My Savior (19 page)

Using her gift, she reached out to them. She pushed past the terror and tried to listen to the words being yelled.

Brian! Penny! My poor baby!

Amelia jerked back, she kept walking backwards until her back hit the wall of the hallway.

"Well?" Aiden yelled.

"It's a woman's voice I hear, one of them anyway. She's crying out for Brian and Penny," she answered.

She heard a low cry before Rheia appeared at the door wild eyed. "What did you say?"

"This woman is terrified. She keeps calling for Brian and Penny and saying, 'My poor baby'." Amelia watched Rheia's reaction carefully. Rheia began to shake, Colton appeared behind her.

"She means your Penny doesn't she?" Amelia asked gently.
 

Rheia nodded. "I think that's Penny's mother, her mate was named Brian. They were murdered almost two years ago." She turned to Colton. "That could explain why she could see her father when he was invisible, maybe she could feel her mother?"

Colton nodded. "It makes sense."

Amelia's heart stuttered. It was impossible, but there was no other explanation. Pushing past Rheia, she ran into the room, heedless of the searing pain ripping her mind apart. She staggered forward and grabbed the necklace. She swung it up and shattered it against the coffee table. The silence that followed was deafening. Green light flared, and the screams were gone.

Her knees buckled at the full weight of the truth behind the necklace. One moment she was standing over the coffee table, the next she was flat on her back with Rheia bent over her on one side and Darian on the other.

"You need to lower your heart rate Amelia." Rheia said holding her wrist.

"Where's Aiden?" she yelled.

"I'm here."

She looked past Darian to see Aiden standing close by. She began to sob, she couldn't get the words out; it was too terrible to say.

"It's okay, my love, just rest." Darian rubbed her back soothingly.

She shook her head over and over again. It would never be okay again. How had such abominations crept into this world with no one the wiser? She curled into a ball and wept.

"Take her upstairs, Darian; whatever she has to say can wait," she heard Aiden say.

"No! It can't wait." She turned her head and looked up at the Unit Commander. "They were souls, actual souls. They were trapped in the terrifying moment of their murder. Each bead in that necklace was a person!" she cried.

The sound of soft weeping filled the room. The men did everything they could to comfort their mates. Keelan, the only one without a crying mate, by default was the one to call Byron and explain what they had learned.

Amelia lay passively on the floor in Darian's arms. She wanted to cry. She wanted to rail against Fate for allowing such a thing to happen, but she was out of tears. She looked up. "My head hurts," she whispered.

"Rheia?" Darian called.

Rheia looked down and gave Amelia a weak smile. Rheia's eyes and nose were red from crying. "On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it?"

"Thirty. It's a migraine starting." Amelia kept her eyes closed against the light.

"Shit. I don't have anything for migraines at the clinic; paranormals don't get them. I can write a prescription if someone can pick it up," Rheia offered.

Darian kissed Amelia's forehead. "I'll go. If I remember correctly, the Duck In has a large medical counter."

Amelia smiled slightly. "Pharmacies. They're called pharmacies."

"If you're going to the store, can you pick up some chocolate?" Beth asked in a small voice.

"And jalapeño Cheetos?" Meryn asked sniffling.

"Let's put the women to bed and head out," Aiden said, standing with Meryn in his arms.

Keelan joined them. "I'd actually rather go to that wretched human store than answer any more council questions. René Evreux is a world class dick."

"Then it's settled. We meet in the foyer in ten minutes." Aiden left the room with Meryn.

Darian stood, scooping Amelia up, and followed his commander up the stairs. He opened the door to his room, and the smell of the night flowers immediately began to ease some of the pain. He gently tucked her into bed.

"Is there anything else that you need?" he asked, smoothing her hair away from her face.

"Chocolate, please. For when I feel better" She peeled her eyes open and smiled at him.

"Of course. I have heard about the magic of human chocolate. I will return with a selection for you," he promised.

"Hurry back."

"Always."

When the door shut behind him, Amelia closed her eyes and stopped fighting to stay awake. She was too tired to face their new reality with Darian gone.

