Page 20 of Magic in His Arms

“So, a supportive family.”

“Yes.My parents gave me money and left, so I built a hospital, and I built in equipment and staff for dark fae and folks with dark energy.There was a distinct lack of that in Redbird.Now they have a place to go where they won’t freak out the staff and get crappy treatment.”

“How old were you when your parents left?”

“Twelve.They left me with a guardian, and he let me do my own thing as long as I went to school and checked in.”

His eyes were wide.“Twelve?”

“Yes, well, I was emancipated, so I didn’t have to go travel through the elven cities, so I considered it a win.”

“But your school.”

“I graduated really early.”

He narrowed his eyes as he ate a tiny quiche.“How early?”

“Thirteen?After that, I took some courses from home and got some certifications until I was legally allowed on university campuses.”

He shuddered.“I would have found your parents and dragged them back.”

“Why?”

“To take care of you.”

“I take care of others.It’s the reason that I wasn’t upset about getting pregnant.I am so used to being a mom that I can’t see life without it.”

His eyes glowed a bit.

She smiled.“You extranaturals get all hot and bothered as soon as babies are mentioned.”

“I have been around for a while.This is the only time I have ever managed to kickstart a life.”

“Ahem.I had a bit more to do with it than you did.I definitely remember the nausea and dizziness of the first few months.”

He frowned.“Was it bad?”

“Worse than some, not as bad as others.I have stabilized.”She laughed.“I am looking forward to seeing who Vaia recommends as a seamstress for a maternity look.Oh, there’s a business to put money into.”She shoved another sandwich into her mouth and looked at her phone.Her main screen showed her local news, and she saw the picture of the car she had passed.She had totally missed the bullet holes.“Oh, no.”

“What?”

She turned her phone and showed it to him.“I went past this car this morning with its hazards flashing.I went past it because I thought they were answering a call or dealing with a flat.The driver was shot.”

He looked at it and frowned.“They don’t give a name.”

“That means they haven’t gotten a hold of next of kin.”

“Oh.You seem upset.”

“That car is familiar.I am going to ask Krys.I could swear I have seen it recently.”She sent a text, not sure why Krys would know.

She ate nervously.

“Why are you nervous?”

“Because I have a bad feeling about this.”She slugged down some tea.All enjoyment of the morning was gone.Tension was gripping her hard.

It’s Bella’s.The car.On my way to Danforth General.