by Sydney Addae
“We are on the way to the airport to go home and I asked to see Jandro before we left.” She looked at the young man. “You’re doing well and that’s all that matters.”
Jandro extended his hand to Jasmine. She ignored it and continued speaking to Amelia. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Amelia looked frightened as her gaze flew from Jasmine to Silas and Jandro. “You must have food and drink to celebrate Jandro with us. Yes. Please. Please.”
“Yes, please don’t rush away, we would love to share a meal with you as you shared with me.” The fear in Jandro’s gaze mirrored his mother’s.
“Tell me we didn’t do this?” Jasmine asked Silas concerned.
“In a way we did,” Silas said as he explained what happened while Angus talked to Jandro.
“What? Now they remember and we’re leaving them in this mess?” Jasmine asked.
“We needed to know, Jasmine,” Silas said.
“So, we’ll stay until Lucian arrives.” Jasmine smiled at Amelia. “We’ve got to catch our flight in a few hours so we cannot stay long. Just long enough for a drink or two,” she said.
The look of profound relief on Amelia’s face hit Silas in his gut. Jandro wiped his forehead before escorting them further into the house. “We can drink in here. Thank you for being so kind. It’s important to my mother to show her appreciation, I won’t let her keep you long, promise.” He smiled and sat in the eggshell colored overstuffed chair in the living area watching his mother.
Silas and Angus continued standing while Jasmine sat with Shyla near Amelia as she opened a bottle of wine.
“You will love this. I have kept it for a special occasion.” Amelia handed the bottle to Jasmine. She inhaled and passed it to Shyla who inhaled to search for poisons or chemicals. With her extensive knowledge from her years working as the Mengistia she could identify every grape or additive in any liquid.
“Ah, carricantes. This is made with a white grape, carricantes, from the Mount Etna region of Sicily I believe. It’s really good,” Shyla said as she took another sip.
Amelia beamed. “Yes, I like this one, it is not easy to find but my husband spoils me and keeps it for me.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Silas asked Shyla.
“Yes. It hasn’t been tampered with. I can’t vouch for the other bottles; we’ll need to be careful. She’s begging us to stay longer, to help them. Is there a way to place their memories back into the bubble so they can return to the fake peace of before?”
“Even if I or Angus had that ability, and I don’t think we do, we wouldn’t mess with a human in that manner. We could make a mistake and make matters worse,” he said.
“Someone else just entered the house from below,” Angus said as he moved closer to Jasmine and Shyla. Jandro and Amelia appeared totally unaware of their new houseguest.
“Another human,” Silas said. “I’m beginning to think Rafe isn’t who we’re looking for.”
“Why?”
“No full-blood scent in this house. If he had been around a wolf recently and then spent time here, we would pick up traces of his scent,” Silas said.
“You’re right, which means we stepped into a human hornet’s nest. Whatever’s going on has nothing to do with us,” Angus said.
“Jasmine, I’m not scenting a full-blood anywhere,” Silas said.
“I thought you said there was a dampener somewhere in the house, does that matter?” she asked.
She was right, it did matter. “If the husband was around a full-blood we should pick up something.”
“Even if they all wore dampeners?” she asked while taking a dainty sip of wine.
He thought about it. “If they wore them all the time, it’s possible we wouldn’t scent them.”
“They are using Liege tricks and technology, Silas. There’s something going on here that’s related to Pack. Or worse. They’ve found a way to modify the equipment and use it on humans. Can you imagine dealing with people with fake memories on a mass scale?”
How could he explain that he couldn’t get involved in that, any more than humans got involved when full-bloods were used in experiments.
“This poor woman is terrified. She wasn’t when we first arrived. Not until her memories of how bad her life has become were released. Some things are best left alone,” she said.
“Would you prefer to live in a bubble? A fake world of happiness?” he asked rather than explain why he ordered Angus to release the memories again.
