Page 72 of Warrior Unraveled

Everybody turned their eyes to her, interrupting what they were doing. It was clear that Enya hadn’t wasted any time telling her colleagues what she’d witnessed in Wesley’s room. Virginia hadn’t expected any different.

“Morning,” she forced herself to say. Then she looked toward the counter. “Oh good, you guys made coffee.” At least she could busy herself with something, and steady her trembling hands by holding on to a hot mug of coffee.

A few “good mornings” came in response, while Virginia poured herself a cup.

“Hey guys,” Wesley said cheerfully, “is there no food?”

“We were waiting for you to make us pancakes,” Enya said, tossing a sideways glance at Virginia. “Since my last attempt didn’t go so well.”

Hamish chuckled. “Yeah, we’re not letting Enya near the stove ever again.”

Enya stuck her tongue out at him. “Like you’re any better at cooking.”

“I’ll do it,” Wes said quickly and walked to the fridge. While he took out a few ingredients, he said, “I don’t see Leila. She not joining us?”

Aiden shook his head. “She’s not feeling well this morning.”

Grabbing a bowl and a whisk, Wesley turned toward the island. “Don’t worry, when my sister-in-law was pregnant, her morning sickness only lasted about a month. It’ll pass.”

Virginia snapped her head to Wesley, then to Aiden, whose chin had dropped.

“How the…” Aiden murmured.

Logan slapped his friend on the shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Leila is pregnant?” Manus asked, eyes wide.

Hamish and Tessa exchanged a look. Virginia could see it immediately, though there were no outward signs other than the love in their gazes: the two were indeed bonded. Virginia’s earlier suspicion that Tessa had lied to save Hamish from punishment for allowing her to stay at the compound was unfounded.

“I didn’t want to say anything,” Aiden said, “it’s still early, and Leila wanted to wait until she was over the three-month hurdle.” He motioned to Wes who was now whipping up the pancake batter. “How did you know?”

Wes grinned. “All the runes around this place might prevent me from casting spells, but I can still sense certain things.”

Aiden shook his head, chuckling. “Son of a gun.”

“Well, congratulations,” Virginia said. “I hope everything goes well.” And she actually meant it.

“Thank you.”

Hamish patted his friend on the shoulder. “I’m happy for you guys.”

“Appreciate it,” Aiden said. “But I don’t want to detract from everything else that’s happening. We’ve got things to deal with.”

Virginia took a seat at the island. “Do you have any news about the housekeeper?”

Aiden nodded. “Logan, can you call Pearce in here? I don’t want to go over it twice.”

Logan hopped off his barstool and walked to the intercom system next to the door. He pressed a button. “Pearce. You’re needed in the kitchen.”

A static crackle on the loudspeaker, then, “Be there soon.”

“Now,” Logan insisted, then added, “Wes is making pancakes.”

“Why didn’t you say so immediately?”

Logan took his seat again. Moments later, Pearce entered the kitchen, a tablet in his hand.

“Morning everybody.” He propped the tablet up on the island, so he could see what was happening on the screen, and took a seat. “Sorry, gotta monitor communications, in case we get any urgent messages.” Then he motioned to Wes, who was now standing at the stove, heating oil in a pan. “Hey, Wesley, I’ll have three, please.”