BirthStone

by Sydney Addae

  “Thank you, Ma’am.” They left the nursery through one door while Jasmine wheeled two small incubators and Rose wheeled the other two out a different door. She watched as Jarcee brought up the rear, making sure no one entered the private corridor. Once they accessed the elevator he remained outside, unable to continue further.

  Silas walked through the rubble at the back of the compound. The gym and separate condos had been hit. It would take some time to repair. Froggy and Stefan had been taken to the infirmary for injuries. He was thankful there weren’t more people in the gym, but it was late. Tyrese and Tyrone took a group of security to search and scan the forest for proof that the mortars had come from the coverage of green foliage. He expected the police chief any moment, as well as a few investigators. Hopefully, the twins would have some information to give them.

  Silas sat on the floor of the gym and looked out the hole in the side of the wall. His fortress had never been attacked before. He’d never taken a direct hit…until now.

  “Jasmine, are you and my pups secure?”

  “Yes, where’s mama?”

  He had forgotten. “Jacques?”

  “Sir?”

  “Take Victoria and Mark to the staff tunnels.”

  “Yes, Sir. I… I was on my way to her suite to check on her, thank you for not making me look like a stalker.”

  “I understand mates, do what you need to do to keep her safe. You have to include Mark, though.”

  “Damn.”

  Silas shook his head and looked at the damage. “Jacques is on his way to her suite.”

  “Any of the wings get hit?”

  “Just the outermost buildings.”

  “You think it was Merriweather?”

  “Yeah. I did take his mother.”

  She didn’t laugh as he expected. “You warned me this might happen.”

  “What?”

  “When you asked me to postpone the christening, you said this could happen. I didn’t listen. I’m sorry, Silas. More than you could know.”

  “I feel your pain and your sorrow, Jasmine. I do know, sweet bitch. We will work through this together. Merriweather will not win.”

  “Where are the twins?”

  He exhaled. “In the forest searching for clues, they should be back in a few minutes.” He waited for her explosion.

  “Okay, let me know when they’re back safe.”

  Surprised, but pleased, he spoke, “Okay.”

  “Mama’s in the other tunnel?”

  “Yes, she doesn’t have access to ours, you understand?”

  “Yeah, I do. It’s just hard. I don’t know how to tell her she’s being poisoned. I don’t even know if she’ll understand. Hopefully Mark can help me get through to her.”

  “Yeah, he needs to know as well.”

  “Sir?” Jacques called out to him.

  “Yes?”

  “Victoria isn’t waking up. Mark had fallen in the shower, has some sort of bruise on his forehead, but Victoria is unconscious.”

  “Silas, is that Jacques? I can’t hear him clearly. Is something wrong with mama?” He told her what Jacques told him.

  “Get her to the hospital or to the infirmary,” she demanded.

  He hesitated taking the woman to the lab area where the larger infirmary was located. The one in the other tunnel area was rarely staffed because of the wolf’s abilities to self-heal. “The ambulance is on its way along with the police. Shouldn’t they take a look at her?”

  “That’s fine with me, but they’re going to draw blood, might have some questions…I just want her taken care of…please.”

  “I can’t allow Mark in the lab area.”

  “That’s okay. Just have Matt or Dr. Passen look at her. It could be the poison from the drugs.”

  “Separating Mark and Victoria is going to be tricky, especially with Jacques in the picture.”

  “Just do it, please.”

  This was one part of dealing with family Silas could do without. “Jacques?”

  “Sir?”

  “Is your mate awake?”

  “Not yet, Sir.”

  “Where is Mark?”

  “In the bathroom getting dressed. I helped bandage his head.” Silas heard the disgust in Jacques voice and snorted.

  “Take Victoria down to the tunnels, right now. Mark is not permitted and I’m only making this allowance for my mate. Matt will look at her. Leave now while he is in the bathroom.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Silas stood and finished his inspection of the damage. He had just completed the condos when Tyrese called out to him.

  “We are returning, Sir.”

