to be on the defensive. You don’t know if your body will protect that child the way a Primal’s body would. Staying safe during this war is the only way to keep you safe if this prophecy means so much to you.”
“You say that as if you don’t believe it.”
“I’m not sure I do. I don’t put much stock in wisdom or the mystic arts or whatever the hell Bears talk about in their groups. I put my faith in proof,” he says.
“Then take a good, hard look at me. Because I’m living proof that Project Eden works. I’m living proof that the prophecy is real. I’m carrying a child within a body that can mate with any Primal species on this planet.”
“So, what? You’re relegating yourself to be a puppy mill for the Primals? Destined to do nothing else but shove out children until it kills you?”
I growl at Joel, and he takes a step back. I don’t like him. Not one bit. I can smell his want for me. I know his words are coming from a place of pure lust and jealousy. He isn’t worth my time. He’s a pathetic little human who wants to try and convince me I’m weak and feeble so he can feel like the man he wants to prove himself to be. But this is bigger than him. It’s bigger than any of us. I’m carrying a child in my body, and I must do whatever I can to protect this baby. I have to do whatever I can to make sure this child is born into a world that will see it differently. That will treat it differently.
That will see it as an equal instead of as a threat.
“We can take care of you,” Joel says. “Josie and I. And the village. If you say behind—if you stay with us, you have a chance at something normal. You can still make an impact and save this world from the Council and live the life you want.”
“And who are you to tell me about the life I want?” I ask.
“I can see it in your eyes, Clarissa.”
“What?”
“Every time those guys start to fight and bicker, I see your eyes grow a couple shades dimmer. Every time this war is mentioned, I watch the briefest moment of panic wash behind your eyes. Every time you get sick and it reminds you of this pregnancy, I see the uncertainty wash over your face. You haven’t told them, have you?”
“I haven’t found the right time to,” I say.
“You’re already more comfortable around me if you’re willing to talk about this with me and not them.”
“The only reason I’m talking about it with you is because your sister opened her big mouth and talked to you about it. Then you confronted me with it. If Josie hadn’t told you, I never would have,” I say.
“I don’t believe that. Not for a second.”
“Then that’s fine. Looks like proof doesn’t suit you as much as you say it does.”
“Don’t you dare talk about my boys that way,” I growl.
“What I’m trying to say is I don’t see you that way. I don’t see you as a baby-making machine. I see you as a woman. A strong, intelligent, self-sufficient, powerful woman. And any man worthy of you should see you in the same light. Can’t you see that?”
“I see it just fine. And if your plea here is to try and cast them out so you can be with me, then save it. I’ve been dealing with their bickering and their shenanigans for months. But when I chose my mate—”
I draw in a deep breath to try and keep my tears at bay. It’s weird, but I can already feel my child rolling around in my body. Josie says that, at best, I’m only two months along. And I know regular human females don’t feel their children in their bodies until at least double that time period.
But I’m not a normal human female.
I’m honestly not a human female at all.
“When I chose Kyle, do you know what they did?” I ask.
“No. I don’t.”
“They backed the fuck off,” I spit.
I watch Joel nod his head as his gaze falls over my shoulder. I don’t like his tactics. I don’t like his words. I don’t like the point he’s trying to prove, and I certainly don’t like how he’s trying to gain the upper hand when I’ve been around these men for months. Vlad, not so much. I don’t really know Vlad. We didn’t get off on the right foot, no matter the circumstance. But I’m coming around to him. He’s working on his restraint, and he is proving himself to be an asset in planning for this war.
But for Joel to try and position himself above the others?
It would never happen.
Not with everything those men have done for me.
“I want to protect my child,” I say.
“Then let us protect you, Clarissa. We can,” Joel says.
