Point of No Return (13 page)

At once, the events last night crashed down
on me like lead weight.
God, what was I going to do?

There was a knock at the door. “Sar, Danial’s
on the phone.”

“Tell him I’ll call him back,” I called.

Theo opened the door, then handed me the
phone. “He insists.” He turned and left, stomping back up the
stairs.

Theo was obviously upset, but I could only
deal with one crisis at a time. “Hello?”

“How was Theo?” Danial teased. “As you
remembered?”

I didn’t answer.

“Sar? Are you there?”

“We talked about secrets,” I said haltingly.
“I told him everything—”

“Danial knew everything?” Theo griped angrily
from the other extension. “You told him and not me? Jesus Christ,
Sar, you’re supposed to tell
me
, not
him—
!”

“I hear you’re not finished talking, so I’ll
let you go,” Danial said, laughing. “I won’t expect to see you for
a few days, either of you.” He hung up.

I turned the phone off, just as Theo stomped
back downstairs. Ghost and Darkness growled at him.

“I’m gone for a week and I’m forgotten,” Theo
said wryly, deep hurt in each word. “They don’t growl at Devlin, do
they?”

I didn’t answer.

Theo walked past the growling dogs, then sat
on the bed and took my hand. “Talk to me, Sar. Things are never
going to be better than they are now between us, unless you talk to
me.”

“There’s nothing to say,” I said with a
shrug.

“Why did you tell Danial, and not tell
me?”

“He can hear it in my voice,” I replied. “He
knows me better than anyone else, Theo, and he’s a four hundred
year old detective. There wasn’t any way to hide it, though I
tried.”

Theo looked at me, storm cloud eyes serious.
“From now on, Sar, you are to talk to me, before you tell anyone
else your troubles, including Danial,” he said firmly. “I’m your
husband. No secrets between us, ever, not for any reason. I need to
know your fears and feelings before you go around telling other
men, even if you love them, too.”

“I’m not your wife now,” I said tiredly,
“Even if I was then.”

“Don’t argue. Just agree that you’ll do that
for me, please.”

“I agree,” I said softly. “No more
secrets.”

“Good. Now come with me,” he said, taking my
hand. “We’ve hungry cats to feed.”

At once, I thought of Phantom, wondering if
Devlin was feeding him happily, and having no idea my actions might
have shot all our plans all to hell. Tears again flooded my
eyes.

Theo picked me up in his arms, then brought
me upstairs. He’d remade the bed, and put me down on it. “You stay
here, I’ll feed the pets.” He left.

I sat there for a moment, then turned on the
shower. “Damn it, I should’ve done this last night.” Quickly, I got
into the cold water, and began to scrub myself clean. When I
emerged, Theo was waiting for me in jeans.

“Couldn’t wait to wash my scent off you,” he
said bitterly. “Could you?”

“I told you, I’m worried I’m pregnant—”

“You can always have an abortion,” Theo said
harshly. “If it’s mine, that is. I’m sure you want Devlin’s
baby.”

I stared at him, aghast, then my legs
buckled. Theo moved fast, catching me before I hit the floor.

“You’d better lie down,” he said worriedly.
“Are you dizzy? I’ve never known you to faint before.”

“I never have,” I said weakly. “I’m just weak
because I haven’t eaten.”

“Let me fix you some cereal,” he said,
pulling the comforter over me. “I’ll be right back.”

“Why are you being so nice?” I whispered.
“You just accused me of...of—”

“I’m sorry,” Theo said, pushing hair back
from my face. “I get why you’re upset. It’s just that you know I
wanted us to have one. Now that we’re back together, I can’t help
hoping we can.” He got up and left, returning quickly with a bowl
of cereal on a tray. “Do you want some toast?”

“Are you cooking?” I asked wryly.

“I can make breakfast,” Theo said
defensively. “I’m out of practice, but I can make bacon, eggs, and
toast. Pancakes, too, if I use a mix.”

I began to eat, resisting the urge to cringe
at the idea of boxed pancakes. “This is fine. I’m more tired than
anything else.”

“Me, too,” Theo sighed, stretching out on the
bed beside me. “I’m worn out.”

“That’s a new one,” I teased, putting aside
the tray.

He gave me a hungry look. “That doesn’t mean
I’m out of commission,” he growled. Effortlessly, he pulled me into
his arms, then began sliding his hands down my body.

“Stop,” I said sharply. “We can’t.”

