Ella sighed. There was always someone hunting her. Wanting to use her. If they managed to defeat the Morrigan, there would always be another enemy to face. Would it never end?
Marcus pulled her into his arms. “Let’s go home.”
Nodding, she ran with him to the waiting SUVs, but glanced back over her shoulder, catching the smoldering mess left behind. Standing still like an executioner, the devil smiled at her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The warm breeze danced around Ella on the empty beach, the chaos and destruction of yesterday a far cry from the calm surroundings now on view. On the journey home last night, the spike in her energy vacated. Unable to stay awake, she fell into a deep sleep, unaware of time or place. When she woke up this morning at the beach house alone, she realized Marcus must have carried her from the car and placed her in bed, something she was oblivious of until now. She had slept through the night and the morning. It was two in the afternoon. She watched her husband, with his tapered waist and muscular v-shaped chest that filled his dark T-shirt, throw a giggling Nate high up in the air.
An ache in her chest throbbed, feeling the strong connection these two shared. Marcus should know by now, once he played this game it would be impossible to stop as their son loved the sensation of flying. Ella hated to interrupt, but Roman had called and judging from his abrupt tone, he wasn’t happy. She stepped into her family’s circle and leaned on Marcus’s arm as he held their son.
“Hey.” She stared at Nate, who reached his hand out to touch her cheek. She had everything she ever wanted right here, and the thought of losing them had her heart pounding. “You left your phone back in the house and it kept ringing. Roman’s on his way. He said he needs to speak with you urgently. He sounded worried.”
The relaxed look on her husband’s face vanished, replaced by his serious façade. He wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding them back to the house.
Pressing a hand on his chest, she added, “Do you want me to take Nate?”
Ella stopped and held her arms out to carry her son, but Marcus lifted a smiling Nate and gently shook the little man, making him giggle again. “It’s okay, I’ve got him.”
Her stomach twisted. She loved these two so much, but sometimes—it wasn’t often—she felt like an outsider. Inhaling the fresh air, she let her thoughts drift away as she wrapped her arms around her waist, remembering the baby she had miscarried, wondering whether it would have been a boy or a girl. With their crazy schedule, having a second child would have increased their stress and workload. Perhaps it had been for the best, but an emptiness lingered. Marcus never mentioned the baby; there was always something more pressing.
Marching along, she took the steps, charging up the last few, and caught sight of Isabella standing there with Roman, holding her back behind him. His tense features mirrored Isabella, who, on closer examination, looked like hell. Ella could not help the gasp that escaped.
Dark gray shadows nudged the witch’s eyes, which for the first time appeared a dark green, the brightness gone. Observing Isabella from head to foot, she watched as her friend stroked a hand across her belly.
Ella raised her head to glare at Roman. “What have you done?” Ella shouted at him, pushing him away as she wrapped her arm around her friend.
“It’s not all his fault, Ella. I’m—” Isabella said.
“Not out here,” Roman said, whisking the witch away.
Ella charged after them. Marcus followed behind, closing the door with a slam, as she entered the living room. Despite the warm temperatures outside, in the room a coolness invaded. As Marcus entered, she slipped Nate out of his hold, clutching him close to her chest and soaking in his baby scent, as if it would reduce the shock she had just received.
“What’s going on?” Marcus switched his gaze around at them all.
The room was oddly quiet as no one ventured to answer him, until Ella spoke.
“Isabella’s pregnant. Now—I’m going to put Nate down to sleep, but when I come back, you will explain how this is possible,” she said as calmly as she could muster. Not waiting to expand further, she strode away as shouts echoed behind her. When she reached the nursery, she placed Nate on the changing table. He squirmed as she removed his pants to change his diaper. The door behind her squeaked open and soft footsteps approached, but she didn’t turn around.
Isabella came into view and touched her arm. “Are you all right? We haven’t spoken for ages.”
Ella could not articulate any words right now. A host of confusing thoughts buzzed around her head and she wanted them all to stop. They had both been through difficult experiences, but a well of emotions made it hard to know how to respond to the news right now. As she reached for the diaper, Isabella’s hand stopped her.
“Nate needs changing. Would you like to do it?” Ella asked.
Her words were delivered in a cool tone and it was enough to make her friend step away, shaking her head. Grabbing the padded diaper, Ella made quick work of cleaning and changing her son, lifting him and placing him down. She was about to twist the mobile, but Nate stretched his hand out and the collection of woodland creatures danced around on their own. She flicked her gaze back at Isabella, who stood with her back facing her, and she sighed with relief. Maybe she had been mistaken. But as she stared back at her son, the soft music tinkled, and she spun around, grabbing Isabella’s arm to lead her
