Page 43 of The Storm
“No.” He cleared his throat. “I actually thought about that, but since she refuses to talk—Zana says she’s never spoken willingly as long as he’s known her, and that’s over fifteen years—I don’t think shields would be effective. She has to use her voice to make magic, doesn’t she?”
“Yes.”
Max shook his head. “I don’t think she would.”
“Would she for her child?”
Max frowned.
“There are spells,” Renata said. “Spells to protect your daughter from the voices.”
“But Evin is old enough to learn her own shielding.”
“And if her mother refuses to shield her, I’ll teach her those spells. But if Thawra thinks that the only way she can protect her daughter is with her voice, then I’m betting she’ll use it. And if she uses it for her daughter, she can use it for herself too. And if she uses it for herself, then she’ll know that she has power.”
For some reason, giving Thawra power felt important. That was something her mother would be proud of. That was something Renata could do. She couldn’t bring back her family, but she could help this mother and her child.
She could at least do that.
* * *
Max keptZana out in the yard, chopping firewood with him while Renata went to the library. As she entered, she heard Evin giggle. Thawra was building a fort from the blankets and the furniture left in the library, using odds and ends to hold the blankets in place as Evin rolled under them in the red sleeping bag Max had given them.
“Are you and Baba going to sleep down here with me?”
Thawra signed, and Renata was surprised and pleased that the woman used British Sign Language, the same as her sister Mala used.
We’ll sleep in our own bed, little bug.
“But why? There’s room here,” Evin whined. “I want us to be all together.”
We are always together. Maybe Baba wants a rest from your kicks at night, huh?Thawra smiled.
“I do not kick Baba!”
You do. You kick me too.
“Are you going to tell the nice man about the new baby?”
Renata must have made sound of surprise, because Thawra and Evin both turned toward her.
“You’re pregnant?” Renata asked.
Thawra looked frightened, and Evin quickly scrambled out of the blanket fort and over to Renata.
“I was just pretending,” the little girl said. “I was just—”
Thawra clapped and brought Evin to attention.
Don’t lie,she signed.Especially to those offering shelter to us. Let me and Baba deal with this.
“Mama, I’m sorry.”
Thawra’s whole face softened.Little bug, don’t be sorry. I’m happy you’re excited about the baby.
“Babies are exciting things,” Renata said quietly. “I’m sure you’ll be an excellent big sister.”
No wonder the Grigori had fought so fiercely. He wasn’t only protecting his child, he was also protecting a pregnant mate. Irin men were known to be more than a bit wild and overprotective when their mates were pregnant.
