Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

and if Andrea or Raphael went nuts because their baby was born loup, the two renders would do whatever they had to do to neutralize them.
    Both Pearce and Jezebel were watching me carefully. They assessed me as a potential threat. They weren’t entirely wrong. If Andrea busted out of that door, carrying her child and trying to escape, I wasn’t sure what I would do. I would probably help her. It would be wrong and would makethings harder on everyone, but in that moment she would be my friend running for her life and I would do what I had to do to keep her safe. The renders would present a formidable obstacle: Pearce was bad news from what little I could remember of him, and Jezebel would prove a problem. I had seen her take people down, and once she got her hands on them, they didn’t get back up.
    I could see Jim’s hand all over this. Julie owed Jezebel her life for at least one incident. Jim handpicked Jezebel for this guard duty because he knew both Andrea and I would be reluctant to hurt her.
    I would still fight them.
    That was why I made a piss-poor Consort. Following the laws, even fair ones, was never my strongest suit.
    Pearce rose and walked away. Jezebel and I kept eye contact, smiling at each other. The male render returned and sat back on the couch. Nobody said anything. I got up, took a paperback from a basket Doolittle kept by the door, and began reading.
    We sat quietly for another half hour. Andrea would be fine. She would be completely fine. Her baby would be fine, too. I had gotten to the part where the diabolical serial killer had killed the heroine’s dog and burned down her apartment when the two renders sat a little straighter in their seats. I glanced at the door. Curran came in, making no sound as he moved. He sat next to me, picked up my hand, and squeezed it.
    â€œAre you okay?”
    No.
“Yes.”
    He kept his fingers wrapped around mine. Yeah, he wasn’t buying it. That’s the trouble with sharing your life with someone. They know when you bullshit.
    The two renders relaxed.
    â€œCalled in the cavalry?” I asked them.
    â€œJust being proactive,” Pearce said.
    Jezebel gave me an apologetic look.
    â€œAndrea and Raphael are members of the Pack,” Curran said. “The law is clear, and they know exactly what to do. You aren’t a member of thePack and you’re the former Consort. It’s confusing, and renders don’t like confusing.”
    â€œNo, my lord,” Jezebel said. “We don’t.”
    â€œNot your lord anymore.” Curran smiled at her.
    â€œHow did it go at the Guild?” I asked.
    â€œIt went fine. Had some minor annoying things to take care of. Anyway, Ascanio said you went to see the witches.”
    My whole body tried to squeeze itself into a fist. “Later.”
    Curran studied me. “Okay. Later.”
    â€œAndrea’s been taking panacea,” I said.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œShe will be fine.”
    He nodded. “Yes.”
    â€œHer baby won’t go loup.” I was talking to myself now.
    â€œIt will be okay, baby.”
    The double doors clanged open. The renders and I jumped to our feet. Curran wrapped his arms around me, pinning my back to his chest. Nasrin appeared in the doorway, her face tired.
    I forgot how to breathe.
    â€œCome on.” Nasrin stepped aside, letting us through.
    We followed her through the doors. My heart was beating too fast. Andrea half lay, half sat on the bed, propped up on pillows, her blond hair damp, looking like she’d sprinted all the way to Florida and back. Raphael stood next to her with his back to us. Doolittle slumped in his wheelchair, exhausted. The rest of the people must’ve left through the side door.
    Where was the baby?
    Raphael turned. A small bundle of blankets rested in his arms. He moved one of the folds aside, revealing a tiny red squished face and a shock of dark hair.
    â€œBeatrice Kate Medrano,” he