Vincent checked me out of the hospital twenty-four hours after my run-in with that evil pin. I felt like a freaky sleeping beauty with fangs and horns. The doctors sent me home with instructions not to participate in strenuous activity for two days, which I didn't gripe about. I had grown used to being given this advice.

Knowing my fate, I had Vincent stop to pick up supplies. Specifically, jalapeno-flavored kettle chips to satisfy my craving for something spicy, and photography mags to keep my brain cells firing. I still had a life.

I arranged to do some remote work with Lindy first thing, and while I skyped with her from the comfort of our living room, Vincent handled the financial world from his office. Rizzo dropped off Kuu Ramen for lunch, and everything seemed to be running like clockwork right up until Vincent walked out of his room with a funny look on his face.

"What is it?" I asked, immediately suspicious.

"I just got a call from John at the security desk. He says a package has been delivered downstairs and it's addressed to you."

"Did he describe the package?"

"Large and square and wrapped in brown paper. I'm going down to check it out. Do I have your permission to open it if I need to identify it?"

"Absolutely. Be careful."

"Always." Vincent leaned over the back of the couch to kiss me with no regard to Lindy, who could see everything from her desk at Mega Mag. When he left, I had a strong desire to stop him, but Lindy distracted me.

"Vincent didn't know I was here, did he?" she asked.

"It wouldn't have mattered. He's fine with PDA."

She flashed a toothy smile through the screen. "He really loves you, Reese. He made me stay on the phone until you were inside the ambulance and had me ask you questions to keep you awake. Do you remember that?"

"I remember very little after I laid down on the break room floor. I still can't believe I did that. Yuk."

"You scared me pretty good. I thought you were going to combust. You got so hot, so quick. Is that how it happened before?"

"Yep. The doctors don't know what's been triggering it, but we've run enough tests to keep them busy for a while."

"It sucks you have to go through this while you're pregnant. I'd be so worried."

"That's why I'm following doctor's orders and holding this couch down with my ass."

Lindy laughed, and work took a backseat to chit-chat for the duration of Vincent's absence. Five minutes later, he walked back in the door with a large, square package. Lindy and I ended our chat as I watched Vincent set the thing down on the dinner table. That's when I noticed the corner of the paper had been torn, revealing the edge of a picture frame. I knew what it was before he even announced it.

"The mystery package turned out to be your Ansel Adams photograph," he said. "It was pretty obvious when I saw it, but I unwrapped an edge to confirm I was right."

"I can't believe I forgot it was coming."

He lowered his brows, forcing worry lines over his eyes. "So did I. And I just checked the status two days ago. It was supposed to be delivered yesterday." His expression grew more intense. "Maybe we should unwrap it now. In case something happened in transit."

Vincent started tearing at the paper a little less gently than I would have liked, but before I could say anything, Charleton called at the door.

"It's your child's future great grandfather!" he said as he knocked.

"Come in!" I scooted to the end of the couch to give him room because I knew that's where he would sit, and I also expected his doting grandfatherly smile when he plopped down and rested a hand on my shoulder.

"How are you feeling, Reese?"

"Happy to be home and not in a hospital. What brings you to our neck of the woods? Is Lucy well?"

"Yes, yes. She and Wren are working on a project together, so I thought I'd come by and chat with you and Vincent." He glanced at Vincent, who had taken a seat in the black leather chair. Apparently, he was satisfied the photograph had not been damaged or rigged with anything nefarious.

"I get the feeling you already have a topic lined up," I said, glancing between the two. Both looked blatantly guilty.

"Vincent and I have been talking with the other magisters about the strange occurrences that seem to relate to the cube and this curse," Charleton said candidly, as he always was. "The clip that cut your finger was no ordinary card holder. We had it analyzed and found it was the trigger to your recent fever."

"Dammit."

"That was your mate's sentiment as well."

"Who analyzed it?"

"We reached out to someone we trust to help us. An expert in the supernatural. Her name is Glade, and when she examined the piece, she discovered an ancient form of magic attached to it. Magic with ties to necromancy. Specifically, a spell called the burning soul."

I reached across the arm of the couch and took Vincent's hand. "Are you saying I'm infected with soul burning magic? Wait. Don't answer that. You'll sound like a crazy." When no one spoke, my stomach went into freefall, and I sucked in a few breaths. Ego in pace. Ego in pace. Ego in...

