Munro (Immortals After Dark #18) by Kresley Cole

            Why hadn’t he told her he’d adopted a human?

            Ellie said, “By the time Tàmhas was a young man, he’d had a couple of close calls with other Lykae—near-death accidents and such—so Munro had to send him away from the pack. How hard that must’ve been for him!”

            Ren felt Munro’s pain as her own. “He didn’t turn him?” When Ellie shook her head, Ren asked, “How did Tàmhas die?”

            Ellie said, “Stelian wasn’t able to find that out. You should ask Munro.”

            Ren would. “He’s terrified of losing a mortal like me. And I’ve already died on him before.” At their questioning looks, she explained what had happened in Quondam.

            Ellie’s jaw dropped. “Sakes alive. When I was human, Leo used to get crazy whenever I had so much as a hangnail. If I died and warlocks mindfucked him into disintegrating my body in acid . . . ?”

            Ren murmured, “I am selfish.” She’d never considered how much Munro must have suffered to lose her. And he would again. Maybe not right away, but losing her was inevitable. Unless she accepted immortality from the ring.

            Ellie asked Balery, “Will you roll the bones for her?”

            The fey nodded. “I’ve been curious about our new friend.” When Balery had first entered the salon, she’d cast Ren a quizzical glance.

            “Are she and the wolf gonna find Dorada?” Ellie pondered aloud. “Or maybe he should make peace with her mortality?”

            Balery removed a black pouch from her belt and retrieved an assortment of bones from within. She rolled the bones on the coffee table, then squinted at the results with soft brown eyes. “It’s inconclusive. That can happen if I’ve been rolling too often, or if the querent’s life is about to radically change course.”

            “Radically doesn’t sound so good.” Was Ren slurring?

            “It could be as innocuous as a pregnancy.”

            Oh. “Can a replica like me have children?”

            Balery collected the bones, stowing them back in her pouch. “I honestly don’t know. You’re the first of your kind that I’ve ever encountered.”

            Despite the excitement of this conversation, Ren yawned, making the other two grin.

            Ellie said, “That’s the other great thing about being immortal; you won’t need a lot of sleep.”

            With a wistful note to her voice, Ren asked her, “Is it honestly so much better?”

            “For me it has been. Hey, let’s get together tomorrow and brainstorm ideas. Maybe Dorada’s not the only path to immortality.”

            “Ideas would be much welcome. Thank you.” Another yawn escaped her.

            “We have loads of time to work all this out. In the meantime, you gotta make sure to get sleep when you’re hanging with immortals. I had to remind myself of that.”

            Ren stood and wobbled. “I think going to bed now would be prudent.” She shuffled her feet into her slippers.

            “I’ll trace you back.” Ellie rose and grasped her arm.

            Ren waved at Balery. “Thank you for trying with the bones.”

            Balery smiled warmly. “Of course. I’ll attempt again tomorrow.”

            Ellie teleported her to the villa, leaving her even more wobbly. “I’m so glad you’re here, Ren.” She surprised her with a gentle hug. “Everything’s gonna work out. You’ll see.” Then she traced away.

            Alone, Ren meandered to the bathroom. How very different this life was from her previous existence. Hours of conversation over drinks. Friendships with Loreans.

            A love affair with one.

            Why hadn’t Munro told her about his son?

            As she finished using the facilities, she wondered how long he would be gone. Their short time apart had her missing him. Did he miss her as well?

            She’d just entered the bedroom when a whispered word carried through the villa: “Riiiinnnnngggg.”