CHAPTER 11
When Rachel, Jenks, and Ivy got home, they found Jax and the others scattered around the sanctuary, unconscious. They each woke up as their father shook them gently, though none had any memory of what had happened. Rex, padding into the room at the sound of voices, took one look at Rachel, arched her back and hissed, and ran away.
"Do you think it was Newt?" Ivy asked quietly, not wanting to worry Jenks.
Rachel shook her head. "If they annoyed her enough to get her attention, they'd all be dead. Besides, we just saw her, and even if she had reason to show up again, it'd be wherever I am."
"How are you doing?"
"You mean having the psycho bitch queen of the ever after for a demon tutor, instead of a mass murdering, slave trading rapist?" Rachel shrugged. "About as well as can be expected, I suppose. I wish I could get out of the deal all together but that's obviously not going to happen, and I have to admit, Newt has taught me a couple of interesting things."
Ivy shook her head. "What I don't get is Al. Letting you go without a fight? It doesn't sound like him."
"You're right. I'm sure he's up to something, but what can he really do? It's Newt." Rachel's stomach rumbled and she smiled sheepishly, her cheeks reddening. "I guess I shouldn't have skipped lunch."
Ivy slowly caressed the witch's midsection, smiling at the ripple of lust that passed through Rachel and set her instincts alight. Once upon a time, she would have gone black-eyed and been forced to run away, but since they became lovers the desires were no longer unrequited and were easier to deal with. "Do you want to cook something?" Ivy asked. "Or order out?"
Rachel first thought was pizza, though that idea was squelched almost before it was done forming. She and Ivy both agreed the best pizza in Cincinnati had come from Piscary's, but after he died and Rynn Cormel took over the restaurant was closed down and remolded into the master vampire's new residence. "I'm in the mood for Italian."
"I'll get the phone." Ivy noticed a light flashing. "Hey, there's a message." She hit the answer button.
"Hi everyone. It's Ceri." The elf, who had spent a thousand years as Al's familiar, used to live across the street at Keasley's and was now in the Kalamack compound with Quen, another elf, Trent Kalamack's right hand man and the soon to be father of her child. "I just wanted to tell you…" Her voice got several octaves higher. "…it's a girl! Seven pounds, nine ounces. Quen and I have decided to name her Ria Lynn, which in old elvish means Light of my Heart." Her voice grew muffled, as if she was talking to someone with a hand over the speaker. "…understand that, Trenton, but they are my friends. All right. Hi. Sorry. We would love you guys to meet her. So you know, we are at Trenton's home, not the hospital, so if you have the time, please come by and meet our daughter."
Rachel smiled. "Finally. Some good news."