QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD: Earthbound series Lucien and Scarlett (Book 2)
QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD: Chapter 9

SIX MONTHS LATER

She’s gone.

Six months I had been looking and nothing.

Once I had gotten my head out of my ass. I had started the search for her and her family, to no avail.

I had told her not to believe everything she heard or saw. She had left me here, shattered and half the man I had been, and now she had to pay. She had disappeared with my child. A child she had tried to hide from me. I would never have known if it hadn’t been for my demon. She should have realized I would have let no one harm either of them. When I finally replace her, she will know she can never hide from me. I will teach her a lesson she will never forget. Everything I had done was for her safety. She might have thought I was dangerous, but she had never seen the real me.

Aria relished in my pain. Gloating. When I had come to my senses, I didn’t take long in showing her how wrong she was. She had taken her punishment like the bitch she was. I had shown her I would never be down for long. That she had forgotten who and what she was dealing with.

She had been seen traveling with one of her siblings. They are now searching that area. I wouldn’t stop searching for her. She had taken the one thing from me that was mine, and I had every right to take it back. If she thought I was dangerous before, she had a shock coming.

I will never let her make a fool of me again.

SCARLETT

Moonlight danced on white-capped waves, and as they lapped towards the shore, I sat there looking over the ocean, waiting for the sun to rise; as the waves touched my toes.

I still could not believe how he had played me. I had been such a fool believing in him. What was the saying? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Never again. Could you hate and love someone at the same time? I know they say love and hate are meant to be one and the same. Now I had someone else to think of. He would eventually replace me; it was just a matter of time. So far, he hadn’t succeeded. Moving constantly helped, but being pregnant didn’t make it easy to do so. We were no closer to replaceing Megan.

Melissa and Evelyn had gone back to their own homes a week ago. They had things to sort out. Melissa hadn’t seen her children or brothers. Evelyn had her own shit going down. Soon it would be Evelyn’s time to change, and it wouldn’t be pleasant. None of us had ever witnessed it, but she had explained what she went through every time the cycle began. Her brothers were the same. Just the thought of her flesh burning sent shivers down my spine.

‘Scarlett, it’s time,’ Pamela called as the sun rose, interrupting my thoughts. I rose from the sand with a sigh and slowly waddled my way over to my waiting sibling.

Together, we walked through another portal. Melissa had given us several spells to use each time we moved. It was tiring.

Reaching the other side, I took in the scenery to the right, and within a short walk was an extensive woodland, behind that in the distance were large looming mountains. Snow was sprinkled on the peaks of the mountains. The scent of pine needles filled the air. I recognize nothing around me; I noticed straight away it’s chillier here than anywhere else we have been so far. I shivered as the bitter wind bit into my body.

Seeing me shiver, Pamela pulled the large satchel off her back. Opening it up, she pulled out a thick cardigan and handed it to me.

“Do you need to rest, or can you carry on?” As I pulled on the thick cardigan, I heard her ask, wrapping myself in its warmth.

Shaking my head, I said. “Carry on.”

She reached in again, pulled another cardigan out of the satchel, and put it on. She digs once again into the bag and pulls out a piece of paper; opening it up, she looked down at the map, “There’s a cabin three miles that way,” she said and lifted her hand up and pointed towards the woods, “We should be able to stay here for a while. There should be enough food, water, and wood to keep us for a few weeks at least, and a change of clothes,” Putting the satchel back onto her back and then taking my hand, she placed it on her forearm.

I don’t protest. I am as big as a hippo, and I’m sure I looked like one. It now hurts to walk, and that’s one reason we no longer move from place to place as much as we were at the beginning. We stayed together when we first left Lucien’s, thinking it would be safer. We had been wrong. It had been too easy for us to be found. We hadn’t been able to go home; we soon found out it was too risky. Lucien knew where our home was. We had split up, only meeting every few weeks. Now only Pamela is with me. The others are at different locations. I was sure that I would give birth before my so-called due date. I bit my lip, trying not to groan at every step I made as we slowly made our way into the woods, moving between the trees. It felt like forever before we eventually saw the wooden building ahead of us.