“What do you think might happen that already
hasn’t?” he asked, kissing my cheeks. “Or is it just that you don’t
want me in the real world anymore?”

I didn’t answer.

Theo hugged me. “Please answer me, Sar. I
can’t fix whatever’s wrong between us if you won’t talk to me.”

“There isn’t any fixing it,” I said
hopelessly. “You know Devlin’s got a year to make me pregnant. Like
you said in the dream, he’s wanted this for a while. He’s going to
be angry. If that wasn’t enough, Samuel and the other Rulers will
be, too.”

“Sar, you know if we’d been awake, I’d have
used protection,” Theo said soothingly. “I’ve never refused to,
even when I didn’t want to. I’m sorry I put you in this position. I
wouldn’t have, if I’d had any choice.”

“Titus said he was looking out for my
interests,” I said bitterly. “But he never warned me this could
happen.”

“Demons aren’t the most trustworthy people,
as a rule,” Theo replied. “I’m still surprised he freed me.”

“I just don’t know what to do,” I said
wearily.

“That’s because you’re exhausted,” Theo said,
tucking the comforter around me. “Get some rest.” He got up, and
pulled on a shirt.

“Where are you going?”

“The dogs need a walk, and so do I.” He
walked out, closing the door gently behind him.

I sat there for many minutes, wanting to call
Devlin and admit what had happened. But what if he became enraged,
and sent Lash to kill Theo? What if he demanded I take a
morning-after pill?

I’d never thought of abortion before, never
been in a position to even contemplate having one. My beliefs—that
‘til now had been vague at best—were going to have to define
themselves clearly by the end of today. Only one thing was clear: I
couldn’t tell Devlin or Danial what had happened until I made my
decision.

* * * *

When I awoke, it was nearly noon. I was still
alone. And ravenous.

I got dressed, then went looking for Theo. He
was watching TV, with Ghost lying on one side of him and Darkness
on the other.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” he said,
flashing me a smile.

“Hi,” I said uneasily.

“We made up, as you can see,” he said,
scratching Darkness under her chin. She bared her teeth in a wide
smile, her eyes closed.

“That’s good,” I said, washing my hands in
the sink. “Are you hungry?”

“Are you cooking?” Theo asked eagerly.

“Feel like pizza? I could make some
dough.”

“I’d love that,” Theo said, coming to stand
behind me at the sink. “But are you sure you feel okay? You slept a
long time.”

I turned my head, giving him an odd look.
“Just until noon.”

“That was yesterday morning,” Theo said,
concerned. “It’s Thursday afternoon.”

I gaped at him. “It can’t be.”

He showed me the TV’s digital guide. It was
indeed Thursday afternoon.

I held onto the sink, my legs weak again.
“God, what’s happening to me?”

Theo hugged me. “You’re fine, Sar. You just
went through an ordeal these past weeks. You were sick—”

I pushed him away gently. “I was fine after
Devlin healed me, better than fine. Now I feel weak again.”

“You need to eat something,” Theo said with
authority. “Go ahead and make the pizza if you want to, but I’ll
make you a sandwich in the meantime.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Theo was right. After devouring not one but
two sandwiches, I felt much better. The savory smell of cooking
pizza also added to my good mood.

Theo took my plate. “Can we talk now?”

I nodded.

“Sar, don’t worry,” Theo said confidently.
“I’ll talk to Devlin. I’ll work something out.” He took my hand. “I
was worried when you went to Hayden. Was everything...you, um, had
a good time?” He winced.

I rubbed my eyes. “He was moody, but it was
fine.”

“Are you telling me the truth?” he said,
making me look him in the eyes. “Remember, no secrets.”

“He hurt me, then healed me,” I said flatly.
“He scared me, then acted loving. Yet I didn’t want to leave him,
when it was time.”

“That’s an effect of his blood,” Theo
said.

“I know that,” I said, irked again.

The stove buzzer went off. Glad to be
interrupted, I got up and took the pizza out of the oven.

“We’re not done talking,” Theo said
stubbornly. “Come back and sit down.”

More irked, I went back to the couch and sat
down.

“I’ve thought about what to do, and I think
the best plan is to pretend we didn’t have sex during the dream,”
Theo said. “I’ll use protection from now on.”

“And what if you got me pregnant?” I said
angrily.

