Page 97 of The Temptation of Roan Island

He leads us to the next alcove over, where a little boat is anchored on the waves. Tobias cries into my neck, and I try to soothe him. He must be so confused right now. Silently, I pray that he’s young enough to forget most of what occurred tonight.

Shemaiah scoops both of us into his arms and wades out to the boat. Dripping wet and shivering from the cold, Tobias and I huddle together as Shemaiah starts up the engine and steers us toward Roan Island. Toward home.

42

PIPPA

“So you see,” Shemaiah says from inside Tobias’s room, “the cocoon was protecting the animal.”

“Cocoon?” Toby’s little voice repeats the word.

I smile, leaning my shoulder against the wall just out of sight. The past month has been better than I ever could have imagined. It’s taken a bit to get used to being a Mavarri. At first, my heightened senses made me jumpy. Now, it puts me at ease. Even from the hallway, I can hear every breath my son takes in the room next door. I can see each particle of dust in the air. I can smell his baby-soft skin mixed with the must of the house and the unique scent of Shemaiah’s aftershave.

When we returned to Roan Island, there were adjustments. I couldn’t bear to be apart from Tobias for more than a few minutes, always worried someone would take him from me. My boy wasn’t much better, clinging to me like a shadow, waking up with nightmares in the middle of the night. My thoughtful husband immediately moved us to adjoining rooms that had space for us and for Toby. The nightmares didn’t really get better until Shemaiah started reading to him every night before bed.

I always listen from right outside, relishing the sweetness of it. The two of them have taken to each other so naturally. It’s almost as if the three of us were missing pieces of the same puzzle, found and completed now.

“Well, see this blanket here?” Shemaiah says.

I peek around the doorframe and watch Shemaiah tuck the blanket into my son’s sides, his body wrapped to his neck.

“How does that make you feel?”

“Hmm, nice,” my son says with a yawn.

“That’s just like a cocoon. A cozy blanket for the animal to sleep safely inside.”

Tobias grins, then giggles and wiggles the blanket loose.

Shemaiah pats his leg. “I think it’s time for your Mama⁠—”

Tobias lurches, Mavarri speed on display, and wraps his arms around Shemaiah’s neck. Shemaiah grunts at the strength, smiles a gentle smile, then wraps his arms around Tobias.

We still don’t know the exact ramifications of the poison my son received in utero, but he isn’t human anymore. Not exactly.

Every afternoon, Noah and Ruby play games with Tobias, subtly testing the limits of his abilities. Apparently, his differences only became clear around the time I first came to Roan Island. So far, he seems almost entirely Mavarri, except he doesn’t crave blood. Noah’s still not sure if Tobias has venom or not and, if so, what it will be like. He has fangs, but doesn’t have claws, and he’s as fast as a Mavarri. He doesn’t shift in size with hunger. But he can hear, see, and smell better than most humans. He loves playing with his new uncle and aunt, and was so excited to learn there are others who can do things like him.

And he adores Shemaiah. Listening to them talk and giggle together makes my heart expand and my lady parts ache.

“Cocoon, daddy,” Tobias says against Shemaiah’s neck.

Shemaiah sucks in a quiet, shaky breath that’s as loud as the thump of my hearts.

We explained to Tobias that the three of us are a family now, and Shemaiah rushed all the paperwork to legally adopt my son, but we’ve never asked him to call Shemaiah daddy. He’s been Maiah to Toby these past few weeks—or, more accurately, a stuttered three-year-old version of the nickname. Until tonight.

Shemaiah’s eyes meet mine, full of unshed tears, and I know he feels the same joy I do.

Anna’s footsteps sound behind me, each sense telling me it’s her without me needing to look. “Is he ready?” she quietly asks.

“Miss Anna!” Toby calls, not missing anything.

“Hold on, sweet thing.” I enter the room fully and cross to the bed. “You owe your mama a kiss before bed.” I give my son a long cuddle while Anna waits patiently by the door.

All the women with Vastatio were moved temporarily to the Roan Estate to be treated by Noah. Once he realized they were only sick because they were being injected with poisonous blood, he was able to completely reverse the effects. Everyone made a full recovery. The Roans helped them find jobs and return to New Essik if that’s what they wanted. Many of them have opted to take employment at the estate instead, like Anna.

I didn’t want to leave Tobias even at night, and the lack of sleep was taking a toll on all of us, until Anna insisted we hire her as a nursemaid. With her training, it made perfect sense. She and my son bonded quickly. They’re an odd pair, but I think they’ve been good for each other. Anna exudes the strength and safety that Tobias craves, and Toby is slowly chipping away at her cynicism. It’s beautiful to see.

It’s still hard to leave Toby, though. I have to remind myself that both Dr. Reter and Dr. Witten are dead. So is Mrs. Darning. The rest of the cult has been arrested, and a formal investigation is underway. Noah made sure the police didn’t believe the cult members about the Roans being Mavarri, only that they were misled and were trying to create some kind of superior human. Shemaiah’s family is all back on the island, safe and sound and ready to protect my son, who has suddenly gained a slew of protective aunts and uncles.