“We’re staying here?” It looked ransacked. How are we going to live in this?

“For now, Melissa assured me, it’s much better inside than out.”

“I hope so; the roof looks like it is about to cave in.” I’m not looking forward to living in it if the outside is any indicator of what the inside might look like.

Dropping my arm, I stand there as she once again digs around in the satchel. I heard her muttering to herself. I listened to the sigh of relief as she pulled out a rusty-looking key. She pushed it into the lock and turned the key. I heard the click. The door swung inwards. Pamela stepped forwards to walk through the doorway.

“Are you coming, or are you going to stand there?” Pamela asked, turning her head towards me, “You need to rest.”

I held back a moan. Pamela’s right, I needed to rest; as I slowly made my way to the door, Pamela walked through; I could hear her footsteps on the wooden floor, then stopping. As I walked through the doorway, it swung shut with a click behind me. I glanced around; it is an open plan, massive, and looked entirely like it’s just been built. A wooden staircase is to my right; besides the stairs is a wooden door. I turned my head. Pamela is now standing in the kitchen section and opening and closing draws and cupboards. I don’t need to ask Pamela why it looked completely different from the outside. Either the door was some sort of portal, and we are now somewhere else, or this building had some kind of spell put on it. I can’t be bothered to ask as long as we were safe to stay for a while. I walked over and sat down on a large comfy sofa; it felt like it hugged me as I relaxed and sank down into it.

“We have plenty of food. For a few weeks at least,” Pamela told me as she opened and closed the fridge door, “Melissa told me she would make sure we would have enough supplies while we have to stay here.”

Kicking off my boots and putting my feet up onto the sofa, I leaned back with a pleasured groan. “I think we both need to rest before we even think about food.”

“I could do with a rest.” She sits on the oversized chair on the other side of me, putting her feet onto the coffee table in front of her and laying her head back. “Do you want to let Melissa know we got here safely, or I can do it and get her to tell the others?”

“It doesn’t really bother me.” I lifted my head up slightly as I looked over at her, “If you want to do it, go ahead.”

“Ok,” I don’t wholly join the link; I heard the mutterings of their voices and can essentially make out what’s being said. I lay there, eyes shut, and slowly drift off.

My body feels like it’s floating; I glance around me. I felt my body quiver. Not again; I hate it when this happens. I knew no one could see me; how Melissa had managed to get the miniature fly onto Aria was beyond me, but she had managed to do it.

It’s like an out-of-body experience, but not as intense. One problem is that I’m not sure if this has happened, will happen, or is happening now at this very minute. It can be frustrating; I can’t always hear what’s going on. It’s like watching one of those old silent movies people used to watch. If I could lip-read, it would have been so much easier.

As my gaze scanned the room, Lucien held his body in a challenging pose. He is sitting behind a large desk. Damien, as usual, is seated on the other side. I stood in the corner of the room as I watched Aria walk into Lucien’s office. As she walked up to the desk, I didn’t miss the way he studied the feminine sway of her hips. She stopped and perched her butt on the edge of the desk. Reaching out, her hand caressed his unshaven jaw; her eyes promised nights of pleasure. At her touch, he sucked air through his gritted teeth. She toyed with the dark hair curled at his nape. He cocked his head to one side and stared at her. That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting. What was going on? His lips moved. Damn, I can’t make out what he’s saying. Fear washed all the color from her face. Whatever he had told, her fear lurked in the depths of her eyes before she quickly hid her reaction. She stood motionless, her lips compressed into a tight smile. She took a nervous step backward, pivoted, and walked out of the room. The door slammed shut. This made little sense.