  Silas opened an area so the scouts could enter the compound. He waited until they were inside the damaged gym before cutting off access. Tyrone and Tyrese shifted. Leonidas padded around a bit and then sat nearby. Two other wolves sat next to Leonidas.

  “What’d you find?”

  “Scents connected to Griggs and Merriweather. They used remotes, cowards,” Tyrese spat.

  Silas updated them on family matters.

  “Mark’s going to try and find her,” Tyrone said, grinning.

  “Security is going to corral him to the EMTs,” Silas said. “Where is Griggs?”

  “Gone,” Tyrone said.

  Silas nodded. “Let’s find Alfred.”

  Hank contacted him. “Police called. There’s been another explosion on the edge of town at the mill, one dead, two hurt, plus there was quite a bit of property damage. Hold on, another call’s coming in.” He paused. “Merriweather is melting down in the town square, screaming you killed his family. He’s swearing to blow up everything unless you turn yourself in to the Feds. The police are clearing the area but have no idea if he’s loaded.”

  “Damn,” Silas murmured. “That man is a pain in my ass.” He gazed at the twins, unsure if he should allow them to travel with him.

  “What’s up?” Tyrese asked, watching him closely.

  Leon had shifted and stood further back, but he was alert as well as Tyrone. The other two security men had stepped back to guard the entry, but they would be able to hear him as well.

  Silas briefly repeated what Hank said and wasn’t surprised by the glimmer of lights in the twins’ eyes. They had been sparring in the gym and relished a fight with real adversaries. But this wouldn’t be one on one, or one on ten. Merriweather would have someone nearby locked and loaded. Silas doubted the man was on a suicide mission and didn’t expect Merriweather to carry explosives.

  “Son of a bitch,” Tyrone said and then whistled.

  “I have an idea,” Tyrese said, and then explained.

  Silas nodded. Tyrese’ plan could work. “Grab what you need and we’ll leave in five. I’ve got to get a couple of things myself.” He glanced at Leon. “Be ready in five, you’re going with us.” He didn’t miss the man’s feral grin. Silas shook his head at the eagerness they all showed at the prospect of bringing down prey. Youth, he scoffed silently.

  Chapter 27

  After giving Jackie her medication, Jasmine discovered the container was empty, fortunately she’d had enough to give each child their prescribed doses. There were more meds in the nursery. Once the children were asleep and Rose lay on the sofa watching a video, Jasmine decided to leave.

  “I’m going to grab another bottle of meds for the next round. Silas and the guys will be in town for a while checking the damage. It won’t take me long, you need anything from upstairs?” she asked, thinking she would check on her mom while she was out.

  “No, I’m good. They’re going to be asleep for a few hours, I’ll probably doze off myself before the movie finishes.”

  “Okay, be back in a bit.” She left the suite and after signing herself out of the maximum security area, headed for the nursery. The corridors were eerily quiet. Most personnel were in the separate tunnel and hadn’t been released yet. She had broken protocol by leaving her space but she’d need to medication in a few hours, better to get it no
w rather than risk falling asleep and forgetting until it was too late.

  The private elevator arrived near the nursery and she noticed Jarcee standing in the shadows. He came to attention when she stepped off.

  Waving him down, she offered a brief explanation. “I forgot the children’s meds.”

  He nodded and lagged behind her. Inside the nursery, she grabbed two bottles of the medicine, a few additional blankets and clothes, which she stuffed into a diaper bag. The high security area was fully stocked with food and diapers, but Renee preferred the blanket Jasmine pulled from the shelf, along with a few other particulars.

  “Got it.” She hefted the bag over her shoulder and returned the way she had come. Once she entered the elevator, Jarcee nodded and returned to his post. Instead of stopping the elevator on the maximum security floor, she headed down to the labs with the infirmary to check on her mom. This elevator stopped in the rear of the laboratory, closer to Asia than the front where her mom had been taken. Thinking this would only take a few moments, Jasmine headed toward the front of the area. She had just turned a corner when she saw Mark. Smiling, she shook her head. She had told Silas the man would try to find her mom.

  She raised her hand to call out to him, thinking they could walk the rest of the way together, when he stopped in front of Asia’s cubicle.