"Glade also offered some helpful advice," Charleton went on, interrupting my moment of dread. "Although it's something none of us wanted to hear. She believes we will find the counter spell to this magic inside the necromancer's book."

I swallowed the knot forming in throat then tried to cover it with words. "It sounds like the obvious thing to do is get the book." My attempt to sound confident only had Vincent eyeballing me warily. "I know the timing isn't great, Vincent. But the longer we wait, the more danger we put our baby in. We don't really know what effect this magic is having on it."

"We know very little about this magic," Charleton said. "Other than one important fact. You will be at the mercy of whomever is controlling it until we find the counter spell."

"What does that mean? I could spontaneously combust at any moment?"

Charleton cocked his head sympathetically. He looked worried, which only made me feel guilty for my shitty predicament. "Glade seems to believe it needs to be triggered by something. Possibly an item made of gold, like the cube. Gold is easily imbued with magic. Just stay wary of new and unfamiliar objects that come into the workplace or your home."

My gaze immediately landed on the Ansel Adams original. "Would that photograph count?" I didn't need to voice my observation because Vincent was already popping out of his chair.

"The delay. I knew it!" he growled as he stomped back over to the table.

"Do you seriously think someone could have gotten to it during the trip?" I said. "I know how valuable items are handled. That piece would have been given constant attention."

"I'm aware," he said distractedly as he turned the frame upside down and side to side, swiping his fingers from one corner to the next. He was acting like a madman.

"Um, Vincent. Remember how much you paid for that. It's an original."

"Your life is worth a lot more than this photograph."

"While Vincent finishes his investigation, I'll tell you what I've already told him." Charleton continued his story of magic and villainy, and I dragged my eyes away from my precious gift to focus on him. "Whoever has tapped into this magic has made it clear he knows where to find you, Reese. You and Vincent need to stay alert and take any necessary precautions. Ultimately, only you can make the decision to go back into the vault. And should you choose to do it, we will keep you as safe as possible. The Valentinos have a good relationship with the diocese there. We can arrange to have the church to ourselves for a short period of time, with only the bishop being aware of our purpose."

"Does the bishop know the Valentinos are gollums?"

"Yes, most of the high-ranking members know about our unique nature, and they have sworn to keep our secrets. But none of them know about the vault. Only the bishop will be given the privilege, and only because there is no good way around it. The best secrets are kept in a very tight circle."

Vincent stalked back to his chair and dropped heavily into it, making the frame creak. He almost looked disappointed not to have found something malicious on the photograph. He also didn't seem interested in approaching the elephant in the room, so I did it for him, still wearing the facade that I had my wits about me.

"How soon can we sequester the vault?" I asked.

"We can do it tonight, if you're up for it." Charleton glanced at Vincent at the same time I did. "I know you don't like it, Vincent. None of us do. But every minute we wait..."

"He could be plotting his next move," Vincent moaned. "We're going to need the resources of every able gollum in the city for this mission."

"Are you sure you want that many?" Charleton countered. "It might attract unwanted attention from the police, and we already agreed to keep them out of it. I think four scouts will be fine for our purposes."

Vincent snorted but he didn't argue. "Fine. Colin, Adam, Rizzo, and Claudette, since they're already out scouting."

"What are they scouting for?" I asked.

"Anything out of the ordinary," Charleton said. "Magic leaves a trail, but it can only be seen by someone who knows what to look for. Glade is helping them trace the magic back to the source."

"This Glade person sounds really useful. Or is she a gollum?"

"Glade is human, but she is a very sensitive one. She chooses to live away from the city to keep from sensing too much. Convincing her to come was no small task. But she has never turned down a request from a gollum. If you're on board, I just need to call the bishop and arrange for him to meet us. Sometime between three and four AM would be ideal."

Charleton pushed up from his seat and stood over me. Despite the heavy dusting of gray in his hair, and the lines around his eyes, his general girth made me acutely aware of how awesome he must have been in his prime. "I have faith you will find strength for this, Reese. You have already proven that to us. It might be good to meditate before you go. How long has it been since you've conjured the flame?"

"A few weeks. Do you think it's safe for me to practice the mantra? What if it triggers a fever?"

Charleton and Vincent looked at each other and both seemed to agree on something telepathically. "Meditating is fine, but no mantras until we get to the church," Charleton said. "Do you have the words memorized?"