“Depends on the circumstances. If I was trapped and couldn’t get out, fake happy might work, especially if those memories included my kids being happy and loved,” she said.
“I’d want to know,” he said.
“Not everyone will or does... is that what’s going on here? Are they running tests to sell this procedure or something?” she asked.
“I don’t know. What I do know is we have a plane to catch and need to get going,” Silas said as he placed his glass on the end table.
“Is Lucian here?” Jasmine asked crossing her legs in the high backed chair at the large granite island where she, Shyla, and Amynta sat drinking and talking.
“Someone else arrived below but not Lucian,” he said listening and monitoring the heartbeats below.
“Her husband’s here with company,” Jasmine said. “No wonder she’s so scared.”
He didn’t want to go there. “We can’t stay here all day.”
“Just until Lucian comes and storms the lower rooms. Rafe sent those men to the restaurant last night, Silas. That has to be dealt with.” Their gazes met across the room and he nodded.
CHAPTER TWENTY
LESS THAN 10 MINUTES later, Silas was on the verge of contacting Lucian again when he sensed full bloods on the premises. The heartbeats below hadn’t moved and Silas wondered if there was a full-blood downstairs who would scent or sense Lucian’s presence.
“Lucian is here,” he told Jasmine while nodding to Angus and Shyla who had sensed the Alpha’s presence.
“Can you throw a shield around all of us?” Jasmine asked.
“Why?” She knew he couldn’t get involved with whatever was going on with humans.
“Protection in case whoever’s downstairs runs up here to get away from Lucian.”
“We cannot get involved with this family,” he said.
“The father sent a man against us last night which is why we’re here in the first place. Don’t forget that,” she said.
“I haven’t forgotten anything. The device, the full-bloods who sold us out, and Rafe are Lucian’s problems. We are not going to interfere. He’s here and will deal with whatever’s going on,” he said in a stern voice.
“But—”
“No. There’s no buts, Jasmine. This is Pack rule and law, not a free for all. We cannot interfere. You heard the old man last night,” Silas said.
She looked down at the floor but he wasn’t fooled.
“Are you saying that if that man comes up here and hurts his wife or son we should what? Turn the other cheek?”
“What I’m saying is Lucian and his men are breaking into the lower levels right now. They will deal with Rafe and whoever is with him,” Silas said.
“Tell Lucian to watch out for another device. I doubt the one we’re taking back with us was the only one,” she said.
Silas hadn’t thought of the possibility of another device and how it would impact Lucian’s Pack. “Lucian?”
“Silas?”
“They may have another device and use it on your men.”
“Too late, I’ve lost most of them but I’m almost through the barrier. One second, I’ve got to create a diversion to shift to my larger beast.”
“I’ll send a sandstorm,” Silas said moving the wind outside.
“Much appreciated. Dampeners. Lots of them,” Lucian said.
The house shuddered.
Amelia and Jandro eyes widened as they looked around. “What was that?” Jandro asked pushing
against the sofa to stand.
Angus placed his hand on Jandro’s shoulder. “You should be resting, I’ll look around.”
“No. No you can’t,” Jandro said and then slumped back against the cushions. “Please, just don’t look around.”
Angus met Silas’ gaze. “Are we interrupting your rest? Tiring you out?” Angus asked Jandro as the house shuddered again.
“No. I’m... this is my parents’ home and I can’t give you permission to look around inside,” Jandro said weakly without looking at Angus. “I appreciate you staying with us as long as you have.” He looked at his mother. “She will be out of it soon and fall asleep until much later.”
“Alright, you get some rest too,” Angus said as he clapped Jandro on the shoulder before stepping away.
Jandro rubbed his forehead. “I think I’ll take a nap as well.”
Silas nor Angus mentioned it was still early morning, well before noon. “Good idea,” Silas said as he and Angus moved to stand behind Jasmine and Shyla. Lucian’s two legged beast would tear a hole in the side of the house to get to that room. Silas threw a bubble around the four of them and included Amelia since she was standing nearby.
