Page 5 of Old Secrets

“Your DNA results are in, too. They did a comparative against human DNA, Fenerec DNA, and yours. Then, upon seeing some odd results, they began digging deeper. Your origin is probably the result, but they suspect you have very limited genetic diversity.”

I had limited genetic diversity? “Like cheetahs, where all but a few individuals died out and they inbred for survival?”

“Not to the same severe degree, but close. I got a whole lecture about genetic diversity, but it boiled down to a comment we should search for women who look exactly like Karma, men who are the masculine form of Karma, and go from there when we’re in Tibet. Mellisa is preparing us to get out of here. The Inquisition wants us in Tibet yesterday due to the DNA testing results, especially with them understanding you both want to pursue having puppies. Or kits. The risk of an entire litter of them is very present, especially considering Karma’s biological differences compared to humans.”

In a pause in making breakfast, I laughed and gave my hip a pat. “I’m better designed for kids.”

“And you’re so hardwired to have them that I’m surprised you let Jake out of your bedroom.”

Jake laughed. “I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure you don’t.” Amelia snorted, shook her head, and headed for the door. “We’re to take the paperwork with us, and we’ll have a chartered flight to the region. The Inquisition is acquiring our guide and translator as we speak, and we expect to leave for China the day after tomorrow.”

“That soon?” I stared at the Fenerec with wide eyes. “Jake and I were talking about pushing for Tibet yesterday, but we’d been told it could take weeks to get the guide and translator.”

“They talked with China, China agreed, and so we’re heading off the day after tomorrow. Mellisa is handling her business and getting more information on the lab tests. Also, the pair who helped with the test are having a pup, and they got first crack at going over to the west coast to get help with the pregnancy. So, while none of us particularly liked the test, good did come out of it. Per your request, the egg, once confirmed to be deceased, was buried along with your twin.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re the exact opposite of that monster who dared to call herself your ma. Don’t forget that. Although I doubt you will, not with how you behave around kids. Unlike her, you don’t want the perfect family image. You want a family. You’ll be fine. Just keep beating your mate until he gets it through his thick skull.”

I glared at Jake out of the corner of my eye.

“According to my wife’s expression, I need to confess that I am still talking to my mother, but she’s pushing for puppies pretty hard, and I don’t want Karma to deal with that drama. The plans, Amelia. The plans. The last time I called, she was so hopeful we might try for twins. She doesn’t know about the testing.”

“I’m guessing twins are probable,” I replied, unable to keep the amusement out of my tone. “I will insist we raise only one litter at a time, even if it means we only get one litter.” We had no idea how long I would live, how long I could have kids for, or if my species was one and done before falling over dead like cuttlefish. “I don’t want to be like a cuttlefish,” I complained.

“What?” Jake blurted.

I heaved a sigh. “A female cuttlefish breeds once and then dies shortly after laying her eggs. I don’t want to be like a cuttlefish.”

Jake huffed, and after a moment, he dared to laugh at me. “I don’t want you to be like a cuttlefish, either. I really doubt you’re like a cuttlefish.”

Amelia grinned at me, halting at the door. “Well, that is why there is so much pressure to head to Tibet. The Greenwich case will be easier to solve if we can lure the bastards on to Chinese soil, too.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“The Chinese are offended by the group’s existence. We’ll have several packs of Chinese Fenerec keeping an eye out for the group. Assuming we come up dry on your parents, we’re going to create a news incident with you in China and run an operation to take the Greenwich group out.”

I bounced on my toes, making sure to keep a close eye on breakfast so I wouldn’t burn it. “I can be the bait?”

“You can be the bait, and there will be a lot of powerhouses around trying to make sure you and Jake emerge without a scratch. If we have a say in it, there won’t be another London.”

I winced at the mention of the London shooting, which had revealed my ability to become a fox and had led to so much heartache. “We don’t talk about London.”

Jake snickered. “More accurately, we don’t talk about the insanity that is Karma on certain medications. Hey, babe?”

“What?”

“I didn’t die.”

Bastard. I flipped my middle finger at him.

“Perhaps after Amelia leaves, we have breakfast, and we at least look at some of this paperwork.”

Laughing, Amelia opened the door. “And on that note, I’ll leave you two to your activities. Is she still fertile at a single come-hither, Jake?”

“Yep. A single nip or caress is sufficient for her to be ready to rumble.”