Jenny Plague-Bringer

Chapter Thirty-Nine



After yet another strenuous day of testing, in which Mariella had to predict what images the test subjects would see when they looked at a screen in an enclosed booth, she lay awake in bed. It was late, and the underground facility was silent except for the endless coughing and rattling of the ventilation system. She twisted and turned. Her hands found her way to her stomach, momentarily shocked to find it flat and firm instead of round and full of baby. Her past and present memories were starting to collide in a way that left her confused and sometimes scared.

She had continued cooperating with Ward, and he seemed pleased with her performance in the lab. She told herself that she wasn’t really working with him, that she was just going along, gathering information until the day they could escape. As the weeks passed, though, she began to question her own motives. Maybe she was just taking the safe road, while Jenny and Seth bravely resisted.

Ward was less pleased with Mariella’s failure to win Seth over. She’d visited him several times, but he refused to cooperate. Mariella didn’t see why he couldn’t just pretend. She teased him while telling herself that she wouldn’t actually sleep with him if given the chance, even though she knew just how good his healing touch made her body feel, how she still tingled hours after the lovemaking itself was over. She would resist the cravings of her body and her heart, even if he changed his mind and decided to pretend to cooperate as she did. She would keep her feelings to herself.

Mariella rolled over in bed, aching to touch Seth again and hating herself for it.


“Wake up, kids,” Alise said as she flipped on the lamp and approached the four-poster bed. Her cousin Niklaus followed a step behind her, as usual, like an obedient attack dog waited for orders.

“Hi, Alise!” Mia sat up, smiling sleepily. Alise came almost every morning to walk them to breakfast, and Mia was happy she did. Sometimes, early in the morning, she would feel the dark shape of something large looming at the back of her mind, like an upsetting memory she’d forgotten. Then Alise would arrive, and she’d feel so much better, happy and thoughtless, lusty for another round with her handsome lover, Sebastian, and his enchanted touch that made her feel better all over. The world always felt right again after she saw Alise.

“Wake up, Sebastian.” Alise shook his shoulder, and his eyes drifted open. His lips curled into a delighted smile at the sight of Alise leaning over him. “Pack your bags. Mia’s moving upstairs, and you’re moving back to your room.”

“Huh? Why?” Sebastian sat up, his hair sticking in every direction, looking confused and hurt. “Wait, what?”

“You’re moving back. Play time is over, boy,” Alise said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean we don’t need you anymore,” Alise said. “You’ve made your contribution, and now you’re done. Oh, don’t look so hurt. You’ve had a fun couple of months with her.”

“I don’t understand.” Sebastian looked back and forth between them.

“Niklaus will help you get back to your room, if you need it,” Alise said sweetly. “Won’t you, Niklaus?”

Niklaus glared at Sebastian and motioned for him to hurry up.

“Why does Sebastian have to go?” Mia pouted. “I like sleeping with him.”

“I know, but boy time is over,” Alise said. She watched silently as Sebastian gathered his things and followed Niklaus out the door.

“When do I get to come back?” Sebastian asked.

“We’ll see.” Alise waved her hand, and Niklaus closed the door after him.

Alise seized Mia’s hands, making her feel instantly happy. Mia kissed Alise’s hand.

“Mia!” Alise spoke in an excited stage whisper. “I have the best news. Your latest lab work shows that you’re pregnant!”

“What?” Mia asked. She felt dizzy, not so elated anymore.

“You’re going to have a baby. We’ve successfully bred you with Sebastian. Your baby will be the offspring of two supernormals! That’s what the project is really all about!”

“It is?” Mia rubbed her head. “I’m pregnant?”

“You’re so lucky,” Alise said. “I’ve been trying for months, but it hasn’t worked out so far. I just learned about something else I might try, though. Anyway, why do we have to keep talking about me? Let’s get going. The maternity rooms are one level up, and I know just which one I want you to have. I decorated it myself! There’s a little crib that looks like a sleigh, little bears in Reichsheer cavalry uniforms...very cute!” Alise took her by the arm and led her out the door.

Mia trembled. “I’m going to have a baby?”

Alise squeezed her hand, flooding her with a fresh wave of happy, loving feelings. “Don’t worry, Mia. I’ll be right here with you, every step of the way. If we’re lucky, I’ll be having one, too!”

Mia smiled, fully doped on Alise’s love. Alise was right, of course. Mia didn’t need to worry, not when she had such a good friend here to help her...

Alise led the way to the maternity beds upstairs, where Mia would live for the rest of her time at the underground base.