The Illegitimate Claim (53 page)

effect again.” Meah looked up shocked, but Ana held up her hand. “You were pursued.

I noticed the interest in Gilroy’s eyes from the moment you returned from the age of

searching. I mentioned it to Andru but he told me it was my imagination and to put the

thought out of my head. Once again, I fear my dear brother was trying to protect me, or

simply do things his way without my interference.”

“But why would Andru offer me as a Bachula? Gilroy can’t improve Andru’s

status.”

“In a way he could. Andru comes to me. You told Andru when you returned that

you wouldn’t interfere, and maybe Andru wanted to ensure Gilroy wouldn’t either.

Gilroy could make trouble for Andru. He has a lot of power with his men. Gilroy’s

agreeing not to interfere is in a way allowing Andru a certain status he couldn’t have if

Gilroy made waves. But as with the first time, once is not enough.”

“What are you saying?” Meah looked shocked. “No, wait. I know what you’re

saying. Gilroy wouldn’t do this again, not now that both of you know.”

“He would, because we know, and he received no reprimand, nor will he.” Ana

wished more than anything she could forbid Meah to even look at Gilroy. But that

wasn’t an option. Meah would turn on her for going to Andru. And she needed Andru

like she needed to breathe.

“I will avoid being alone with him. If he approaches me I will fight him off. He

won’t rape me.”

“He raped me. Oh, he didn’t hurt me. But it was rape.” Ana sighed. “Do you really

think you could fight him off?”

“If it is your wish then you’re damn straight I will.” Meah’s expression grew

determined. “My loyalty is to you, my lady.”

“I know.” Ana shrugged. “But I daresay, and I know I’m right, he’ll come to you

again.”

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Meah noticed Ana didn’t forbid her to say no to him. She decided not to push for an

order she wasn’t sure she wanted to carry out.

“You said you feared two things,” Meah prompted.

Ana looked at her quickly and pursed her lips. “My brother is consistent and

thorough.”

“You fear that?”

“No.” Ana laughed. “That’s not it. Andru had no problem with our staying in here

to talk. I fear he has this garage bugged and has heard our every word.”

Meah froze and then looked around the semi-dark, damp garage, as if she would

see the predicted listening device.

“Come on, there’s nothing we can do about it.” Ana put her arm around Meah’s

shoulder and led her out of the garage.

There’s nothing that you want to do about it is more likely the truth, Meah thought to

herself.

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Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Yes! I daresay, I hit that target straight on.” Tory held the large Gothman gun up

in the air and did a circular march.

“You did not. I hit the target. You missed yours.” Darien dropped his gun

indifferently on the ground and stamped his foot.

“You’re saying I’m a liar!” Tory stopped in mid-march and glared at the blond-

haired boy who stood mere inches taller than he did.

“If you didn’t lie, I wouldn’t have to point it out.” Darien stuck his chin out

triumphantly.

“I’m not lying. I made that shot and you didn’t.” Tory dropped his gun and then

punched his cousin hard in the nose. Blood instantly seeped to his upper lip.

“Is that the best you can do?” Darien wiped the blood quickly away and fought

tears that stung his eyes. He had grown very accustomed to the poundings his cousin

administered. “You hit like a woman.”

“No he doesn’t,” Tia shouted as if this was the first she’d heard of their

conversation.

Tory ignored his sister’s defense and instead jumped on his older cousin and rolled

him on the ground.

Andru chewed on a piece of grass, lost in his own thoughts, and reluctantly pulled

himself away from the rock he leaned against to address the two children. His comm

beeped just as he reached the two boys. Darien ripped free of Tory’s grasp and ran to

his uncle, his face already displaying several bruises and a fair amount of blood.

“What is it?” he asked as he wiped the blood from the boy’s nose and noticed at the

same time that Tory appeared to be untouched.

“Dear brother, your claim has asked me to call you.”

“What does she need now?” Andru had grown accustomed to unusual requests

from his pregnant claim.

“I believe she needs her claim by her side when she has her baby.” Ana’s voice

danced with excitement.

“What? It’s time?” Andru looked up across the field just as Gilroy walked over

from setting the targets back up for the boys to try again. Gilroy’s face lit up, and he

increased his pace.

“Let’s go, children. It’s time for your new brother to arrive.” Andru reached down

and lifted Tia into his arms.

