Chapter 6
When we entered the dining room we spotted Liam sitting at a small table with a large bottle of Whiskey next to his elbow.  
“By the Gods of the Night,” Mikhail whispered. “Liam and booze should never mix.”
The Feral saw us. “Mikhail, Téa!” he called to us a bit too loudly. “Bring your arses over here and have a nip with me.”
“Liam, I can't drink.” I told him as I sat down. “Pregnant, remember?”
He nodded furiously. Liam filled a small glass of Whiskey and slid it to Mikhail; he did it with such force that some of the contents of the glass sloshed over onto the table. “You know what, Mikhail?” Liam slurred.
Mikhail was holding his glass but wasn't doing much else with it. Apparently, Liam forgets a lot of things when he's hammered. “Yes. Liam?”
“You make me sick. You and Téa are so beautiful together. Gods!” Liam started to cry. “I've bet you and T have slept together.”
“Yes, Liam that's how women get pregnant, if I'm not mistaken.” Mikhail comment and I elbowed him in the side.
Be nice.
He's roaring drunk, Téa! Mikhail scoffed. He's not going to remember any of this!
“Gypsy hasn't slept with me.” Liam sniffed. “We haven't even gotten past second base.”
“Okay, Liam.” I interrupted. “I really don't want to hear this!”
The Feral poured himself another drink and continued like he hadn't heard me (which I'm pretty sure he didn't). “All we do is kiss and grope. Never anything else. Gods, do you have any idea how many times I masturbated after I dropped her off at her house.
Go to my Happy place. Go to my Happy Place. I chanted silently and screwed my eyes shut. Go to my Happy Place--
Take me with you...Mikhail reached for the bottle. “Liam, I think you've had enough to drink.”
“I know what's wrong!” Liam yelled suddenly. “She doesn't think I'm hot. Gypsy's going to leave me.” he let out a whimper and downed his drink. He poured yet another one. “No one's attracted to me.” he muttered. “I'm not sexy like you Mikhail.”
“Oh, that's not true, Liam” I patted his hand. “You know when you're sober...and your eyes aren't bloodshot like that; y-you're very sexy.”
“Lies. Lies! Mikhail,” the Feral leaned over the table and grabbed the Bloodraven by the arms.
Dear Goddess! I reeled backwards in my seat. The smell alone could have been enough knock out an elephant. Judging from the expression on Mikhail's face, the smell that Liam was exuding was practically killing his heightened Bloodraven senses.
“Mikhail,” Liam moaned and I thought for a second he was going to puke. I tried to remember what I had learned in Health class in case Liam passed out and started choking on his own vomit. “Mikhail, tell me I'm sexy...”
“What?” Mikhail and I said in unison.
“Tell me I'm sexy.” Liam repeated. “Please?”
The Bloodraven looked at me for assistance, but I could only shrug. We never went over this in class. “I think you're a very nice person...” he stammered.
“No!” Liam groaned. “Tell me I'm sexy! I need to hear it! Tell me that I'm sexy so that I know that Gypsy is still attracted to me.”
“Umm...okaaay...” Mikhail shifted in his seat. “I think you're sexy, Liam. You're smart, funny, and sexy.” I didn't know Bloodravens could turn green.
The Feral released Mikhail's arm and blinked a few times. “Wow Mikhail,” Liam looked at his friend with a glazed expression. “You're so gay.”
I doubled over with laughter as Mikhail's face turned crimson. “You've definitely had enough to drink, Liam. Give me the bottle, now.”
“No,” Liam reared back. “I still have some left. You can't have it!”
“Give me the bottle!”
Mikhail finally achieved his goal of getting the bottle of whiskey away from Liam and started to escort the inebriated Feral to his room.
“Oh, you take the High road and I'll take the Low road. And I'll be in Scotland before you!”
Liam sang loudly. “For me and my true love will never meet again; on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond! Gypsy!” he emitted a heartbroken sob.
