Pia Does Hollywood (Elder Races, #8.6)

She said in Eva’s head, Please fill Quentin and Aryal in about the pregnancy and drug protocol. The protocol is suppressing my healing abilities, which we think might be why it didn’t work when I tried to heal Dragos. We’re trying to find out how long I can go off the protocol, without endangering the baby.

Oh shit, Eva muttered. The glance she gave Pia brimmed with compassion. Then her expression changed. She looked like she did when she was thinking fast and hard. Pia, what about Liam? He has some of your healing ability, right? Do you think he might be able to help Dragos?

She recoiled, and her response came straight from her gut. No! We would never bring him into something dangerous like this. Honestly, the thought never occurred to either of us.

Okay, honey. It was just a thought. Eva gave her a troubled glance. Then she turned to the sentinels.

Dr. Medina’s reply to Pia’s question was slower in coming. Pia could almost see the doctor’s cautious, thoughtful expression. As short an answer as I can give—I don’t know. There are lots of factors to take into consideration. Any delay will cause a risk, and the risk will escalate the longer you go without. I wouldn’t want to see you go more than two days at most, and only that long if you have no other choice. Right now, your doses overlap. As the last one wears off, you’re taking the next, because the protocol takes at least eight hours to work through your system. Let me know when you’re able to talk. I’ll be on standby.

After typing out a quick thanks, she met Dragos’s gaze. Two days, and from the sound of it, Dr. Medina didn’t feel good about pushing it that far.

And that was assuming that Dragos could even hold strong against the contagion for that long. They still didn’t have enough answers yet.

All Pia knew was that she wasn’t letting go of anybody—not Dragos, and not the baby either. They needed to see what they could do to increase their odds.

She gave him a nod, and he said to Bailey, “We’re ready now.”

As they continued around the rear corner of the house, Eva slid up to Pia’s side and dropped a hand onto her shoulder. Grateful for the support, she reached up to squeeze the other woman’s fingers. Then Eva’s hand fell away, and they reached the verandah.

The Light Fae had not been idle. Tatiana and Shane were bent over maps that had been spread out on the wrought iron table. Several watchful guards were stationed around them.

Roughly ten feet in front of the verandah, a long line had been created with masking tape on the lawn. Shane and Tatiana straightened as Bailey and the Wyr drew near the line.

“Stop,” Shane said.

Pia had met Shane for the first time at the summit in Washington. His reputation tended to precede him, as he was known as one of the Elder Races’ most Powerful magic users. The Queen’s captain was a tall, handsome man, with a square jaw and a ready smile, and the athletic build of a football player or a jouster. He wore his curly hair trimmed short, and carried an aura of deep, old Power that she had found appealing in D.C.

Now, that Power was roused and pointed at them like a sharpened sword.

Watching him warily, along with the several guns that the other guards pointed at them, the Wyr came to a halt. Bailey, Pia noted, stayed with them. It was a reassurance, of sorts.

Dragos put his hands on his hips. “I have to tell you, Shane. The guns are getting old. Note that my sentinels are not pointing weapons at you.”

“I’m sorry,” Shane said. “But none of my people are infected, either. This is very unfortunate. Right now, your people are in a hell of a lot more danger from you than they are from us.”

Tatiana spoke up. “You must understand. This isn’t personal, Dragos. We are taking a significant risk by allowing you to come this close. All your people are welcome to join us.” The Queen looked around the group. “In fact, we strongly urge them to. Please, come up onto the verandah. He’ll slaughter all of you if and when he turns.”

“We’ll stay right here,” Aryal said. The harpy stood with her arms crossed.

“Have it your way,” Shane said briefly. “Just know you’re welcome. Dragos, we need to come to an agreement. As long as you stay on the other side of that line, I’ll know you’re still lucid. If you cross that line, it means you no longer remember what I’ve just said, and I’ll have no choice but to take you down. Anybody who remains on the other side of that line is going to be collateral damage.”

“Understood.” Dragos turned to Pia. “Go.”

Did he feel the contagion growing stronger? Dread made her stomach bottom out. Fighting back panic, she said in quiet, anguished protest, “No.”

He raised one hand toward her then let it fall back to his side. His darkened gaze was intent, and his hard expression had gentled. “Listen to me,” he said quietly. “They’re right. If I turn, then I might kill you all before they stop me. Those things I came across—they were incredibly fast. You need to get some distance from me while you can.”