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“You were born female.”
* * *
I wakeup drenched in sweat. I haven’t dreamt of that day in years. I clear my hair out of my face and fold my legs up into my chest. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice my cellphone lighting up on the nightstand.
I snatch it and open my notifications frowning at the time. Four am, the witching hour. Nothing good comes from messages at this time. I have two from Satan.
If you’re awake, come down to the apartment.
Or as soon as you wake up.
He sent them ten minutes ago. As the insomniac of the group, he knew there was a good chance I was awake, but in case I was sleeping, he felt he needed to be polite. I stand and grab my robe off the back of my office chair.
I don’t need much, so my room is bare except for my bed, dresser, and desk. If I’m in this room, ninety percent of the time, I’m drawing. Otherwise, I’m at my shop or out working for the club. I run on about twenty hours of sleep weekly, and I function just fine. Doc gets furious with me for declining sleep aids.
I’ll rest when I’m dead.
I’m in my usual tank top and boy shorts, so I slip the short robe on but don’t bother tying it closed. I could care less if anyone sees me. I’m just one of the guys here. After the dream I just had, I could not be more grateful for the way all the members treat me. With genuine love and respect. Something I didn’t really learn until Satan found me.
I walk through the empty hallway and down the stairs. Bear is sitting on the couch, holding Aspen in his arms, asleep. Zahra and Frankie are snuggled into him, but he’s wide awake.
“You guys ok?” They have a brand new house and are here instead of their own beds.
“Yeah, I couldn’t leave them alone, and you guys needed me here.” I nod and point to the stairs.
“Put them in my room. I’m done sleeping for the night.” He smiles and stands slowly so as to not wake Aspen.
“Thanks, Karma.” I walk into the library and out the back entrance that leads to private stairs.
As I descend, I hear voices. I’m once again caught in a situation that may require a weapon, and I have none. I’m never taking my knives off.
“Seb, I’m fine! You are stressing me out. Let me be.” I hear a growl before I knock and think twice before doing it.
I don’t want to interrupt anything, but he did ask me to come down. So I tap the door quickly and then back up. Nothing worse than getting in the way of a primal and his prey.
“Hi Miya, come in.” Violet smiles warmly at me.
She’s got to be about seven months pregnant now, and her belly leaves the room before she does. Her posture has changed to support the heavy load, and it seems like she’s always holding her stomach up. It’s a complete difference from the way the ballerina normally carries herself.
She groans, and suddenly Satan is behind her, hovering in a state of panic I’m not used to seeing him in.
“Um, are you ok, Vi?” I take her arm and lead her away from the door to a set of couches a few feet away.
Satan has her other arm, and he’s frowning at his little wife. I can see his thoughts on his face. His kid is too big for her little frame, and he’s trying to figure out how the kid is going to come out. That math ain’t mathing.
“Stop fretting, dammit. It’s just Braxton hicks.” She slaps his hands away, making the man growl again.
“If I’m interrupting, I can come back later.” I creep backwards towards the door, but Satan stands up straight and shakes his head.
“Please sit, Miya.” Uh oh.
Why do I feel like I just got called to the principal’s office?
“You haven’t called me that in years. Why do I feel this is personal?” I sit on the opposite couch and look at the couple.
“When was the last time you spoke to your father?” Fuck I knew that dream was foreshadowing something.
“Ten years ago.” He nods, and I brace for whatever is going to come out of his mouth next.
