‘Nah,’ said Ryu as Daoud pushed down in a way that must have released whatever was stuck. The big, wrapped package came out, looking only slightly the worse for wear.

Daoud had dressed comfortably in jeans and a T-shirt, knowing he’d be covered in spit-up within minutes. He carried the gift toward the house, pausing to give me a peck on the cheek.

‘Way to give birth a year ago,’ he said, winking cheekily.

‘Thanks,’ I said drily. ‘Get in there and grab a baby. I swear they’re multiplying like Tribbles.’

The djinn chuckled, and did as I bade him, leaving me with my ex. Ryu gave me a big hug, then withdrew to look at me critically.

‘You look tired,’ he said.

‘Twins,’ I said with a shrug. ‘You look as gorgeous as ever.’

He chuckled, striking a pose before taking off his sunglasses and tossing them in his car. ‘I can’t help but be beautiful.’

‘So what’s going on? How’s the compound?’ I asked as we moved toward the house.

‘Everything’s good. Busy, but good.’

His charming smile never wavered, nor did his confident voice. But I knew Ryu well enough to know he was being evasive.

‘So how’s the Initiative going?’ I asked, referring to the North American human-supernatural governmental alliance that Trevor, Ryu, and a counterpart in the Canadian government had set up.

‘It’s going great,’ Ryu said, but his smile was forced. ‘Negotiations are good, and we’re working toward an accord based on mutual understanding. The humans sent to help us are very … helpful. Especially the American.’ That last bit was forced out, as if Ryu was trying to convince himself of what he was saying.

I narrowed my eyes at the baobhan sith. I’d met the woman Trevor had sent to work with Ryu at the compound. A tall, leggy, no-nonsense redhead, she’d intimidated the crap out of me. Not that she was supposed to be an antagonist. The Initiative was really more of an exchange program – we’ll show you our world if you show us yours – than anything else. Once both sides understood each other better, formal talks could begin, and supes and humans might start to work together more.

So I couldn’t understand why this woman was causing Ryu to grit his teeth like she was a pain in his molar. Unless…

‘What’s the American’s name again?’ I asked.

‘Maeve.’

‘Pretty name,’ I said, watching him closely.

‘I’m sure it is.’

‘She’s pretty, too.’

‘I guess. But she’s just so … full of herself.’ Ryu was actually grinding his teeth as he shuffled restlessly on his feet.

‘She’s gotten under your skin.’

‘What?’ Ryu looked shocked.

‘Nothing,’ I said, smiling at him innocently. Whatever was going on, I’d not seen Ryu this discombobulated over a woman, ever. And I’d once been the woman who was supposed to discombobulate him.

‘Trevor here yet?’ Ryu asked, obviously wanting to change the subject from Maeve. I couldn’t wait to question Daoud about what was going on between those two, but it would have to wait till later. Not least because of Trevor. I looked at my watch.

‘He should be arriving in three … two … one…’

Just as I said ‘one’, a black car pulled into Anyan’s long driveway, smoothly rolling up.

‘How’d you know?’ Ryu asked, clearly impressed.

‘Trevor is always exactly on time,’ I said. ‘Although I doubt Trevor is in that car.’

Indeed, when the sedan rolled up, it was a minion that got out. In fact, it might have been an intern. The young man was barely old enough to be called ‘man’, and he was visibly nervous as he passed me a small present.

‘Our government wishes you and yours a happy birthday. For your twins. Um, so we wish them a happy birthday. And you a happy birthday because they’re yours. Thank you, ma’am.’ The nervous young man retreated back into the car without letting me respond, and the sedan backed sedately down the driveway.

‘What the fuck was that?’ Ryu asked, his head cocked at the awkwardness of the preceding exchange.

I sighed happily. ‘That, Ryu, is the stilted dialogue of freedom. Trevor has officially given up. After nearly two years of stalking me, convinced I still had power after the creature died, he’s finally lost hope. I only rate a minion now. Thank God for minions.’

