"Now I feel like shit," Izzy said, rotating her glass in her hands.
"We also imagine our mates being happy and ready for a child. Trust me, in no way, shape, or form has Oron ever wished for a child to be born to an unhappy mate. Every male is more than willing to wait until the time is right," Casek said, from his table behind them.
Izzy took another long sip of her bee
r, thinking about what Bryok said about the warriors dreaming of their children.
"Get an amulet and tell him to wait one year. By that time, you should have your feet under you and my munchkin will need a playmate," Meryn said, pointing at her belly.
Izzy laughed. "They are going to be so much trouble together."
Meryn shrugged. "Probably, but that's half the fun, right?"
Izzy downed the rest of her beer. "I can do a year. Do you think he can?"
Meryn laughed. "I am willing to bet tomorrow's mocha on the fact that by the time we get back, Oron will be willing to agree to just about anything."
Izzy smiled to herself. "I don't want to go back just yet."
"Have another beer and then we can hit some stores. after you left Cord said that a delivery came for you. I bet it's your electronic stuff from Cam."
Izzy took her time with the next drink, and by the time they were leaving, she was relaxed and feeling much better. As they left Dav, Bryok and Casek made her promise to come back and tell them what happens.
Once outside she turned to Meryn. "Casek was right, warriors do gossip worse than women."
Meryn just nodded. "Tell me about it, I live in the Alpha estate. Sometimes I peep out the window expecting to see sweat and muscles in action and they're all just standing around talking."
Izzy laughed then stopped and squinted. In the distance, just past the Border City, she saw that shadow again, only this time a tall figure appeared in the middle of it.
She pointed. "Meryn, what kind of portal is that?"
Meryn turned and the blood drained from her face. "I don't think that's a portal."
A moment later, the breeze carried the smell of rotting cheese, making them gag.
"Ryuu!" Meryn screamed.
Behind them, the door to the tavern opened and Izzy could see the second the smell hit them.
Casek bared his teeth. "Ferals!" he roared.
"Impossible!" Bryok yelled, drawing his sidearm.
Ryuu and Pierce stepped in front of them as Dav turned to the squire. "Get them to the palace!"
Izzy looked down at her wrist. She exhaled as she smiled and pushed the shiny red jewel that had been beckoning to her. They couldn't yell at her for pressing the panic button if everyone was panicking.
"What the hell?" Casek exclaimed.
Izzy looked up in time to see the shadow disappear. She sighed and looked down at her bracelet as bells began to toll everywhere in the city.
"Oops."
#
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Ryuu, keep them here. That bracelet has a tracking feature, that's what they'll be homing in on," Dav advised when the bells began to go off.