Oh, they’d been kind. Kyanna and Carly had both come knocking softly at the door throughout the day, with pleading murmurs and offerings of food and tea. She’d refused to answer their inquires, let alone open the door. The men had avoided coming anywhere near her room. Their own version of kindness, she supposed. Well, she’d take what she could get at this point and be grateful for it.
Sitting on the side of the bed, she tugged uselessly at the hammered silver cuff. This mess had all started the moment she’d snapped this double-damned thing on her wrist. She should have taken her chances with those three demons. Physically, she might have been in more danger, but at least her heart wouldn’t have been torn from her chest and trampled on.
The most pitiful thing of all, however, was that she had no one to blame but herself. She’d broken her own rule. She’d let someone get close—truly close—and she knew better.
Oh, she had good friends, Gail and Molly and Cori. Even Cecelia, in her own selfish way. And she always made a point of helping those that needed helping. After all, she’d been in need once too. Only she’d not had anyone to help her. Not until Stonebridge. She was only paying it forward.
She flirted briefly with calling Cori or Gail. Maybe Molly. But she couldn’t draw her friends into the nightmare she now called life. She wouldn’t knowingly put them at risk.
She stilled, going cold all over. Would she be able to go back? How could she return to her life now? She’d been offered a teaching contract for next year. But could she, in all good faith, surround herself with a classroom full of helpless children when a demon prince and his—according to Gideon and his friends—countless minions were gunning for her? Her hand crept to her stomach, tentatively settling.
A baby.
She was pregnant. She had a child to support now. The very idea left her slightly panicked. She’d never imagined herself a single mother. She hadn’t planned this. Granted, she of all people knew life never went according to plan. But she felt vastly unprepared.
And at the same time, something kindled inside her. A flame that slowly began to burn, brighter and brighter. There was a baby growing in there. Her hand began to rub slow, gentle circles. Whether or not this child was the Chosen One, as everyone seemed to assume, they were overlooking one simple fact. This was a baby.
Her baby.
“We’re going to be okay, kiddo,” she whispered. “You and me. We’re going to be okay. I’ll figure something out, and I’ll take really good care of you, don’t you worry.” Holding her free hand up, she concentrated very hard, then smiled wide as a pulsing blue-white orb of energy began to form. Slowly, she closed her fist, watching as the orb sizzled out. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”
She sat on a window seat and stared out over the river for what felt like hours.
Maggie’s resistance finally crumbled when the scent of roasted vegetables and grilled chicken began to seep insidiously through the window. Her stomach grumbled, loudly. Standing, she made up her mind. No more hiding. She needed to eat, needed to keep up her strength. After all, she was eating for two now. She also needed to practice the incantations and see what other little surprises her powers were going to throw her way.
Maggie was halfway across the room when what sounded like a battering ram slammed against her bedroom door, cracking throughout the room like a gunshot. She nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Come out now or I come in and drag you out,” a harsh rasp ordered through the heavy oak door. “You are worrying Kyanna.” Xander’s tone implied he wouldn’t tolerate anyone or anything causing his woman worry.
Swallowing the squeak of surprise, she drew in a deep breath and willed her pulse to slow.
“Maggie,” Xander snapped, thumping the door again impatiently.
Maggie scurried forward, fearful he might actually break the door down before she could finish crossing the room. She wrenched the door open, but the sight of a furious Xander glaring at her made her forget whatever it was she’d been about to say.
“You will come down now,” Xander barked. “Eat and practice. No more pouting because Gideon’s too stupid to think before he speaks.” Without another word, Xander disappeared in a wave of distorted air.
Maggie stood in the doorway, mouth hanging open, blinking.
Kyanna and Carly had spent the better part of the day cajoling and coddling her. And they’d only made her feel sorry for herself. But just like that, with a few unlikely words, Xander had managed to dispel her embarrassment, shifting the blame where it deserved to be.
On Gideon and his stupid mouth.
Huh? Who’da thunk it? Xander was actually pretty good at this comforting stuff.
Bemused, Maggie made her way to the kitchen.