Aria had gone to her own region a handful of times since we had left. She had met up with her beady-eyed spy on two occasions. It had been disgusting to watch. Though I had warned Lucien not to trust her before we had left, he hadn’t taken heed. Whatever happened was on his shoulders. As Aria moved away from Lucien’s side, he looked towards where I was standing. I watched as he tilted his head and his eyes narrowed. It’s as if he can sense I’m here. Of course, it’s impossible. There was no way he could see me, let alone feel my presence.

I felt the jerk. It felt like someone was shaking at me. Causing my body to move from side to side.

“Scarlett, wake up. I’ve made us something to eat.”

I moan as I slowly pry my eyes open; they felt heavy as if I hadn’t slept for days. As I pushed myself into a sitting position, my enormous belly got in the way. Pamela placed sandwiches on the table next to me. I slowly swung myself around until my feet were back on the floor. I reached forward, grabbing the plate; a cup of tea was placed next to it. I watched as she sat back down.

“Thank you. What did Melissa say?”

“Not much. Melissa’s brothers have left for a few days, but they should be back soon. The others are alright. Melissa confirmed we should be safe here for at least two weeks. If it changes, she’ll let us know straight away and have a place for us to go to.”

“Pamela, I’m not going to be able to move or travel for much longer. I’m getting bigger by the day. If we have to move on again, that will be the last time.”

“I know. Melissa mentioned one place we could go, but it isn’t ideal.”

“Where is she suggesting?”

“Astrid’s.”

I dammed near choked on my sandwich at her words. Astrid’s what the hell? Is she completely mad? That’s the last place I’d even think of, let alone go to. I didn’t realize I had said the words aloud until I heard Pamela.

“No one knows about Astrid, so the chance of Lucien replaceing you or the child there is very unlikely.”

I know what she is telling me makes sense, but Astrid? She isn’t like us; yes, she has some human blood and our relation, but she is more witch than human. She is an entirely different ball game to us.

Placing my unfinished sandwich onto the plate, “Pamela, do I have to remind you where she fucking lives?” I reminded her, “It’s not like she lives on her own in the middle of nowhere. She lives near the other witches, who are worse than Astrid. How on Earth is she going to hide me?”

“Well, you won’t be able to leave her cave,” Pamela admitted with a grimace, “and she will put some sort of spell around where she lives.”

“You forget one thing. What if I went into labour? Mmm? What do I do then?”

Pamela sat there, staring intently at my belly before she raised her head. “Scarlett, we don’t know what you’re having.”

Staring at her I say. “It’s a boy.”

“I’m not talking about the sex of the child, and I don’t know how you know that,” she replied.

“I just know it’s a boy,” I replied with a shrug. Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “so if you are not going on about the sex of the child, then what?!”

“You know what I mean, Scarlett. Or do I have to spell it out?” I watched as she ran her fingers through her short hair; it had grown somewhat in the last few months but was still much shorter than my long locks. “It’s not normal for someone to have black eyes. Lucien has a demon, a powerful one. We have all witnessed it. I, for one, do not know how they are connected. Is it the same connection as our witch and omega? Does Lucien have a soul? Does his demon?”

I don’t know what to say. Of course, I thought about it. How can I not? Were they worried that my child could be a full demon, part, or something else? These had gone through my mind more than once.

“Then we don’t know about the labor part of it,” Pamela carried on. “are you going to give birth naturally? Are there going to be complications? Ones that wouldn’t normally occur with a human birth?”

The questions were being thrown at me left, right, and center. How did I know? I’d never been pregnant before.

“How am I supposed to know?” I shoot back, crossing my arms under my breasts, “And how on Earth is me being at Astrid’s going to help when I go into labor?”

Sighing, Pamela said. “Astrid has experience in demon births.”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard about it. Who the heck knows this?”

“Melissa. I think Evelyn might know as well.” She placed her plate on the table.

