Page 4 of Wicked Bonds

Yet his mind refused to provide the details he craved. All he could pick up on were glimpses in his mind, a recollection that had clearly been altered to paint the female of his dreams in a different image.

When he’d found out that Vera, another Seraphim, could alter memories, he’d known immediately that she’d fucked with his own mind.

Rather than press the issue, he’d waited as that same Seraphim had drawn a new rune on Leela’s arm—one that made her susceptible to Hydraian powers. She’d needed a healer to help bring her back to life after being shot in the head. Lara had done her job, helping Leela back to full health just in time for Lizzie to go into labor.

And ever since, Balthazar had been toying on the edge of her thoughts, searching for that strand he knew existed.

He caught sight of it now as Leela fought to focus on the child instead of the startling realization that he understood her better than he should.

Sweet vixen, you have no idea how well I understand you,he thought, his gaze tracing over every exquisite inch of her stunning form.I’ve absolutely tasted you before.

And it killed him not to know when or how.

He didn’t push too hard into her mind, not wanting to impact her current responsibilities. But he lurked inside her thoughts, listening intently for more information.

She thought about how he called her Lee in Rio de Janeiro—confirming what he already knew about having met her in Brazil. And the drink he’d made for her, the one he’d somehow known she’d favor, also linked back to that memory.

However, before she could tell him more, she shook herself and concentrated on the child.

You and I are going to have a conversation, little one, she thought at the tiny bundle in her arms.

As are we,Balthazar mused, aware that she couldn’t hear him.

He folded his arms, waiting for more.

Starting with how not to freak out your parents, she concluded.

Balthazar listened as she reasoned through a typical Seraphim birth process. While Lizzie was technically a lab experiment—a being created to resemble a Seraphim in every way, including immortality—she wasn’t a pureblood. But Leela appeared certain her child would follow the norm, which included not crying as an infant, possessing an insurmountable amount of intelligence at birth, and having a strong will to live.

Her mind explained to him that the baby wasn’t dead at all; her soul had just wandered off into the abyss, avoiding the agony of a rather painful birth. The poor sweetheart had broken a few bones on her way out, the immortal birth faster and more excruciating than a standard mortal one.

All Balthazar’s experience was founded in human biology, not Seraphim or immortal means. Hydraians couldn’t procreate.

Except, apparently, with a genetically engineered Seraphim, as Jayson had just proved with Lizzie.

Still, the birth had been unlike any Balthazar had ever witnessed, leaving the infant in dire straits. Which had caused her soul to flee while her body mended itself back together.

Fascinating, Balthazar thought, his attention divided between keeping everyone calm and watching Leela work.

“She’s going to be okay,” Balthazar said, his emotional control tightening over Lizzie and Jayson as he attempted to placate them with words. “Leela’s confident, which makes me confident.”

Not a lie.

His faith in Leela was paramount, her mind granting him the confidence to voice his opinion out loud.

Which troubled the Seraphim a bit because it further proved he could read her.

Andthatscared her, confirming to him that his sweet vixen had something to hide.

Brazil, he knew.You know what really happened in Brazil.

He’d always felt uneasy after that trip, like something wasn’t quite right.

Now he knew why.

You played with my—

Lizzie’s rambling distracted him from finishing the thought, her fear spiking and forcing him to push another wave of calmness over her. She inhaled sharply, tears rolling down her cheeks. But her heart rate slowed once more, helping to keep her from going into complete hysterics.