Dianne Duvall - Phantom Shadows

“No. He thought it unnecessary because technically she’s mortal.”

“She isn’t human!” Bastien bellowed. “She heals at an accelerated rate! Did he never think that—”

Seth held up a hand. “He didn’t.”

Melanie studied the men. “Are you worried that Ami has become infected with the virus? Or are you worried that the fetus is infected?”

“Both,” Seth confided. “I can’t smell the virus on her, but . . . because her physiology is different . . . on her I may not be able to.”

Melanie understood their concern. There was no way of anticipating what the virus would do to her, if it would transform her or kill her. Make her vampire or immortal. And an infant . . .

Would the virus keep it from developing properly? From aging?

And what of Ami’s origins? Would a fetus that resulted from gifted one DNA and alien DNA combining be . . . healthy?

“How are they taking it?” she asked.

Seth shook his head. “Marcus is devastated and is doing his damnedest to hide it because Ami is thrilled. The primary reason she came here was because a virus used as a bioweapon by people from another solar system has rendered an overwhelming majority of the women on her planet either infertile or unable to carry a baby to term. Births are extremely rare on her home world, so . . . yeah. She’s excited.”

Bastien swore. “She doesn’t understand.”

“No,” Seth agreed, “she doesn’t.”

“You have to tell her,” Melanie said. “She deserves to know the truth.”

Seth met her gaze. “Would you talk to her? Examine her?”

“I don’t think she’ll—”

“She wants you to. I told her that, because difficult pregnancies are the norm now for her people, she would need nearly constant medical supervision by immortal healers and human physicians. David and I may have both delivered babies in the past—”

Bastien’s eyebrows rose. “You have?”

“But our overall knowledge of gestation and the various problems that can arise is limited. Unless her health is threatened, I’m not sure we would know what was normal and what wasn’t. I told her as much and . . . she asked that you examine her, Melanie, and guide her through her pregnancy.”

Melanie would be happy to do so. Ami must have lost her fear of Melanie while caring for her during her transformation. And, because Melanie had spent so much time studying the intricate differences in physiology between vampires and immortals, she was the most qualified to monitor the fetus—and Ami—for signs of infection.

“My specialty isn’t obstetrics, but I can read a lot faster now and can learn everything I need to know in very little time. I’ll get started tonight if you’d like.”

“Tomorrow will be soon enough. Tell Chris what books and other materials you need and he’ll have them here by sunrise.”

“Great. I’ll do that.”

“I was also thinking of bringing in an immortal from Germany who has been doing his own research on the virus. He might know more about its effect on babies.”

“I’d welcome his knowledge.”

“David and I discussed it and . . . either he or I will remain here at his home in case anything goes wrong or she should need our healing abilities to help her carry the baby to term.”

Bastien said, “I know nothing about any of this, but I’ll do whatever I can to help, too. Anything you need, just say the word.”

Melanie knew he thought of Ami as a sister and was very protective of her.

Melanie felt protective of her, too. Ami had been the first in the Immortal Guardians’ world to offer Bastien friendship without strings attached. And Melanie had been one of the few people who had been told Ami’s true origins. Most believed her a gifted one.

“So,” Bastien broached hesitantly, “how are you going to keep this quiet?”

“I don’t think we can. We all missed the fetus’s heartbeat because the pregnancy is so new and babies just aren’t part of our world. I realize now that I heard it at dinner. I just assumed it was Slim. But, that heartbeat will grow stronger.”

“And Ami will get bigger,” Bastien added.

“What will you tell the others?” Melanie asked.

“I don’t know. We haven’t gotten that far. Hell, we just found out she’s pregnant twenty minutes ago.” He sighed and ran his hands down his face. “I’m sorry to lay this on you two. And on tonight of all nights. Congratulations on your engagement.”

Surprised, Melanie smiled. “Thank you. Although I think I kind of pushed him into it.”

Seth smiled. “No, you didn’t. He’s wanted to spend the rest of his life with you since before the network was attacked.”

Melanie looked up at Bastien. “Really?”

Bastien frowned at Seth. “If you’re as busy as you claim you are, how do you manage to spend so much time in my head?”

“It’s because I’m so busy that I spend time in your head. If I know what you’re thinking, I don’t have to worry about what you’ll do next. I already know it.”

Melanie took Bastien’s hand and spoke quickly to prevent him from pursuing the subject further. “Thank you for the house, Seth. We really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. I hope it will be to your liking.”

“What about Tanner?” Bastien asked. “Is he still going to be my Second?”

“Yes. The two of you work well together and he’s fervently loyal to you. There’s a small guesthouse in back for Tanner. That way he’ll be near enough to be here when you need him and far enough away to give you privacy.”

“Perfect.” Melanie looked forward to getting to know Bastien’s friend better.

Seth continued to look anxious. Somehow she thought that wasn’t a look he wore very often.

“Is there anything we can do for you?”

Much to her surprise, Bastien nodded. “Would you like to come in? Have something to eat? Chris said the kitchen is fully stocked.”

At last, Seth’s lips tilted up in a small smile. “Careful there. I might think you’re actually starting to like me.”

Bastien flipped him the bird.

Seth shook his head. “If I told you just how alike you and Roland are you would crap your pants.”

“Please, don’t,” Melanie quipped with a smile.

Both men laughed.

“Thank you for your gracious offer, but I need to check on something in Denmark. I just . . . needed to . . .”

“Talk?” she suggested softly.

He nodded. “Yes. Why don’t the two of you take the night off? Get a feel for the house. See what you’d like to change.”

“Make love in every room?” Bastien added with a teasing leer at Melanie.

She laughed.

As did Seth. “That would be my choice were I you. In fact, take tomorrow night off as well.” He drew out a pocket watch, flipped it open, and consulted the face. “I’m sorry. I have to go. Thank you both.”

“Stay safe,” Melanie told him.

Smiling, he nodded.

“Seth,” Bastien said suddenly.

Seth met his gaze.

Melanie waited for Bastien to speak. When he didn’t, she wondered if he might not be thinking what he wanted to say instead.

Seth smiled and clapped Bastien on the shoulder, then vanished.

“What did you say?” she asked curiously.

“Nothing,” he disclosed with a faint frown. “I wasn’t sure how to say it.”

“Well, what did you want to say?”

“I wanted to thank him.” Facing her, he reached out and toyed with the hair she had left loose. “If he hadn’t ignored all of the calls for my execution and taken me under his wing, I never would have found you.”

Smiling, Melanie leaned into him and kissed his chin. “I think he heard you.”

He hugged her close.

“So . . .” she said.