Tory screamed as the baby rolled inside her. It was as if he was angry at all of them and taking it out on her.
The midwives looked hopelessly at each other. "What do we do?"
Tory's vision dimmed. She was shaking uncontrollably.
"Do something!" Acheron shouted.
Essie swallowed. "We don't know what to do."
They couldn't take her to a hospital because of the fact that the baby wasn't human. If he were like his father and had mottled blue skin and horns, it was going to be a little difficult to explain.
Apollymi gestured to Menyara and Acheron. "Use your powers to pull it out."
Ash paled even more. "What if it damages the baby?"
"Oh for goodness sakes, child. The baby will never be left alone and unprotected." She gestured to the crowded room. "There's not a being here who wouldn't lay their life down for him. He is not you, Apostolos. We don't have to hide him."
Pam looked up from the monitors. "Tory's blood pressure's too high. We have to calm her down or she's going to have a stroke."
"Calm her down? How?"
Tory screamed as the baby moved again. It felt like he was trying to rip her in half.
Kim blanched. "We're going to lose them both."
Ash couldn't breathe as he heard those words.
In all of his extremely long life, he'd never been more terrified. He couldn't lose his wife. He couldn't.
Hoping he didn't do it wrong, he reached with his powers to pull the baby out.
Lightning burst in the room, ricocheting all over it. He had to duck to keep from getting blasted.
Tory screamed even louder.
And the baby stayed inside her.
"Oh that's not good," Menyara whispered. She moved him aside. "Let me try."
This time, the lightning slammed her into the wall.
Ash looked at his mother who shook her head. "I've never seen anything like this."
Pam turned the monitors toward them. "She can't take much more."
Ash met Tory's gaze. The utter agony and terror there stabbed him. What were they going to do?
"Her heart's failing."
Tears welled in his eyes. If she died because of this, because of him, he'd never forgive himself.
"Call Mom."
Ash frowned at Kat. "What?"
"She's a goddess of childbirth. She was only a few hours old when she delivered Apollo from her own mother. If anyone knows what to do..."
Yes, but she was also his worst enemy. They hated each other. Why would she help?