KnightForce Deuces, page 17
Froggy died from a diluted dose of the poison. Two shots of the toxin had her laying on the ground unable to move. Her beast couldn’t survive another hit of the vile concoction. Asia shut down her link to Hawke to spare him the pain of her death and mentally said goodbye. Shards of pain from their separation ripped through her heart. Laboring to breathe, she lowered her head and rested them on her paws. Her beast whimpered as she thought of Sarita and Damian. Love had come late in her life and now she’d leave them behind. “Protect my pups,” she prayed to the Goddess.
“Asia,” Jasmine yelled.
“Mistress.”
Asia jerked as a blast of energy flowed through her. Her ears rang and her teeth jarred from the impact. Nearby she heard growling sounds and opened her eyes. A large wolf stood over a man lying on the ground. Asia blinked a few times to clear her vision.
“Stand up,” Jasmine said.
A wave of nausea rolled over Asia as she attempted to stand. Her body shook, her heart raced and tendrils of scorching heat flooded her system. She howled from the pain. Tyrese must have shifted at some point, because he knelt beside her and placed his hand on her head.
“I took out the shooters, rest easy they won’t be shooting you with anything else. Mom and Silas are flushing the poison out of your system,” he said.
Ripples of pain wracked her body as the toxins attacked her organs. His words sounded as if he were miles away instead of right next to her.
“Asia,” Jasmine said. “You have to open your link for Hawke. He’s on his way to you and is scared. Take a deep breath and save your mate from heartache.”
Two words registered. Save mate.
“Hawke?”
“Bless the Goddess,” Hawke said in a voice she’d never heard before. “Asia please, please don’t do that. Don’t shut me out. I can’t…” his voice broke. “I can’t live without you.”
“I know,” she said as another cold stream, reminding her of an icy winter mix, coursed through her body.
“No. You don’t. I would not want to live without you. Our physiology makes it possible for us to survive the death of our mates but I… I would not.”
The tone of his voice registered that he said something important but she couldn’t follow the conversation, not with the horrific internal attack on her body. “Sorry.”
Hawke continued to breathe for her. Asia heard Mistress in the background and knew La Patron worked alongside his mate to rid Asia of the fast-acting poison.
Tyrese leaned close to her ear. “Forensics is in the lab but there’s someone in that house. I need to check it out when Hawke gets here.”
Asia wanted to tell him not to go alone because of the poison. But couldn’t form the words.
“I’m almost there,” Hawke said.
“Help Tyrese,” Asia whispered to Hawke as she watched Tyrese walk toward the house, stop and look at the window.
“I’m not alone. Tyrese will have help.”
Asia closed her eyes as a tortuous vice gripped her skull and pressed downward. Pinpricks riddled her flesh as poison bled through her skin, matting her fur. The scent of her mate eased her discomfort. His cool palm rested on her head and then stroked her back.
“Mistress and La Patron are working together, hot and then cold to destroy the poison. I know it’s uncomfortable but it’s the fastest way to remove the toxin from your system,” he said.
She opened her eyes and read the concern and relief in his. “You shouldn’t be this close, you can become infected again.”
“No I can’t but we’ll talk about that later, right now, continue to allow me to breathe for you.”
Asia closed her eyes. Assisted by her wolf’s innate ability to heal, whatever La Patron and Mistress were doing, worked. The pain had become manageable. Hawke continued stroking her head.
“I’m going to stand,” she said. She wondered what role the titanium metal in her legs had to do with her fast recovery. When this was over she’d ask Hawke.
He paused and released a breath. “Okay.”
She stood, shaking constantly as if she would collapse to the ground any moment. The longer she remained upright, the shaking slowed as her strength returned. When the pain subsided to a constant throb she rubbed her face against Hawke’s legs.
He rubbed her head, calming her. “Ready to breathe on your own?” he asked.
Asia tested her legs by walking around him in a tight circle, stopping now and then to lick his hand. “Yes.”
She gasped as air flowed through her nostrils and down her throat filling her lungs. Sitting on her haunches, she looked up at him to clear her vision.
“Better?”
“Not sure. Mistress is still working on me. I see three of you from time to time.” She looked around the dark yard and then toward the back of the house. “Tyrese went inside?”
“Yes. Hank gave him a shot to protect against the poison before they went inside to look around. Whoever was on the first floor ran off once Tyrese took out those three assholes. That’s who they’re searching for now.”
Asia wondered if that person had been the one in charge of this entire operation - the poison, the drugs using wolf blood and the attack on Angus. She wondered what Angus would say about all of this.
“We’re supposed to head to the lab when you can walk. La Patron wants you inside and in the van when they’re finished.”
“When can I shift?” she asked wishing she were in human form to hold onto him for a few moments.
“Not for a while, La Patron wants to monitor you in this form.” He took a step toward the building. “Ready?”
Asia stood, took a couple steps and passed him. “Yes, which way?”
He walked toward the back of the building, passed a large pond that extended across the property, a copse of tall trees and then walked across a long driveway. “Not much further, how you feeling?” he asked.
Each step pulled on the healing wounds, making it hard to walk. “A little dizzy but I’ll make it,” she said.