"I don't think I could forget them if I wanted to."

"Good. I'll see you in a few hours. Get some rest." Charleton smiled warmly, and Bonnie followed him to the door. When he left, reality hit me. Was I really going back inside that creepy old vault?

Vincent stood from his seat and took Charleton's place. He lifted my chin as he looked into my eyes. His were like swirling pools of mercury. "You have no idea how close I am to taking you somewhere where no one will find us. I feel like I'm being punished for all my sins."

"What sins? You save people from bad guys. You're going to heaven, Vincent."

"I'm thinking about the stacks of non-disclosure agreements in my office. I'm sure those lifestyle choices didn't earn me any brownie points."

"Stacks?" I blinked at him, trying not to smile. "C'mon, Vincent. You have no reason to feel guilty for sampling from the menu. You were just waiting for the right gollum to come along."

"That's my point. The right gollum has finally come along, and I could lose her."

Before the tears could start flowing...for me, of course, I kissed him. He needed it. We both needed it, and the moment our lips collided, Vincent's arms tightened around me, his heart pounding a desperate rhythm against my chest. The intensity quickly grew as our tongues mingled and our pheromones spiked. I knew he wanted me, and the feeling was very mutual. If shit was going down, I was going down on Vincent – gollum style.

"Vincent, I want you," I said through a gap in our lips.

"I want you, too," he panted back.

"And I want you in your gollum form."

His mouth stopped moving and he pulled away, looking shocked. "Why?"

"You have to ask?" I smirked, hoping to drag playful Vincent away from his tortured thoughts, but he only cocked his head more.

"Pregnant females should avoid assuming their gollum form. It puts less stress on the baby."

"I'm not going to make the change. Only you."

Vincent still looked wary. "I'm less predictable in my gollum form. I don't want to hurt you."

"That's why we have safe words. C'mon..." I reached up and stroked his cheek, trying to work my magic. "Indulge me and I'll love you two times, baby."

Vincent's lips twitched before they lifted into a reluctant smile. "You want me to wear the restraints?"

"I'll leave that up to you."

"In that case, I want them. If you can't get-off in that position, then we'll untie my hands."

"I don't think getting off will be a problem. I'm all tingly just talking about it."

Looking appeased, Vincent lifted me up and carried me into the bedroom. As soon as he had me settled on the bed, he straddled my hips. The bulge in his pants told me his pheromones were fully engaged, and as he slid his knee between my legs, he took fierce possession of my lips.

"Damn, you have me so hard already," he mouthed, grinding his caged beast into my pelvis. "It's going to take forever to make the change."

"Why will it take forever?"

"Because I'm not doing it with a hard-on." Vincent looked pained as he climbed off the bed, and he adjusted himself as he made for the closet. Pushing aside his suits, he reached for the rack of special ties, the ones he used as restraints whenever we had kinky, gollum sex. "Just stay there looking beautiful," he said as he handed the ties over. Then he strode purposefully toward the bathroom, his backside looking good enough to eat under those dark wash jeans.

I stood at the vanity mirror as I removed the tee shirt and sweat pants I'd been living in, and I couldn't help imagining, as I ran my hand over my belly, what I'd look like in another five months. Would I balloon all over? Would my feet swell? The hook and pulley system wouldn't be an option for a while.

A chuckle escaped, and I shook my head. Not the best train of thought right before yummy sex with a gollum. Besides, Vincent loved my curves. I stripped down to my panties and dropped my judgments. Beneath that beautiful bump, I was making a life. Holy shit. I was going to be a mother.

"Reese? Are you alright?" Vincent's deep vibrato rumbled in my ear, and when I turned around, I startled. There he was, all six-foot four of him, plus wings.

"Geez, Vincent. That was quick."

"No, it wasn't. I talked to you from the bathroom, but you didn't respond. You were staring at yourself in the mirror."

I tried to play it off, but I probably looked guilty. "I was just lost in my thoughts."

"Do you want to share them?"

"Not while your pheromones are assaulting me from every direction." I grinned and lifted onto my toes, brushing my fingertips across his full lips and feeling the strength of his sharp canines underneath. I liked dangerous Vincent. "You are my favorite distraction. And now I have the urge to devour you."

I pushed him toward the bed, using the element of surprise to force him back a step. But rather than play along, Vincent snatched me by the arm and swept me up in his wings, smothering the light. Then he brought his face so close to mine, I thought I might drown in his scent.