“What?” my best friend poked her head out the door. She spotted Mikhail lugging her boyfriend. “Holy crap! Liam, are you drunk?”
“Maybe...”
“There's no 'maybe' about it.” Mikhail growled and took the Feral into the bedroom and placed him on his bed. “You two need to make up. Now. If you'll excuse me; I need to go burn my clothes.” I smell horrible. The Bloodraven snarled mentally.
Well...yeah you do. I had to admit. Be sure to use extra kerosene on those.
Gypsy was sitting on the bed rubbing a damp towel on Liam's forehead. “Oh my poor baby.” she cooed. “I've never seen you drunk before.”
“Tried...to drink misery away...” Liam groaned. “Feel so...sick.”
Gypsy looked at me for an explanation. “Apparently when you didn't forgive him back at his family's place, Liam got really depressed.” I explained. “He's seems to have been trying to drink himself to a coma.”
“Liam, I'm so sorry!” Gypsy wailed and clutched her boyfriend's head. How the hell she could stomach the stench surrounding him was beyond me. “I forgive you. Let's not ever fight again.”
“I'm going to hurl...” Liam moaned.
“Maybe we should we leave them alone.” I whispered to Mikhail who was sniffing his shirt with distaste.
He nodded and we exited quietly. “Does he usually get like that when he drinks?” I asked the Bloodraven.
Mikhail came out of the bathroom naked holding his clothes at arms length. He found a trash can and tossed them in. “I'm afraid so. He doesn't drink often, though. What are you staring at?” he asked.
“You're...naked...” I said stupidly.
Mikhail let out an exasperated groan. “You've seen me naked before, Téa.”
“Oh. Yeah.” I blushed.
Mikhail gave me a half smile and edged closer to me. “It's amazing, you know. That you still get so flustered at the sight of my nudity. It's kind of cute.”
I averted my eyes, but Mikhail turned my face towards his. Look at me Téa Morgana Mackenzie.<i/> He commanded. I obeyed and stared directly into his electric blue eyes. Good girl. You're so innocent compared to the other girls I've been with over time.
I wasn't even going to ask how many girls he had been with. Given the fact that he was over 1700 years old, the number would probably give me heart failure. “Is that so?” I whispered.
Yes. But that's always a quality that most Blood Brides have. Innocence, loyalty, and wit. Mikhail rubbed a finger over my cheek and pressed a hand on my belly. “I can't wait until the baby is big enough to kick.”
“She should be able to kick by now. Look at how big I am.” Mikhail made no comment when I referred to the baby again as a girl, but I knew he wanted to. I smirked. I guess the threat of having to breast feed still stuck in the Bloodraven's mind.
“You never got your dinner.” he said suddenly.
“It's alright. We had to take care of Liam. I can wait until breakfast.”
Mikhail growled at me. “You're not going to skip meals! That's bad for you in your current state.” he walked to the closet and pulled out a black satin robe. “I'll go get you something.” he promised as he tied it. “You want anything in particular.”
“A veggie burger,” I decided. “With the works. And fries with extra salt and lots of ketchup, kosher pickles spears on the side. Oh! Chocolate ice cream with whipped cream!”
Mikhail stood there as if trying to decide if I was messing with him. “Um, okay.” he said finally. “I'll be right back.”
“Bring me a large cherry cola too!” I yelled after him. “No ice!”
Five minutes had passed when I heard a knock on the door. “Téa? It's your aunt. May I come in?”
“Yeah, Aunt V.” I placed the magazine I had been reading to the side.
My aunt was wearing a light floral dress and had her long wavy chestnut hair in a bun. “I just spoke to Mikhail. He seems to think you've gone crazy.”
“Hey! He asked me what I wanted to eat and I told him!” I huffed.
Aunt V chuckled. “I know. I reassured Mikhail that you're simply having normal pregnancy cravings. He walked off muttering something about not being able to handle six more months of this.”
“Well, maybe next time he'll use protection.” I grumbled.
“Téa, is something bothering you?” my aunt asked. “You seem upset.”