Jandro stretched out miserably on the sofa and Silas enclosed him in another protection bubble.
“Amelia thanks for your hospitality. Jandro’s tired and needs to get his rest, plus we need to head to the airport,” Jasmine said patting the back of the woman’s hand.
“Thank you for spending some of your day with us,” Amelia said, weaving slightly.
A door slammed. Someone was running up the stairs.
Amelia’s eyes widened as she looked over her shoulder, shaking.
Silas never understood why men brutalized those under their care. The tangy scent of Amelia’s fear pissed him off.
Shyla reached out and pulled the small woman close.
“Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my house?” Rafe asked as he rounded the corner.
Jandro sat up and stared at his father. “They’re the ones who rescued me the other day.”
“What are they doing here?” Rafe asked while looking over his shoulder and moving down a hall.
“Dad?” Jandro called as Rafe disappeared.
Amelia had curled into Shyla’s embrace and hadn’t looked in her husband’s direction.
“Mom? Mom are you alright?” Jandro asked standing and moving toward her.
“We’ve got the full-blood,” Lucian said, sounding disgusted and disappointed.
Silas opened the link so the others could listen.
“Jorge Fajardo, he was an elder of the Red Wolf Pack before they disbanded. He never accepted me and disappeared. He was really bitter and disillusioned, still I never thought he would run to humans.”
“I know him. He came to introduce himself to me at the hotel when I first arrived in Honduras. He hated violence and didn’t want the young men in his Pack punished.” Silas couldn’t believe Fajardo had sold them out. “What does he know about these devices?”
“He’s been in contact with some other wolves on the Continent and heard about the Liege. We’re isolated here so it’s news to us.” Lucian paused. When Silas didn’t add anything, he continued. “I’ll learn everything from him before termination. Rafe ran up there?”
“Yes, he’s in a room down the hall. I’m going to remove his wife and son and head outside. If you have any strong noses, check for explosives, that seems to be a really big thing with these humans,” Silas said as he motioned the others out. Shyla placed her arm around Amelia and walked toward the door with her.
Angus picked up Jandro and talking softly to him walked toward the entrance. Jasmine remained in the same spot and looked around. “What’s he doing, Silas?”
“I don’t know. Lucian’s on the way up.”
Lucian, Solo and a few others entered the room. “Which way?” Lucian asked Silas.
Silas pointed down the hall.
Lucian made the others stay back as he ran down the hall, kicked the door open and fell backward onto the ground.
Solo ran forward, staggered, and fell on top of his Alpha.
Rafe walked out the room holding a device in his hand, wearing a sardonic grin. He looked at Silas and Jasmine and pointed it at them. When nothing happened, he stopped and turned the dial.
“Who are you?” Jasmine asked.
Rafe looked at her confused. “What do you mean?”
“You kill your brother in law, use weird devices to hurt people, and your wife’s scared of you. I’m just wondering who you are,” she said in a conversational tone.
Lucian stirred behind Rafe.
“Rafe Alvarez, attorney.”
“No. You made him up,” she said. “Know what I think?”
Rafe continued fiddling with the knobs on the box and occasionally looked behind at Lucian who struggled to stand.
“I think either you worked for the Liege, a doctor or scientist maybe? Or someone you know really well did.” She pointed to the device in his hand. “That’s how you have their toys. You approached Jorge didn’t you? Not the other way around.”
Rafe ignored her and mashed the buttons harder as Lucian stood slowly.
Jasmine raised her hand and closed it slowly. Rafe dropped the box and grabbed at his neck. “When I release you, I expect you to tell me the truth,” she said in a soft voice.
He continued grabbing at his neck.
“Do you understand me?” she asked.
Rafe nodded and bent forward gasping for breath when she eased up. “Who are you?”
“Kelsi... Griffin.”
“That’s just a name, who are you?” Jasmine pressed. Her anger spiked. She squeezed a little harder.
