“How far along are you?” Ella pressed her lips tight.
Isabella shrugged. “Roman took me to his private doctor yesterday, and he said the baby measured around four months old, but honestly, I feel huge.” She dipped her head and ran her hand over her stomach, where an unmistakable bump protruded.
“Three days ago, this wasn’t there. And, of course, I’ve learned from Roman how vampire births are extremely rare, but well documented in gory detail. Most do not end well for the mother, so he insists I get rid of it.”
Ella couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Pushing aside her own feeling of loss, a fierce need to protect her friend and her unborn child rose. She clung to Isabella. “What do you need me to do?”
Holding Isabella, she felt the witch stiffen in her arms and she leaned in close, sniffing her. Before she could react, her friend shoved her against the wall, using her strength to pin her there as her teeth grazed her neck. Ella didn’t react at first, but when she felt the sharp edge of the vampire’s teeth dig into her skin, she shoved at her friend’s chest.
A hiss sounded out from her side. Roman stood there, with Marcus at his side. Both men held back, not interceding, which pissed her off.
“Okay…come on, Isabella, this is me—Ella. Can you take a step back? Because as much as we’re friends, I’ve had a shitty time lately. I don’t want to hurt you, especially in your condition, but I won’t be pushed around. Let. Me. Go.”
Ella counted under her breath and when she reached three, her patience dissolved. When the vampire didn’t let go, she gathered her energy, coiling it around her like a second skin that tingled underneath. Focusing on her friend’s hands, she guided her power and heat there until it had the desired effect.
“Ahhhh…” Isabella shot away, rubbing her hands. “You burned me.”
“You were about to suck my blood—what do you expect?”
“I see her powers have grown, like you said.” Roman slid by and caught hold of Isabella, steering her away. “I apologize, but she can’t help it right now. The need to feed is overpowering. The fact she didn’t just sink her teeth into you shows her restraint. But if this pregnancy continues, the desire for blood will increase. The need to keep the baby alive will drive Isabella insane without fresh human blood.”
Ella suddenly realized why Roman thought it would be best to terminate the pregnancy and her heart dropped at the decision they faced.
“Stop it. You do not get to speak for me.” Isabella removed herself from Roman’s hold. “I’m sorry, Ella. I would never harm you.”
“I know,” she said.
“I’m not invisible, Roman—I’m right here. I’m surprised you stopped there. Why didn’t you explain the juicy bits, as you seem hell-bent on condemning me? Not only does Roman believe I’ll go crazy, he thinks I’ll become a bloodthirsty killer.”
The scene of Isabella charging around, draining strangers of their blood, flashed inside Ella’s mind and she wanted to know how she could help.
Roman caressed Isabella’s cheek with the back of his hand and the vampire leaned automatically into his palm. “My love, this is my fault. I never should have tasted you that first time and none of this would have happened. Don’t you see, you will become that which you hate the most, a monster, and I vowed that would never happen.”
The tenderness in Roman’s voice touched her heart, and she caught hold of Marcus’s hand, squeezing it, realizing no one had it easy.
“You’re missing the point. Just because these other women went bat-shit crazy doesn’t mean I will. You said you had never seen anyone with such self-control. Maybe I will surprise you.”
Roman flew away, hissing and glaring at them. “I cannot listen to this madness anymore. Drayton, make her listen.”
It was obvious while Roman had been downstairs, he had confided all his fears to her husband, who had also updated him on their latest news. These two were becoming fast friends.
“I think we should all calm down. Why don’t we talk over the options in a more comfortable setting, like the living room? Because shouting back and forth won’t get us anywhere,” Marcus said.
“What if Isabella feeds from me? I can recoup my blood loss quickly and satisfy her thirst,” Ella said.
Isabella gripped her arm and frowned at her. “You would do that for me?”
In that moment, as Ella stared at Roman, Marcus, and back at Isabella, she knew she would do anything to keep her friend safe. “Of course.”
“Mio Dio,” Roman whispered and charged downstairs.
Ella caught Isabella’s hand and guided her along the hallway. Marcus followed on Roman’s heels. As soon as they reached the living room, the clink of glasses could be heard. Roman settled himself in a leather armchair, with his foot resting on his leg, staring away and Marcus sipped on his drink, eyes fixed on hers as if to say he wasn’t happy with her statement upstairs. Roman shifted his position and stared right at her, his face tight and somber.
“While I understand you want to help Isabella, you do not understand the significance of this. For centuries, it’s been unheard of—a vampire getting pregnant. But there have been whispers of horror stories, because that’s what they were. Both mother and child died. What we do know is pregnancy for our kind does not progress like a human’s. My doctor estimates the fetus to be around four months. But Isabella only started having symptoms a few weeks ago. The more blood Isabella drinks, the more the pregnancy will accelerate. Some vampires have given birth