“Tyrese hasn’t found whoever was in the house,” Hawke said stopping in front of a metal door on the lower level of the house. He walked inside first and then waved her in. They moved down the corridor toward the forensics team. The door to the lab stood open. Asia glanced at the two body bags stacked to the side on the floor. Tyrese entered from a door on the opposite side and headed toward them. Asia sat and watched the activity.
“Couldn’t find whoever it was. Son of a bitch disappeared,” Tyrese said, frowning and looking around the lab. “Look at this shit. These assholes had a business set up here using our blood. Makes no sense, it would eventually kill them.”
“But for a while they would feel invincible,” Hawke said checking out the equipment. “That’s worth something to some people.”
“Losers perhaps who had nothing going for them.” Tyrese ran his hand through his cropped hair. Tired from the short walk to the lab, Asia lay down with her head on her paws as Jasmine continued to push the poison from her system.
“How are you feeling?” Tyrese asked her.
She raised her head, met his gaze and lay her head back down.
“Your mom and La Patron are still working on her, those two direct hits were potent. I think the presence of the metal slowed down their progression but I’m not sure,” Hawke said and waved Hank over. “How much longer will this take? I want to get my mate to our den.”
“A few more hours but there’s enough to send to the compound in the first van. You can drive that one back and we’ll come in the next van or with Tyrese.”
Chapter 23
Asia closed her eyes as sounds of activity flowed around her. Forensics moved slowly through the lab, taking specimens and pictures of everything before boxing items for transport. After a few moments, the background noise faded. Her thoughts floated replaying the events from earlier. Someone had been in the house, they hadn’t moved until she moved close to the building. Had she been the target all along? They used tranquilizers on Tyrese but used two shots of poison on her, more than enough to kill twice the amount of full-bloods.
“Once we’re back at the compound, we’ll work on figuring this out. Rest, your body has to recover,” Hawke said.
“What did you mean about the poison not affecting you?” she asked Hawke trying to ignore pinpricks of energy running beneath her skin.
“I created a blocker that’ll slow down the toxic properties of the serum shot into your system. When most of the poison’s removed, I’ll give it to you so if you come in contact with that poison again it won’t affect you the same either.”
“If it only slows it down, how does that protect me?” She opened her eyes and met his gaze.
“The problem with this poison is it moves so fast our wolf antibodies can’t stop them in time. But when the poison moves at a slower pace through our system, it’s eradicated like everything else and then our bodies can heal.”
Exhausted from fighting the chemicals in her body, she sighed and lapsed into silence. At some point she must have dozed. One moment she listened to Hawke explain about some new drug, the next he shook her awake.
“The van’s loaded. I’ve made a comfortable spot for you up front. I can carry you…”
Asia scrambled to stand. The idea of him carrying her like an unweaned pup wiped the sleep from her mind. “No, I can walk.” Trotting behind him toward the van, she discovered her wolf was more alert, her heart rate seemed normal and the constant throb of pain had left. “Thank you, Mistress. I feel so much better.”
“Good, I’m glad. Silas and I worked together, I think that’s how we were able to get it done so much faster. If you get tired, rest.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Asia looked at the black armored van and glanced at Hawke. “Is La Patron expecting an attack that I don’t know about?” she asked him.
“This was sent because of the outbreak at the compound and will protect the team from any attack. Both vans have reinforced steel roofs and sides. Those are the only doors.” He pointed to the open door.
Asia started to remind him she was fully aware of the craftsmanship of the vehicles, she had advised La Patron on the style to order but remained silent. Instead, she hopped inside and looked at the boxes of material Hawke and the others in La Patron’s lab would study to get a better understanding of the drug and the poison. Hawke locked the door and walked to the driver’s side. The sun would rise soon. They had spent the entire night at Crawford’s house and she was ready to see her pups. They cleared the gate and drove down the driveway and turned onto the paved street. The road twisted down the hill and Hawke drove slowly. “Rest, we’ll be there in a few minutes,” Hawke said.
He had found a thick blanket and placed it next to the boxes. Asia lay down but didn’t sleep. “Who was in the house?” She asked not expecting an answer but wanting to discuss it anyway. For some reason the anonymity of the person bothered her.
“We still don’t know.”
“A rebel leader? Lancaster or one of the Liege? A new player? We need to know. It’s possible they’re the link to all of this,” she continued.
“We’ll figure it all out.” He turned the corner and slammed on the brake. She yelped as she slid forward.
He looked down at her. “Maybe right now.”
Asia rose on all fours and looked out the window at the large tree in the middle of the road. “Didn’t they do this on the continent? Right before we were attacked in Chacal’s SUV?” Asia asked as she scanned the area for clues.
“Yes. Not too original. But this time, they will come to the door and show themselves,” Hawke said.
The passenger door flew off the hinges into the trees lining the road. Hawke looked at the open space and shrugged. “Or they can do that.” He glanced over his shoulder at her and winked. “Looks like I get to hunt after all. Will you be okay?”
A loud thunk hit the top of the van, causing it to rock a few times and then steady. Asia looked up but didn’t sense anyone, human or beast.