“Papa, Tory hit me, and he lied.” Darien ran to Gilroy looking for support.

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“And I’ll pound you again if you call me a liar one more time.” Tory was still angry,

and not overly concerned about a baby being born.

“I’ll tell you a secret, my son.” Gilroy walked toward the gliders and Darien walked

quickly to keep up with his papa’s stride.

“What is it, Papa?” The boy almost ran to keep up with his papa.

Tory jumped through the tall grass to be on his uncle’s other side, eager to hear the

secret as well.

“When Lord Andru and I were mere boys, not much older than you two are now, I

often bloodied his nose as well.”

“Really?” Both boys spoke in unison.

“You did?”

The two boys, with their bright gray eyes, looked in wonder from one of the men to

the other. Andru glared at his friend, but Gilroy’s blue eyes gleamed at him as he

fought a smile.

* * * * *

“How’s she doing?” Andru pushed open their bedroom door with a bang.

“I can’t do this. I can’t do this,” Meah whimpered weakly as she flung her head

from side to side.

“Hey, where is my warrior claim?” Andru went to his knees on the side of the bed

and brushed the beads of sweat from Meah’s forehead.

“Fuck you!” she screamed and arched her back, raising her huge belly high into the

air as she grabbed two of his fingers and then proceeded to twist them sideways.

Dr. Digo stood calmly on the side of the bed as he held up a syringe to the light.

Several other assistants entered the room and one of the servants followed with a

portable table. Andru watched wide-eyed as the assistants began placing surgical tools

on the table. He looked questioningly from the items laid out, to the doctor, as he

rubbed his hand that his claim had finally released.

“This happened before, doctor,” Meah said in between pants. “The baby didn’t turn

and I’m not big enough.” She broke into screams again and Andru reached for her

quickly, wishing he could do something to help. He smiled meekly as she turned

outraged eyes at him.

The doctor administered the shot and Meah collapsed back on her pillows as

noticeable relief crossed her face. Ana peeked her head into the room, and stepped

quietly over to her brother’s side.

“We heard her screams. Is everything okay?” She spoke so calmly and quietly,

Andru looked at her surprised, before turning to the doctor for the answer.

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“The baby has turned,” Dr. Digo offered as he took Meah’s wrist and checked her

pulse. “And he’s moved into the birth canal. But Meah is right. She’s very small and the

baby is very large, even though he’s a few weeks early.”

“So what’s all this for?” Andru gestured toward the table with the surgical tools

now glistening in the afternoon sunlight.

“Just in case,” the doctor said without more explanation. “I gave her a mild

sedative. It should keep her calm but still allow her to push.”

“So what do I do?” Andru acted like the typical first-time papa even though he’d

been an active parent to his twins for almost a winter.

Ana giggled. “I believe you’re doing it.”

She rubbed her brother’s back, and the doctor looked up absently then smiled.

“Stay with her…and take every insult she throws at you with a loving smile.”

Andru groaned. It would be a long afternoon. He returned to his knees and kissed

Meah on the cheek then wiped more sweat from her brow.

Later that evening, Andru was as soaked in sweat as Meah. She lay on clean sheets

and fresh pillows that had been changed for the third time. Some of the assistants

brought extra lamps to make the room as bright as possible on the moonless night.

Dr. Digo stood over to the side of the room, consulting with his team, but Andru

didn’t notice. He sat at the head of their bed, holding Meah’s soaked head in his lap and

leaned back, closing his eyes. I know this baby is your will but don’t let her die, Crator.

Please, don’t let her die.

“Andru, maybe you should go downstairs and get some food.” Ana ran her fingers

through his drenched curls and he opened bloodshot eyes to look at her.

“I’m not leaving her.” There was stubborn determination in his voice.

“You’re no good here if you don’t keep up your strength. I’ll stay with her. Please,

you need to eat.”

He could see the worry on her face and reached out to take her hand then brought it

to his lips.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt scared like this before,” he whispered into her hand.

“What if Crator’s will is for her to die?”

“Andru, you can’t talk like that.” She moved closer and pulled his head to her chest.

“You can’t let Meah hear words like that.”

“I don’t think she can hear me.”

“Okay. Here is what we’re going to do.” Dr. Digo returned to the foot of the bed

and spoke to Meah, although she hardly appeared conscious after so many hours of