His eyes widened as he struggled to breathe. “My brother worked for the Liege, told me about it, sent me things, shared things with me.”
“Asia killed Lord Griffin years ago. He had stolen a bracelet, we never found out how he got it either,” Silas told Jasmine and the others. “You do know the curse was broken, right?” Silas asked.
Rafe nodded and took a deep breath. “As you can see I’m aging.” He pointed to his salt and pepper hair.
“What are you doing here?” Lucian asked from behind him.
“Living. I’m aging but it’s slower. I moved here, fell in love, had a family, started a business,” he said.
“Lies,” Lucian said as he picked Rafe up by the collar and shook him. “Answer me truthfully this time.”
“Why? You’re going to kill me anyway,” Rafe said cocky, but the scent of fear wafted off him.
“Wrong. Haven’t you heard Lord Barticus has been searching the globe for any and everyone associated with the Liege?” Silas asked. “He’s got a few of them caged. He’ll be here before nightfall for you once he learns what you’ve done and who you are.”
The color drained from Rafe’s face. Lucian released him. “I was told to come here with the devices to stir up trouble for the new Alpha.” He held up his hand. “I can’t tell you who told me to come here, it’s a job with an anonymous client.”
“You’ve been here over 20 years?” Lucian asked incredulously.
“No. He planted memories in the minds of those he needed to in order to blend in. How long did all of that take?” Silas asked.
Rafe shrugged.
“What?” Lucian asked Silas. “I’ve never heard of anything like this.”
“The Liege was a nasty bit of work, so were their kin it seems. Amelia and Jandro have been in Brazil most of the time and relocated here recently. It’s easy to plant new memories for them and Estevan since no one else here knows them,” Silas said disgusted.
“Is that what happened to Estevan? Did the implant cause unforeseen problems? Was it wearing off somehow?” Silas asked, curious.
“No. He was already sick with the tumor. The implants didn’t help.” Rafe opened his mouth and closed it.
“Last night, what was the purpose for interrupting our dinner?” Ja
smine asked.
Rafe looked at her in surprise. “Dinner?”
“Dr. Housman and his guy,” Jasmine said.
“Where is he? Where’s Housman?” Rafe asked.
“We have him,” Lucian said.
Rafe relaxed. “Good. Good.”
“Why is that good?” Jasmine asked.
“He’s the key to working the equipment. We came together.”
“He’s dead,” Jasmine said.
Rafe’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “You’re lying.” He looked at Lucian who shrugged and back at Jasmine. “What are you? Not wolf, what?”
“Human,” she said grinning.
“Enhanced?” Rafe asked.
Jasmine shrugged. “Why was Housman at the restaurant?”
“To test the equipment. That’s obvious,” Rafe said taking a step forward.
Lucian dropped his hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
“And Jorge? Did you look for him or did he seek you?” Lucian asked.
“We met. He’s really unhappy with you. I promised I could help him but he always got cold feet, didn’t want to hurt anyone... he’s weak,” Rafe said with derision.
“Not at all. He’s got principles, something you don’t know anything about,” Silas said and looked at Jasmine. “Ready?”
“Isn’t Angus going to scan Rafe? What if they messed with his memories so he couldn’t talk?” she asked.
“Angus is on the way, he had to get Jandro and Amelia settled with security. Do something so it appears natural when Angus touches him,” Silas said.
“What happened to Amelia’s husband and Jandro’s father?” Jasmine asked Rafe as Angus entered the room.
Rafe met her gaze. “What do you think happened?”
She swung her hand. Energy flew across the room backhanding him across the face, spinning him around until he fell to the ground. Groaning, he held his face and tried to get up but fell backward.
Angus moved quickly and caught Rafe before he fell. He accessed Rafe’s memories fast before Lucian or his men grew suspicious since they didn’t know about the Chameleon bracelet.
“Mistress would you like the other cheek?” Angus asked with a wide grin. Rafe took several deep breaths and shook his head while struggling to stand upright.