"First, I would like to know how you plan to devour me." He ground out the words like a threat, his eyes flashing like static, and my muscles tensed when I realized he was serious.

"It was playful banter, Vincent. I'm not really going to eat you. I'm not the one wielding fangs and claws."

For one tense moment, fear took hold as Vincent continued to stare at me. Then he unraveled his wings and stepped back, putting himself in check. "I'm sorry, Reese. It's your scent. It's a strong trigger for me right now. I noticed it before, but it's magnified in my gollum form."

I couldn't help feeling offended by his highly sensitive nose, even though I had one too and knew the influence it could wield. "What does it smell like? Can you describe it?"

"I can't describe it in the traditional way. It's more like a feeling I get when I smell it."

"How does it make you feel?"

"Like I need to defend against it." Even inside his man-of-steel body, Vincent looked helpless, and his granite eyes had paled.

"Are you saying my demon scent is stronger?"

"Yes. But there's something else. Something new."

"Dammit," I groaned. "Whatever evil was on that clip is polluting my body." I stood there, grinding my teeth and wanting to hit something. I knew just how Vincent felt, and I looked up at him as he loomed over me like a mountain; a huge, imposing monolith with the power to conquer the weak. Should I really be afraid of him? Then I felt his knuckle at my chin as he gently lifted my face to his.

"I'll change back, and we'll try this again. But only if you still want to."

"Hell, yes. I still want to. And I still want to use the ties."

"Really? We won't need them."

"What if I want them?" I smiled through my disappointment. It had been a while since we'd had gollum sex, and I was looking forward to the ride. I lowered my gaze to stare at his powerful weapon. He was a sight to behold, and I leaned down to give him a small taste with my tongue. "Mmm, my favorite flavor."

"Reessse..." Vincent hissed out my name. It sounded like a warning, but he didn't budge as I started to lick him slowly. His mast rose even more, growing taut against my lips when I pressed a long, tender kiss to the tip. Then, as my thighs clenched with a needy ache, I took him carefully into my mouth.

"Damn, baby. You're so fucking hot." Another warning but still no retreat. Good. This was fun. I loved gollum-sized Vincent, and I indulged in his strength as he slid across my tongue.

With another hiss, his hand came to rest on my head. I thought he would push me away, but he nudged me forward, putting me through my paces as he hungrily fucked my mouth. It was so damned hot I didn't even notice I was moaning until I felt the vibration of my voice.

"Fuck... Reese..." Vincent's curse rang with a final warning. We were at the crossroads, and I dared him to use the safe words. Dared him to stop the pleasure. This was too good, and he knew it. I told him I would love him two times. The party was just getting started.

With renewed purpose, I took him as deep as my throat would allow, swallowing his plush head and gloating in my ability to tame the beast. He thrust his hips forward, and I struggled not to retch, but it didn't matter. I was in the end zone and taking this one home.

Vincent moved greedily now, with urgent thrusts against my mouth, his hand providing constant encouragement. But his strength suddenly overpowered me, and just as I attempted to pull away, he came hard, coating my throat in bitter warmth and triggering my gag reflex.

Like a drunk after Mardi Gras, my body rejected the fluid, and I back away just in time to spew all over Vincent's taloned feet. Not the finest ending to an intense sexual experience, and one I completely blamed on pregnancy hormones. Yippee.

"Are you alright, Reese?" Vincent crouched in front of me, holding my trembling shoulder with one hand and his dick with the other.

"I'm sorry about that. I guess my gag reflex isn't as good as we thought it was."

Vincent cracked a smile. "Baby, don't apologize. You rocked my world." He brushed my hair back, tucking a strand behind my ear, but I watched as his face fell. "To be honest, your mouth was burning me. Toward the end, I could barely stand it. I didn't stop you because it felt so damned good."

"Like a fever burn?"

"Yes. Can I take your temperature? I know it's a mood killer, but I need to know."

I shrugged as I wiped my mouth with my arm. "Why not? Nothing can kill a mood like spewing after a blow job."

Vincent pressed his palm to my forehead before leaning down to kiss it. "Don't sweat it, beautiful."

"So, barring a fever, we aren't done here, right?"

He blessed me with a gallant yet devilish smile. The one that first hooked me. "Not by a long shot."