Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(28)

“It would be best if you waited here,” Jack says.

That doesn't even deserve a reply.

“He's right,” Chadwick adds.

I whip open the door and storm out. “They may need help.”

Jack glares at me, but Chadwick sighs like he knows there's nothing he can do to stop me. At least one of them has some sense.

I watch for rocks scattered through the forest as the water patters down on us. It's not too far to reach them, only about a ten minute walk in the rain. Only, when I get to them, it's not just Serena, Cynthia, and Lukas, but a couple of warlock guards as well. My girls, all my girls are here. Each and every one of Serena's sisters is here, hovering in a circle with Serena in the middle.

“You're all here,” I say as I run to them. “How I missed you all!”

The girls look up at me, relief filling their faces but a tension remaining. They don't seem nearly as happy to see me as I am them. What's going on? Is there some danger I missed? Something more than just the threat of their father?

“Quick, get the girls to the safe house,” Serena says.

The guards hurry forward, and with the help of Bethany, Cynthia's next youngest sister, usher forward the youngest girls. Chadwick doesn't waste any time doing as she asked, helping the guard to clear the girls. As they move aside, I realize the problem. Serena's mother is on the ground, hunched over in pain, a stick between her teeth. Sweat drenches her, and the rain makes a mess of her face paint.

She's having her baby, right now, in the middle of the forest. Why could the little one not have waited ten more minutes to enter this world when she was at least in the cabin?

“Don't we have time to take her to the cabin?” I ask.

“There's not time for anything,” Serena says.

“I've never helped a birth before.”

“Luckily, I have.” But her voice says it's anything but lucky. “Do you know any spells that can help with her pain?”

One of the guard stays behind but discreetly looks everywhere but where the action is currently taking place. I wish I could do the same.

I do what I can, zapping a blue spell of calm and pain relief. Pernilla whimpers like it's not enough, but I don't know how to do more. I wasn't trained for this.

It all seems to be over in a matter of moments. Serena takes care of the baby girl while I try and say soothing things to Pernilla. Telling her how beautiful the baby is. How cute, sweet, and pleasant this little girl is. At first Pernilla smiles contentedly, but then her face grows strained. She whimpers again.

“What's going on?” I ask.

“Don't worry,” Serena says, handing the baby to me. She's been wrapped in the bottom of Serena's torn skirt. “It's just the after birth. It won't be as bad.”

Pernilla lets out a shrill cry.

“That sounds worse.”

Serena's forehead furrows. With my free hand, I cast another pain-reducing spell, but I'm afraid it's not enough. If she needed her dress spelled a different color, I'd be so much more helpful. I let her squeeze my hand long past the time it aches while I rock the newest little girl.

“Mother,” Serena's voice is uncertain. Scared.

The only response is a groan.

“Serena?” I prompt.

“This isn't the after birth,” she says. “She's having twins.”

I can't help but give a little smile. There may be too many girls to easily take care of, but I love them all so much. Even this newest sweet one in my arms has stolen my heart. I'm certain we can all make room for a little more love to share.

There's a cry of a new babe that brings a smile to my face. I glance at Serena. She's holding the new baby in her hands, staring down at it as if she's never seen a newborn before. But that clearly isn't the case since I'm holding the twin in my arms.

I take a closer look at the baby and realize why she's frozen. Her plan for another little sister has been exchanged for two siblings. But not just two sisters. For the first time in her life, Serena has a brother.





Chapter Nineteen





We do the best we can cleaning up Pernilla and the babies.

Serena takes a look at Pernilla's face and gives a sigh, the first sign of emotion I've seen from her since her brother was born. “You're face paint is everywhere.”

“I need to fix it,” Pernilla says.

“Mother, there really isn't a reason for you to keep wearing it.”

Pernilla sniffs. “Tradition.”

I hand the baby girl to Pernilla while I help Serena clean up. Once finished, I take the baby back. It takes some time, patience, and magic, but we manage to get them back to the safe house. Chadwick and a guard returns and carries Pernilla there.

The whole time, Serena seems to return to her dazed state. Pernilla does as well, but I don't think it's because her newest is a male. She's barely conscious from loss of blood. What is she going to do when she realizes she not only had twins but finally had a boy? That, after all those years of Stephen being angry and punishing her and Serena for all those daughters. And when they finally escape from his reach, he finally gets a son.

If he discovers this, how much more will he try and come after them?

As soon as we enter the door, the girls surround Serena and the baby, all talking at once.