Damien was in front of me suddenly. He looked seriously down at me and I felt the calm radiate from him.


    “Let us find out what is going on,” he said softly. “If we need to, we will take a loaded transport and live in the caverns by the Barnaspound. Rue’s family has made strong weapons, we will defend our family.”


    I took a deep breath and rxed myself. Panicking only distracted from the necessary conversation. If I hadn’t flipped out this morning I could have gotten more information from Tosu. This was a time for a level head.


    I could not control whether or not Jonathan lived or died if I was curled up on a bed. Doing what I’d done today had endangered the other baby in my belly. The only way to assist my children was to stay sharp. For the first time, I had a modicum of control over their welfare. I had to help as best I could.


    “Better than calming cream,” Evan muttered as my steady gaze met Damien’s.


    “Kennedy always seems to know what’s going on,” I said in a strong voice. “It’s a shame Hannah is so angry with us. We really need to talk to both of them.”


    There was no more instability in my mind. I had a goal and I just needed more information to work toward it. Tugging at Christof and Kein I pushed past Damien toward their quarters.


    “Come on,” I ordered, “we can’t keep Kennedy waiting!”This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    My youngest daughter arrived with her Sisters and information. While I’d been passed out on the bed, Dara had talked to Tosu. The women were watching the aliens very closely and they were certainly preparing an attack, but were not quite ready.


    The alien ships focused their studies on the mountains with ore. ces the rebel women and men lived tended to be without ore and the aliens didn’t seem to notice us. In addition, the protections the rebels had put in ce seemed to be hiding us from the aliens, as well as, the women.


    “Gunth will make announcements tomorrow to the entire camp,” Kennedy exined. “Other camps have pledged ‘warriors’ and supplies to defend thepounds. We believe this camp will do the same thing.”


    We talked about the weapons we had at our disposal. Eve and Dara thought they might work. Neither girl had had the time to really study the designs of the alien crafts, though. They only had the information Tosu had hastily imparted before having to leave, but that was it.


    The girls left after I yawned the first time. They knew that the day had been stressful and tiring. If I didn’t sleep some tonight, I’d be a mess tomorrow. From what they’d heard from Tosu there would be a lot of meetings and decision making. We all had to be sharp.


    I fought the worry as I stripped down and moved into the bedroom. I didn’t feel particrly rxed or tired, just exhausted. Damien and his Brothers followed me and slowly undressed themselves.


    It didn’t matter where I put my clothing, everyone was willing to share their space. I folded it neatly and sat it on Kein’s shelf. My things would be moved here tomorrow and we’d make a formal space for me then.


    “You are very worried,” Evan said quietly cing his things on his shelf.


    I needed to be distracted. The thought came clearly into my head and I whipped around with my palms out.


    “NO,” I said forcefully, “I am very pregnant and very worried, but I do not need to be distracted right now. It would not be fun for me.”


    I knew what distractions meant to them. They’d done it before by bringing me pleasure until I passed out from it. I found the idea disconcerting and I was not in the mood.


    “We are a family and I can say no to you all,” I said covering my bare breasts and backing away.


    “There is more than one way to distract you from your worry,” Damien sighed calmly, approaching from the side. “Sit with us and let us help.”


    Damien settled himself on the bed and I watched him warily.


    “Come,” he instructed, pointing at the bed along his nk, “rest here on your side.”


    They didn’t want to fuck me, I realized suddenly. My family just wanted to rx me. The anxiety was distressing to all of us.


    Without thinking further I crawled beside Damien andy on my side with my back to him. Big, warm hands slowly kneaded shoulder and upper back. A second set of hands went to work on my legs and feet. Evan’s hands ran lovingly along my scalp and I melted into the bed.


    The gentle massage was just what I needed. Their hands found all the tight ces the day had left and slowly worked them out. None of the family pushed too hard, but they made short work of the tension in my body. When they were done it felt like I was floating.


    Damien and his Brothers were Warriors. They had been trained to fight since they were very young. Theing battle did not scare them; it intrigued them.


    “You aren’t afraid,” I said opening one eye and watching Christof as he watched me.


    “No,” he answered simply and he spoke for all of them.


    My family would fight to the death to protect Jonathan and that didn’t scare them at all. For family, they were always willing to give whatever it took. Nothing less would do, ever.


    “You will be safe here,” Kein said touching my stomach. “The men and women in this camp believe you have inherent rights to be free and survive. Even without us, you will do well.”


    “I will fight, too,” I saidying my hand over Kein’s, but he shook his head.


    “You will stay safe in this mountain. You will give birth to our daughter and nurse her so she is strong. My Brothers and I watch you. Your gait is slow and awkward. Battle is not a good ce for you,” he answered simply.


    They were right and I knew it. I could not go to fight like I was; it would endanger our youngest child.


    “I’ll do what I can,” I murmured watching Kein’s hand rub over my distended belly.


    “We all will,” Damien responded pulling a nket over my body and settling himself behind me.