Page 91 of Demons of Eden

“Is Paimon dead?” I ask again. I need to know, and everyone has refused to answer. To give me the confirmation I need before I can even think about what’s happening next.

“Yes. He’s dead,” Torrin answers as he reaches for me.

“Good,” I say dryly, grabbing his hand before he can set it on my arm and squeezing hard as I’m hit with another painful contraction. “Right…on time,” I huff the words out, taking in a few deep lungfuls of air, “because my water just broke, and this baby is coming now!”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

We barely make it back to the Fletchers’ home before it’s time to push.

I never imagined I’d be giving birth in the middle of a living room above a demon hunter’s office when I first discovered I was pregnant, but this is where I feel safest now. Here, surrounded by the people who I’ve grown closest to.

Suvi is between my legs, my entire lower half exposed for all the world, as Ash kneels on one side of my body, holding my left leg. Torrin is behind me, supporting my upper body so I’m more comfortable, while Daion holds my right leg, and Rio paces the room. He looks like he’s still on guard, even after they’ve already dealt with all of the biggest threats to my child. Well, the most pressing ones, anyway.

“They’re crowning,” Suvi announces, and I sob. It’s not even the pain making me lose it, it’s more that this is happening. That they’re here. “Okay, Eden, one more big push.” She glances up at me after she’s given the instruction, watching as I nod beforerefocusing her attention on the baby coming out of me. “Deep breath, and push!”

“One! Two! Three!” Torrin helps me count, since the easiest way for me to push is to hold my breath, although Suvi’s scolded me multiple times already for it.

I don’t dare look down, despite being folded in half in a way that should be illegal, honestly. I’m too scared. Can I really watch this? What if it all goes wrong at the last moment? What if baby demons don’t look anything like I’d expect, and I die from the sheer shock?

“Look, Eden! Open your eyes,” Suvi commands in a way I can’t deny, and my eyes pop open as this slimy tiny being slips out of me. It’s surreal.

The baby is covered in blood and other fluids, but their Aunt Suvi doesn’t even flinch. She’s in full healer mode as she works to check over the baby's vitals. Rio takes over for my best friend, pressing down on my abdomen until the placenta also evacuates my uterus. I’m not looking at that, though. No, thank you.

I’m panting, tears streaming down my cheeks, and I can’t take my eyes off the baby in Suvi’s hands. Daion works to clean me up with the supplies Rio hands him, while Ash uses his power to pump me full of vitav. It has a healing effect on my lady bits, and I sigh from sheer relief.

Sheesh, how do so many human women do this without a magical healer?

It’s been maybe three minutes, and even though the guys are all praising me, I’ve tuned them out. All I can think about is my baby and how long it’s taking to properly see them, to hold them in my arms, even just to hear them…wait.

Why isn’t the baby crying?

Panic floods my system, and despite how tired I am, I lurch forward, trying to get a better look at my baby.

“What's wrong?” I demand frantically, and as Suvi turns to me, tears in her eyes, I think I might faint. “What's happened? Ash, heal the baby!” I demand, but Suvi sniffs, shaking her head like she can’t find the words, and finally…finally, the baby cries.

“Congratulations, Mama. You have a beautiful, healthy baby girl,” Suvi says, finally managing to speak as she hands me the baby—my daughter. I carefully hold her close against my chest, feeling like I'm cradling the most fragile and important thing in the entire universe.

“A baby girl?” I whisper, glancing up and locking eyes with each man one by one. Suvi starts cleaning her up while she’s still in my arms, no longer screaming but still whimpering. Ash reaches his hand up, caressing the baby's head gently.

“She’s so beautiful, Eden. You did so good,” he praises, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“She’ll be just as stubborn as you, no doubt,” Rio adds, but when I glance up at him, he has this gentle smile on his face, and his eyes are locked on the baby.

“You’re so strong, Eden. I bet she’ll love pie, too,” Torrin whispers in my ear, making me giggle as my eyes return to her sweet face. She looks like any other witch baby right now. It’s hard to believe all this danger and hatred have been over something so perfect. Though I know she’ll be just as perfect when her father’s demonic traits start showing up, too.

“Do you know what you want to name her?” Daion asks as he reaches over and caresses the baby’s cheek.

“Ash-lyn? Ashley? Ashia? Asherella?” Ash teases, wiggling his eyebrows at me, and I scoff, grateful for the warm blanket Suvi drapes over my lower body once she’s finished her exam.

“Absolutely.” I nod, and Ash grins.

“Really?”

“Absolutely…not,” I amend, rolling my eyes at his pout as I consider her name.

She really is so beautiful. I think being snuggled up against me has calmed her down. Being born is a tiring business, especially after the day we’ve both had. Honestly, every moment of our lives has been chaotic since the moment I met Ash, but I don’t regret my choices. I love my little half-demon child and the unexpected life she’s inadvertently gifted me along with her creation.

“Thea,” I announce, immediately gaining all of their full attention. “Its meaning is divine gift in Greek, and?—”

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