BirthMark (31 page)

His thoughts remained on the fight and the tenacity of the Bennett pack. There was something in the Bennett line that made them a little different from the rest. The doctor had mentioned they had been in some tests years before, perhaps that’s why Davian’s seed had taken root in Jasmine. Or why the twins were better fighters than most full-bloods. Plus, they had the ability to merge with each other, something normally done between mated pairs. Certainly not all half-breeds were natural predators like the twins. Silas didn’t even sense the heightened level of ferocity in Davian, although the feral look on the man’s face when Tyrese was punched in the stomach was borderline rabid.

After Tyrese and his father left the mines, Silas had his guards decapitate the deceased and throw their heads into the incinerator first and then the bodies. It was a long process but Silas wanted no more research done on the individuals who died today. He also had the guards search through the rubble for any supplies, or more importantly, medicines. A black case with vials of liquids was on the way in so they could be tested. Several cameras were located and destroyed as his guards methodically searched for anything of importance to prevent strangers from setting up camp again in their state.

“
Silas, do you want us to remain here tonight?”
Jasmine asked through their link.

He thought about Asia, Leon, the detective, even Davian and Matt, and felt uncomfortable with so many new people in the compound. “
Yes, I will bring Rese and Rone when I come down after we clear things up here. It may be late, so we’ll grab a bite before we come. Make sure you move to our private quarters, I want to spend time with you in the underground spring. You game?
” He knew she would be, she loved the moss-lined cave and whenever they had a chance, she’d drag him there to relax in the warm bubbling waters.

“
Always. I’ll see you soon.”

Security alerted Silas of Tyrese, Davian and Asia’s approach. He watched as each one walked through the scanning device and then underwent a more thorough scan. Silas smiled at the primitive look in Davian’s eyes as he watched his mate. Perhaps there was more to the man than he’d realized. Davian was the first to get the all clear. He gave Silas a cursory glance and salute before wrapping his arms around his mate and kissing him with an obvious hunger.

When they broke for air, Matt’s wide grin showed he was more than ready for some alone time with his mate. He looked at Silas, a question in his eyes.

“Security will take you to one of the condos we have prepared for you. We’ll debrief tomorrow, Davian.”

Davian turned, his arms still around his mate. His wolf bled through his eyes as he nodded. Silas stroked the mans’ wolf to ease him. Davian had been apart from his mate too long; add his recent adrenaline rush in battle, and the man was jacked.

“Good job, we appreciate your service.”

Davian straightened a bit, looked at his sons and then Silas. “It was an honor, Sir, and a privilege. We’ll see you in the morning. Matt needs to check Rese out…tomorrow.”

Silas nodded as the two left the area. Tyrone grabbed Tyrese and the two men embraced, slapping each other on the back. Silas had no doubt they were communicating about everything that just happened, and gave them a moment of privacy while watching Asia’s reaction to the scene. Her eyes had widened when she saw Tyrone and now she was frowning. Silas scanned her closely and had security bind her arms from behind. He took a bandana from the guard and covered her eyes.

“
Thank you, Patron,”
she said through their link.
“I’m sorry they can now positively identify the twins. If I could cut my eyes out I would.”

Silas understood.

“We will talk, get some rest.” He had security carry her to a more secure room and place her inside. They removed the cuffs and bandana. Silas watched through the camera as she found the bed and lay down. He heard her soft weeping through their link. If any person had been abused and misused, he suspected it had been Asia. He wasn’t sure why the Goddess wanted her spared, but he would do his best to make her comfortable until he knew more about her and her abilities.

“She’s got a lot of problems,” Tyrese said, standing next to Silas watching the monitor. “They have done all kinds of experiments on her, even injected her with the same thing they gave me. I locked up that black case by the way. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to stand security when it’s being tested. I’d hate for anything to go missing.”

Silas, nodded. “Okay. I want you to undergo a full check-up with Matt tomorrow. And then Asia, and then your dad. I didn’t sense anything but I want to be sure you didn’t pick up anything in the mine.”

“What happened to Hamus and Shaun?” Tyrone asked.

“They went to a hotel. They plan to rent a car and leave in the morning. Shaun plans to finish school so he can work for the Patron. Hamus tried to talk to the honor guard to see what it takes to become a member,” Tyrese said with a slight grin.

“They did well,” Silas said.

Tyrese nodded. “Rone told me about that bullshit note they sent you. It’s all bullshit.”

“Organized bullshit,” Tyrone said as they moved to Silas’ office.

“Yeah, you’re right about that.” He told them what Asia had told him and his conclusion regarding the root cause of what he had gone through.

“You think they did all that to test the drug?” Tyrone asked, frowning.

“Yeah, I do. They heard La Patron had half-breed pups, they saw us fighting in Texas, but we were so fast, they weren’t sure if it was one or two.”

“They know it’s two now,” Silas said, agreeing with Tyrese’s premise.

“What? How?” Tyrese asked.

“Asia. Her eyes have some type of lens in them. I noticed something was off with her while she watched the two of you. I’m still waiting on Jayden to send me a complete file on her and Leon. We should learn more about those two in a day or so.”

Tyrese nodded. “She watched the fight, didn’t get involved. Said it was because she couldn’t be captured and returned to the lab,” Tyrese said his brow creased. “So they got what they wanted? They saw me shift into that…that thing as a result of the shot.” He sounded disgusted.

“You did a mid-shift, or hybrid shift, part man, part wolf. I’ve never seen a breed do it, but then again half-breeds are new to me.”

Tyrese faced him with an eager look. “Full-bloods do partial shifts? I’ve never seen or heard of that.”

