Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,22
when he heard the news. Kian would not only be a father soon, he would be an uncle as well.
Their little Allegra would have a buddy to play with. According to Bridget, Amanda was six weeks pregnant, which meant that her baby would only be three months younger than Allegra.
It was a shame that Amanda was freaking out, though, and planning to move to the sanctuary until her child transitioned.
Hopefully, she would calm down and change her mind about it.
If Amanda left, a new professor would take over the lab. Syssi didn’t like the idea of working with a human, who would have no idea what the lab’s real purpose was.
At least the paranormal testing would continue because the clan was funding the research, and that was how things worked in universities. Research projects had to get funding, either from the government or from private sources, and that determined what got studied and what did not.
Whoever thought that science was free from politics and popular trends was naive. As in everything else, money was the determining factor, and it was the professor’s job to get it for his or her lab. Luckily for Amanda, she didn’t have to chase after grant money and could dedicate all of her time to research and teaching.
As the doorbell rang, Okidu opened the door and bowed. “Greetings, Mistress Amanda and Master Dalhu.”
“Good evening.” Amanda walked in with her mate trailing behind her. “Did you tell him?”
“Of course I did not.” Syssi pulled Amanda into her arms. “But it wasn’t easy. He suspects that I’m hiding something from him.”
“Naturally.” Kian walked into the living room wearing a pair of jeans, but not the ones with the holes. “So, what is it all about? Am I going to like it, or hate it?”
Amanda pulled out of Syssi’s arms, walked up to Kian, and hugged him tightly.
As her shoulders started heaving, Kian put his arms around his sister. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.
“Oh, Amanda.” His voice broke. “That’s wonderful, and a reason for celebration, not tears.”
“I’m terrified.”
“I know. But nothing bad is going to happen this time. I promise.”
“How can you promise that?”
“Easy.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “We are going to swathe that child in bubble wrap and have Onidu and Okidu guarding it twenty-four-seven. And if that’s not enough to assuage your fears, we will borrow one of mother’s Odus to help out as well.”
Amanda wiped her tears. “I was thinking of moving into the sanctuary. But what you suggest is also an option. Except, who will clean our houses if the Odus will be busy babysitting?”
He chuckled. “Did you forget that they need only minutes to recharge? They’ll do it at night when the child is asleep. But one will always stay to watch him or her, of course.”
Amanda waved a dismissive hand. “There will be no need for that. Our daughter or son will sleep with Dalhu and me in bed until she or he transitions.”
Syssi glanced at Dalhu, who so far hadn’t said a word. He looked worried and excited at the same time. “Are you doing okay?” she asked.
He nodded. “I just want Amanda to be happy.”
“What about you?” Kian asked his brother-in-law.
“Becoming a father was something that I used to dream about when I was still a Doomer. But after Amanda entered my life, I figured that I’d already won the lottery, and to ask for anything more would be greedy of me.”
“Oh, darling.” Amanda walked over to her mate and put her hands on his massive shoulders. “That was such a sweet thing to say. You are going to be an amazing father, and the best protector this child could have.” She let out a shuddering breath. “I should have realized that having you by my side, and us raising our child together, is a game-changer. You won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Or him.”
Amanda smiled. “I hope you don’t mind, but ever since I found out, I’ve been beseeching the Fates to give us a girl so she could transition early. I hope they’ll take pity on me and grant my wish.”
“I want a little girl too, but I’ll love a boy no less.”
Syssi snorted. “What if you’re having twins? One of each?”
Amanda groaned. “Then I’ll have to beg my mother to give up two of her Odus and Alena and Sari to give up theirs. I’ll need an Odu army to watch over my children.”
14
Rufsur
“I will take this, master.” Kian’s butler tried to wrestle the