Page 21 of Vipers and Vendettas

I relax my body, understanding now that my sudden backbone has probably put him on the offensive.

‘I live on the other side of the Veil, Stephan.’

I see surprise in his eyes for a millisecond before he raises a brow.

‘What’s that?’ he asks, playing dumb.

I give him an incredulous look. ‘Maybe we should stop wasting each other’s time,’ I say quietly. ‘I know you’re part shifter. My guess is wolf, but could be dragon, maybe.’

His mouth opens and then closes, and I get the impression that he’s not often shocked to this degree.

‘If you weren’t human, I’d know,’ he finally says. ‘Every time you walked in here, I’d know.’

‘I am human,’ I say, ‘I just … live in Supeland.’

He sits back, crossing his thick arms. The material of his white shirt stretches across muscles I haven’t noticed before, and I frown at him.

‘You’ve been keeping secrets,’ I mutter, looking at him with new eyes as the conjure he wears comes down.

He’s taller and more muscular. His face hasn’t altered much, but his jaw is wider and more pronounced.

‘So have you,’ he says.

His voice is deeper, charged with just a hint of power.

‘Part dragon, then,’ I say, meeting his eyes.

‘Part dragon,’ he agrees.

His nostrils flare as if he’s never realized I don’t have a scent before.

‘Your conjure dulls your senses as well as yourphysical characteristics?’ I ask.

He nods. ‘Makes it easier to act human when you don’t have to worry about picking up on sights, sounds, and scents that they can’t see, hear, or smell.’

‘Don’t have to worry about a scent with me,’ I say carefully, testing the waters.

‘I don’t need to know,’ he says, putting a hand up.

But his eyes are suddenly fixed on me and then down at the table in front of me that’s hiding my stomach.

‘You’re pregnant,’ he says matter-of-factly.

Damn shifter senses.

‘You don’t need to know,’ I say, echoing his words.

He swears under his breath. ‘How much longer do you think you’ll be able to work here?’

I flinch under his perusal. ‘I don’t dance. I thought?—’

‘You thought wrong,’ he growls. ‘No kids!’

I slide out of the booth, feeling inexplicably hurt.

‘I’m only fourteen weeks in,’ I argue. ‘It won’t even be noticeable for another month, and it’s not like I’m asking you for favors! You’re the one who said you were afraid for my well-being. But now you’re going to fire me for being pregnant?’

I throw my hands up in the air, trying to blink away the tears in my eyes.