Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(34)

“Okay,” I whispered.

He gave me one last, deep kiss before he stepped away. I pried my hand from his, already feeling hollow.

“The strength of the bond of mating grows during the pregnancy,” Genevieve said in a serene voice. “This must’ve developed over hundreds of years of mates being unsure of biological parents. The female taking the male’s blood creates a sort of need in the male to protect at all costs. He is more thoroughly attached than human males with their pregnant wives. Sharing blood creates the need and willingness to be governed and protected in the females. This bond is something that forms extremely tight-knit families. It’s truly remarkable.”

Ann shifted her weight to her right leg and put her hand on her hip. “Say I got knocked up by one of these guys, right?”

“Like me,” Charles threw in.

Ann rolled her eyes at his cheesy smile. “You’re saying I’d suddenly want to suck blood?”

Genevieve smiled at her. “If you hadn’t already, probably not. But if you tried it during your pregnancy, you’d probably find you quite liked it. And your body would easily accept it during the pregnancy.”

“I couldn’t before I was pregnant—it really killed my stomach. But I can now,” Delilah said. “I like it.”

“Gross.” Ann shivered.

“Let’s get the show on the road,” Jonas growled. “This is causing Sasha unneeded stress.”

“He’s right, love.” Stefan kissed me again. He steered Jonas toward me. Jonas reached out and took my hand as if it was a completely normal thing for him to do. “He’ll guard you in my absence, okay?”

“Why does this feel normal?” I asked, blinking up at Jonas. “You’re holding my hand.”

“It is such a treat to witness humans interacting with our race in this way,” Genevieve said with a laugh. “They crave the things we take for granted, and then marvel at them. It is quite a behavior study. Some things are more deeply ingrained in our primal needs than I had realized.”

For some reason I couldn’t explain, I wanted to punch her. Delilah started to laugh—I must’ve advertised that thought on my face.

Stefan gave me a sorrowful wink before leaving. I squeezed Jonas’ hand tightly, and then reached for Charles’. It felt like my heart was leaving with Stefan, like I’d never see him again.

Chapter Ten

Stefan shut the car door and paused for a moment. He let out a breath and closed his eyes against the guilt of leaving her. He knew it was irrational, but the pounding ache of wanting to go back inside was hard to fight.

“You okay, Boss?” Paulie asked as he stared straight ahead. “Need a minute?”

“No. I’m good.”

Stefan started the car and tried to clear his thoughts. He tried to focus on driving back to the Mansion, getting his stuff done, and returning as fast as possible.

“She’s got some mean bastards with her. And she’s got magic way beyond anyone in the Mansion. She’ll be good for a couple hours,” Paulie said.

“Yeah.” Stefan stepped on the gas.

“If they need a car, though…”

“There are vehicles here if they need one.” Stefan took the corner too fast and forced himself to slow down. It wouldn’t help if he killed himself in his urgency to get back to her.

“So it’s a trip, huh? Your people seem to think it’s like Christmas knowing you sired a kid.”

Stefan glanced at the male next to him who hadn’t said more than a handful of words to him in the last nine months. “What?”

Paulie continued to stare straight ahead, completely relaxed. “Huge deal for your kind to know it’s your kid. Kind of a trip, huh?”

“Are you trying to distract me?”

“Yeah. Working?”

Stefan’s lips quirked as he turned onto a main road. Surprisingly, it was. “It is a trip, yes. I hear it’s made you in demand. The durability of human procreation, I mean.”

“Oh yeah. I don’t get any blowjobs, though. Except from Selene. They all want the baby maker. I actually got kicked in the face when I tried to use protection. I don’t know if I want a bunch of kids I created running around. In human land, that would be seriously complicated.”

Stefan couldn’t help a smile. “Hasn’t stopped you any.”

“Ah…no. You got some hot women and Selene is cool with an open relationship—I guess most of you are. Kind of a waste to say no, know what I mean?”

Stefan glanced at the human male again. He had no idea that Paulie had a sense of humor. Or any real personality. The male could be good to hang around with. Relaxed and easy, happy to let the small things go.

Stefan didn’t know why he was surprised. Anyone who Sasha welcomed into her inner circle were often extraordinary in some way, and could always banter. Still, it was a nice surprise. It kept things interesting.

They turned into the Mansion ten minutes later and he clicked back on his serious Boss’ mask. Jameson was waiting as Stefan got out of the car.

“Everything go okay?” Jameson asked.

“She’s good. Let’s get moving, though. I need to get back.”

“Understood.”

* * *

Paulie squeezed his eyes shut and focused on the link with Birdie. They were the two highest power workers and also the most volatile. Links were fine when Sasha was in control because she could easily manage the vast quantities of magic. Without her as the pinnacle, though, it was not so easy.