A Gift of Three (A Shade of Vampire #42)(2)

Thinking about Ruby and Ash, who still hadn’t undergone their vampire transformation, reminded me that it was something Tejus and I still hadn’t decided on. I knew that it was a certainty for both of us, but I just didn’t know when. If we definitely wanted another child, we’d need to wait several more years, preferably until he or she was past their toddler stage.

“What are you thinking?” Tejus asked after a pause, and I realized I’d drifted off into my own thoughts again.

“About us eventually turning into vampires.” Well, sentry-vamps.

“I’ve been thinking about that too,” he said. “I do think we should delay it, in case we want another.”

I smiled. “Another bump.”

“Exactly,” he confirmed.

I let out a contented sigh. “In any case, when we do eventually turn, we’ll have to do it in shifts, so both of us aren’t consumed by hunger at the same time.”

Tejus bent further down, gently twisting me sideways so that I faced him. His eyes were dark and hooded, sending shivers running down my spine. His lips pressed against mine, his kiss drawing the breath out of me. I snaked my arms up and around his shoulders, my heart palpitating furiously as my husband held me against him.

“Hazel, when you’re around, I’m always consumed by hunger.”





Hazel





“Where’s Corrine?” Grace asked, after she’d said hello to Victoria and me. We were waiting for the witch in the Sanctuary, enjoying cups of herbal tea that Corrine had delivered before rushing off to attend to my brother.

“She’ll be in soon. She’s just finishing up with Benedict. He’s managed to scrape both his arms trying to climb one of the redwoods.” I sighed. Poor Benedict. It was a good thing that he was out and about more since we’d returned from Nevertide, rather than pining for a game console, but I wished he’d stop taking such stupid risks.

“Nothing serious though?” Grace asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “Nothing serious. How are you feeling?”

Grace laughed. “Well, hungry pretty much twenty-four-seven, and sleepy…you?” She looked at Victoria and me expectantly.

“Exactly the same,” Victoria replied, rubbing her belly. “My little half-cub is really kicking up a storm at the moment.”

“Can I feel?” I asked.

“Go ahead,” Victoria replied, leaning further back in her chair. “Does anyone mind if I take a short nap?”

We both smiled knowingly. Sleep was a major luxury for us at the moment. I placed a hand over her stomach, feeling the child’s movements against her skin. It was active.

The door to the room in the Sanctuary opened, and we all turned, expecting Corrine to walk through, but it was Vivienne, my mom, and my grandma Sofia, grinning broadly at the three of us.

“How are we all doing?” my mom asked.

“Not quite beached whales yet, but it won’t be long,” I muttered. She smirked, and the women took a seat. “Especially me.”

By far my stomach was the largest of the three of us. Of course it was. With a sentry husband, I couldn’t have expected anything different.

“It’s certainly impressive,” my grandma replied, grinning with the happiness of someone who didn’t need to actually carry around the humongous child.

Grace’s bump was the smallest. She was convinced it was a girl, that she could feel the energy of her child and that it was definitely feminine.

“Have you and Tejus tried to mind-meld with your baby yet?” Grace asked me.

I shook my head. “We did think about it, but it’s probably too early, and we’re worried we might accidentally syphon off it when we make contact. It just feels risky. Neither of us knows enough about the syphoning process to be sure that it won’t affect the baby negatively.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Vivienne agreed.

Corrine swept in, smiling brightly at us all. We had all been having regular check-ups in the Sanctuary, just so that Corrine could make sure we were all on track. She was being extra-cautious in monitoring us since we had all gotten pregnant at around the same time. As a result, Corrine wanted to make absolutely sure that she wasn’t missing anything, getting to know the development of our children as well as she could before we gave birth. If all three came at once, she wanted to be as prepared as possible.

“You’re all here, good! Rose, I’ve sent Benedict home, he’s fine. Just a few grazes, nothing I couldn’t fix.”

“Thanks, Corrine,” my mom said, sighing.

“So, on to you.” Corrine smiled down at me, placing her hands on my stomach. She left them there for a while, nodding happily.

“All good here,” she confirmed, and then moved to do the same to Victoria and Grace. She gave the same murmurs of satisfaction at examining both of them, and then turned to face us all, her eyes bright. “I can actually tell you the gender of your children…if you want to know?”

Vivienne, my mom and grandma looked at us excitedly.

“Yes,” I replied. “I do. Vicky, Grace?” I turned to the others.

“I’m positive mine’s a girl, but yes,” Grace confirmed.

Victoria took longer to make up her mind, glancing thoughtfully at her mother. “I don’t think I will,” she replied eventually. “I want it to be a surprise.”