  Puzzled, Jasmine stopped and watched as he placed something metallic on the door. Seconds later he punched keys on the security pad that would allow access into the room. Jasmine’s breath caught as the door opened and Asia flew out of the room like a tornado. She hit Mark so hard in the chest, the sound echoed in the hall. He swung and she ducked and hit him again.

  “Jasmine?” Silas called.

  “Watching something here. Take care of what you’re doing.”

  “Are you in trouble?”

  She scoffed as the fight intensified. “No, Mark and Asia are fighting.”

  “What?” he yelled.

  “Yeah, I’ll get back with you. Focus on the bombs, Silas. Trust me, I got this.” she said with more confidence than she felt.

  “I’m sending security.”

  “Don’t insult me. I said I had this. Leave it to me.”

  “Okay, just don’t burn down the building, and we will discuss why you are not where I asked you to be when I return.”

  “Because I’m a grown woman, Silas, and your mate. It’s my job to put out fires, not start them. Go away, the fight’s getting interesting.”

  Mark stumbled, but didn’t fall. Instead, he bulked up like the incredible Hulk and returned the hit. Jasmine’s hand flew to her mouth as Asia went from a slender size eight to five times her size, with a huge snout, pointy ears, razor looking claws, and long sharp teeth. She made snapping and barking sounds that sent a chill of excitement down Jasmine’s spine. Mark had his hands full fighting Asia’s two-legged wolf.

  The two combatants fought in earnest. Gone was the man who'd fawned over her mother the past few days. Mark’s confident movements landed powerful blows. Even blind, Asia fought with speed and cunning, drawing blood from her opponent. But it became obvious her blindness was a major handicap. When Mark picked Asia up and slammed her onto the ground, the snapping sound, coupled with the loud scream of pain, catapulted Jasmine into action.

  One moment she watched in horrified silence, the next she was airborne, heading for Mark. Her fist slammed into his jaw, knocking him off his feet as he flew backward and skidded across the floor. Running, she grabbed the much larger man by his tattered shirt and punched him in the face again and again. He pushed her back, causing her to stumble.

  Standing shakily, he shook his head, snarled and ran at her. Fire raced up her back as she braced her feet apart and then jumped out of the way when he reached her. Spinning, she watched as he tried to stop and fell short. Before he could regroup, she ran forward, jumped and kicked him in the back. He hit the ground.

  “Ooof,” he groaned.

  Jasmine touched his foot and sent the fire trapped inside her into his body. She watched as he shook on the floor like a fish out of water. This man had entered her home under false pretenses. She removed her hand.

  “Did you give my mom the poison?”

  “Fuck you.”

  No he didn’t. Growling, she touched his foot with hers again and took the fire up a notch. Bastard. He screamed worse than a girl. She removed her foot.

  “Why did you try to kill my mama?”

  “Didn’t try…to kill her. I love…love her. Had no choice.”

  Jasmine heard a sound behind her and saw Asia standing slowly. Her heart went out for the young woman. Moving toward her, she took Asia’s hand and led her back to Mark.

  “You love my mama? But you tried to kill my babies? How does that work?”

  He made a sound that was a mixture of sobbing and laughing. “You don’t get a choice. They…never mind. You already know about the poison in the lotion. There are some pills too. She’s going through withdrawal. I… I couldn’t keep doing it.”

  Jasmine eyed the man on the floor with a raised brow as his body shrank into the Mark she was accustomed to seeing. “You were sent here to spy on my mate?”

  “No.”

  Asia stepped forward a bit, bent down and touched his neck before standing. “He was sent to kill me.”

  Shock raced through Jasmine. Her foot slammed down on his.

  His body jumped and jerked as she shot more heat into him. When she stopped, his sobs filled the air. “You came to kill Asia?” Jasmine asked through gritted teeth. Her fury leapt at the idea that he’d try to destroy Asia after the woman had been through so much.

  “I…I can’t say.”

  Jasmine’s foot rose to hit his again, Asia stopped her.

