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“Okay, so that was bad.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “But honestly, I can’t wait to get as big as a house.”
“Will you deliver eggs?” she asks as we hit the sidewalk, taking the street that cuts over to the park.
“No. It’s not likely. Sometimes, a female incubates the clutch of eggs for a kraken, and in that case, they’re solely born male and would be delivered as eggs. According to Hex, my body accepted them.”
“I don’t know what that means either,” she says, grinning. The park comes into view, and we cross the road to head over into it.
“Since my body accepted them...” I frown. “You know, it’s confusing to me too. Basically, I think that to absorb the maternal DNA it weakens the egg. As they grow, they’ll use it as a placenta. I think.” I laugh, shaking my head. “I’m getting all this info secondhand from a man.”
“Got it, yeah, that makes perfect sense,” Emerson says, patting my arm. “I’m so happy for you. I won’t lie. It’s a huge relief that everything turned out so well. Otherwise, I told the guys we’d have to help you get out of town, but I think Dread’s worst nightmare is that you’ll leave The Den.” She snorts.
“His greatest nightmare is something happening to you or your offspring,” Malice says from the shadows of an oak tree we walk past. “And that he would be incapable of stopping it.”
Emerson jolts, holding on to my arm for dear life.
“That’s Malice,” I say, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “He’s a nightmare, but he’s my nightmare.”
“That was very cute.” Malice bows at the waist. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Wait, holy shit. That’s actually really cool. You’re all shadowy and ominous.” Emerson laughs.
Malice bristles, but a wicked smile breaks out across his face. “You’re a vampire walking around in direct sunlight. I find that quite ominous.”
“Good point.” She extends a hand. “Emerson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’ll join you over by the feral animals,” Malice says as they finish shaking. He chuckles. “Wait, I believe the word I was looking for is children. I think your daughter may give the future dragon alpha a run for his money one day.”
Emerson snorts. “She already wreaks pure havoc with my four mates. I’m a little afraid to find out what the future holds when she’s a teenager.”
Malice nods, siphoning away to the trees about twenty yards away.
“There are so many supernaturals I had no idea even existed,” she says with wide eyes.
I laugh, because she’s not alone. There are some I’ve come across over the years that I thought were purely myth too.
Charity stands near Meena. They’re just under the extended branches of the oak tree. Veryn chases Ember in a circle around the playground. It’s quite adorable hearing the wolf pup’s giggles as she pivots, changing direction to follow the dragonling instead.
“Hey,” Charity says, waving when she spots us. “I have to say, this is the best idea we’ve ever had. They’ve got supernatural levels of energy; letting them wear each other out is brilliant.”
“Agreed.” Emerson releases my arm, heading for the picnic table.
My eyes dance over the kids as they run. My jaw falls as Ember tackles Veryn. He might only be two or three years older than she is, but he’s so much larger, it’s difficult to believe it’s possible. It would be like me successfully tackling Atlas.
“Ohmigod, I’m so sorry,” Emerson says, moving to push herself off the picnic table.
“No, don’t worry. Please don’t get up. He’s fine.” Charity laughs, turning toward Veryn, she cups her hands around her mouth. “Get up and dust yourself off.”
Meena starts meandering closer to the kids as something strange prickles at my skin. The hairs on my arms stand up. My magic rises, and I shove it back down. We’re in the middle of Haven, in the damn park, in the afternoon.
I’m not sure why my feet propel me closer to Meena and the fledglings, but the children are all my magic can seem to focus on.
“Kitten,” Malice growls from behind me.
I don’t stop. Something in the air doesn’t feel right.
“I’m going for backup,” Malice says.
“Aline,” Bane growls from the same direction as Malice. I didn’t know he was lingering around, but I’m not shocked.
