Wet and Wired Read Online Free Page B

Okay.
    Teal smiled. “The Wi-Fi still works?”
    “It does. It is linked to the blended energies, not just the shifter stuff.”
    She put her phone away and smiled at the faces around her. “So, who is with Dira?”
    “Teebie and Al, with Spike as backup. Why, do you have any birthing experience?” Tony looked at her hopefully.
    Altion raised his hand. “I do. I delivered both of my nieces.”
    Leda smiled as everyone stared at him. He shrugged.
    “It is a merfolk thing. We don’t have a lot of need for medics. We give birth under the water.”
    Teal asked, “Would you be willing to help?”
    “Certainly. Just let me get some more water and will be glad to take a look.”
    He gulped down the rest of his water, emptied his pitcher and then drank the last of Leda’s.
    She finished her food and grabbed her glass of water before he snagged it. “Right. Ready when you are.”
    She got to her feet, and Sally came up next to her, hugging her tightly. “Glad you are safe, little bit.”
    “I haven’t been little for a decade, Aunty.”
    Sally smiled. “I know, but we were worried, and those are the memories that came up while we waited for you.”
    “I am fine. I was just delayed. Now, we are off to go visit Dira while she brings her next generation into the world.”
    Sally released her death squeeze. “Good luck and stay away from the flames.”
    “Will do.” Leda smiled.
    Their little group left the café and hiked to the end of the road before taking a sharp left and heading up the hill.
    Teal chuckled. “You can take the dragon out of the castle, but you can’t stop them from building a new one.”
    It wasn’t the fairy tale splendour of the Axion, but it was definitely a well-fortified home in the woods.
    They entered the dragon’s home and followed the sounds of cursing and shouting until they found the pregnant woman on the wide bed with her niece on one side, her husband on the other and two shifters acting as midwives.
    Dira glared at them. “Really? I needed an audience?”
    Mak smoothed his hand over her forehead, soothing her. “Easy, love. They are here to help. You have been in labour for two days. Anything different will help.”
    Altion crouched and spoke quietly with Spike and Al. They looked exhausted and frustrated.
    Leda stayed back, as did Teal and Tony. “I don’t think we are really needed here.”
    Altion raised his hand. “Actually, I do need you, Leda. I need your hands.”
    A bowl of warm water appeared on the dresser, and Leda took the hint.
    Altion came up next to her. “We need to get her into a tub to find out what is stalling the labour.”
    She finished scrubbing her hands and beckoned him close. “It is Mak. He is healing her as she goes, but it isn’t letting things progress.”
    Altion nodded. “I will work on the tub if you can let Mak know.”
    Dira was looking at her mate with eyes desperate for comfort. This wasn’t going to be easy.
    Leda flexed her hands and straightened her shoulders. As a contraction gripped the dragon on the bed, she whispered quickly to Mak. “Stop healing her. She needs to have these kids, and she can do it faster if you just let her have the babies and heal her afterward.”
    Mak jolted and tried to free his hand from Dira’s death grip. “I thought I was helping.”
    Leda pinched him. “Hold her hand until we get her into the tub.”
    “We have a hot spring pool.”
    “Good. I am sure that Altion can manage. Let’s get them all out of this in one piece.”
    Mak blinked as if he was having trouble focusing. “You know?”
    “I have seen the babies’ head in three places at the same time. I figured it out.”
    “Right. What does Altion need?”
    “A pool of water and me to act as intermediary so his fey hands don’t make Dira tense up.”
    “What can I do?”
    Leda looked over to Teebie. “Keep Teebie powered up. She is tired, but her link to the shifters will make her Dira’s lifeline. You can hold the babies as soon as