KnightForce Deuces, page 5
“What’s going on?” Angus asked.
“Hawke’s perfected a way for me to speak to half-breeds through the airwaves. I’m going to introduce myself and explain a few things about the Nation. Then I’ll have them contact their Alpha’s liaison for more information.” Silas grinned obviously pleased with the idea. “Each Alpha will record a message for their pack, which will play right after mine. That way the state Alpha and I will be able to speak to our new pack members directly.”
“Sounds interesting, you’ll use the airwaves? Can the messages be tracked or traced?” Angus asked as Tyrese gave a thumb up.
“No, the message is to the wolf,” Hawke explained. “To do this the human side must be bypassed.”
Angus nodded. “Makes sense. Good luck with that.” He stood and headed toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Silas asked.
“To track down the components Vern used.” He told them his concerns and Silas nodded.
“There should’ve been a hemolytic transfusion reaction,” Hawke said. “His immune system should’ve immediately gone to war against your blood. But you said he functioned better for three days and then died?”
“Yes, Dr. Whitney is sending the toxicology report on what they found in his system. I’m hoping to find a masking agent or something that would explain his reaction,” Angus said preparing to leave the room. He wanted to get started on those reports before working with Asia and Tyrese.
“Keep me informed with what you find,” Silas said turning back to the test data.
Nodding, Angus left the room and headed toward Dr. Passen’s office. Angus tapped on the door and entered. “I want to run something past you,” he said once he had Passen’s attention. When he finished explaining about Vern, he waited for the doctor to speak.
“Byte.”
Angus frowned. “My dog?”
Passen nodded slowly. “A fascinating mixture of a couple of animals. To say what happened to this unfortunate young man is unique would be false. As you know, it’s been happening to our pack for decades. Maybe someone is experimenting in other areas. Let’s face it, there are a lot more humans than us. If whoever is behind this is seeking a way to extend the initial reaction beyond the three days, what would they have?”
Angus hadn’t thought along those lines and was surprised Silas hadn’t either. “An army of super humans,” he murmured. “According to everything I could find, he lacked control and completely changed personalities. I suspect he abused his brother even though the young man never said.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, chances are whatever he injected gradually destroyed his mind by turning his body into a hostile battleground. Foreign blood wouldn’t be tolerated.”
“Hawke said that.” Angus paused. “Can we examine Byte? That whole comparison you just made makes a lot of sense. I’d like to have his blood tested.”
Dr. Passen looked at his watch. “I have an hour before a meeting with my team. Can you bring him down now?”
Angus pushed away from the wall and headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Do you want me to bring him in here?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
He turned the corner and headed toward the elevator for the residential area. Placing his palm on the scanner the computer asked for his name for voice verification before allowing him to the residential section. Inside the elevator he nodded to Hank or whoever monitored the security cameras.
When the door opened on the right floor, he inhaled. The pups were still asleep but he would peek into the nursery and look in on them. Moving down the hall, he stepped into their room and smiled. These children captured his heart and he would give his life protecting them. Adam lay sprawled on top of the cover with his fist near his mouth. Renee lay on her back, with her arms next to her side. Jackie was on her side with her knees pulled up. He moved to the last bed and met David’s silent gaze. The two stared at each other for a few seconds before David closed his eyes. Angus wasn’t sure if the boy fell asleep or dismissed him. Either way, it had been an interesting moment when David woke and stared at him like that. As quietly as he entered he left the nursery and headed to his suite for Byte.
When he opened the door, Byte jumped up and down yipping and then ran in a circle before sitting on his hind legs looking up at him. Smiling, Angus sat on the floor and pulled the heavy animal beneath his arm. He rubbed the blue speckled head with his knuckles, earning a purring sound from Byte.
“I missed you too. But I heard you did a great job watching the kids, I’m proud of you.” He continued stroking Byte for a few more minutes. “You deserve a treat. I’ll take you outside later today before I start work. Right now I need you to come with me.”
