Chapter Thirty-Seven

Expression of Concern

"Yup. OK. Yup, that's cool. We'll be there, Val. Bye!" Tanith put down the phone and met Ghastly's gaze. She was at Ghastly's house, and they were preparing to leave for England to capture Sanguine.

"It's all good. Val says Fletcher has agreed to get us there."

"OK."

Tanith walked past, to go upstairs, but Ghastly reached out and held her, from behind. Tanith smiled at the strong, warm arms wrapped around her waist. Ghastly's chin was resting gently on the top of her head.

"I'm worried, Tanith." Tanith couldn't see his face but she knew what his expression of concern looked like.

"About what?"

"Sanguine."

"I've beat him before."

Tanith felt Ghastly's right hand move from her waist, to cover the telltale outward curve of her lower belly. Tanith let her head fall back onto his shoulder. Now she understood.

"Ah."

"Exactly. I'm afraid that if you go into open combat with him, he'll do something that will make you lose our child."

"Your concern is valid…"

"I can't let that become reality, Tanith."

Tanith inhaled and exhaled slowly. "What do you think we should do? You know I want to fight him, but I won't if he knows about my pregnancy…But I can't not go to England just because I'm carrying a child. Think about it. Valkyrie's pregnant as well…you'd lose two people of the team when you need as many as you can get."

"Yes…I know. Would you feel better if the White Cleaver came with us?"

The words hung in the air, for longer than strictly fair. "Well…"

"I've no love for him myself, but he's a good fighter. He can easily beat Sanguine, without the help of Skulduggery, me, yourself, Valkyrie, Lythia, and Fletcher."

"I think we should save The White Cleaver's services for another time."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"OK. In any aspect, I thought four fighters were enough anyway. It was just a suggestion."

"Six fighters. Valkyrie and me aren't crippled: we'll do what we safely can."

Ghastly's sigh could be felt by Tanith as it tousled her hair slightly. "I guess so."

"Yes. But if Sanguine somehow knows I'm pregnant…I'll avoid him. He'll be out to make my day miserable."

"Agreed."

Ghastly's hand dropped from Tanith's belly and they separated. Before Tanith went upstairs she gave Ghastly a kiss on the cheek.