“I do partial shifts. I stopped a while back because…my animal was too violent. I haven’t done it in over a hundred years. The blood-lust grew harder and harder to contain, so I shut it down.” He stared at Tyrese. “You have to work hard to control your wolf at all times or he will take over. It’s not good when you can’t think rationally.”

Tyrese nodded. “Will you help me?”

Silas nodded, pleased with Tyrese’s level of maturity. “Yes.” He looked at the twins and stretched. “I know you found release and are relaxed,” he said to Tyrese. “But I have not seen my mate or pups since you were taken yesterday. She misses me.”

Tyrese laughed as they all stood. “I had to report in to you first, but I know and you know, I have to go let mama check me out. But I’ll try and be brief.”

Silas smacked his shoulder and they left the room.

“Mom tell you, Aunt Renee, Mandy and grandma are coming next month for the Christening?” Tyrone asked Tyrese.

“Next month? Before or after the challenge?” Silas asked.

The twins looked at him and laughed. “You should be telling us,” Tyrone said as they entered the elevator.

“She’s planning this. I will show up of course. But…I’ve been busy with other things and don’t have all the details,” he grumbled.

“It’s in two weeks,” Tyrone said.

“Okay, before the challenge,” Silas said, his mind on the upcoming fight.

“Have you made a decision about Cameron?” Tyrese asked as they left the elevator and headed to the below ground living quarters. Silas placed his palm on the scanner and was admitted. The twins repeated the process and within moments the wall moved and they walked down another hall.

“No. Not yet. He talked to me about it, but winning the admiration of your mate doesn’t seem like the best reason to become Alpha of a state. What happens when she wants something else? Move to live near water or snow or sunshine, what then? I will decide soon and let you know if you are off the hook or not,” he said to Tyrone, who nodded.

They reached the door and Silas punched in his code and spoke a word. The door opened and they entered. Jasmine unfolded from the chair and walked toward them, her eyes locked on Tyrese who opened his arms. She ran and hugged him tight.

Tears leaked from her eyes and Silas noticed moisture in Tyrese’s eyes before he closed them while rocking her from side to side. When they broke apart, she cupped his cheek in her hand and smiled.

“I am so happy to see you, I was so scared when they took you. Silas called me bloodthirsty when I told him to teach them a lesson about taking one of ours…” she nodded. “But I’d have neutered them myself if I’d have caught them.”

“Mom,” Tyrese said, groaning and covering his private parts.

Laughing, she slapped his shoulder and pulled her to him again. Silas met her eyes, she mouthed, “thank you” to him. He’d have to give a full accounting later as they soaked in the spring. He hardened just thinking about getting close to her. Not wanting to appear selfish or brutish, he left them alone and entered the area where his pups were resting on a large mat. Rose and Tyrone broke from a tight embrace as he entered.

“Good night, Patron,” Rose said as she left the room, pulling an eager Tyrone behind her.

He waved not wanting to wake his pups. A soft mewling sound from the bed had him reaching for David. His fingertip brushed across his son’s lip and David grabbed it and bit down hard.

“Hey, that’s not food, buddy,” he whispered, surprised David was sucking his finger. Was that normal, he wondered as he pulled his finger out gently. David’s eyes widened and then his face split into a grin showing smudges of red on his teeth from the bite.

“Da,” he said and took Silas’ finger again.

Immobile from the burst of love and pride careening through him, Silas didn’t realize his son had bitten him again and was sucking on his finger. When it dawned on him that David was sucking his blood, he pulled his finger away.

His son grinned and in an unprecedented move, crawled up his chest and touched his face the way the other kids had done numerous times.

“Da.”

“Did he just…oh, is he standing on you?” Jasmine asked with wonder in her voice.

Silas hadn’t realized the boy was standing and now bouncing on him without assistance. The glow of excitement from David’s smile was catchy and he found himself grinning right along with the boy.

“I can’t believe this,” Jasmine whispered through the fingers covering her mouth. “What happened?” She looked at him.

Silas was clueless. “I went to pick him up, he was making some noises, you know how he does.”

She nodded and stroked David as if his bouncing on Silas’ lap were a mirage that she needed to make sure was real.

“I missed his shoulder or something and my finger grazed his lips. He grabbed it and bit down.” He glanced at Jasmine. “Has he bitten anyone?”

“No.” She frowned, stroking the babe’s hair. “Adam is my biter, not David.”

“He sucked my blood.”

Her eyes widened and her hand froze in mid-stroke. “What?” she asked in a horrified whisper.

He had to remember she was human and the idea of blood exchanges grossed her out. “He marked me, I guess.” Silas tried to sound offhanded about it.

“But…he’s…just…why did he do that?”

Silas thought about it. The Goddess’ words came back to him. “Maybe that’s the way I’m supposed to heal him.” He shrugged. It was good seeing the pup with a bit of life in him and if his blood was the catalyst for that, he’d feed the boy a steady diet. Jasmine took David and rocked him until he fell asleep.

“He’s resting.” Grinning widely, she looked at Silas. “Really resting.”

He placed a kiss on her forehead and assisted her up with her bundle. “Glad I could be of help, should have thought of it before.” He shook it off, feeding his sick pup his blood never occurred to him. “Put him to bed, the real test will be if he sleeps through the night.”

She nodded and returned David to his spot between Adam and Renee. Silas spared his pups another look, took her hand and pulled her toward the bathing area. They had just entered the space when the chime rang, signaling someone at the front entrance.

Silas looked at Jasmine. “It’s one of the stooges. Rone, Rese or Cam.”

Chapter 20