unbarring

Julian and Adrian were put on Jess duty.

Adrian was doing all the holding and trying to make her feel better, since Julian had just been told about their options.

The first fifteen minutes he raged and wanted someone to fight. Apparently, his victim of choice was Jai, but since he couldn't get to him, he wanted his mate. And not for comfort. He wanted someone he could scream at and not feel guilty about it.

She decided that was a good thing where their relationship was concerned.

His mood changed as soon as he realized she wasn't strong enough to go get Damous.

Julian knew how this work. Soon she'd have days where she could do nothing but lay still and try not to move.

"You were really sick before. Too sick, and that was when you could still feel him. Now you can't feel him at all. How bad is it going to get, Jess? Babe, I can't lose you."

"Babe, let's talk about something else. I get enough panic and doom from my guy. Let's talk about where your guy is tonight."

He was so worried that he couldn't manage his stern face. "Since you sent him there, I'm sure you know where he is."

"Lanie's dads were thrilled to talk to him. Dude needs some answers. Do you need some answers? They could make some drawings."

"I need you to be okay."

"I know."

After that was off his chest, he did what he always did. He went about getting her mind off her troubles. He's always believed that a pissed off Jess was better than a sad one.

"Let's go make mincemeat out of him. We can take him."

"Such a lie. We got lucky. Wouldn't do any good, anyway. Have you seen the New Ruler?"

"Damn."

She grinned. "Exactly what I said."

"I could almost understand it if I was attracted to him. He'd definitely be more my type."

They all looked up to see Damous and Aunt Sarah standing there. Damous was holding Thaddeus like he was a basketball but the evil one didn't seem to mind as he tried to poke Damous in the eye.

The guy looked devastated as he handed the baby over and left.

"He doesn't realize you're full of shit."

Julian looked pained at the thought of chasing after him, but she also knew it would pain him at the thought of not chasing after him.

"When are you going to stop making my same mistakes?" She asked with a shake of her head.

"I'm supposed to be here watching over you."

"Adrian is here. Go."

Her aunt watched him go with a weary smile, all while dodging her son's desire to poke someone's eyes out.

"No one ever learns from someone else's mistakes. They always have to learn from their own."

"Any advice on how I can help him?"

"Just let him learn it, honey. Usually, we need the lesson. You still look under the weather. Should we stay in tonight? I could make you soup."

"You do enough cooking. Go enjoy company that's above the spitting up age. I have plenty of people to make sure I eat."

"That's true. I can't keep up with all your boyfriends, honey."

Jess offered a smile. "Me neither."

"Do you know someone asked me how does it feel having a niece who's the Queen? I swear I didn't know who she was talking about for a minute. You'll always just be Jess to me. I guess I better get this one cleaned up while he's in a good mood."

Jess settled back into Adrian's arms when her aunt left the room.

"You're not fooling her."

Jess sighed. "I know."

"My touch doesn't help you as much as it used to."

Another sigh. "It does. Stop feeling so guilty."

"It's my job to find them."

"And you are. Should I point out that you are doing it across an entire planet and all of outer space? Why were you not speaking when Julian was here?"

"I found two of them. As soon as my King boarded the ship."

"That's great." She was truly excited, but she could see that he wasn't. "But not all three."

"No."

"Tell me about them."

"One is human, but she's been raised a Ratkilgon."

"How old is she?"

"Fifteen. She is proving troublesome."

"I would imagine. How long was she with them?"

"Young enough that she doesn't know better. She tried to keep my King as hers."

"She has good taste. Poor kid."

"Yes, my Queen, but she will heal among us."

"And the other one?"

"Male and the youngest of all of us. He's also half Ratkilgon, my Queen."

"My mate will be feeling disappointment right now. He didn't find all three of them and the two he did find are just children who's had a rough start. He's hoping for a miracle."

"Anyone in his place would be."

"I feel sorry for Pensley. Like you, he must be feeling the pressure. Do you think if we have all of us, it will make a different?"

"I do. I think that we all need each other, all of us powerful in our own right, but together, we are meant to rule the world. How can we do that if one of us is missing? Why would the universe make us need twenty-one of us if we could lose one of them before we have even begun? You're meant to be saved and whoever gave us these gifts, gave us what we need to save you."

She slapped him on the shoulder. "Why haven't you told Kellum that?"

His smile was gentle and still uneasy. "Because he will not believe me. He won't be okay until you are."

"See, I told Frick you were better at making me feel better. So, we find the last one, I'm not worried. You will."

"Pensley and Dezrick are working on it. They will search all his visions till they find an answer."

"Is the seat next to him still empty? It could be as simple as that."

"I hope not." He sighed. "But maybe. If the last of us was anywhere near, I would feel him."

"We didn't feel Savion at first."

His frown was back. "True. I think it was because he would not accept who he is. Even now it is hard to feel anything from him except for shame."

"Help him, Adrian. Until Kellum and I can."

"I will, my Queen."

"Did you see Pensley's face today? I remember a time when his face was a blank canvas. I like to think I've had a hand in that. Thanks to me, he's getting lucky these days. Way more lucky than usual. He was probably always getting lucky, but I'm not sure she ever got lucky, if you know what I mean. So, yay for Pensley!"

"Is there anyone you aren't trying to get laid?"

She offered the smile he was hoping for. "Not you. Yet."

"Oh, no, my Queen. I like the lifestyle I have. At least for now. All of you that have your mates make it look very exhausting."

"God, yes."

Extreme relief filled her when Kellum appeared. He was safe, and he was here. Somehow, she'd survived him being in danger without her. Good girl, Jess! "I was just about to tell him how you won't give me any. You think tonight__."

The mini Ratkilgon warrior standing just behind him shifted and if looks could kill, Jess would be a goner.

Crap. "I'm guessing the answer is no."