“I don’t know. You’re talking about Astrid; she’s kind of off,” I reminded her; it’s not a shock; we all know that it depends on her mood. She can become bat shit crazy. “If I agree to this crazy idea and that’s a big if, who’s going to ask her? It’s not like we can just knock on her blinking door.” I saw the guilt on her face and the shift in her eyes. They have already asked her. I’d bet my life on it. “She’s already been asked, hasn’t she?”

She squirmed as her face exploded with color. “Yes. I know we should have told you beforehand, but we didn’t in case she refused.”

I understood their reasoning, but I still felt pissed off. I should have been told. After all, it was my child, and it should be up to me. “I hope you didn’t tell her I’m going.”

“Err.”

“Pamela, you did, didn’t you?” I screeched at her, “How could you!” Struggling as I tried my hardest to get off the sofa. God, I love this child to bits, but I was as big as a fucking house, and every movement was a struggle.

“Scarlett, calm down; you’re going to hurt yourself.” She rose from the chair and walked around to me, helping me to stand. I felt so helpless. I hated it. “We will not force you to stay with her. If you’d rather stay with me or one of the others, that’s fine. We just want to make sure you and the baby will be safe. We only suggested it because none of us have any experience with childbirth, let alone a demon baby.”

“I know you all think you know what’s best for my child and me, but sometimes you just have to stop and think. You made that decision without asking me first. That is so wrong.”

“If you do not want to go, that’s fine,” Pamela reassured me, taking me into her arms and hugging me, my belly hitting off of her stomach, “you don’t have to go.”

“Maybe she can come to me,” I suggested, looking up at her, “if she’s willing to do it.”

“I’ll get hold of Melissa and get her to replace out if Astrid is willing to travel to where you’ll be staying.”

I pulled myself out of her arms lowered myself back onto the sofa, “I think it will be safer, don’t forget she lives near the full-bloods,” I reminded her, “and if they even get an inkling, that I’m there. Astrid will have a big problem on her hands.”

Pamela sighed as she picked up the empty plates and took them to the kitchen area. “I suppose you are right. If they even get a whisper that you’re staying with her. There will be nothing but problems. Not only for her but for us.”

“Problems we don’t need,” I reminded her as she washed, dried, and put the dishes away before she came and sat down again.

“I’m going into a mental link with Melissa; let her know what going on.”

I nod my head as an ok. I listened as Pamela told her what I had said. Melissa wasn’t too happy; she thought I would be safer at Astrid’s. I interrupted and told her to see if Astrid would come to the building I would stay in to give birth.

‘I have been thinking about this for the last few weeks and haven’t brought it up until now. I would rather be at a familiar place,’ I told them through our link.

Silence. I know both of them don’t have a clue how to respond.

‘Astrid can meet me at either Melissa’s or Evelyn’s. I’d rather have the baby at one of theirs. I will feel safer there,’ I confessed. ‘what’s the difference to somewhere I don’t know?’

‘Scarlett’s right,’ Melissa agreed. ‘being at a strange place will be harder to move her once the baby is born.’

‘Well, you and Evelyn will have to decide between you who Scarlett’s going to stay with,’ Pamela replied down the link, ‘keep your fingers crossed. Astrid agrees. We will need her there. We are all going into unknown territory and will need all the help we can get.’

‘I will speak to her after our link is closed and get back to you,’ Melissa told us before saying, ‘Scarlett, have you had any more of those episodes?’

I know what she refers to, ‘Yes,’ I admitted with a sigh, ‘it happened when I fell asleep.’

‘You never mentioned it,’ Pamela replied. I could see the scowl on her face from where I sat. She pressed her lips into a thin line of disapproval; she closed her eyes as she drew a shaky breath. A small portion of her anger died down.

‘I would have eventually told you. So don’t get your panties in a twist.’ Her eyes flew open, and she mouthed, ‘Piss off.’

‘Charming,’ I mouthed back.