CHAPTER TEN

Darian and the men sat in the SUV for a few minutes letting the new information sink in. After a few minutes, Aiden started the car and pulled out of their driveway.

"What's a migraine?" Colton asked, turning to him.

"It has to be bad, Amelia rated it a thirty on a pain scale of one to ten," Darian replied. He hated leaving her when she was in so much pain, but the only place that had her medicine was the human store.

"Keelan," Aiden barked.

Keelan sighed and pulled out his phone. He tapped his screen several times. "It says here that exact causes are unknown, but migraine headaches can cause severe pain, sensitivity to light and sound, eye pain, nausea, and vomiting." Keelan swallowed. "They sound awful. Amelia may be half witch, but she's also half human and susceptible to these things. It says here stress is a contributing factor."

Darian felt ill. His poor mate! How could she survive such a thing?

"Aiden..."

Aiden nodded and looked at him in the rear view mirror. "We'll be there soon. I know you're anxious to get back. I felt the same way when I knew Meryn was having her cycle. It killed me knowing she was lying at home alone with her womb turning inside out, but like before, we have to get what Amelia needs to overcome this."

Colton shook his head. "I can't believe your mate is a psychologist. I thought she was a bubbly, air-headed version of Meryn. I don't think I could do what she did. She's kinda amazing."

Pride for his mate welled up in him. "She is, isn't she?" Darian found himself once again realizing that his mate deserved so much more than what he had to offer. Nevertheless, he would keep his promise to her and try to stay in the light for as long as he could. It was the least he could do for such a selfless creature.

None too soon they were pulling into the parking lot of the Duck In.

"Weapons?" Keelan asked.

Aiden nodded. "But keep them small. Bart told me that we make the other humans nervous when we're visibly armed."

Gavriel smiled. "It makes sense, we are already much larger than the average human. Even without weapons, I believe we are intimidating."

They got out of the car and checked their sidearms before heading into the store.

"Aiden m'boy! What has you gentlemen out today?" Bart called from behind he counter.

They walked up to the older man. Darian stepped forward. "I have need of your medical counter. My mate is having migraines and our doctor gave me this to get her medicine." He held up the prescription that Rheia had given him.

Bart lowered his glasses onto his nose and took the piece of paper. "Real sorry to hear about your woman. Come with me boys. I'll show you where the pharmacy is." Bart stepped out from behind his counter and slowly made his way to the back of the store.

"Bill! Bill! I got a pre-scrip-shun for ya." Bart yelled over the high counter.

A man not much younger than Bart peered out over the counter. "Well, give it here!" Bill reached out his hand and Bart gave him the piece of paper.

Bill looked it over. "Hmmm. Hmmm. Sumatriptan huh? Someone must have a migraine." He looked out over the men. "Who's this for?"

Darian stepped closer. "My mate."

"Hmmm. Give me fifteen minutes," Bill said shortly, before disappearing behind his tall counter.

"You boys behave. No shenanigans like last time," Bart warned shaking a finger at them.

"No, sir," Aiden affirmed, nodding at the older man.

"Good." Bart walked back up to the front.

The men stood in front of the counter for a few minutes before they began to wander around. Colton made Keelan squirm by showing him different condom boxes, and Gavriel discovered the aisle that had imported chocolate. Feeling like they had discovered lost treasure, they loaded up with the brightly colored paper wrapped bars and made their way to the front. They placed the assortment of chocolate and the bag of jalapeño Cheetos for Meryn on the counter, smiling at each other triumphantly. Bart looked at their selections and shook his head. Once they were checked out they headed back to the pharmacy.

"I wonder what this is?" Colton asked, pointing to a strange looking chair.

They all gathered around it. Gavriel stepped closer to read the text on the machine. "It says here you place your arm through this cuff and it will tell you what your blood pressure is."

Everyone looked at each other before turning to stare at Keelan. Keelan started to back away slowly. "No way!"

Darian and Colton looked at each other and each grabbed an arm. "Don't be like that, Kee. Let's see what happens," Colton said with a devilish grin.

They manhandled him into the chair and slid his arm into the cuff before stepping back.

