Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 83205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
"Lies," the blonde female in front of me says, her tone practically a snarl. "You know my kids are the fucking cutest, you monster."
But Nadine just laughs at her, waving away her words. "You are far too competitive, Liz. Come on, Aidy. Corvak can manage without you for a moment, right?"
"Actually I'll stay with him," Aidy says, ever loyal, and holds me even tighter. "Until we get settled, at least."
The female leader, the Liz, points a finger at Aidy and Nadine. "Do we need to have a cute-off? Because I'm game. Wait until you see my little Ahsoka. She's got a gap between her front teeth that would make the Gerber baby shit a brick in jealousy. It's the fucking best."
"It is pretty cute," chimes in another female, who moves forward and puts a fat, enormous infant into my mate's arms. "But not as cute as this baby!"
"Oh my goodness," Aidy breathes, juggling the heft of the child and giggling. "So big! Just look at you!"
I swallow hard, remembering the conversation about babies and how they emerge when the stomach is distended. I cannot picture it, and the thought terrifies me. The creature in Aidy's arms is so much bigger than I envisioned, and the realization makes me dizzy. "Is…is the size of that thing normal?"
Aidy laughs, jiggling the child in her arms as it puts a fat hand on her chin. "What a big, perfect girl you are. Or boy. Or whatever."
“Boy,” the mother says shyly. "His name is Varukhal.”
"Come on," Nadine says to Aidy again. "Liz is probably rounding up all her girls so you can ooh and aww over them."
Her arms full, my mate looks up at me. Her eyes are sparkling with delight, and it is clear to me that she wants to see the babies, all of them. There is no reason for me to hold her at my side, other than that I am uncomfortable and feeling isolated even amongst so many strangers. "Go on," I say softly, encouraging her. "Have fun."
Again she hesitates, and I shake my head. I don't want anyone thinking that I'm forcing her to be at my side. She is free to come and go as she pleases. She tilts her face up for a kiss, leaning in, and we kiss quickly over the baby before she goes and follows the other females.
I am left with the scarred male standing in front of me. He continues to glower as if I have offended him, arms crossed. I glance around, looking for a familiar face, but I do not see Thrand or even Vordis. U'dron has his arms wrapped around a female and a child of his own, sharing a private moment. I am alone.
"Brothers?" the scarred male asks suddenly.
I'm not sure I heard him correctly. "What?"
"Do you have brothers?" he repeats.
I shake my head, puzzled. "I am a splice. I am created in a lab—"
"Thrand and Vordis were created in a lab. They are brothers."
"They are a'ani. It is different." A'ani are often grouped together when sold to instill camaraderie and a sense of teamwork. I am a gladiator, created to be a fighter. There is no teamwork involved.
He grunts, then flicks a hand, indicating I should follow him. "Come. I would have you meet someone."
Who? There is no one I can imagine meeting here, no one that I am to seek out. Now I am curious, though, and I follow behind the tall, surly mesakkah as he strides through the group. We leave the cluster of people behind, heading out for the far end of the beach. I glance back at Aidy, making sure that my mate is safe. She is surrounded by women, holding one baby and talking happily to a much smaller human who has the same thick curls that Nadine does. Aidy glances up, her gaze seeking me out.
I nod at her and indicate she should stay where she is. She is safe and happy, and that is all that matters. So I follow the male, wondering where exactly we are going.
It becomes apparent soon enough. Not all of the tribe joined us when we arrived, it seems. There is a male on the beach, holding a long stick of some kind and watching as a child races around on the flat sands. He turns as he sees us approaching, his tail flicking.
As we get closer, I stare.
And stare.
It is another splice…and he looks just like me. When I pause to stand in front of him, I realize he could be my brother. Our manes are the same shade of dark gray, tufted around the face and neck. He has the same build I do, the same lack of mesakkah horns but the mesakkah ears. When he narrows his eyes in suspicion, it is like I am looking at a reflection.