‘You can sort that out between yourselves later. Did you see anything that we need to know about?’ Melissa asked me through our link.

‘No,’ I replied, I wasn’t about to mention how I had felt earlier. If I said that I thought Lucien had known or could sense I was there, it would send Pamela into panicking, and I couldn’t deal with it at the moment. She’d want to move us again, and no way was that going to happen. We had just got here. ‘Damien was there, and then the bitch arrived. I couldn’t hear or make out what they were saying, but Lucien looked pissed off.’

‘If you hear anything else, then let us know,’ Melissa reminded me. I made a humming noise as a reply. There wasn’t much more I could say or tell them.

I half-listened to the rest of their conversation. My eyes roamed over the open space. I looked at the door that was beside the staircase. I looked at Pamela, who was still deep in conversation with Melissa. Somehow, I managed to get up to my feet and waddle my way over to the door without interrupting them. Grabbing the handle, I twisted and pushed the door inwards. Before me is a large bedroom. A substantial double bed is in the middle of the room, two bedside cabinets are placed on each side of the bed. In one corner is a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. A large bay window is on the other wall opposite me; on the next wall is another door which I’d guess would take me to an ensuite. I heard Pamela walking up behind me. She leaned over, placing her hand on my shoulder, taking in the room before her.

“Melissa said there’s a bedroom downstairs; I think you should take it. Going up and down those stairs every day wouldn’t be a great idea.” Laying a kiss on my cheek, her anger all forgotten. She walked away and came back with a suitcase. Where the heck she got that from, I don’t have a clue.

Seeing the perplexed look on my face. Pamela explained, “I forgot to tell you that from now on we won’t have to take any clothes with us. There will be some waiting for us.” I moved to one side and watched as she walked into the room and placed the suitcase on the bed before opening the window. “That’s yours; mine is over by the staircase.”

I turned my head. Sure enough, another suitcase was standing where she said it would be. I can’t remember seeing it when I walked over to this room. Either they had not long appeared, or I wasn’t taking in what was happening around me. Pregnancy brain. Walking over to the bed, I opened up the suitcase, and sure enough, they had filled it with different clothing. I took out the items one by one. There were shoes, boots, dresses, pants and tops, a couple of cardigans, nightwear, and underwear, all in different colors and all in my size and for a heavily pregnant woman. At the very bottom is a knee-length coat. They had thought of everything; bless them.

“Whose idea was it to do this? Do you know?”

“Mia and Abigail,” she replied, “but they weren’t sure what to put in it. So, I think everyone has had their hand in it,” she told me as she watched me take all the items out and place them onto the bed. “Do you want help with putting them away?” she asked, walking over to me.

I turned my head with a smile. “No,” I replied with a slight shake of my head, “you have your own clothes to unpack. If I need you, I will holler.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind helping.” Pamela replied as she watched me move from the bed to the wardrobe.

“Honestly, I’m fine. Look at your room and unpack. You can tell me what it’s like later.” There was no way I was even going to get up those stairs. It hurt enough just by walking over to the bed and back again. I just didn’t want Pamela or the others to worry more than they already do.

TWO WEEKS LATER.

I can feel the heat of the sun through the glass of the window. Though it’s colder here, the weather is behaving itself. A few minutes ago, I heard movement from outside my room. Pamela is up. The clanking and banging of pots and pans gave her away, plus I heard her humming.

With a groan, I pushed the covers from my body and rolled until I could move into a sitting position. I looked down at my growing belly; I swear I’d gotten bigger overnight. How on Earth am I going to push him out? With a huff, I made my way to the bathroom, stripping off my nightgown. I turned the shower on. Once it was at the right temperature, I stood under the warm spray. I washed myself down and gave my hair a quick wash and rinse. Turning the shower off, I stepped out, grabbed a large fluffy towel, and quickly dried and dressed. I put my long hair into a loose bun.