“I’m good. Can’t get a read on anything, though.” She backed into the boxes, her beast snarled at the intruder. Something hit the roof of the van so hard the reinforced steel bent creating a small dent.
“Wait,” Hawke said one hand on the door while he watched the roof and passenger door opening. The next second a large rock whizzed through the air and hit the windshield and bounced off. More rocks flew inside the van via the passenger side, a few hit Hawke on the side of his face and chest. He twisted the passenger seat so that it blocked the doorway and stopped the rocks.
Another rock hit the windshield opening a small hole. Another rock flew past Asia’s head and landed on the back wall of the van.
“I can’t find him, nothing’s registering,” Hawke said sounding as baffled as Asia felt.
“Asia, Silas wants to know if you want to shift.” Jasmine asked drawing her attention from the dark outside the van.
“Do you want me to change forms?” Asia asked Hawke.
“If we fight, change into your hybrid, no need for your human form now.”
“Mistress, I’ll shift to fight,” Asia said.
“Okay, we’ll continue to monitor you until you get back here and Hawke can hook you to the machine that’ll clear anything left,” Jasmine said.
“Thank you. You know of the tree in the road?”
“Yes, Silas told me and I wish I was there. Maybe you could look at it and I can move it like Silas does with Angus,” Jasmine said.
Just knowing her Mistress would do that for her warmed and horrified Asia. Yes, it was great Jasmine loved and cared for the pack in general and her in particular but as a warrior and KnightForce captain, she would fight her way out of this situation or die during the process.
“Thank you, Mistress but we need to stop these bastards, this has gone on long enough. Hawke says with the blocker the poison can be stopped, tonight I would like to see my pups in my den.”
“I understand. If you need me I’m here.”
The driver’s door shook. Hawke had moved and sat on the floorboard next to the driver’s seat but continued to hold onto the door. The metal door edges curled away from the frame.
He looked at her and smiled. “Should I let it go?”
Asia wanted to laugh, he was enjoying himself. “Not yet, make them work for it. I’ve got your back.” She watched the front and passenger side.
Boom.
Something hit the roof, the dent grew. It hit the roof as if an iron anchor was lifted and dropped again and again. The interior light dropped but remained connected with one long wire. “I don’t sense anyone up there,” Asia said frustrated. None of this made sense. She should be able to detect a heartbeat at the very least.
“Me neither. I’m not in the mood to play games, we need to get back to the compound. I’ll move the tree and we’ll leave.”
Tension coiled in her shoulders as she stared at him in disbelief. “We can’t leave. Whatever, whoever is doing this to us could do the same thing to Tyrese or the others, we have to correct this problem.”
Hawke met her gaze for a few seconds and then nodded. “Okay.
Asia exhaled. “If full-bloods or humans can mask their scents to this degree, we need to know how it’s done.” She wasn’t sure if he agreed to placate her or if he fully understood the seriousness of what was happening.
Hawke nodded.
“Are they using a magnet or something else to pull off the doors? If it’s that powerful, can it penetrate the metal doors or detectors at our compound or any Alpha compound across the country? If this is a sampling of a new enemy’s toys or the rebels are taking their fight up a notch, we need to know and prepare to defend against it.”
“You’re right,” he said. “The next time –”
The driver’s door creaked as if a large unseen hand pulled from the outside. Hawke glanced at her and then released it. The door flew off the hinges and shot in the direction of the trees alongside the road. Hawke peered out into the dark and inhaled.
“We can return to the house, we’re not that far,” he said.
Asia thought about it. With both doors off the van, remaining inside made no sense. “Can you let Tyrese know the van is in the middle of the road and the contents are unprotected?”
“Yeah,” he said slowly, looking at her. “So we aren’t returning to the lab where Hank and Tyrese are?”
“No, we need to find whoever stopped us and clean up this mess.” She moved closer to the driver’s side opening and glanced into the inky blackness. “Someone is waiting for us out there.”
Hawke pulled her close and rubbed his face against the fur on her neck. “We do this together. The hunt, we bring them down together. Agreed?”
She moved back a little and licked the side of his face, “Agreed.”
He exhaled and pulled her closer. “How do you want to play this?”
“We move the tree. Something will happen before we are finished. If not, we leave. They will make their move before we leave this property.”
He nodded, placed a kiss on the top of her head and scooted to the edge of the driver’s door opening. He took a step outside, morphed to his hybrid and walked to the front of the van. Without a backward glance, he lifted the tree and tossed it in the direction the car door had flown. Turning, he went back to the van, morphed to human size and slid in the seat to start the van. The moment the engine turned over, something slammed into Hawke from the driver’s side knocking him out the passenger opening. Asia leapt from the van and ran to find Hawke.
He lay a few feet away at the foot of a tree which broke his fall. When she reached him she morphed to her hybrid and scanned the area. Something large and dark sat high in the branches in a nearby tree.
“Well that was fun,” Hawke said standing and shaking his head. “It’s some kind of enhanced half-breed. Not the same as the blue speckled things or the mindless droids with neck braces. This one thinks, plots and plans.”
