Page 56 of Destined for Eternity
Chapter 21
Cori
Two days had passed, and things were getting worse in Fairbanks. Cori, her mother, and Ginny watched the riots on the news, but they didn’t dare go into town. From what they’d heard, almost all the sups who lived there had fled. Some of their homes and businesses had been burned down, and many who didn’t leave fast enough were injured.
Derrick’s headquarters and home could house many sups, but even he’d begun to overflow. Melena had to take in the vampire doctor, Paula, after a group of humans showed up and started shooting at her house. Thankfully, Lucas and his brother arrived fast enough to compel them to leave before any major damage happened. The clinic was unharmed, being in the basement, but Paula couldn’t see her patients there for now. All her most important supplies were transferred to the basement in the sensor’s home.
Despite all the disturbances, Cori had a graduation to attend. She couldn’t bring her house guests with her since invitations were exclusive to those who had relationships with the nerou, but Melena came to pick her up.
“You ready?” the sensor asked as Cori waddled her way down the stairs.
She rubbed her stomach. “As well as I’ll ever be.”
Cori had hardly slept the night before because she couldn’t get comfortable. She’d had to force herself out of bed around seven since the graduation was at nine in the morning, and she truly wanted to be there for it. But for the last few days, she’d been getting Braxton Hicks contractions off and on, making her extra miserable. They seemed to have calmed for the moment, so at least she’d probably get through the graduation alright.
She headed for the side table next to the stairs. “Let me just grab my purse and cell phone.”
Joy watched her closely as she got her stuff together, a frown forming on her face. “Maybe you shouldn’t go.”
“I’ll be fine. It’ll only be for a couple of hours,” she replied.
“But the doctor said you should take it easy.”
She was going to pull her hair out if her mother nagged her much more. “And she also said I should be fine to go to the graduation.”
Her mother sniffed. “Shouldbeing the key word there.”
“I’ll take care of her,” Melena promised.
“You better.” Joy gave her a pointed look. “Or I’ll hold you responsible.”
The sensor nodded. “I understand.”
Squeals and giggles came from upstairs. Ginny had her girls in the guest bedroom, keeping them occupied with games. Aislin and Dinara had begun to relax over the last two days. It had been fun with them around, and it had been good practice for Cori to help care for them and give Ginny breaks. Sure, they were five years old, but there were so many things she’d forgotten about taking care of small children. They could be a lot of fun and loved to help with washing dishes. Of course, it also brought back memories of Cori’s daughter, who’d passed at the same age, but she tried not to let that get to her. These were totally different girls, and they needed brightness and happiness after all they’d been through.
“Let’s go,” Cori said, waving at her mom.
Joy rushed toward her and hugged her. “Be careful.”
“I will,” she promised.
They hurried out of the house and got into Melena’s Jeep. Cori strapped on her seatbelt, working it under her large belly. As much as she worried about having the baby, she couldn’t wait for the pregnancy to be over.
Melena took it easy on the drive over. Usually, she could drive a little recklessly, but she kept to the speed limit and went extra slow when they had to go on unpaved roads. The nerou compound was definitely off the beaten path. Cori had to breathe through it as they hit rut after rut on the final part of the drive. As added protection, the facility overseers allowed the road to be overgrown and bumpy to discourage even the most determined visitors.
“What are you going to do when you see Bartol?” Melena asked just before they reached the gate.
Cori wrinkled her nose. “Ignore him.”
“Have you told your mother what happened yet?”
“No. She suspects something is off, but I’ve been able to use the excuse that he’s been busy with the demons and nerou. That would be true regardless, which is why she hasn’t caught on so far.” Cori dreaded having to explain, but the distraction of Ginny and her girls helped keep her mother occupied. Though the circumstances weren’t the best, she was glad the pixie had come to stay when she did.
“Maybe you should use this opportunity to talk to him without your mother around,” Melena suggested.
Cori shook her head. “Nope. He has to come to me.”
“I suppose I’d do the same thing in your shoes if Lucas had been an ass like Bartol and I was pregnant.” Two guards at the gate checked them out before opening it. “I can’t believe how he’s being with you.”