He stood, walked to the door and waited for Byte to follow him before closing it. “Come on boy, the doc’s waiting.” They turned the corner.
Renee screamed, dropped the pitcher in her hand and ran back inside the room she’d just left. Doors opened. Jacques came into the hall wearing bottoms. A few seconds later Victoria edged pass him.
“Was that Renee? What happened?” she asked.
“Hi, Angus, when did you get back?” Jacques asked moving toward Angus.
“Do you see that blue thing?” Renee asked from the crack in her door.
“Aunt Renee, that’s Byte, Angus’ dog,” Tyrone said walking back toward his rooms.
Her door opened wider. She craned her neck to see Byte who continued down the hall toward the elevator.
“That’s not a dog.”
“He’s a mutt, mixed with a few things,” Angus said appreciating the black tank top and boy shorts she wore. Pity she didn’t like men, she was a sexy package.
“Ugly, you mean.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Sorry that was rude.” She looked at the floor and the mess she made. “I need to clean this up.” She turned toward Jacques. “You got a mop and broom I can borrow?”
Jacques turned and walked back inside.
The silence in the hall grew a little awkward with her standing half-naked, fully naked in his mind, wishful thinking. “How long is your visit this time?”
“I’m leaving later today that’s why I’m up early. Thought I’d eat and then spend a few hours with the kids before I catch my flight. You weren’t at the shower last night?”
“No, I just returned.”
Byte barked.
“I better take him out before he wakes up the kids.” He looked at the broken pitcher.
“If that scream didn’t wake them, his barking won’t,” Renee said with a sardonic twist of her lips.
“Good point,” he said moving toward the elevator. “If I don’t see you again, have a nice flight.”
“Thanks.”
When Angus reached the elevator, he heard her murmur. “Nice ass.”
Chapter 7
Jasmine, Victoria, Rose and Renee sat on the covered patio talking and watching the children run around playing nearby in the courtyard turned playground.
“Who’s the little girl standing over David talking?” Renee asked shading her eyes with her palm. “Looks like she’s telling him to do something, wonder what she’s saying?”
Jasmine looked at Rose who could hear the children perfectly, so could she if she focused but being human Renee could only guess.
“That’s Sarita, Asia and Hawke’s baby. Not sure what she’s saying, they play well together though, seems she’s just as stubborn as him,” Victoria said sitting with her feet up on a wicker stool.
“Stubborn?” Renee looked at her mom. “Why do you call him stubborn?”
Rose chuckled and shook her head.
“What?” Renee asked looking at Rose. “Did I miss something?” She looked at Jasmine and then at David. He walked across the play area and sat on the ground with his bucket. Sarita trailed behind him like a shadow.
“Stubborn as a bull,” Victoria said shaking her head.
“Mama, he’s not that bad,” Jasmine said trying not to laugh. Anyone who spent time with David knew her baby was particular. If he didn’t think something was a good idea, he let you know and then he’d decide if he would do it or not. Fortunately he never disobeyed her or Silas but she knew that day would eventually come. Of all the children, he reminded her of the Silas she met in the hospital that first day. How such a young child could be so self-contained, she didn’t know. But he was Silas’ son.
“Yeah right,” Victoria murmured looking across the playground at David and Sarita sitting on the ground placing things into the bucket. “Remember that time the kids were playing in the nursery –”
“Here you go with that story again. That was an isolated, well a different situation. All the kids were angry,” Jasmine said.
Rose laughed. “David wouldn’t move until somebody explained, that was funny.”
“His mama had to explain about the circus for him to do anything. Can you imagine that? Littlest one in the bunch demanding explanations,” Victoria said.
Renee laughed. “Silas had promised and they were primed. But I don’t think that was being stubborn, just… curious.”
“Now I know it’s time for you to catch your flight and get back to the college campus if you think it’s okay for a toddler to question his parents the way he did.” Victoria looked at Renee. “Can you imagine what would’ve happened if you did that?”
