The look of shock on his face said she'd been keeping quite a few things from him. "I'm not going to bother you with these stupid things Kassern."
He hit the table with his fist, shaking the entire miniature mountain of rock. "You gave me your word you'd tell me!"
"I'm sorry!" Tears streamed down her face and she pointed to them. "Look, see? I'm crying. I'll take notes whenever I do this bullshit in between you fighting demons. It's just…it's stupid and irrelevant and not something you need to be worrying about while fighting in a dangerous war, I don't tell because I care."
"You have to admit that's—"
Kassern spun his head to Dorn and the blue angel shrugged innocent shoulders.
"I mean, I'm not a genius, but it sounds to me like you're pregnant."
The silence that fell on the room was damn near deafening. Uriel turned to Sky who'd suggested it. "What Quad are you in?"
She looked around barely. "I'm in Toren's. Mercury warrior."
Uriel looked at Toren who looked at Kassern, who looked at Dorn. "Is this possible? Doctor, you have examined her?"
He nodded. "Twice. And both times I have not encountered life other than her own and the ruby power inside her."
"Then it can't be that."
Sky leaned forward. "Honey, are your breasts sore? Have you been sick?"
Karly's eyes flicked around before lowering. "Yes and..."
Kassern looked at her. "And?" His tone bit as though this too was news to him.
"My…stomach is…"
"Growing, honey?" Sky offered gently.
She nodded.
The murmuring that erupted soon became near deafening.
"Silence!" Uriel bellowed. "Farechtera."
All eyes turned to the doctor for answers only he held. But he appeared at a loss. "I would think that if Kassern's seed were inside her…he'd…automatically know it. I'm very sorry to say."
Very sorry?
Kassern shot up. "Are you fucking saying, that she's possibly pregnant by somebody else?"
The doctor shook his head. "I-I'm not sure what is happening. I am more than happy to run tests and see if new developments have occurred since I last checked her.
"Right now!" Kassern scowled before dropping back to his seat.
"Immediately after this meeting, Warrior." Uriel's command, though gruff hinted at compassion. He looked around. "Which I suppose has just come to an end. Doctor. Find out if she is pregnant immediately. If she is, we need to act swiftly."
"What do you mean?" Karly looked at Kassern then the Commander.
"I mean if you're pregnant and Kassern isn't the father, that leaves only one other possibility."
She looked around distraught and confused. "I-I haven't been with any man, I haven't—"
Kassern took her hand. "Karly, he's not saying that baby—"
"What is he saying then, I don't get it."
Kassie waited for somebody to tell her what the hell they were all talking about. But instead the Commander and the other archangels sat with their gazes cast down. Not a good sign in any manner.
"You need to tell her, Brother." The black angel's tone though low, boomed with subdued warning.
"Tell me what?" Karly looked at him, her voice frail sounding and scared.
"Tell you that you're not pregnant." He stood and pulled her to her feet then motioned the doctor who stood as well. "We'll return to the compound as soon as we're done."
Uriel gave them leave and they flashed off leaving Kassie and the rest of them wondering what the hell that was all about. What were they not telling? And clearly they weren't telling something because the angels, every one of them, knew.
The other female member of Kassern's quad stood. "Look. "I'd like to know what the hell is going on. That's my best friend. And I can tell you're holding information. And I have a right to know what it is."
Uriel stood and the girl seemed to realize who she was addressing, and sat back down. "To be sure you have no rights to know anything. It's a privilege. And the information you seek can be given by Toren's wife."
Looking at Sam, she clearly knew something the other humans, including Kassie, didn't.
"She was bitten by one of the creatures." Sam's soft voice echoed through the silent Chamber. "Part of their ability is… hacking into genetic codes and adapting. Mutating."
Horror coursed through Kassie at those words. Dear God. It can't be.
The End