“Unless you want to get one of those abortion
pills, you don’t have any choice,” Theo retorted. “Most likely with
everything you went through, neither Devlin or I got you pregnant.
It was one night, Sar. Could it have happened, sure, but we’re not
going to be able to tell for at least a few weeks if you’re
pregnant. It’ll take longer than that to tell who the father
is.”

That was a relief to hear, as it was logical.
“Say we do that. Then what?”

“You keep trying with him, and I’ll use
protection,” Theo said bitterly. “We’ll do that until I can find a
way to get him to release you.”

I got up, and began cutting the pizza. “You
told me you wanted me to be honest. Well, I’m telling you Devlin is
not ever going to release me, no matter what you do.”

Theo sighed, but didn’t reply.

We were just finishing the pizza when the
phone rang.

“If that’s Devlin, hand me the phone,” Theo
said in a steely tone.

I got up, and picked up the phone.
“Hello?”

“Sar,” Devlin purred. “How is it having Theo
to yourself again?”

What was I supposed to say that wouldn’t
anger either Theo or Devlin?
“I’m getting used to it,” I said
finally.

“I’m glad you’re content with his prowess,”
Devlin said coolly. “I want to see you this Friday, as I told you
previously. Get here at dusk tomorrow, or before.”

“Give me the phone, Sar,” Theo growled.

“I’ll be there, Dev. Theo wants to talk to
you,” I said uneasily.

“About what?” Devlin said curiously. “There
is nothing for us to talk about.”

Theo picked up the other extension in the
living room, and put it to his ear. “There is something to talk
about. I want to cut a deal with you, Devlin.”

“What kind of deal?”

“I know what you did to Sar,” Theo growled,
furious. “She told me everything. I’m grateful you saved her life,
but your sexual relationship with her ends here. She is not coming
to you Friday.”

Devlin laughed luxuriantly, sending chills
down my spine. “Who are you to tell me anything?” he purred. “I was
loving women when your great-grandmother was not even born. I know
what Sar likes and I’m going to give it to her on a regular basis,
forever. We’ll be copulating long after you are rotting in your
grave—”

“You can give her enough of the virus in your
bite, or by giving her your blood. I know you’re Oathed. But that
doesn’t mean I’m letting you terrorize her. She says you hurt her
the last time you had sex.”

Devlin didn’t answer. I felt instantly guilty
for having told Theo what happened, but I couldn’t apologize for
the truth.

“I’m not saying that you can’t have her
blood. Danial can chaperone you, so you don’t hurt her doing that.
You don’t need to—”

“It’s true, I don’t need to,” Devlin said
seductively. “But I want to, Theo. Moreover, I’m going to. Sar
enjoyed our sex. If she told you otherwise, which I doubt, that’s
an effect of renewing your bond. Titus said she’d act oddly.”

“Dev, you did scare me,” I said gently. “You
did hurt me, then heal me.”

“I thought you understood that,” Devlin said,
taken aback. “I explained my actions.”

“That didn’t make them right,” I said,
uncomfortable. “But we can talk it over on Friday.”

“Yes,” Devlin agreed. “Of course, Love. I’m
looking forward to seeing you.”

“She isn’t coming to you,” Theo growled.

“Remember to stay off the pill,” Devlin said
to me, as if Theo hadn’t spoken. “There is a good chance you could
be pregnant, and I don’t want you to miscarry.” He turned menacing.
“Theo, you had better be using protection with Sar or I’ll geld you
the next time I see you.”

“Yes, I have been,” Theo lied smoothly, his
eyes on mine.

I looked back in shock.
When had he
learned to lie that well?

“But I’m not going to next time unless you
promise not to hurt her,” Theo growled.

“You will do it, or I’ll send Lash for your
head, end of discussion,” Devlin snarled. “The same goes if you
hinder her coming to me in any way, Cat.”

Theo didn’t respond; his eyes locked
worriedly on mine.

“I don’t hear you telling me your
acquiescence,” Devlin purred dangerously. “Lash is beside me,
waiting for your answer.”

“I’ll do it,” Theo growled. “For now.”

“Good,” Devlin said curtly. “Sar, I’ll send
someone for you Friday morning.”

Another ride with Lash. Ugh
. “You
don’t need to send anyone to bring me, Dev. I’ll drive to you. I
can leave about noon—”

“No, an escort is safer,” Devlin replied. “I
would send Titus to you, but he’s busy fooling with that poison
Danial let him have. Supposedly it’s very potent.”