Aiden frowned. "Nothing is happening."

"Prescription for Amelia Ironwood," Bill announced.

Reluctantly, Darian walked back over to the counter.

Bill handed him a small paper bag with multiple pieces of paper stapled to it.

"You can pay back here," Bill said.

Darian got his wallet out and handed him the credit card. While he was waiting for the slip to sign, he started to read the paper attached to the medicine.

Be careful when using if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, are breast-feeding, or post menopausal.

May cause mental or mood changes, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, fever, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

What the fuck!

"Sir! Sir! This package says that no woman who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant should be taking this medication." Darian waved the bag at him.

"Is she pregnant?"

Darian shook his head. "No."

"Then you don't have to worry. Sign here." Bill passed him the slip. Grinding his teeth, Darian scrawled his name.

"Ha! You have to push the button," he heard Colton say.

"I don't like this," Keelan said in a small voice.

"Have a nice night." Bill gave a stiff smile and disappeared behind his counter.

Darian pulled out his phone and called Rheia. She answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Rheia, I'm concerned. The instructions on this medicine state that it could cause certain side effects."

"She'll be fine, Darian. Just bring it home. If you're that worried, I'll check on her throughout the night," she promised.

"Rheia, it said it could cause hallucinations!" Darian clutched the bag in his hand.

"I know, I know. Just bring it home, Darian. It's fine, I promise." Rheia hung up and Darian frowned at his phone.
 

Human medicine could kill you!

"Guys, my arm hurts." Keelan said, wiggling in the seat.

Darian walked over to see Keelan's hand was starting to turn a dark, purply-red color.

"Is it supposed to do that?" Darian asked Aiden who shrugged.

"Okay guys, this shit hurts, get it off!" Keelan said pulling on his arm trying to extricate it from the cuff.

"Just press the release button," Bill called out.

Colton looked around and pressed the button. He looked down at Keelan. "Well?"

"It's still squeezing!" Keelan yelled.

"I will go get Bart." Gavriel volunteered and headed to the front.

"Get it off me!" Keelan screamed hysterically.

"What do we have here?" Bart asked.

"We can't get his arm out of this contraption." Aiden pointed to Keelan.

"Did ya press the button?"
 

"Yes," Colton said pressing the button again.

Bart rubbed his chin. "Well, ain't this a pickle." He turned toward the pharmacy. "I told you this darn thing was broke," he yelled.

"I can't feel my fingers," Keelan whimpered.

Gavriel turned to Aiden. "We have a sword in the car."

Keelan's eyes widened and he began to struggle even harder to get free.

Bart turned to Gavriel. "A real sword?" His eyes were bright with curiosity making him seem more like a little boy than a grizzled old man.

Gavriel winked.

"You don't really need two arms, do you Kee?" Colton joked.

"Yes I do!" Keelan yelled back.

"We could try cutting the cuff off," Aiden suggested.

Keelan shook his head. "You'll cut my arm off!"

"Don't be silly Keelan. If we cut your arm off, blood will get everywhere." Aiden chastised.

Keelan had just started to hyperventilate when Darian had an idea. He stepped forward and leaned in close to his friend. "You're a witch who has mastered air; can you deflate the cuff," he asked.

Seconds later, Keelan yanked his arm out of the blue cuff and slid off the small bench to sit on the floor.

"I hate going to the store. I hate going to the store. I hate going to the store..." Keelan repeated over and over.

"Hey, blondie!" A cantankerous voice called. Darian turned to see Bill waving him over. "Give this to him. It will calm him down. If you tell anyone I gave it to you, I'll deny it. I normally wouldn't do this, but it is my fault for not getting that thing fixed." Bill dropped a small pill in his hand.

"Will this cause hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, fever...?"

Bill rolled his eyes. "Just give it to him." He turned and disappeared again.

Darian looked around. He spotted a display of bottled water and grabbed one. He walked over to Keelan and knelt down. "Here you go Keelan. This will help." He handed him the small pill and the opened bottle of water. Keelan didn't even question what it was; he just downed it.