The stone was perched on the desk in the Kensington house study. ‘I was pulled out when the Grandmother left; all of us were. I wanted to stay with her, believe me.’ ‘So she’s definitely safe?’ ‘Yes. She had water, and she can easily survive without food until we find her.’ ‘Then what aren’t you telling me?’ John said. The stone was silent for a long time. ‘She broke their control. Yes?’ ‘Yes,’ it said. ‘You helped her get free. She’s in hiding on the Western Celestial Plane, in a place where there should be nothing to hurt her, and the Grandmother’s destruction up there will slow the demons’ search for her. All I need to do is find a way up there and she will be waiting for me, tired and hungry but safe. Yes?’ ‘Yes. But …’ ‘But. What?’ John said, slowly and clearly. ‘She’s carrying your child.’ ‘Sweet snake-tailed Nu Wa,’ John said. He leaned back and rubbed his hands over his face. ‘I suppose I should be pleased. Holy shit, this is bad.’ ‘It’s not that bad.
