Defender (New World Book 7) (21 page)

Taz was creeping closer. Macey turned the wide-eyed bundle in her arms. “That is your daddy. Will you let him close or will you send him flying?”

The baby yawned. Taz came within a foot and the shield shimmered, growing brighter. He wasn’t allowed closer.

“Sorry, Taz. It isn’t me.”

“I know. She’ll get used to me. But first she needs to sleep. I think that shield will be up for a while. It’s a good thing I sealed the others in for the night. They have food and water. Hopefully Jinx behaves. If she threatens to dig herself out one more time, I’ll be tempted to put her over my knee.”

“Jinx is strong willed. She’s tough and fragile. Give her time. She’ll listen to you over time. She needs to find where she fits. She’s too old to need you as a father and yet young enough to need guidance.”

“She’s crazy.”

“She’s not crazy. You’re just not used to defiance. Haven and Skylar do everything you say. They adore you, you have become dad to them; you became dad to them a long time ago. Jinx tolerates you. Give her some space; she’ll come around.”

“She better have her ass on a bed when we get home. The second the door is open, she’s gone. I swear one day she’ll figure out how to transport herself through the damned door. I’m tired of looking for her.”

“And yet you do every time.”

Taz gave her a lopsided grin. “She’s fucking accident prone, logs and rocks sneak up on that girl to send her flying. Besides, I’m the defender. It’s my job, look at the fine print.”

Macey laughed, it was one of Jinx’s favorite sayings. “Maybe Jinx is a little bit of a bad influence on you.”

“Are you cold? You’re kinda naked.”

“I am completely naked and no I’m not cold, or hot or hungry or thirsty. I’m tired.”

“Then go to sleep. My shield is generating. My power has increased. I’m thinking of juggling a few rhinos to pass the time.”

Macey smiled with the image. She gazed down at her daughter. The cord had severed by itself. She and child were clean, Macey’s bleeding stopped. There was no ache between her legs. Macey curled on her side and closed her eyes. She saw a few bugs crawl under them but nothing touched them.

Kick-ass shield, very cool.

* * * *

Taz held his daughter. Ally was the most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on. Macey slept in the crook of his arm. His child was half human and half Tonan. There was hope for his kind. Her baby shield would keep her safe until Taz needed to. Nothing could touch her or Macey for years to come.

“Is she asleep?” Macey asked.

“Yes,”

“The shield was amazing.”

“Nothing can hurt either of you. The shield is like nothing I can explain. It’s created from love. It’s stronger than my shield but serves only one purpose—to keep the baby safe. For the baby to be safe, her mother must be safe. My species is all about emotion. When I made love to you and gave you a piece of my shield for our child, it has not only male DNA but female. The best of both mother and father. When it drops, I will keep you both safe. I swear it.”

“You always have, my defender.”

“I love you both so much. Hundreds of years of hate and hurt mean nothing to me. It was worth every second since you are my end result. I would die a thousand deaths to hold you both the way I can now.”

“We’ve come a long way since the day we first met.”

“You were then, and will always be, my little human female.”

Macey rolled her eyes in perfect imitation of Haven. “The term human female is redundant.”

Taz laughed. “Maybe so, but you’re still mine. I think it’s time to take our little one home to our family. What do we tell the others about the birth?”

“I will tell them you were wonderful. You can tell them I thought you were wonderful. It won’t be a lie.”

Macey rose and began walking. Taz jumped to his feet. He could feel the smile on his face. He ran and as he ran he scooped Macey up and his shield enveloped them. Macey called him her super hero. She and Ally were curled against his chest. She was right; they had come a long way. Something told Taz they had a long way to go. Time would tell. But right at this moment it was their time, it was enough.

Please call me Connie! It’s been fantastic working with great publishers and following my dream of writing. When I’m not writing, I’m busy looking after my children, husband, grandkids and the family pet, our newest addition, a mastiff pup named Aramis, after the Three Musketeers.

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