Page 95 of A Seed Of Peril

I pushed.

And pushed.

“Last one,” Dominic whispered in my ear. “I promise.”

Soaked in my own sweat, I tipped my head back, holding onto the bed rails for dear life as I gave it one more go-ahead. A high-pitched, penetrating cross between a scream and a whine crawled up out of my throat. More fluid and blood gushed out, Vincenzo’s body sliding out of me right along with it.

I flopped hard against the bed.

“Bellissima,” Dominic whispered with excitement. He lifted me high enough so I could see our son. My hazy, watery eyes found him, and everything around me dissolved into this amazing moment.

Everyone stilled and quieted as Vincenzo emitted a powerful cry. With red hair and wrinkly skin, our baby was so beautiful.

Dominic shed a few tears as he kissed my forehead. “You did it,Bellissima.”

Amy whisked the baby off to be cleaned, and it dawned on me.

“No,” I whined softly, prompting a confused look from Dominic.

“Lilith, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“You were supposed to do that,” I whimpered, feeling out of myself again.

“Do what?”

I suddenly felt faint. More hot, thick liquid spilled out from between my legs. I knew it was blood. I grew more tired by the second, lazily grasping and fighting to grab onto Dominic.

Please let Vincenzo be healthy. Please let me live. I don’t want to die. I want to see and hold and kiss my son.

“What’s going on? What’s happening to her!?” Dominic hollered. His eyes glowed a rich red, and through my haze, I thought I saw his fangs, too. Sights set on the staff, Dominic’s beast threatened to break loose.

Barely able to turn my head, I managed to move it, searching for any kind of strength as I reached out.

“Janice, get the anesthesia ready and raise that railing over there,” Julie calmly ordered another nurse. “We need to operate immediately.”

“Julie!” Dominic shouted.

A nurse placed something over my nose and mouth.

“Count backward from one hundred,” she warmly instructed. My body suddenly became unnaturally heavy, like I was being pulled and sucked down through the bed.

Blurry. It was all a blur. Noises were far away.

Dominic was the last beautiful thing I saw.

Everything went black.

Flutters and flickersof light became splotches and then a white ceiling—a familiar one.

“Welcome back,” said a calm, tender voice.

I took deep, careful breaths, assessing my situation the best I could under the thin haze. I slowly turned my head, discovering hospital equipment and cords. An IV line traced back to my hand, tape keeping the line in place. A clip was attached to my hand, and cords stretched across my body, connecting to the sticky pads on my chest. Scanning my surroundings, I noticed my right hand was clear of any cords and clips.

I recognized this room—its door, sink, and counter. I fell asleep here.

I almost died here.

My son!

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