Katie's Hope

"Hatches?" she echoed, astonished.

"Demons hatch." "I'm not a demon!" "It'll be a boy."

"It could be a girl."

"It can't be. Girls can't fight and they just make life really difficult," he snapped. He'd never felt like panicking in his life but in that moment, he almost did. He stood and paced.

"Look, I'll make this easy on you," she said. "I'll go live with Hannah, out of your hair, and you can run around killing things and beating up your brothers. We'll both be … happy."

"We'll see," he said. His thoughts went to his father's crypt. "We'll see what?"

"I'm thinking," he growled. "You still intend to leave me. I still don't want to lose you, but all I do is cause you trouble." She looked down, and he noticed for the first time one of her cheeks was red. "What happened to your cheek?"

"Nothing. Just pissing people off today. Did you hear I found Sasha?" She hurried to change the subject. "Rather, he magically appeared at the Sanctuary." "He happen to be carrying a clear coffin?"

"No, but he had the vial of blood. I brought it to Kris."

That explains her cheek,he thought darkly, not caring one bit about Sasha or the vial. Katie couldn't stay with her sister if her sister chose Kris, or she'd be subjected to the same treatment he was. His gaze went to her neck, his resolve solidifying at the sight of her exhausted features and red cheek. He had one chance to make a safe life for her and their … hatchling. He found himself wishing again that Andre was alive. Instead, he found himself mulling over the advice from another brother.

"What's wrong?" she asked as he paced.

"Maybe you're right. We should split," he forced himself to say. "Sasha told me how to break our mating. I think you have a better chance of being accepted by the Immortals if you're not my mate."

She looked surprised. "Rhyn, what are you saying?" "I'm saying, I release you of our bond."

"You what?" "I don't know exactly how to do it, but from this day forward, I'll no longer claim you as my mate. You should be safe now."

He couldn't read the look on her face. Her emotions were flying and intense. He started to leave, and she stood.