Free Hammer Down: Children of the Undying: Book 2 by Moira Rogers Page A

of suspicion, but it helped. “Will do. How’s your view these days?”
    “A little overgrown, but I can see well enough. May have to work on those obstructions soon, though.”
    “If it gets too bad, you can always crash with us for a while. I know your allergies act up where you are.” As if the word allergies could encompass the pain Graham lived with as a halfblood hiding his nature among humans. Visiting the club with the screwy ADS was the closest thing the man got to respite. So much time linked up would have driven Zel homicidal by now, but Graham had always been a law unto himself.
    Now, he looked calm. Almost serene. “A few sniffles never hurt anyone, my friend.”
    Crazy motherfucker. Either that or he got off on the pain, which was the sort of thing Zel was more comfortable not considering too closely. “Good to hear. I gotta get a move on. Just remember the light’s always on.”
    “I’ll do that.” Graham shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned. “Say hello to her for me, would you?”
    Zel played dumb. “Who, Hail? Girl looks like she’s carrying triplets these days.”
    “Mmm, I meant your guest. But you do have your hands full.” He turned away. “Take care, Dominic.”
    Dominic. It was his given name, but it sounded odd coming from anyone but his mother. Of course, considering where they were, it was smart. Men and women with a demon kink tended to know their halfbloods, and Zel wasn’t a common name.
    Graham was, but Zel wasn’t taking any chances. “Night, man. Catch you next time.”
    “Of course you will.” He disappeared into the shadows, still looking like the villain in an old black-and-white espionage film, the kind Trip would dig out of the archives and try to make people watch in the common rooms.
    The woman he’d been with was probably still around, but Zel had no desire to find her again. He couldn’t even work up the enthusiasm to find someone else. Pure, old-fashioned lust had worked its way under his skin, and it wouldn’t leave until Devi did.

Chapter Seven
    Zel’s second proved to be a petite brunette with mocha skin and shockingly blue eyes, one who looked like she might go into labor at any second. She smiled at Devi, dismissed Lorenzo with a wave and gestured to a worn but well-padded chair. “I hope you don’t mind being casual. I’m more comfortable on the sofa.”
    “I understand.” Zel’s reluctance to have the woman trek out to the visitors’ area made sense. Devi perched on the edge of the chair. “Should you be…dealing with me at the moment? I can come back later.”
    “I’m fine. The men overreact because neither of them has the slightest experience with pregnant women. Besides, I don’t think you mean to cause me any distress.”
    “Not in the least.”
    “Good. How is your crew settling in? Is everyone comfortable enough? And your girl, Cache? Is she feeling better?”
    Devi inclined her head. Cache had healed completely—physically. Dealing with the psychological aftermath of the demon attack would be far messier. “I meant to ask if I could thank your healer. Rosalyn, I think?”
    Regret painted Hailey’s features. “I can pass on your thanks, but for now it’s probably not a good idea. I’m sure you can understand that for a community like Rochester, a healer is a precious commodity.”
    You’re not a guest, Devi. “I understand.”
    “I hope you’ll also understand that it isn’t personal. You’ve come upon us at an unsettled time, and tensions are running particularly high. Usually I’m able to ease them but…” She laid a hand on her rounded belly. “I don’t move quite as quickly as I used to.”
    There was obviously more to it, but Devi didn’t push. “I can endure a lot, as long as my crew is safe. But I won’t be able to reassure them forever.”
    “Of course. Shall we dispense with the sweet diplomacy and speak frankly?”
    Relief suffused Devi. “I’m not very good with anything else.”
    “I am,