Pulling open the door, I walked into the ample open space. Sure enough, Pamela’s in the kitchen. Upon seeing me walking over to her, she gave me an enormous smile.

“Morning.” Smiling, eyes twinkling, as she watched me waddle towards her. “Did you sleep ok?”

“Yes, slept like a baby,” I replied, smiling back.

I saw her looking down at my protruding belly. “Have you gotten bigger overnight?” she asked, with widening eyes.

“It definitely feels as if I have,” I told her with a groan as I rubbed my belly and climbed onto the stool.

Tilting her head to one side. Pamela said. “You look like you’ve swallowed a hippopotamus.”

“Oh, thanks,” I replied sarcastically as she placed a cup of hot tea in front of me.

With a trace of laughter, “Well, you do; if you get any bigger, you’re going to pop.”

“Hopefully, I won’t. It’s already crossed my mind how on Earth he’s going to pass through my—”

“Ok, ok. Too much information. I get the picture.” I watched as a frown appeared on Pamela’s face.

“What?” I did not like the look she was giving my belly. I couldn’t describe it, but it set me on edge.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that,” I fired back. “I saw the look you were giving me. What’s wrong?”

“Honestly, nothing is wrong,” Pamela replied. “I think you have gotten bigger, though.”

I let the matter drop. If I saw her looking at me in that way again, she would not get away without answering me.

Taking a sip of tea. I asked, “Have you heard from Melissa yet?”

“Yes, that’s what I was about to tell you when your belly distracted me. We got lucky, Astrid agreed.”

“She did?” It wasn’t like her at all. “She didn’t protest or want anything in return?”

“Nope,” Pamela replied with a shake of her head. “I’m just as surprised as you. We all know what Astrid can be like. The one thing she requested was that you have the baby at Melissa’s,” Pamela informed me. “Melissa agreed with her proposal. Astrid advised, well, ordered, that we move to Melissa within the next week.”

“Melissa was alright with this?”

“That is what I asked her. After all, we will invade her space for a while. She seemed fine. Told me it wasn’t an issue, that she had plenty of room for us both and the baby.”

I nodded, taking another sip from the cup. “So, when do we go?”

Finishing up her drink and placing it into the sink, she replied, “Friday.”

“That soon? It feels like we’ve only just arrived.”

“I know. Apparently, Astrid wants to examine you before you give birth. She insisted it’s got to be this weekend.”

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t see the point; it didn’t bother me that we would leave and stay at Melissa’s. I had stayed there before, as we all had at some point. The one thing that bothered me was that Astrid wanted to prod and poke at me. Just the thought sent a shiver down my spine. She might be experienced, but could any of us trust her? That was something we would replace out sooner rather than later.

As she leaned on the kitchen counter, “So,” Pamela said, “are you going to tell me what you saw yesterday?”

Damn, I thought I had gotten away with it. Reluctantly, I told her what my dream had revealed. It did not differ from what I had told Melissa.

“If you have any more, I’d like to be the first to know.”

I nodded my head. I could tell it had upset her. I hadn’t told her first. My dreams or visions weren’t something I enjoyed talking about; it made me feel uncomfortable. Ever since she had found out I was carrying Lucien’s child; I had thought that she was judging me. If I questioned her, I knew she would deny it. I had seen the side glances she had thrown my way the bigger I got.

I hated the fact that I felt I shouldn’t trust her. Whatever thoughts she had running through her mind, I knew I would not be happy about when I found out what they were.

My child was part demon, and as far as we know, no one in our family had ever given birth to a child who was part demon. Maybe that was Pamela’s problem. After all, she had already told me that she disapproved. I had a sick feeling in my stomach that I would have to keep a close eye on Pamela once he was born.

I hoped I was wrong.

PAMELA

I should have tried harder and talked her out of having this demon child.

She only saw it as her child. I saw it as something so much worse.

