Chapter 5

LYNEXIA

Upon getting to the human world I blend in perfectly. It is just like the Isles of Kairos but without fangs and furs.

A kind family, the Millers took in me and offered me a house in exchange for me working at their restaurant.

Dimitri still haunts me up to this moment. I have come to terms with it that though our love didn't last forever, my love for him will never dim. I still think about my best friend, Zephyr. At the beginning of the war, we were both taken while the Barbarians returned me, they didn't do the same for my best friend. I hope that she has been found by now.

Each day, my belly keeps growing and I keep counting down to my delivery day. It fills me with joy and happiness that I will meet my unborn child soon.

Now, in my third trimester, every movement is a struggle. A groan escapes my lips as I lift a tray due to the pull in my swollen belly.

"I told you no more work!" Sarah, the woman who saved me nine months ago scolds me like a mother will her daughter. She works to him and stretches her hand out to me. "Hand the tray over." She gestures to me.

I smile at her. "It's fine. I can handle it."

She feigns a frown but I see the amusement crinkling in her eyes. "You are too stubborn, I wonder who you take after." She disappears into the kitchen with the tray in her hand.

A sharp pang jolts through me, sending a wave of pain down my body. My hand flies to my stomach when I feel the second pull. A warm liquid wet my thigh, trickling down my legs

I panic but before I can react, Shay's gasp reaches me.

"Sarah." He screams, his half-eaten sandwich rolling to the floor. "Lyn's water broke."

In one instance, Sarah is beside me, curving her arm around in an unpanicked way.

Shay panics. "What is going on?"

Sarah says with a roll of eyes. "of course, she is having a baby."

"Oh god." Shay's eyes dart around. "What do I do?"

"Get the bag." Sarah barks, shoving the napkin in her hands at Shay's way. Turning to me, she asks gently. "Can you stand?"

A wave of nausea washes over me, but the pull in my stomach is the only pain I feel. "Yes," I manage with a shaky voice.

Sarah is calm as she leads me outside, in contrast to Shay who was panicking behind me. Sarah hails a taxi and she announces as we rush in. "Memorial Hospital."

Me and Sarah take the backseat while Shay takes the front seat.

On getting to the hospital, the nurses whisk me away, leaving Sarah arguing at the door to let her into the labor room. I'm not listening because of the waves of pain that keep pulling against my abdomen, stealing my breath and leaving me gasping.

In between the pushes, I lost consciousness and when I woke up, the antiseptic air was replaced by the sterile scent of a hospital room.

I am now in a bed as uncomfortable as the one in the labor room judging by the way my back screams in protest.

Panic claws at my throat as I see no sign of my baby. Frantic, my gaze darts around the room until it lands on Sarah, cooing over my baby in a nearby stroller. Her smile is bright.

My eyes catch a glimpse of a sleeping shay as I relax my nerves.

I croak, my voice hoarse. "Please, bring me my baby."

She nods silently, carefully lifting my baby from the stroller. Her movements are slow as she carries the baby towards me, as if afraid to disturb its peaceful sleep.

The world freezes and my breath stills in my throat as Sarah places the tiny bundle in my arms.

"It's a girl," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion

A girl," I echo, tears blurring my vision. My fingers trace the beautiful features of my baby. Her resemblance to Dimitri is just too much, it makes my chest ache. in the curve of her nose and the sweep of her brow, it looks just like Dimitri's.

It brings tears to my eyes that she will never get to know her father, but if that's what it takes to protect her, then it doesn't matter.

"Felicity," The name tumbles out of my mouth with a sob. She is my good luck charm and happiness.

Suddenly, the moment is snatched away from me as a large body yanks my baby out of my grip. My eyes widen with fear and I scream until my voice cracks.

"NO!"

I lunge forward but something holds me down. "Please! Don't take her from me!"

My pleas are drowned out by the growing darkness and everything around me starts to fade away, leaving the echo of my cries filling the dark void.