Page 127 of Blood as Sweet as Roses

“Oh!” I shout, pointing at a spot on the monitor. As quickly as I can, I type in a phone number. It’s not one that Lily has programmed into the system, but it’s one I know off by heart. I watch him on the screen as he picks up his ringing phone.

“Hello?”

“Murad, on your left! There’s a vampire behind the shrub!”

On the monitor, I see Murad dart behind the shrub, to take out the vampire that was creeping up on him.

“Thank you, Paige!” he says.

“No problem!” I answer, but the line is already disconnected, as Murad swings around to dodge another attack. The vampires move so quickly, and their dark outfits mean that it’s difficult to tell themapart. I have trouble keeping track of everything that’s happening across all the different screens.

“Shit,” Lily says. Immediately, I look over at her screen. There’s a wave of indigo across the monitor. Lily quickly dials another number, speaking into her headset. “Damien, it’s a wave of witches, coming from the north! But I don’t recognize them…”

“I think they’re Artemis witches,” I tell her, squinting at the figures on the screen. “Or independent witches, from Midnight City.”

“Damien, Paige thinks they’re witches from the east coast,” Lily relays. “Can you join Lexi and the wolves in the courtyard? Maybe bring some of the Night clan vampires?”

“Murad will know how to fight them,” I say, dialing him again.

Adrenaline courses through my veins as Lily and I keep track of the monitors, calling the vampires to update them whenever we spot something.

It’s terrifying, but it’s also…reallyexciting. I’ve never gotten to be part of the action like this.

I look over to Lily. “I think I’m really getting the hang of this,” I tell her. “Thanks for showing me…”

But then I see the look on her face, and I pause. Her eyes are wide, her hands on her stomach.

“Lily?” I ask. “What’s the matter?”

She swallows, and her voice comes out in a squeak. “Um, Paige…”

I shake my head as I realize what’s happening. “Noway…”

“Yes way,” she replies. “My water just broke.”

“Absolutelynot,” Alin replies, crossing his arms over his chest. “Crimson told me not to leave you underanycircumstances.”

I draw myself up to my full height, which is not very tall, but I try to make up for it by putting my most assertive voice on.

“Alin,” I counter. “There is a woman in labour up here, and Ineedclean towels and water! If you don’t let me go downstairs, I’m going to call Renata Espina and…”

“Don’t call Renata!” Alin sighs, his eyes turning red with anxiety. “Fine, but you have to stay up here! I’ll go get what you need.”

“Be careful,” I tell him. “The vampires haven’t breeched the hotel’s entrance yet, but you never know. And take your time. Most labourslast hours, so…”

We’re interrupted by a long screech from inside the security room.

“Um…actually, maybe don’t take your time,” I correct.

“Paige!” Lily shouts. “I think I had a contraction!”

Alin somehow becomes even paler, if that’s possible. “I’ll be as fast as I can! Butplease…go into the security room and bolt the door while I’m gone.”

I nod, and hurry back to Lily. I shut the door tightly behind me, and bolt the latch.

Lily is pacing around the security room, still wearing her headset.

“This wasnotin my birth plan!” she says, her cheeks flushed.