Free Lucian's Soul by Hazel Gower Page A

you go again. You’re so special and I’m so lucky. I love you, Tessa.” The last words were faint but she was sure that what she heard as she snuggled in and let the sleep claim her.
    ****
    Tessa woke more refreshed than ever. Then her mind flashed to images of yesterday and her anger started to rise. Lucian wasn’t in bed. She knew she’d fallen asleep with him. Stretching, she got out of bed and did her morning business and took an extra-long shower.
    “Your daddy is in big trouble. This time, when I see him, he’d better answer my questions and not waylay me.” She rubbed her stomach and walked to the walk-in wardrobe. Clothes that Lucian had bought her many months ago still hung next to his, and Tessa fingered the expensive garments. Picking out the largest item, she tried putting it on, groaning when the top wouldn’t even go over her enormous breasts. Since getting pregnant her breasts had tripled in size. Giving up on the nice clothes, she tried the draws hoping she could find some stretchy pants that could sit under her belly. Her underwear was still in the top draw and she grabbed some panties, not bothering with a bra—knowing it wouldn’t fit. Going to the third draw, she found some black yoga stretch pants and put them on. She didn’t bother with the shirts since they wouldn’t fit either. She took one of Lucian’s plain blue shirts and put it on.
    Dressed, she headed downstairs in search of Lucian. The house seemed quiet, but with the house so big a bunch of people could be in it and she’d never know. “Lucian!” she called at the top of her lungs. Tessa remembered Lucian telling her he had excellent hearing, so she figured if she yelled once he would know she was looking for him.
    She made her way to the kitchen, finding it empty. Going to the fridge, she gathered milk, butter, and vegemite. Tessa put the items down on the kitchen bench and smiled when she opened the cupboard to see her hot chocolate. Getting it down with a mug, she made herself a hot chocolate and got bread out to make a vegemite sandwich. Gathering her food and drink, she sat at the table.
    As she ate, Tessa looked around her, surprised Lucian hadn’t come to her. Swallowing her mouthful, she called him again. “Lucian! Lucian, are you here?”
    A man she hadn’t seen before came from down the hall. He looked almost like Lucian’s clone. He was tall with the same jet black hair, but his was a short buzz cut and his eyes were a dark green—they pierced her to her core. Aside from his hair and eyes a couple of day’s stubble, this man looked identical to Lucian. Holy crap . Tessa gulped as she gazed down and noticed he wore no shirt, only shorts. His body was covered in sweat and wow…what a body. He was all muscle-sculpted perfection. The man before her was gorgeous.
    “Um…er…Hi,” she mumbled, unable to stop staring at his six-pack abs as they flexed. He walked closer to her.
    “Lucifer isn’t here.”
    She shook her head and looked up at him. As soon as her gaze caught his she was struck by his eyes that swirled with black.
    “He should be home anytime now.” His gaze seemed to hold her in a hostile force. “I’m Balthazar.”  He took her hand, shaking it with an almost painful grip.
    “I’m…um…Tessa. Tessa Jackson.”
    “I know who you are.” Balthazar placed his hands gently on her stomach and she gasped as a black mass came from Balthazar and flowed to her stomach.
    Shaking her head, she screamed at the sight before her. What the hell was happening? Backing up, she batted Balthazar away but he just followed, almost floating along with her. Holy shit, she’d seen this before. It had replayed over and over in her head while she’d been away. This was what Lucian had been doing to Xore.
    Tessa stopped screaming and watched, horrified, as the black mass came from Balthazar and seeped into her. Taking a calming breath, Tessa listened to her body. Hunger and happiness washed over her. The babies