I hesitated. Should I tell her about Mikhail's old friend Nikolai visiting him and his plot to kill anyone with non-magick blood? No. “I guess my hormones are a bit out of whack.” I smiled weakly. “I've been feeling kind of moody lately.”
My aunt smiled and nodded slowly. “You need rest. Mikhail should bring your food shortly. After you've eaten, go to bed.”
“Yes, ma'am.” she kissed my forehead and left. I sighed. It didn't feel right lying to her like that, but maybe it was for the best.
Mikhail returned a bit later with a platter of food. My mouth watered at the sight of the burger and fries and reached for the ketchup. “Thanks, Mikhail.” I grinned as I crammed about six French fires into my mouth. I chewed them slowly, marveling at their wonderfully salty crispiness. “Where's my soda?”
The Bloodraven scowled at me and got up to leave. “You're going to get it, right?”
Yes. He snapped.
“I was just making sure.” I took a bite of the burger and my eyes lolled in my head in pleasure. Bring me extra napkins too.
The Bloodraven watched me down my cola and wipe my mouth with utter amazement. “I can't believe you ate all of that.” he muttered.
I looked down at my plate. Spotting a stray fry I smeared it ketchup and finished it off. “I guess I was really hungry.” I blushed. “I'm eating for two now after all.”
“After what you just consumed it seems like you're eating for twenty.”
I threw a magazine at him. “You should not make fat jokes about a pregnant woman!” I snarled. “That can get you castrated!”
My aunt just happened to be walking by the open door of our room when I said that. “Téa, no threats of emasculation.” she chastised. “Mikhail, don't call Téa fat.” she continued on her way.
“Your aunt has the strangest timing...”Mikhail commented as he tried to wrap an arm around my shoulder. I pulled away and moved out of his reach. “What's wrong with you?” he asked noticing my scowl.
“You called me fat!” I fumed.
“So that means I can no longer touch you?” the Bloodraven asked confused.
“Not until you apologize.”
Mikhail paused for a second before smiling. “I'm sorry.” he said.
“And you have to mean it!”
He sighed. “Fine. Téa, I'm sorry that I called you fat. Please forgive me.” he crawled toward me and nipped my neck,
“Mikhail!” I shrieked and shimmied further away. “You can't do that!”
He laughed at my antics. “I wasn't trying to feed off you, I was just being amorous.”
“Oh,” I let out a relieved sigh. “So, what are we doing tomorrow night?”
Mikhail picked up my plate and placed it on the nightstand. “I will be consulting with the Flights of Bloodravens that reside in the Hole about the Dark Purifiers. You will be in bed.”
“No fair!” I huffed. “I want to go to. The only Bloodravens I met were that bitch Nanette, her uncle and half-brother, and Babu Dia! Can’t I come? I promise I’ll be good.” I made my best puppy eyes.
The Bloodraven frowned at me. “I don’t think it’s healthy for you to be changing your sleeping habits just to spend time with me. You’re mortal and need your rest.”
“But, Mikhail—ˮ
The Bloodraven held up a hand. “No and that’s final. I have to go…Téa? Are you crying?”
“It’s not fair!” I wailed. “Now I know how Gypsy feels. You’re not even trying to protect me! You jus don’t want me to come!” I felt like such a baby crying because I couldn’t get what I wanted.
“It’s dangerous!” Mikhail had obviously never dealt with an emotional woman before. He kept acting like he would either reach out to touch me or bolt for the door. “Nanette’s family will be there and—ˮ
“I don’t care! I want to go!” Finally Mikhail relented and promised to take me to the Council. I was exhausted from my tantrum, but I was happy all the same. I curled up next to my undead lover and drifted off to sleep.
                                                 
I awoke the next morning feeling strangely elated. Mikhail was already asleep, so I moved carefully so not to disturb him. I winced slightly. My belly was starting to become really sore with each passing day and my feet looked swollen. I’m never getting pregnant again. This sucks.
