Page 176 of The Warlock's Trial

“You can do this,” she encouraged. “Women give birth all the time. We’re built for this.”

Verla drew a deep breath, and I copied her. My breath wavered on the way out, but my panic began to subside. I had to compartmentalize my grief for now, because my babies needed me to focus.

All right, boys, I told them silently. We’re going to do this. Together.

Verla squeezed my hand again, assuring me she wasn’t going anywhere. “I remember when your mother gave birth to you.”

I thought she was trying to distract me, which was nice.

“It was a beautiful birth—only six hours long,” Verla continued. “You came out eight pounds, two ounces. Your parents were thrilled. I led your mother through a birthing meditation. Wouldyou like me to do the same for you?”

I’d never known Verla had been at my birth. It was comforting to hear in my time of need. I wanted to ask her about it, but all I could do was nod.

“Close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice,” Verla instructed. “You’re in the midst of a beautiful transformation. Your body is strong, and it’s doing exactly what it’s meant to. Release all tension in your shoulders, your arms, and your legs. There is nothing you have to do, because your uterus will do all the work for you.”

As the next contraction came, I willed my body to remain relaxed. I was shocked at how much better it felt. It was still painful, but it was easier to detach myself from the fear.

“Your babies are coming at the perfect time,” Verla said gently. “Recall that your boys are meant to become demigods—born of two talented supernatural parents beneath a significant astrological event. A full lunar eclipse has begun.”

I could hardly believe it. I forced my eyes open and looked out the window. Verla was right. The red light from the moon I’d noticed before had been the beginning of the total eclipse. I could see the moon from where I lay, looming high in the sky. It had become a deep red color.

“Allow your boys to arrive, just as they planned,” Verla said softly.

I had been terrified of the boys being born too early, but this was exactly as it was meant to be. It was comforting to hear Verla speak of the boys arriving together, as if this was all part of a cosmic plan. Even if Dean wasn’t going to make it, I was still bringing him into the world tonight.

This was his time—what little he had—and he needed me right now.

I completely relaxed, and though the pain in my belly was intense, I welcomed it.

“Breathe,” Verla reminded me, and she guided me through the next contraction.

A portal bloomed across the room, and Lucas and Luana raced through. “We’re here!” Lucas cried. I didn’t know how long it’d taken him to find Luana, but it seemed like forever. It was probably only fifteen minutes, but my contractions had grown even more intense in that time.

Lucas rushed to my side, while Luana hurried toward Onyx, who already had a pair of rubber gloves ready for her. The pair of them moved in sync. They didn’t need to be able to speak the same language, because the medical staff in a birthing room seemed to have a language all their own.

“It’s okay,” Verla told Lucas. “It’s exactly as it’s meant to be.”

She gestured out the window, and when Lucas saw the eclipse, his shoulders relaxed. Relief entered his eyes as he knelt by my side and took my hand. “Our demigod babies… We’re about to become parents.”

I nodded as pure joy filled my chest. A moment later, a pain deep in my abdomen overtook my joy, and I winced. I still lay on my side. Lucas quickly situated himself on the bed behind me to rub my back.

His touch was like magic. He pressed down firmly on my lower back, and so much of the pain eased. It was nothing like I expected. All I had to go by was what I’d seen in movies, and it usually depicted the mother screaming at the father for all the pain she was in. I couldn’t imagine feeling any animosity toward Lucas. He was everything I needed right now, because this was the moment that our family grew from two to four, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. This moment was so, so beautiful.

In fact, it was so beautiful I barely noticed Luana checking my cervix. She held up eight fingers, indicating I was almost fully dilated. I couldn’t believe how fast I was progressing. Contractions had only started forty-five minutes ago. Onyx had said my labor was progressing faster than normal, and she hadn’t been exaggerating.

“Go get Chloe and Talia,” Lucas ordered someone. “We need them to interpret.”

I heard worried voices across the house. At first, I thought they were terrified for me—that I’d gone into labor so soon. Then I heard the sound of the front door slamming, and the voices stopped. Everyone had rushed outside, though I didn’t know why.

Moments later, the sound of shouting came from far in the distance, yet too close to the safe house for comfort. The blast of exploding battle orbs shook the house.

“What’s… happening?” I managed to rasp out.

“Nothing to worry yourself with,” Verla said as she rushed into the room. I hadn’t even realized she’d left my side.

She dropped her voice as she spoke to someone, thinking I couldn’t hear, but I honed in on her words. “Chloe and Talia aren’t available right now. Executors are at our borders, but the others have gone to fight them off.”

“Tonight of all nights?” Onyx asked incredulously.

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