Page 28 of By the Horns
“All books pertaining to magic were destroyed in the Mancer Wars,” Sparrow continues. “I’m waiting to get my hands on a history of northern families from Jackdaw’s desk, but I don’t know that it will say much. It’s entirely possible they were erased from that particular history, as all the mentions I’ve found are fleeting. I’ll keep trying, though.”
“Don’t bother yourself. It won’t tell us anything other than necromancers existed, not how to turn the powers off. As long as there are no other bodies found, I’m fine. I’ll just devote myself to my studies.”
Sparrow nods, her spectacles sliding down her nose. “I’m glad you’re with Kipp. He knows what he’s doing, and he’s loyal to you. He’s probably the best one on the team.”
I consider this. “Raptor’s even more impressive than Kipp, if I’m being honest. He’s just as competent, and he makes friends everywhere he goes. It can’t hurt to have both of them pull me along as the weaker party.”
“Raptorisfriendly,” she admits.
For some reason, her simple praise irritates me. “He’s ridiculous. That Taurian would flirt with a statue…and then the statue would blush!” Why won’t I shut up about him?
“You sound like you don’t like him.”
“I like him just fine,” I protest. I don’t want it getting around that I can’t get along with Hawk’s best friend.
Her eyes gleam. “Aha. You like him too much.”
“Of course not.” But my face gets hot. Why is it I can always keep my cool unless Raptor is mentioned, and then I blush like a virgin?
A cat winds its way across her desk again, and she nudges it aside, her focus on me. “No judgment here, but do you need a charm?”
“A charm? What for?” I’m not following.
“So you can’t get pregnant, of course. There’s nothing wrong with getting close to someone, especially if neither of you have commitments, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that Taurians are notoriouslyvirile.” She taps her lip with a finger, thinking. “Oh, wait. There’s not a Conquest Moon.”
“You mean that time when Hawk went into a rut and jumped you back in the crypt?”
“Right.” She blushes bright pink, her tone formal. “Taurians go into rut only at that time and aren’t truly in control of themselves. They aren’t fertile unless it’s the Conquest Moon. It’s when the god’s hand is upon them. I suppose you don’t need birth control after all.”
“It’s sweet of you to worry, but it isn’t necessary. I’m not sleeping with anyone,” I say primly. I’m not averse to sex. Sex is amazing. But I don’t want a reputation that I’ve slept my way into the guild. I haven’t touched anyone since that day with Raptor. I open my mouth to tell her there’s no way I can be pregnant…
…and then I stop.
Because I’ve not had my period. Not in two months. Granted, I’ve skipped for a month or two before because of stress, and it’s certainly been stressful lately.
I also had sex with a Taurian recently.
A notoriously virile Taurian.
Who has a knot outside of the Conquest Moon. Does that mean he’s fertile outside of it, too?
Oh gods. Am Ipregnant? On top of everything else?
I want to run out of the room and throw up, but I don’t know if that’s nerves or morning sickness. Digging my fingers into my palms, I offer Aspeth a tight smile. “I’m good, but thank you. Master Jay has us all bunking in the same room to build companionship, so it’s not as if I’d have time alone with him.”
“He does? Ew.” She wrinkles her nose, which causes her spectacles to slide down.
“He does,” I agree, voice firm to hide my trembling. “And on that note, I should probably return before someone starts looking for me. I’m supposed to be helping out with laundry to earn a few coins.”
It’s a lie, because I’m refusing to touch any sort of chore out of fear that someone will catch me. But it sounds like something I’d do, and it’ll give me an excuse to leave. I drop the cat out of my lap and give Sparrow a hug, because she’s obsessed with hugs now.
Then I quickly exit back onto the cobbled roads of Vastwarren. The bustle of the afternoon streets feels like a relief. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting the city’s stink wash over me.
It doesn’t help.
What am I going to do if I’m muckingpregnant?
Twelve