Mikhail murmured in his sleep and shifted his head. I decided that I needed to do my thinking out of his hearing range.
“Morning everybody.” I smiled as I sat down at the table. My aunt and Gypsy waved at me, but all Liam could manage was raising his hand half way off the table.  The Feral’s eyes were bloodshot and he moaned every so often.
“Hangover.” Gypsy whispered to me.
“Ah.” I had almost forgotten about Liam’s little binge last night.
“Stop yelling!” Liam growled.
“No one’s yelling.” Gypsy whispered and rolled her eyes.
“Here, Liam” my aunt handed him a cup of coffee. “Drink this and it will make it better.”
“I thought that was a myth.” I glanced at her.
Aunt V smiled. “It is normally, but I added a few special herbs to make the sobering process speed up.”
The Feral drank the coffee slowly and I helped myself to some sausage. “Hey, T” Gypsy said. “You want to go check out this clothing store I found here?”
“I don’t know. It might not have anything I like.” I spooned out some blackberry jelly for my toast.
“What are you talking about?” she asked incredulously. “It’s a Wiccan store, isn’t it?”
“I’m sure it is, Gypsy.” I explained. “But all Wiccans don’t dress the same. There are those who dress in a bohemian fashion, some who dress like hippies, preppie Wiccans, and than there’s Gothic Wiccans. That store may cater to any of the above.”
Gypsy stopped mid-bite in her toasts. “There are Wiccan Preps?” she asked in amazement.
“Yes Gypsy, the Goddess doesn’t discriminate.” Aunt V smiled.  Gypsy still wanted to go and my aunt convinced me that I might find a better selection of maternity clothes to my liking than at the mall. I balked and agreed to go. Twenty minutes into the shopping I was starting to regret it.
“Damn it, Gypsy.” I moaned as my friend went to try on the same blouse for a hundredth time. “If you like the shirt just buy it!”
“I don’t know.” She told me from the changing booth. “It’s pretty, but I’m not sure it’s something I’ll wear more than once.”
For the love of cheese! I found a bench and sat down. We hadn’t even started looking for clothes for me yet. I really didn’t see anything in store that catered to pregnant women.
“Hey, T what do you think of this one?” my friend held up a black peasant top shirt.
“I don’t care, Gypsy!” I groaned. “We’ve been here for almost two hours and you haven’t put anything in your cart! Hurry up!”
“What’s with you?”
“What’s with me? What’s with me?! I’m pregnant, my feet are swollen, my back hurts like hell, and you’re taking forever and a day to choose one friggin’ blouse!”
Gypsy stared at me evenly. “Wow,” she sighed. “You’re being so hormonal!”
Motherf- “That’s it!” I got to my feet. “I’m going back to the hotel. You can stay here and screw around, but I’m tired.”
“Téa, wait! You know I value your opinion!” Gypsy caught up to me. Big freakin’ deal, I’m pregnant; a turtle could have run circles around me.
“Seriously Gypsy,” I sighed. “I’m really tired.”
Gypsy pouted. “I just wanted us to hang out. It wasn’t the same without you at school.”
Thank you Gypsy for hanging that noose of guilt around my neck, I thought sourly. “Alright,” I relented. So back into the store we went. I got to say some of the stuff Gypsy picked out did actually look nice, and the stuff that didn’t I was able to talk her out of. Well, except for that fugly panda blouse with poofy green sleeves. Gypsy is a rabid panda lover and collects anything that bares their likeness no matter how hideous (and that shirt was hideous).
Gypsy swung her shopping bag happily. “So, what do you want to do now?”
“Honestly, I just want to go veg out in front of the television.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Gypsy laughed.
The Lunar Eclipse Hotel (the one we were staying in) had a 40-in flat screen HD television that had magickally rigged cable that could pick up channels as far as Zimbabwe. I had to fight the urge to hug it.
“This is so awesome,” Gypsy drooled as we watched a Scottish punk band that not only played with guitars, drums, and keyboards, but they managed to rock out with bagpipes and a pan pipe.
