Page 25 of How to Rescue Your Surprise Baby

“He’s a jerk if he doesn’t realize how good you are,” Ivo said.

Telos smiled wanly. “We’ll see. I have to get going. Thanks, you all, for taking care of Estie. I’ll catch you soon. Be careful.”

“Thanks,” they said, watching as Telos unraveled his makeshift diapers. The spelled shirt wrapped around Estie with some to spare, and Telos bundled her into his arms.

At the door, he listened for footsteps. Then he slipped out, locked the door, and hurried back to the room where the key-keeper was still dozing.

Telos crouched and gingerly clipped the keys back onto the man’s belt loop, then hurried out through an unguarded door.

Footsteps approached from the corner. Telos bit down his curse and shifted into a giant black pelican, catching Estie midair in his mouth.

He took off with a flutter of wings, a gunshot ringing out behind him.

8

MAV FINDS OUT MORE THINGS HE SHOULDN’T

They hadn’t seenhim shift. Telos knew they hadn’t. But his heart still pounded anyway as he disappeared into the sky, half-expecting a bullet to tunnel through his body.

In his throat pouch, Estie babbled and kicked, oblivious to the danger they were in.

When enough time had passed and still no bullets had pierced him, Telos relaxed enough to sing a warbly lullaby to her, with his beak closed. Who knew what words she could recognize? But it was comforting, having her safe in his embrace.

He suddenly realized he didn’t know where he was going. Night had fallen; it was a new moon, and he had zero sense of direction. All he knew was that he had to get Estie away.

It was to Telos’ overwhelming relief, that he spotted a black car on the side of the road some time later.

“Mav?” he said with his beak still closed.

The car door opened, and Mav stepped out.

Yeah, that was definitely relief. And Mav’s worry at the back of his mind.

Telos swooped down, landing with a clatter on the car’s roof. Mav’s forehead was furrowed; he swept a critical gaze over Telos’ body. Telos opened his beak to show Mav his bundle. “Take her out.”

Mav glanced briefly at him. Then he reached into Telos’ throat pouch with exceedingly gentle hands, scooping Estie’s squirming bundle out of there.

It made something jolt in Telos, to see Mav holding his daughter so carefully.

Mav’s gaze flicked up to meet his.

Telos squashed his feelings immediately. He fluttered off the car roof, shifted back into a man, and pulled on some clothes. Then he took Estie back out of Mav’s arms. “Thanks. How did you not get caught?”

Mav rolled his eyes. “Carefully. I heard a gunshot a minute ago.”

Telos winced. “Someone might’ve seen me as a pelican.”

Mav’s expression changed. “Is the mission compromised? Are they coming after us right now?”

Annoyance came through their bond again, followed by worry.

“I doubt it, but we should leave just in case.” Telos didn’t wait for Mav to reply. He brought Estie to the passenger door and climbed in, pulling back the spelled shirt so he could see her face with his human eyes.

She smiled and grabbed at his mouth, looking so innocent that he melted inside. How was she so small in his arms, and yet so important? All his instincts growled to protect her.

Mav cleared his throat. “We’ve booked a new hotel for tonight.”

“Yeah, let’s head over.”

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