Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(25)

We were cracked.

Seriously, get away logic!

“The clan is looking at humans in a different light, now,” Stefan said with pride.

“Selene is trying to get Paulie to mate her.”

“He’s…” Stefan paused as someone veered in toward me with a smile.

It was a youngish male still in school, probably up early for chores or to get a few more hours in before a test. With sparkling eyes he said, “Hia Mage. May I?”

He didn’t wait for a response. No one ever did.

The young guy put his palm on my bump and gave a little rub. “Good luck, young one. Hope to meet you soon!”

And then he was off, walking down the hall as if he’d just rubbed Buddha’s belly.

“I’m okay with you being overbearing, but I could really do without all the communal touching,” I grumbled as we made our way outside.

Stefan chuckled softly. “Paulie will be an excellent fighter.” Stefan led me out to the trees as the failing light sprinkled across the ground. Wind rustled the trees high overhead. The sky blazed pinks and oranges.

“Thank God his magic comes from his mother or I’d be down a strong human.”

“I don’t know for sure that it comes from his mother. But it’s introverted, definitely. We’re still repairing the wall for Master Bert. He wasn’t thrilled about his classroom being destroyed.”

Paulie had wasted no time getting the special runes that could throw magic. The guy was already covered in tattoos so what were a few dozen more? He’d also wasted no time learning to work the elements. With me helping, and Charles and Jonas tweaking the way he went about things, the guy was already the best human at working with magic besides me. Selene had misjudged him a little—it turned out he was orange but my special trait had him pushing up into a light gold. Even still, he was seriously a huge find.

And he was sexing his way through the Mansion. Oh, he still liked Selene best, it seemed, but he had taken a page out of Charles’ book. The guy was like a kid in the candy store, and with Delilah and I having been knocked up so quickly in their opinion, all the ladies were lining up. It was actually comical.

“I think the linking is going pretty well,” I said as I stood in a patch of sunlight and let the last rays of the day shine down on me. I felt a flutter inside me. “I think the baby likes the light, too.”

Stefan’s eyes went gooey as his gaze dipped to my stomach. He rested his palm on my bump. “When will I get to feel him or her?”

“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the midwife. You know, that woman who unnecessarily checks in with me daily? The one who comes right after the doctor who also unnecessarily checks in with me daily?” I would’ve tapped my foot but I was too busy soaking up the warmth of the moment, both from Stefan’s touch and the sun.

“Here comes Jonas,” Stefan said to deflect my light rebuff.

“Boss, Human—this doesn’t count as walking. She needs to exercise.” He stopped beside us with a disapproving scowl.

“Jesus, Mabel, let’s calm down with the overbearing behavior, huh?” I felt Stefan’s tug and dutifully began to walk. But not because of Jonas. I made sure he understood that fact with a glare.

Delilah did what everyone told her. My meekness was limited to Stefan.

“Humans will be here at nine thirty,” Jonas informed us. “One of the twins can’t make it—she couldn’t find a sitter for Aurora.”

“I’m sure someone here would be happy to watch her,” I reflected, taking the path through the trees deeper into the wooded property. Aurora was Jen’s three-year-old and universally loved in the Mansion.

“She needs to go to bed. But we have everyone else coming in, so we should be…fine.” I could hear the clenched jaw.

“Jonas, I’m telling you—the link isn’t hard for me to hold. I’ve already work with that much magic. I just draw off the energy.”

“It’s still no occupation for a pregnant female.”

“Oh yeah? And when did you graduate from medical school?”

“He’s just looking after you,” Stefan hedged softly.

“Well, I need to work on that link. Paulie is still a little volatile—he needs to work with others more than me.”

“The human male bested three members on the Third Tier Watch,” Jonas said over my head to Stefan. He then laid his hand on my stomach and gave a little rub.

My stomach was no longer my own property.

“I heard. He’s a natural. Any idea who might’ve sired him?” Stefan asked, now letting me lead to my favorite copse of trees.

“None. With the blood mixed with human, there’s really no way to tell.”

“Have you let everyone know that pheromones are no longer to be used in sexual…situations?” I turned to Jonas and gave him the full weight of my stare.

Jonas stared back, that glimmer of craziness turning in his depths. “Yes, human. The problem is, humans don’t see us. Seduction is then impossible.”

“Only if you got no game.” I winked at him, earning a deep scowl.

“I got game.” Charles walked up with an easy glide. His knitting supplies were in a bag around his shoulder. He no longer cared about carrying something resembling a purse. Why? Well, because he had important business making hideous blankets, scarves and hats for the baby.