“I know!” I flipped through the encyclopedia-sized hotel channel guide. “Hey, you want to watch a documentary on haunted castles on Channel 600, 213, 99?”
“Hells yeah!”
Aunt V walked in on us watching a Japanese horror movie marathon. She clucked her tongue. “What are you two doing?” she asked. “Why aren’t you shopping or finding something better to do?”
Gypsy and I didn’t even look up from the television as a woman with pale scales covering her body ate the head of a little boy. “My feet were starting to hurt.” I said in a zombified voice.
“Yeah…her feet hurt.” Gypsy said slowly as she continued to watch the movie.
I heard Aunt V sigh again, but didn’t think anything of it until the TV went blank just as the hero and his love interest were about to kill the snake woman. Gypsy and I let out bloodcurdling screams. “Aunt V!” I squealed and pressed frantically on the power button of the remote. “That was the best part!”
“I unplugged it, Téa.” My aunt told me. “You need to find something more constructive to do than sit in front of the television all day!”
“But we hadn’t even watched Channel 1,279,345,222, 660 special on Vlad Tepes!” Gypsy yelled. It looked like she might have a meltdown.
“Yeah, it would have been educational!” I joined in.
“We’re living with actual Bloodravens,” Aunt scowled. “You don’t get anymore educational than that. Now get your butts outside and find something to do.”
“But Aunt V—ˮ “Ms. Vera!” she cut off our protests with one angry glance. We shuffled outside and sat on a bench.
“This sucks!” Gypsy growled.
“Tell me about it.” I sighed. “There’s nothing we can do about it though. Why don’t we go see how Liam’s doing?”
Gypsy and I walked around for ten minutes before she spotted her boyfriend talking to a Hispanic girl with maroon hair and a lip ring. “Who’s that?” I whispered to Gypsy or should I say the space where Gypsy had previously been standing. I looked up startled to see my best friend marching toward Liam, a determined look on her pixie face. I ran as fast as I could to them.
“Hi, Liam.” Gypsy said with false cheerfulness. “Are you feeling better.” Her grey eyes darkened as she glanced over to the other girl.
“Yeah I’m fine, Gypsy” Liam smiled, obviously not getting the real reason for Gypsy’s concern.
His lady friend was quicker. “So this is the famous Gypsy McFarland.” She tilted her head making her oddly cut hair stick up on the sides of her head; I was suddenly reminded of a puppy. “Liam, you didn’t tell me she was pretty.” The girl elbowed Liam in the side. “How the hell did a toad like you land a model like her?”
I had no idea who this chick was but I did know she just owned serious brownie points just by the way Gypsy blushed and studied her boots. Liam rolled his eyes. “Guys, meet Tabitha Martinez of the Seattle Feral Pack.”
I held out my hand. “I’m Téa Mackenzie and you already seem to know Gypsy.”
Tabitha grinned and shook my hand. “Please to meet you, chica. Hey, are you the same Téa Mackenzie that’s Mikhail’s Blood Bride.”
I know Tabitha had already seen my growing pregnant belly, but she was still sweet for giving me the benefit of the doubt. Kudos, Tabitha. You get a cookie. “The one and the same.” I grinned.
“Ay chica, I have no idea how you can tolerate being around that boy for so long.” Tabitha shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s nice and everything. But when he gets in one of his little moods, yo no se.” she grinned at me.
“What kind of Feral are you?” Gypsy inquired.
Tabitha waggled her eyebrows at her. “I’m a Lion.” Gypsy and my eyes widened. Tabitha dug her elbow into Liam’s ribs. “Don’t know why you keep referring to my people as a ‘pack’. We’re a Pride. Packs only refer to you and your canines.”
Liam shrugged. “My bad, Tabby Cat.” He gave her a lopsided grin.
“Well, let’s say we go get some lunch.” Tabitha scratched her head. “I’m starving. I’m so hungry I could eat a whole wildebeest!” she grinned at us. “That’s a Lion Feral humorous expression for you.”