Page 20 of 12 Months of Mayhem

Séamus took my son and sat him on the table, then pulled up a chair where he took a seat in front of Anson.

“It’s okay, Mommy,” Anson said as he blinked at me from his perch.

Séamus placed his hands on either side of Anson’s head and closed his eyes. Anson stared blankly at the man, and I didn’t like that one bit. But he didn’t appear to be hurting in any way.

After what seemed like forever, Séamus dropped his hands, and Anson blinked.

“I told you. It’s the grocery store lady,” Anson insisted as he crossed his arms stubbornly over his little chest.

Séamus actually chuckled. “Yes, you certainly did.” He turned to me. “You may return him to his grandmother. Then I need you to come back.”

I swallowed hard, then scooped up my son and hurried him back to the room with my mom. I kissed his head. To him, I said, “Mommy loves you. Thank you for being a big, brave boy.”

My mom stared at me in question.

“I’ll explain later,” I told her before I hurried back out to the common area.

The men were all talking. They turned to face me.

“I know where Dalton is and who has him. We need to go get him now. Tomorrow may be too late. She’s young and doesn’t fully understand her abilities. Tomorrow is the full moon; she will be planning to breed with him,” Séamus explained.

What he said sunk in, and I practically screeched, “She what?”

“I didn’t think a succubus could breed with a demon,” Mako cut in, the center of his brow tugging down.

“They can’t. But Dalton isn’t a demon. He’s the product of one of the original fallen angels and a human. Though she was an Amplifier, she was still human, which makes Dalton more of a super nephilim. Two totally different things, though a bit related,” Séamus explained. “A succubus can get pregnant from a human but will normally utilize certain herbs to prevent pregnancy or simply not have sex during the full moon, as that’s when they are fertile. They aren’t overly maternal and usually don’t want children.”

“Then why the hell does she want one with Dalton?” my uncle asked.

“Annette is a young succubus. She’s been a bit of a wild child. Her father promised to keep her under control, but obviously, she slipped the leash. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say this is all about the power and status she would gain,” Séamus explained. He didn’t look pleased, but I can promise his displeasure had nothing on mine.

“Annette? As in that little blonde bitch who worked at the grocery store back when Dalton did?” I snapped. Fury burned through my veins.

“That explains why she insisted on that consultation,” my uncle confirmed, with an angry scowl. “She said a friend got a tattoo from him, then used Daddy’s pull to squeeze in a consultation with Frosty weeks before he had an opening. I didn’t realize she knew him.”

“Who the hell is her father?” I asked, confused.

“You don’t know him,” my uncle quickly assured me.

I pursed my lips and narrowed my gaze at him. Somehow, I didn’t believe him.

“I think the questions and answers can wait until later. I need to go,” Séamus announced as he tapped his very expensive-looking watch.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” I asked as I started for the door. I didn’t make it two steps before I was stopped by a hand grabbing my arm. Startled, I glanced down at it, then up into the dark blue eyes of the shadow daddy guy.

“You need to stay here.”

“What? Hell no! I’m going.”

“It might not be safe for you. You need to be here for your son,” he explained in a low and extremely patient tone. A chill skated down my spine. I had a suspicion if I fought him on this, he could flip a script in the blink of an eye. There was a coldness to him, and it made me wonder exactly what kind of thing he was. I made a mental note to ask my uncle.

He cocked a brow and smirked as if I’d spoken out loud. “I actually don’t need anyone to go with me.”

“He’s right, little gator,” my uncle agreed. “Stay here with your momma and Anson. If things go bad, he can’t lose both of his parents.”

My stomach bottomed out, and my heart clenched. “Please bring him back to me,” I pleaded.

“I’ll do my best,” he promised. Though that wasn’t exactly comforting, I knew it was the best he could offer. I hugged him and then stepped back.

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