“Jasmine spanked them, you forgot that?” Renee said looking at her sister.
“No, Mama didn’t forget. She just likes to hone in on the fact that my son asked me a question and I answered.” Jasmine turned and met her mom’s stare. “That’s how I handled the situation because I know my children. David wasn’t being disrespectful; he genuinely wanted to understand what happened. Adam threw a tantrum but that’s how he is. The girls were disappointed and showed out as well. Each of them are different and I handle them differently based on the situation. I would never ignore my son’s request for information because he’s small. He’s smart and intuitive, speaks when he has something to say and does not play mind games like his brother.”
“I’m not trying to upset you,” Victoria said waving her hand. “Just making an observation.”
Jasmine refrained from rolling her eyes and met her sister’s gaze.
“David is solid, already got a woman, how about that,” Renee said.
“The two of them tend to hang out more than the others but a lot of that has to do with Sarita’s upbringing,” Victoria said.
Jasmine’s stomach dropped. She couldn’t believe her mom said that. Sarita had been born in a lab and held as a test subject for the Liege. No one knew anything about her mother, not even Hawke. The Liege kept him prisoner for decades, breeding him with different wolves. He had no idea he had pups until recently. But that was never to be discussed with humans, even family.
“What happened?” Renee asked.
“Her mom died,” Victoria faltered and met Jasmine’s stern gaze. This was the reason Silas didn’t want human visitors in the compound. Someone might say or do something that would violate their security.
“Asia’s not her mom?” Renee asked looking across the playground at Sarita. “They look alike, I wouldn’t have guessed that. Is she at work? Is that why you’re babysitting?”
“Yes her mom and dad are at work,” Jasmine said and then looked at Rose. “How’re you feeling?”
“My back hurts but that’s been my complaint for a while. I’m ready for this part to be over.” She looked at Jasmine and offered a weak smile. “I want to hold my babies.”
“Soon, sweetie. You want to walk around a little bit?” Jasmine asked, watching Tyrese and Danielle enter the courtyard.
“Rese, Rese throw me the ball,” Adam said running and holding the ball toward his brother. Tyrese took the ball and tossed. Adam ran and almost caught it. “Aww, man. Again. Throw it again.” He ran toward them again.
“Are you ready, Auntie?” Tyrese asked Renee.
She stood and walked around to their mama, placed a kiss on her cheek and hugged her. “See you soon. Love you.”
“Same here, sweetie. Everything will be alright, if Jasmine can move on after what Davian did to her, you can move on too. Be patient, things will work out,” Victoria said patting Renee’s cheek.
Renee jerked back. “There is no comparison between those two things, Mama. If you really believe what you just said, you don’t have a clue with what happened with me or Jasmine.”
“What? I just said –”
“Mama, you need to stop talking. I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy or what but what you just said was so out of line… I still can’t believe you went that far.”
Victoria threw up her hands and shook her head as if she had no idea how insulting she’d been.
“What’s going on with David?” Rose asked craning her neck to see around Danielle.
“Why’s he running to the patio? Is it about to rain or something?” Renee asked looking at the sky. “Looks clear. That was strange. Whatever happened, he held onto Sarita’s hand and took her with him.”
“Tyrese find out if everything’s okay,” Jasmine said, concerned. If that had been any of her other children she wouldn’t have given it much thought. But David didn’t just do things, normally there was a reason.
Renee walked behind Tyrese and kissed each child goodbye, even Sarita. Jasmine glanced at her mom who stared at Renee and the children. As much as she loved her mama, the safety of everyone in the compound, the Nation, rested on keeping their dual-natures a secret. And she refused to allow anyone to jeopardize the safety of her children and grandchildren.
Renee returned to them and hugged Rose. “I’m expecting a call soon.”
“I want Rone to make that call, today if possible.” Rose looked down at her round belly. “Hear that, Aunty wants to see you.”