Ryu turned to me, looking me over critically. ‘And you’re sure all that power’s really gone?’

I blinked at him. ‘Are you kidding me? Of course! I died that night, Ryu. And then the creature took my death into itself, and used the last of its power to give me life. I’m just like I was before.’

Ryu’s lips twitched. ‘Good speech. That’s very convincing.’

I was about to protest but he walked past me. ‘Did you make that taco dip of yours?’ he asked as he walked toward our front door. I wanted to follow him to insist on how powerless I was, but more guests were arriving.

They were a mix of glamoured supernaturals and friends from Rockabill and Eastport. For despite my trepidation, I’d gone back home. First I’d made it up to Anyan, and that had been my focus. Then I’d started appearing around town, and then I’d started working again at the bookstore.

After a long discussion, we decided not to try to glamour the locals. Instead, we told them nothing. We let the rumors fly, neither denying nor confirming anything. Half of the town was convinced I was part of some government hoax; the other thought I was part of some government conspiracy. Both were wrong, but both sets of rumors granted me an iota of respect I hadn’t had before.

Either that, or it simply shifted my identity in the town’s consciousness from the girl who’d been responsible for Jason’s death to a girl who occasionally fought dragons. I was still the object of scrutiny and gossip, but I liked this type of gossip better.

And I enjoyed every moment I could of being ‘normal’, something I never thought I’d get to be again. So greeting guests and watching them gossip in my living room about people I could still interact with felt like a huge blessing.

Eventually, after food was eaten, cake was distributed, ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung, and presents unwrapped, the guests left one by one. Iris, Caleb, and my dad helped to clean up, and to wear the babies out so they’d sleep. After seeing Tracy and Grizzie’s struggles, I’d been very happy to learn that supe babies are easier than human babies. It’s something to do with their already beginning to process their elemental power, which wears them out no matter what they’re doing. But I didn’t ask too many questions, letting myself enjoy the fact that they were already sleeping almost entirely through the night.

After Anyan and I sought out our own bed, the barghest’s warm hand found my stomach. He’d started holding me like that when I was first pregnant, but considering our recent history, it had more meaning than the usual gesture.

‘I meant it, you know,’ he said. ‘Never again.’

I placed my small hand over his, snuggling closer against his side.

‘Anyan, I think the chances of me twice becoming the champion of the universe, chosen to battle an ancient force of evil, are pretty slim.’

‘I know. But still. Never again.’ His voice was steely, adamant.

I sighed. ‘I had to—’

‘I know you did,’ he interrupted. ‘I get that. And I was willing to do the same for you. I get that, too, now. But things are different. We have the girls—’

‘And we would both do anything for them,’ I said, my turn to interrupt.

‘Yes. But my point is that sometimes the ultimate sacrifice is to live. It’s to survive, despite what else we have to give up. That’s what I’m saying.’

I turned over on my side, pressing my body against his as I nuzzled his long, gorgeous nose with mine. ‘You’re a wise man, Anyan. Er, dog. Dog-man…’

‘Barghest,’ he murmured as his mouth found mine in a gentle kiss.

That gentle kiss quickly turned hungry, his tongue filling my mouth as his hands slipped under my nightie. He’d divested me of my clothing in seconds, and as he’d come to bed naked, we were now even. His hands roamed over my body as I did the same to him, loving the feel of us warm and solid against each other.

‘I love you, puppy,’ I told him, just because I could.

‘You just love my doggie style,’ he said, taking my wrists firmly in his. And then, suddenly, he flipped me, so I was lying on my stomach. He kept my wrists in his big hand, pinning them to my back, and me to the bed. His knees nudged my thighs apart and I gasped as his free hand knotted in my hair. He pulled my head back to whisper in my ear. I was expecting something delightfully dirty, but his voice was rough with more than just passion when he spoke.

‘I love you, too.’

That’s what I adore about my barghest. He’s like a box of chocolates: sometimes filled with something sweet, other times filled with pure filth.