Page 133 of Onyx Realm

“You’re scared shitless.” She laughed harder, but the years of smoking make her cough. “Okay, okay, what do you need?”

“Help her.”

“I can’t. Not from the road,” she shot back. “Bring her straight to me. Keep offering her water, but don’t force anything. I’ll have a tea that will fix her up right away.”

“Can’t I get the tea somewhere along the way?” I was desperate, and I let a little of the anxiety seep into my words. “Please, aunt, I need to help her.”

“You won’t find the herbs easily. No, better to come straight here, lad.”

I sighed. “We’ll be there soon.”

“Oh, and Markos?”

“Hmm?”

“Congratulations. I never thought I would see the day my sister’s boy was blessed. But thanks be to God, you’re blessed, my lad.”

I was. “Thank you, aunt.”

Hanging up, I took the cup of ice from the fast-food worker. Iosif banged from the bathroom, snatched up his large order, and frowned at my single cup.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re turning health nut too?” he quipped.

“Not hungry,” I growled and stalked back outside. I’d been away from Serena too long. It was going to take hours at this rate, but I would drive like hell to reach the help my wife needed. “Keep your eyes open. They found us in Chicago, they’re desperate to annihilate us.”

“I haven’t seen a tail,” my cousin protested. “And I need a nap.”

“What the hell were you doing last night?” I snapped. “You had hours to sleep.”

Iosif winced. “There was a tournament—”

“Spare me.” I handed Serena the ice. My wife looked between my cousin and me. “Let’s go.”

Serena rolled her eyes but took the cup. “You two are worse than children.”

Children—our child.

My reason to fight was standing right in front of me. I helped her into the passenger seat and placed a soft kiss on her lips, despite her protest that she needed a toothbrush.

“Mine,” I growled, kissing her again.

She shook her head, but the look in her eye set my heart fluttering.

I slid into the driver’s seat, adjusting the mirrors while Iosif climbed into the passenger side, already unwrapping his burger. The smell made Serena grimace, but she focused on slowly melting ice chips between her lips.

“Home,” I muttered, pulling out of the parking lot. “No stops unless absolutely necessary.”

As we merged back onto the highway, I caught Serena’s profile. Despite her pallor, there was a fierce determination in her eyes that made my chest tighten. We’d faced scorpions, assassins, and corrupt businessmen—but this new challenge terrified me more than any of them.

But with her at my side, I knew I could face it too. Everything in my life led me to the greatest fight of them all, and nothing would harm my family.

Chapter 42 – Serena

Markos parked the rental car at the rest stop and answered his phone as he stepped out of the vehicle. I leaned back against the headrest, breathing hard through my nose.

“Can I get you another water?” Iosif offered.

I didn’t trust myself to shake my head, but after a minute, I was able to lift my half-drunk bottle for him to see.

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