“Hey.”
“Are you in pain?”
She nodded. “Yeah. But not like before.”
Guerre came over. He lifted her hand and closed his eyes. Merc waited silently for his analysis. Took a few long moments, but when he looked at Merc, he smiled. “We did it. Her body is changing, but it’s doing so under the influence of our mutations. She’s going to be fine.”
Merc huffed a relieved sigh. “We got you, love. This next part will take some time.”
“What happened to me?”
“That bug bite delivered a lethal dose of mutations meant to turn you into a ghoul. We were able to intercept that and change you into one of us. There’s still a lot of work your body needs to do, but we’ll be here the whole way.”
36
Ash was in the laundry in the utility wing off the kitchen, folding a load of Summer’s clothes so she could switch her load to the dryer.
So much had happened in the months since her second trip to Colombia. She’d left her job and moved to the fort full-time. When she was a regular, the thought of being all-in with this group was overwhelming. But after her mutations, it was the only place she wanted to be.
Guerre had been working with her on mastering her psychometry skills. Acier had been helping her and Summer learn self-defense—not just through physical force but with mental skills as well.
Ash stared at Summer’s T-shirt. Guerre had told Ash the skill of psychometry carried a burden with it. Not all knowledge she encountered was hers to own or divulge. Guerre was working with her to learn how to shield, even from him, from Liege, from Merc—and the entire Legion—knowings that were secret.
That was about to be challenged.
She smoothed her hand against Summer’s folded tee, put Summer’s clothes in a laundry basket, and finished switching her and Merc’s clothes over. Laundry was a chore they shared equally as a couple, but she was pickier than he was when it came to the level of care he gave it.
“Howzit goin’?” Merc asked. He was standing just inside the door. She gave him a pensive smile. One of the many benefits of having transitioned into a mutant was the discovery that she usually knew when and where he was, even if he was only in astral form.
She liked that he couldn’t sneak up on her.
He came over and lifted her onto the washer, mentally closing the door. “Have I told you this is one of my favorite rooms in this entire fort?” He grinned.
Ash looked into his eyes. She lifted her hands to his cheeks, running her thumb over his lush mouth. “I love you.”
“You know I love you. Why the strange mood?”
Ash sighed. She was dying to tell him the news she’d discovered, but it wasn’t hers to speak about.
“We don’t keep secrets between us,” Merc said.
“I doubt I can ever keep a secret at all. Guerre said there would be times I’d have to.”
Merc frowned. “Not between us, love.”
Ash handed him Summer’s tee. “What read do you get off this?”
Merc smiled as he took the shirt. He felt it, smelled it, then closed his eyes. “I can smell the laundry detergent and softening chemicals.”
Mutant physical senses were so keen that they could detect things regulars couldn’t. Ash was hoping Merc would pick up on what her touch had revealed.
“I can smell Summer’s scent—“ His eyes opened wide in disbelief. He shoved the shirt against his face again and drew a big breath. “Fuck. Me. Dead.”
Ash bit her lip to keep from smiling. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Nah, yeah. You are. We’re going to have a baby here at the fort. We’re going to be uncles and aunties!” He laughed and swept her into his arms. “A baby! Here. Who would have thought that would happen? Summer and Liege are going to be parents.” He swirled her around in the little space of the laundry room, then caught a good look at Ash’s face. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you happy?”
“Because I found out this way. Summer hasn’t said anything to me. Probably not to Kiera either. We’re her besties. We share everything. But she didn’t tell us about this.”
“Ah.” Merc set her on the washer again. He braced his fists on the cold metal on either side of her hips. “I see. And I understand. And fuck it all, we have to keep this quiet still, though I know how happy it will make everyone.”
Merc stroked her cheek, giving her a sad look. “I understand why you’re upset. But what they are facing is touchy. They may fear the viability of the baby. Will it be a mutant or a regular? Will it be stronger or weakened by Summer and Liege’s biology? And how will Summer’s body handle pregnancy? It’s not known. So I’m sure they are waiting for time and test results before telling everyone. And Guerre’s right. This is something we will have to keep secret.”
Ash wrapped her arms around Merc’s neck. “I want a baby, Merc, if it’s safe. I want Summer’s and my babies to play together here. Kiera’s too.”
He grinned and slipped between her legs. “I will happily do my part for you, but Kiera’s on her own.”
Ash punched his arm. “You know what I meant.”
“Yeah, love. I do. I’d love to build a family with you.” He put his forehead against hers. “I’ll give my life for you and our babies. I won’t be like I was my first time as a d—“
Ash put her fingers against his lips, stopping him from saying what he was about to. “I know. And same for me. I love you, sweet Mercy.”
He smiled. “I love you, sweet Ashlyn. My heart, my soul, my life.”
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at [email protected]
Published by Elaine Levine
Copyright © 2020 Elaine Levine
Last Updated: December 22, 2020
Cover art by The Killion Group, Inc.
Editing by Arran McNicol @ editing720
Proofreading by Stephanie @ enterprisebookservices.com
All rights reserved.
Other Books by Elaine Levine
O-Men: Liege’s Legion
Paranormal Suspense
Liege
Bastion
Merc
Red Team Series
Romantic Suspense/Military Suspense
(This series must be read in order.)
1 The Edge of Courage
2 Shattered Valor
3 Honor Unraveled
4 Kit & Ivy: A Red Team Wedding Novella
5 Twisted Mercy
6 Ty & Eden: A Red Team Wedding Novella