Page 245 of The Seven Rings
“You won’t.” She brushed her hand over his clammy face. “Four down, three to go. Then the real work begins.”
“You kill me, Lafayette.” But he drank. “Bedroom next, another push-the-babies-out deal. Jesus, why do women ever agree to that?”
This time Sonya didn’t object when Trey carried her, nor did Owen object to Cleo taking some of his weight as they went down.
Now the door of the Gold Room glowed red, and had begun to pulse.
“Marianne.” In the bedroom, Sonya bore down as Trey set her on her feet. “We need to see Marianne when she gave birth to her twins, Owen and Jane. We need to…”
“Take what was stolen from her,” Owen finished. “So we can give it back. I’ll hold you up, cousin. You hold me up.”
With a nod, Sonya went through with him into the room where a roaring fire heated the air and candles flickered for light.
And two women attended the one crying out in pain.
“Jesus Christ, there’s gotta be a better way.”
The midwife knelt on the bed between Marianne’s legs. The infant Owen, already delivered, squalled.
And the newborn Jane slid into the midwife’s hands on a shrill cry.
Weeping again, she couldn’t help but weep, Sonya walked to the bed. This time when movement stopped, she wasn’t surprised when Marianne looked at her.
“Poole green. Your eyes. Who will mother my babies when I’m gone?”
“Their father will love them as he loves you. I have to take the ring, Marianne.”
“They’re Owen and Jane.”
“I know. I’m from them. We’re from them. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
“Save my babies.”
“They live good, long, happy lives.”
Sonya stepped back as the midwife cupped the infant. With five of the seven rings on her fingers, she turned to Owen. They held each other up as they went back through.
Chapter Thirty-One
In the manor, in the now, books flew off the shelves of the library. Windows slashed open, and a storm, raging, whipped in. With the dogs barking wildly, the cat hissing like a snake, Trey and Cleo rushed to the terrace doors, pushing, pushing against the whirling wind.
Cracks opened in the ceiling, and blood dripped through them.
“She won’t stop now,” Cleo shouted. “She can’t.”
“We’re going to stop her.”
They managed to close the doors, and when Trey moved to deal with the windows, Cleo’s side flew open again and knocked her flat.
“I’m all right! I’m all right! Close it if you can.”
As she spoke, Owen and Sonya spilled out of the mirror and slid to the floor.
Trey pulled Cleo up before he rushed to them.
“Need a minute. Do we have time?” Her hand trembled as she lifted it to Trey’s face. “You’re soaked.”
“It’s nothing.” He gathered her into his arms, rocked.