Tyrese returned and spoke to Jasmine. “He had a bad feeling and wanted to be near the rest of them. Wouldn’t say much more than that. But he seems okay now.”
“Thanks, Rese,” Jasmine said and then stood to hug her sister.
“I miss you, seems like we never spend time together like before. Lets plan a girl trip, we haven’t done that in years,” Renee said.
Jasmine stared at her sister. “I know but I have young children and grands, it’s harder to get away. Maybe when they are older and more settled we can do something,” she said knowing it would probably never happen. Her mate had too many enemies who would try to use her as a bargaining chip but it was a nice thought.
Renee’s smile slipped. “Good point. Hadn’t thought it through. I’ll text you when I get home.” Tyrese and Danielle waved good-bye as they walked alongside Renee to go and get her things before leaving for the airport.
When they left the area, Victoria struggled to get comfortable in her chair. Her cheeks reddened as she looked at Jasmine. “I know what you’re going to say –”
“No, you don’t.”
Her mom stared at her. “I shouldn’t have mentioned Sarita’s past.” She shook her head. “When I’m with my girls, I forget Renee’s not like us and talk like we used to.”
“And that’s the reason my sister cannot visit as often as we’d like, you forget she’s different. We can never go back to those times where we talk about everything. You have to always remember what’s at stake if Renee finds out our secret.” Jasmine refused to make light of what just happened. Her sister studied people for a living and those small slip-ups could lead to a major breach.
“So it’s my fault?” Victoria asked.
Jasmine stared at her and didn’t answer. Her mom used the pregnancy as an excuse for bad behavior, which was Jacques mistake for spoiling the woman.
The background noise of the kids’ voices filled the sudden quiet. Victoria looked away and shook her head. “It’s not my fault she doesn’t visit me.”
Rather than argue that point Jasmine laid it on the line. “What do you think would happen if Renee knew the truth about your babies?”
Victoria frowned. Her mouth opened and then snapped shut. “I want to believe she’d keep it a secret,” she said slowly as if tasting the truth of her words. “But she would want to study them, like she wants my grandbabies’ IQs tested. She wouldn’t harm them but someone else might get a hold of her research and that could lead to all kinds of problems.” Victoria placed her arms on her belly as if protecting them. “I see what you mean. Also if she visited more often, she could be used as a hostage or something. Is Silas on top of that?”
Pleased her mom snapped out of her selfish stupor, Jasmine exhaled. “Yes, she’s being watched, let’s hope she never finds out. Her life would change in a nano-second and I don’t think she’d appreciate that.”
“Unless, she found a mate.” Victoria laughed. “A big, sexy Alpha guy, now that would be funny.”
“No, it would create more problems,” Jasmine said watching the kids.
“Why?”
“Unless she is a breeder, a wolf mate would be impossible and if that is not the case, it’s a problem. Can you imagine wolves searching for mates among humans? The fallout… I don’t even want to think about it,” Jasmine said and looked at the children again.
“Oh, I see what you mean,” Victoria said sadly.
“Bathroom,” Rose said struggling to stand. Jasmine stood and helped. Security stepped forward ready to assist. David walked over to Rose and offered his hand. Smiling, she took it and the two of them walked inside.
Chapter 8
“Five half-breeds were kidnapped in a small town near the base of the Rockies,” Silas told Angus, Asia, Tyrese and Tyrone. “Chase wants to use a hammer to hunt down the rebels when a smooth blade will do the job. Our number one mandate from the Goddess is to keep our dual-nature hidden from the humans.” He exhaled thinking how much more difficult it was with half-breeds who didn’t know their wolf side.
“So starting a visible war with the rebels is out. We released the first airwave transmission from me and Cameron an hour ago. Rone and Rese heard it and gave it a thumbs up. Hawke is working to get the program uploaded to every Alpha before the end of the day, starting with those in trouble spots, like Maryland, Colorado and Virginia where they had the recent bombings.”