Was it wicked of me to hope that the child growing in her belly would disappear? For fuck’s sake, it’s part demon. Anything could happen. I knew that no matter what I said to her, she would not listen. She needed to. She must give the child away once it’s born. We couldn’t have it living with us.

I couldn’t allow it. I had to make Scarlett see I was right.

SCARLETT

FRIDAY

As Pamela and I stepped through the portal, Melissa and Astrid were waiting on the other side. Pamela had been acting strange all morning. Her answer had been vague when I tried to ask her. I had this gut feeling that it was to do with my child’s birth.

I heard the swish of the portal as it closed behind us.

Astrid stood next to Melissa, her dark green eyes staring straight at my stomach. I refrained from touching my belly. I didn’t want her to know she unnerved me. I felt my witch sit up and take notice, as if sensing Astrid’s presence. My omega did little. I felt a slight stirring of curiosity in my mind.

For a near full-blooded witch, Astrid was stunning to look at; most were plain. You would get the odd one that you wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off. Astrid was one of those. She had large deep green eyes long jet-black hair that ended at her waist. Her skin was milky white, her lips painted a deep red. Her curves were in all the right places. Normally, she would wear a long dress. It surprised me to see her in black trousers, boots and a white blouse.

“Pamela. Scarlett,” she greeted us in her husky voice, a smile formed on her lips. I noticed her smile didn’t meet her eyes. Her gaze traveled down to my enormous belly; her lips puckered with annoyance as her stare drilled into my stomach.

“Astrid,” Pamela replied, “thank you for agreeing to do this.”

Astrid slightly bowed her head at hearing Pamela’s thanks before turning to look at me once again. “Scarlett, you are much bigger than I was told,” she stated, turning her head to look at Melissa.

I stepped towards Astrid and Melissa. “I am heavily pregnant, so what were you expecting? A flat stomach?”

I heard the huff, “Come, I must examine you.” She pivoted on the balls of her feet and walked away.

“Same old Astrid,” Pamela muttered under her breath as we shared a look with Melissa before we followed Astrid.

I felt the heat hit me as we entered Melissa’s home. Did it have to be this hot? It was like an oven. I have to get this cardigan off me before I pass out.

“Why is it so hot in here?” I complained to Melissa, yanking off my cardigan and placing it onto the back of a seat, “It’s like an oven! Where’s Astrid?”

“She’s around here somewhere, and Astrid likes the heat.”

Really, oh my god, if it got any hotter, I wouldn’t be able to breathe. “Can I get a glass of water? My mouth’s dry.”

“Of course, you know where the cup and glasses are. I have food in the oven. It should be ready in about an hour.”

“Where are the young ones?” I heard Pamela ask as she looked around the ample open space as I made my way over to the kitchen area and got myself a cold drink.

“Upstairs. They have some homework to catch up on. Once it’s been completed, they will come down to see you.”

“Don’t you think that risky what with…” In the shocking establishment, Pamela said, not quite believing what she heard.

“You realize I can hear you,” Astrid said, as she appeared beside Pamela in a puff of air. “I wouldn’t hurt the children. I’m not that cold-hearted,” she told Pamela with a sniff, turning around and walking over to me, “I just checked on them, and they are fine,” she said over her shoulder, nursing her hurt like an open wound before she turned her attention back to me. Her eyes seemed to drill through my body, her gaze settling on my round stomach.

Raising her eyes to meet mine. “Melissa is right,” she said, “You’re due anytime. I say in the next day or two.”

Really, how on Earth can she know when I’m going to give birth? It’s impossible to predict.

“The child is part demon, is it not?” It wasn’t a question. “I’m surprised you haven’t gone into labor way before this. Normally, a demon pregnancy lasts four or five months; I’m guessing that because you are part human, the pregnancy has lasted longer than a natural’s and will be shorter than humans. How far along are you?” Astrid asked.

I stood there; my mind whirled with confusion. How could this be possible, I wasn’t ready to give birth? Panic rose; I hadn’t prepared myself. I’m only seven months along. I am too early to give birth. Anything could go wrong.

