Page 49 of Bombshell

“That’s a whole lot of words to say nothing at all,” Effie looked frustrated, and much to my surprise, she took a little step back and leaned into me, reaching for my hand.

Alexander’s dark blue eyes followed his daughter’s motion and his expression shifted briefly into a look of surprise before his frown was back. “I have an idea but I have no clue if it will work…”

“Anything is better than nothing, Finch,” I growled, wishing he would just get to the point. The sound of Daphne’s soft cries in the next room were heart wrenching and I wanted to help them sooner rather than later.

Alexander turned to Effie. “I’ll need you to do something you’ve never tried before.”

Effie’s spine straightened. “I’d do anything for Daphne.”

The man nodded to himself for a moment, his eyes far away before he finally looked at his daughter again. “I’m going to need you to try and create a barrier.”

“A barrier,” Effie repeated his words, her voice flat.

“Yes. My idea is that if you can create a barrier inside of Daphne’s womb, you might be able to protect the mother’s flesh from being marred by her child’s random transformations.”

“Why don’t you cast a barrier yourself?” I asked, frowning. “You and the rest of your coven do it for Port Haven—how hard could it be to do it for something as small as a baby.”

Neither of the pair paid my words any attention as they seemed to be having a silent conversation with their eyes.

“I’ve never casted a barrier before or even tried. I wouldn’t know where to start,” Effie said with a shake of her head.

“I can help you, but it’s better if you can do it. If I try it would mean that Daphne has to remain practically attached to my hip for the rest of her pregnancy and there’s no telling how effective mine would be, not in the way yours are—if you’re nearby, then you can strengthen the barrier as needed without her having to stay in the mansion.”

“You realize what you’re asking of me, right? I thought you didn’t want me to be a Guardian.”

They were speaking English, but as I listened I found I didn’t understand half of what they were saying like I was some kind of a third wheel. It made me realize just how much Effie and her father had connected over the past few months. Gone was the chilly indifference that they used to treat each other with and in its place was an easy camaraderie.

“You two can discuss whatever secret you’re talking about later,” I cut in, sounding more angry than I meant to. “But will you help Daphne or will I have to find someone else to do it for me?”

“Of course I will,” Effie said, frowning at me as her brows pulled together in confusion. “There’s no way I’d ever let anything happen to her.”

My shoulders sank as guilt set in and I scrubbed my hand over my face. “Of course not. Sorry, Lass, the last hour of my life seems to be getting the best of me.”

Effie gave my hand a comforting squeeze. “I’ll save her, Dall, just trust me.”

Then she let go and stepped back into the room, Alexander right on her heels as they went in to help Daphne.

I stood in the doorway as they began to explain their plan to the couple, frowning as I realized just how far away my mate felt.

And I still didn’t know what the hell this Guardian business was either.

Chapter 14

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Daphne asked as she craned her head to look at where my hands were pressing into her stomach. Underneath my palms I could feel the roll of the baby and also feel just how dense it was. I pulled my hands away.

Daphne winced, letting her head flop back as she sucked in slow, steadying breaths until the baby settled down again. Cash, who’d been hovering at her side since they’d arrived, used a washcloth to wipe away the thick layer of sweat that was forming on her face.

“Yes,” I told her, trying to project a false note of confidence in my voice. “If I can put a barrier around the baby, it can continue growing and shift as needed without hurting you. If we don’t do this, I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to deliver this baby and soon or else…”

I trailed off, my throat tightening with anxiety.

Was this how my mother had looked before Alexander performed the cesarean section that would eventually end her life?

“No! She’s not big enough yet!” Daphne reached down to cup her belly protectively.

“She?” I asked with a frown. The chances of a female gargoyle—even a halfling one—being born were exceedingly rare and Daphne knew this. We weren’t sure of the gender of the baby because we couldn’t see it via scans, but it was highly likely that it would be a boy.

Cash nodded, brushing his fingers through his mate’s pink hair as he spoke. “Daphne feels it’s going to be a little girl.”

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