Page 129 of Vipers and Vendettas

Alex nods. ‘Make sure she’s okay. Maddox, it looks like our mate is going to be giving birth in your home.’

Maddox nods, and he glances at Jules. ‘Darling, would you go back with Theo, please?’

Jules’ eyes narrow slightly. She was intending to come with us, but we don’t know what horrors we’re going to find at this lab. We glance at each other over her head, all of the same mind. We don’t want her to see what’s been happening there.

‘I’m sure Jane would be grateful for the presence of another succubus right now,’ he adds.

She frowns at him, knowing he’s backed her into a corner.

‘Fine,’ she mutters, ‘but you kill all those sons of bitches, and you save whoever’s there.’

Maddox nods. ‘We vow it,’ he says,’ and we’ll join you at home soon, pet.’

‘Home.’ She gives his hand a final squeeze and goes to where Theo is already opening the bridge to take them back to the estate.

She walks into the breach, looking back at us before she disappears and the link is severed.

I turn back to the others.

‘Let's get this lab shut down,’ I say. ‘I have plans with our succubus.’

* * *

Jules

They don’t return for hours, and although I didn’t expect them to be back right away, I’m pacing the floor of the library, a mug of tea in my hand and my stomach in knots as I wait.

Logically, I know it’s best for them to have gone without me. I’m tired from my ordeal with the fae, and I definitely need to feed. I’m not at my best.

I throw myself into a chair by the fire and try to rest for a minute, soaking up the heat as I watch the snow falling outside.

I smile slightly as I pet Fluffy, who’s curled up in a ball next to my chair in front of the hearth. I know Maddox won’t like it, but it’s so cold out there! He was peering in at me, and I couldn’t just leave him out there all alone. He saved me!

Tabitha comes in a little while later, and I’m still staring out the windows.

‘Have you heard from them?’ she asks.

I shake my head. ‘Nothing since the text from Axel to tell me they were inside. How’s Jane?’

‘The doctor says it’s progressing faster than he’d anticipated. If they don’t get here soon, her clan might miss the birth altogether.’

As if they somehow hear her words, there’s a roar of a bridge forming, and I stand up, telling Fluffy to stay, though the hellhound barely even raises his head to see what’s going on.

The door opens, and Alex and his clan come through first.

‘How’s Jane?’ he asks before anyone else can say a word. ‘Is she okay?’

‘She’s fine, but close. She’s upstairs. Come on, I’ll take you up.’ Tabitha beckons him and the others as soon as the portal closes, opening the same door and leading them out into the corridor.

I’m left with my clan, all of them looking as exhausted as I feel.

‘Well?’ I ask. ‘What did you find?’

‘We found the lab, and they were doing what you said,’ Maddox says, looking ill.

Daemon sits down hard in the chair in front of me. ‘There were five women.’

‘Are they okay?’ I ask.