“An epic battle over the perils of carbs and cheese. Ryder picked up dinner. Honestly, I’m just impressed he bought soup instead of Chinese food.” She scrunched her nose.
“You don’t like Chinese food?” I gaped. She had to be kidding, right? I could live off of the stuff.
“Oh, I do.” She wrapped an arm around her middle, and I didn’t even think she realized she was doing it. “Just not in the mood for it tonight.” She shifted in her chair slightly, and I narrowed my eyes, suspicious as I started doing some math in my head. Hiro jogged down the steps catching the end of the conversation.
What’s going on? He asked telepathically and, thanks to our resident psychic, it rang through our heads.
What? Is something wrong with Nix? Killian asked, a worried edge to his thoughts.
She’s going to be fine. Stop worrying. I interjected, trying to lessen my brothers’ worry. It didn’t take a scientist to figure out what was wrong with Nix. Apparently, just a med student who’d grown up with a sister.
I think she’s focusing on keeping her mental wall in place, and she’s doing a good job. There must be something she doesn’t want us to know. Damien mused while he furrowed his brow.
I shook my head. Call Theo for dinner. I think he’s blocking us out while he focuses or we would have heard from him now. I knew he was working on that program again. It was the Council’s most significant request when we’d gotten in trouble, but Theo told them that these things take time to code. Luckily, they were willing to wait the allotted amount of time he had asked for, but I knew he’d be working his ass off to get it finished up.
“Theo! Dinner,” Killian said as he stalked to the stairs and then back to Nix’s side. Well, I guess that would do. What do you know that I don’t?
Everyone grab whatever the bloody hell you want to eat and let’s go sit down so that we don’t freak Nix out. The last thing I wanted was for my brothers to embarrass Nix when it was apparent she was self-conscious of her situation. I was trying to figure out a discreet way to bring it up—see if she needed any feminine products—without outing her to everyone. The guys and I didn’t keep much from each other. We’d always been very open and honest. It’s one of the reasons we’d grown so close, but it stood to reason now that we were living with a girl that there would be some things that were too private to share. This seemed to be one of those things for Nix. Maybe it would be best to call Rini?
As we settled at the table, Theo clomped down the steps and joined us. As soon as we were all seated, I filled everyone's bowls as fast as I could, hoping that eating would help divert attention from Nix’s predicament.
Nix only picked at her food, holding a hand across her stomach as she tried to get more comfortable in the chair discreetly. When a small groan escaped her lips and sweat beaded on her forehead, Killian erupted.
“Nix, baby, what’s wrong? Are you sick? You’re in pain, aren’t you? Ryder! Fix her!” The Celt demanded, not alright with her in discomfort—hell, neither was I.
“It’s natural, Kill.” I wasn’t sure how to respond and still keep Nix’s privacy. I saw her drop her head into her hands. Damn, I’d made her uncomfortable.
What’s going on? Theo was on alert, realizing he was missing some vital information.
Sighing, I decided to just come out with it, carefully of course. There was no reason not to make my brothers do a little deductive reasoning. It’s been over four weeks since she’s been here.
Ah. I see. Theo pinked a little. She shouldn’t be worried. It’s an entirely natural process. He turned his attention to Nix.
That’s what I’ve been trying to say. Was it me or did it sound like a broken record in here?
I saw the moment Damien understood my comment, but Killian hadn’t caught on, and Hiro was looking at me, cocking his head to the side as he worked out the significance of the timeline.
“It’s embarrassing.” She said slowly.
“What could possibly be embarrassing?” Killian just dug himself in deeper, and I groaned.
“I never know when I’m going to start. Ever since I was young things have been sporadic, and it took me a while to figure out that it was probably tied to my re-births. I mean, it’s not something I can control or plan for. Do you have any idea how terrible it is to never know when you’re going to start? Let me tell you; it can be damned inconvenient. I thought when I moved here things would steady out, but no, I just had to die. Twice. Not to mention this whole thing could be worse as a shifter, or around shifters! Dear God, I didn’t even think of that. I need to call Rini.” She continued to mumble incoherently—face hidden in her palms.
The look on Killian’s face as he finally understood was priceless, and I couldn’t help my wide smile. Hiro covered his mouth to contain a laugh and Damien’s eyes were lit up as he held his mirth inside.
There you go. Theo teased Killian.
Took you all long enough. I ribbed everyone.
“It’s not a big deal.” Nix gritted her teeth as a cramp wracked her body and she tensed up.
My Ceraptor reared in frustration. We hated that she was hurting. “Nix, you’re in pain.”
“There’s really nothing you can do. I’ll take some pain meds. I’m sure that will help.” She clutched her lower abdomen. I could tell her cramping was severe.
“Baby…” Killian cleared his throat, working his adams apple and he strived to find the right words.
“I think what Killian is trying—and failing—to say is that we’re not bothered by this. I grew up surrounded by woman. As Ryder has said, this is completely natural.” The pink in Theo’s cheeks deepened, but I gave the man credit as he pushed forward and said, “Do you have everything you need? I could run to the story for you to get your preferred… feminine products.”
Nix had never blushed such a deep shade before, but she gave Theo a strained smile anyway. “Rini threw what I’ll need in my bag for me, but thank you. That’s very sweet, Theo.”
“Hey now! I’d go to the store and get you any girly items you’d need too, by the way!” I winked at her, hoping to ease the tension with a little lightheartedness. She smiled, and my Ceraptor pranced. Growing a little more serious I continued, “For real, though, let us help you.” Murmurs of ascent sounded around the table.
“I don’t think there’s much any of you can do to help, but thank you.” Turning her attention back to her soup, she sipped a small spoonful into her mouth.
Like hell there wasn’t anything I could do—that we could do. My Nix was hurting, and I’d be a… a fucking unicorn… before I just stood by and let her suffer. Looking at my brothers, I saw the same resolve in their eyes that was in mine.
Twenty-Five
Nix
I could feel all the guys taking turns glancing my way as I tried to survive my cramps. Why were they all being so damn nosy? I knew they were worried about me, but couldn’t they see that this was hard to talk about with them? I pushed my food away, leaning back in my chair. I wondered if this last death had messed me up more than I thought. I’d cramped before, badly on occasion, but it had never been this bad before. My Phoenix was hissing and writhing, in as much pain as I was. My abdomen burned and ached fiercely, a twisting sensation that was making me dizzy and lightheaded.The cramps had been steadily growing worse as the day progressed and I was quickly turning miserable.
“Thanks for dinner, guys, but I just want to go lay down.” And die. I didn’t add that part because from the look on Killian’s face he’d probably hurl if I did. I stood, biting my lip to hold back the moan that the movement wanted to tear from my lips. I needed my bed, and I needed to sleep before I either started crying or passed out.