Page 73 of The Dragon's Mate

“I’m sure,” Kaida said. Her voice was stillon the shrill side and she kept darting nervous glances at Sika as they rodethe elevator to Bren’s floor. He opened his front door and Kaida practicallydragged Sika into his apartment.

He shut the door and followed the two womendown the hallway. Moving quickly, Kaida got Sika to his spare bedroom. “She needsto lie down for a few minutes.”

She helped Sika stretch out on the bed.Bren studied the wet spot on the crotch of Sika’s pants. “Kaida?”

Kaida refused to look at him. Instead shesat on the bed next to Sika and took her hand. “Deep breaths, Sika. It’ll beall right.”

“I want Jarvis, please,” Sika moaned.

“He’s on his way.” Still not looking athim, Kaida said, “I called Sika’s mate and gave him your address.”

“Kaida,” Bren said again as Sika made asoft shriek and grabbed at her stomach.

“Breathe, honey,” Kaida said.

“Kaida!”

She finally looked at him and he gestured toSika. “She’s in labour. She needs a hospital.”

“She can’t go to the hospital, Bren,” Kaidasaid. “Please trust me on this, okay?”

“Kaida, I’m so hot,” Sika moaned.

“I know, sweetheart. Hold on.” Kaidajumped up and opened the window. Cold air drifted in and Sika made another moan.

“It hurts so bad. I want Jarvis.”

“He’ll be here soon, honey.”

“She needs to go to the hospital.” Brenstood at the end of the bed. “She can’t give birth in my apartment.”

“She’s not going to give birth in yourapartment,” Kaida said. “As soon as her mate arrives, we’ll take her back tothe clan and -”

“Kaida, I have to push!” Sika suddenlyshouted. She unbuttoned her pants and shoved them down her thighs.

“Not going to give birth, my ass,” Bren said.He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “I’m calling 9-1-1.”

Kaida jumped off the bed and rushed towardhim, grabbing his hand and holding her hand over his phone. “Bren, you cannot!”

“I have to,” he said. “I don’t know shitabout birthing babies. Do you?”

Kaida swallowed heavily. “Gram has givenme instructions and shown me pictures on how to birth a hatchling.”

“Oh fantastic,” Bren said. “You’ve seen a PowerPointpresentation so you’re more than capable of helping Sika have her baby. Isthat what you’re saying?”

“She can’t go to the hospital,” Kaida saidas Sika groaned behind them.

“Tell me why,” Bren said.

Kaida bit her lip. “I can’t. Please trustme. Leave Sika and me in the room, all right? Wait for Jarvis and -”

“No,” he said. “Unless you tell me exactlywhy Sika can’t go to the hospital, I am calling 9-1-1. I know your clan doesn’tlike humans, but this is an emergency.”

“Bren.” Kaida stared pleadingly at him andhe shook his head.

“Tell me why she can’t go or -”

Sika shrieked in pain and Kaida whirledaround. Bren’s jaw dropped when Sika’s mouth opened, and flames shot out ofher mouth. She sucked in oxygen and blew out another breath of fire.

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