DAVE
Crystal Territory
The attack comes at dawn, two weeks before our sons are due, tearing me from sleep with the blessing screaming warnings through every nerve ending. The blood crystals sing a frequency that makes my teeth ache and my bones vibrate—a sound beneath sound that only those connected to them can perceive. Through our bond, I feel Kat jolt awake beside me, the boys immediately responding to danger with violent movement that makes her gasp.
"Stay here," I command, already pulling on clothes, the October cold irrelevant against blessed skin.
"Like hell—"
"Empress, please. You're two weeks from delivery." I kiss her hard, tasting frustration and fear mixed with her unique flavor. "Let me handle this. The boys need you safe."
Through our bedroom window, I see them clearly—