Seeing my shocked expression, Astrid firmly took me by the arm and led me to the chair in the room. “Here, you better sit down before you collapse.” Turning her attention to Pamela and Melissa, she said in a calm voice as she peered down her nose. “I’m guessing none of you have ever experienced or have known anyone pregnant with a demon child? Great,” she said with a roll of her eyes as they shook her head, “so the only experience you have is when Melissa was pregnant?”

“None of them saw me after I was six months pregnant,” Melissa replied, wrinkling her nose like a rabbit. “I left and came back when they were two years old.”

“You never told me this before.”

It shocked us to hear the hurt in Astrid’s voice; Melissa opened her mouth to reply but didn’t have the chance to defend herself. Astrid carried on speaking as if she had never been told.

“This makes it more complicated, but nothing I can’t handle. Melissa, as you have been pregnant and know what to expect in a roundabout way, you will help me when the child comes.” She looked at Pamela. “You will help Scarlett while she’s giving birth. Melissa and I will take care of the child as it is born.” We listened as she threw out instructions. I felt like a third wheel, and I hated admitting that I was scared. This was going too fast; I couldn’t believe that I could be holding my baby in my arms in the next few days. No, it was impossible, no matter what Astrid said. It was way too early. Something could go wrong. I wanted to say something to demand she stop speaking, but something held me back. I sat there as if I didn’t give a fuck when I did.

Astrid stopped talking and turned her attention to me. “You need complete rest. I’d rather you stayed in bed, but I know you won’t want to do that. So, when you are down here, you sit and don’t move. You are going to need every bit of energy for the birth.”

“What if I need the bathroom?” Is she mad? Don’t move. I’ve never heard something so ridiculous.

Her face turned crimson; if it got any redder, I was sure she would explode in anger, “Of course, you can go to the bathroom! You know exactly what I mean,” Astrid scorned.

I knew I shouldn’t be pulling the tiger’s tail, but she seemed to be, well, almost normal. She must be having one of her good periods.

“Sorry, I was just checking,” I replied with a lift of my shoulder.

“Well, don’t,” she replied with a frown. “If I think you shouldn’t be doing something, I will tell you.”

She turned her attention to Melissa as she pulled a piece of paper out of one pocket. “Now I know the child is definitely part demon; I am going to need what’s on this list.” She handed over the slip of paper to Melissa. “I expect you already have the herbs and some of the other items here. Whatever you haven’t got on that list, make sure you get it as soon as possible.”

Melissa takes the slip of paper from Astrid’s fingers and opens it up. She raises her eyebrows. I wasn’t sure if she was shocked or not. “I have most of these items here. The few I don’t I can get,” Melissa said, raising her head.

“Hold on, how do you even know that the child is half-demon?” Pamela interrupted, her mouth tensed as a frown creased her forehead. “You haven’t examined Scarlett, and it’s not as if Scarlett’s got a sign written on her head.”

“Well, Melissa mentioned something about the father being a demon but not who he is, and I looked to make sure Melissa was correct,” Astrid replied with a flick of a hand.

“What on Earth are you on about? I told you I’d told Astrid that Scarlett’s child was half-demon, and that’s why we needed her help.” Melissa reminded her.

“Pamela, what are you talking about? Melissa is correct. We spoke about this. I agreed about Astrid being here,” I reminded her, looking over at Melissa, then Astrid; I could see the troubled look upon both their faces as I turned my attention to Pamela. Something was wrong. I didn’t like this, not one bit.

“I’m not stupid. I know you agreed. It’s half-demon. I just wished Scarlett had gotten rid of it; it would have been so much easier!” Pamela spat out with pent-up rage, “I’ve thought long and hard over this, and I think once you have given birth to the thing, we need to get rid of it.”

No one was going to harm or take my baby away from me.

I’d kill them first.