  “He truly cannot speak those words, his mind and mouth will not allow him to betray his mission. Ask whatever you can now because they are recharging him and his other will soon be in control again.”

  Jasmine thought quickly. “Who started this war?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Do you have metal inside you?” She couldn’t think of anything, her thoughts were scattered. She squeezed Asia’s hand for help.

  “No.”

  “Are they sending others for me?” Asia asked. Jasmine released a breath. That was a good question.

  “Yes. Until you are destroyed, don’t know why.”

  “How many are nearby? In the town, in the state?” Asia asked, her voice calm.

  “None in town. Twenty in the state.” He paused. “Arrgh…” he groaned.

  “Is there an attack planned on the compound?” Asia asked as Mark’s upper body rose and fell with ragged breathing.

  “Not yet.”

  “He is being recharged and soon will not be able to think on his own, the only thing he will be concerned with is the completion of the mission. If you will permit me, I will kill him, but you need to be safe inside my room,” Asia said.

  Jasmine stared at the young woman. “Go in your room and lock the damn door.” She eyed Mark. His body was changing. Asia hadn’t moved.

  Leaning closer to Asia’s face, Jasmine growled. “Go to your room. Do it now.”

  Asia dropped her hand, scampered backward, felt the wall until the metal of her door was beneath her palm. She pulled it closed. Satisfied her charge was out of the way; Jasmine backed up and prepared to bring down her mom’s fiancé.

  She watched as Mark bulked, and leapt up, hazy-eyed. She wondered if he could see. The next moment he bypassed her and ran toward Asia’s room and pulled on the door. It didn’t give. From her peripheral vision she saw Jarcee and another guard standing in the shadows. She and Silas would have a long talk on trust later on.

  Mark slapped the door as if he could make a dent in the thick metal. It was as if he didn’t see anyone else. Inhaling, she calmed and pulled all of her energy to the center. If she could save Mark she would, but seeing him like this, drooling with erratic movements, she doubted he would ever be in his righ
t mind again.

  The warm breeze of her energy enveloped and filled her until she vibrated from the sheer beauty of it. Instead of fearing who she was, mate of La Patron – aka First Bitch, she embraced his fire, his purpose, his destiny. A roar of energy whipped through her as she fought to retain control. Silas’ soft words of encouragement rolled down her spine and lifted her higher. Through the shine of energy she sighted Mark, raised her hand and pointed. His back bowed as she dragged him from the door and pushed him to his knees.

  Anger at what her babies and mother suffered raced through her. Not so much at Mark, according to Asia, he may have been a pawn as she had been, but at those pulling his strings.

  “Silas?”

  “Yes, sweet bitch.”

  “Stop flirting. I want to send a message to whoever sent Mark. What do you suggest?”

  “Hmmm… great idea, and another reason women are much scarier than men in war.”

  “Silas,” she snapped.

  “Go inside his mind, find the mechanism they are using to control him and fry it. They will feel the hit…it may also kill him or turn him into a vegetable.” He paused. “ I scanned him often and nothing ever came up, hmm.”

  “Talk to Asia, she felt the necklace he has on and knew his mission. I see Jarcee, by the way.”

  “He won’t interfere. I thought it would be good for others to see why we are a perfect match. Kick ass, sweet bitch.”

  She disconnected and thought of the mental connection inside Mark, within seconds she saw the small metal patch. “I’m sorry, Mark,” she whispered just before she sent a blast of energy directly to the miniscule plate.

  His mouth flew open as his body jerked a few times, and then he slumped over onto the ground with a loud thud.

  Chapter 28

  “Sir?” Tyrese called to Silas, pulling him from the conversation with Jarcee. The man had been in awe of Jasmine’s abilities and swore she was a mini-version of the Goddess. Asia had been equally wowed by Jasmine ordering her inside for protection. No one had ever offered protection to the young bitch before. Although, according to Asia, there was no offering involved. The young bitch had asked him if he was sure Jasmine wasn’t part wolf. His mate had racked up a large fan club in a short space of time. He was pleased she now embraced her mantle as his mate and protected those under their care.