Authors: Rebecca Zanetti
Marked (26 page)
He’d see Suri soon in death.
Zane looked up to see the king, worn and wan, and so damn ill, staring at him with regret in his silver eyes. “How did you get transport?” Zane coughed.
“Allies. Mainly shifter allies,” Dage said. “We’ll head to our secondary headquarters for now.”
So they all could die. Tears clogged Zane’s throat, so he stopped talking.
An explosion echoed like deadly thunder behind them, heaving up red, orange, and yellow smoke. The cavern was toast, although no humans in outlying states would be harmed. Zane comforted himself by brushing his hand through Janie’s silky hair. His mate had saved millions.
She doubled over again and gasped. “The baby is coming.”
Panic ripped through his chest. “Now? He can’t be coming now.”
“He is.” Janie took several deep breaths, her eyes a wild blue. “I want to get married.”
“What?” Zane shook his head. “Now?”
She grabbed his hand, her nails digging in. “Yes. I wanted to before he came, or before I die, but everything has been so crazy. I want to get married. Now!”
Sometimes he forgot her human ways, but he’d move the fucking earth himself if it’d make her happy. “Okay.” He looked at the ground below. “We can probably find a preacher on the way.”
The king turned around and rolled his faded eyes. “I can marry you.”
“You can?” Zane asked.
“Why does everyone forget I’m the fucking king?” Dage asked Talen.
Talen shrugged, looking a thousand years old. “I almost never forget.”
Dage growled and placed a hand on Janie’s arm. “Do you take—”
“Yes,” she gasped, her face pinching in pain.
Dage frowned, concern wrinkling his brow. “Zane Kyllwood, do you take Janet Isabella Kayrs as your wife?”
“Hell, yes.” Zane patted her hand, trying to send healing vibes her way, although he lacked the strength.
Dage nodded. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Talen leaned over and shook Zane’s hand. “Welcome to the family. Again.”
Zane nodded and kissed Janie’s forehead. “Feel better?”
She smiled. Her eyes widened. Then she doubled over, vibrations of pain shooting away from her shaking body. “The baby is coming. Right now.”
Chapter 31
Janie lay back on the makeshift bed, her heart thundering. She eyed the rough stone walls of the Colorado underground facility. After it had been attacked years ago, Dage had quietly rebuilt it as a backup if necessary. “Why are we here? Another hour and we could be at the Realm hospital in Canada.”
Cara grimaced. “The demons hit the hospital at the same time as headquarters. There is no hospital.”
Cramps gripped Janie’s rib cage, and her stomach rolled. “We have to stop this.”
Her mother and Emma scrambled around the narrow room for medical supplies.
“We’ve contacted Doctor Morose,” Emma said, reaching for a blood pressure cuff. “He’s en route from Maine.”
Janie sucked in air and tried to stop the next contraction. The doctor was the best gynecologist in the Realm, having delivered babies for seven centuries. He’d agreed to move to headquarters during her eighth month—in just a few measly weeks.
But headquarters no longer existed, and it looked like she wouldn’t be pregnant much longer.
The Colorado facility wasn’t functional yet and lacked medical necessities. Her baby could not be born right now. “He’s too early. He’s way too early,” Janie gasped, the pain making her light-headed.
Cara smoothed back her hair. “You’re at seven months, sweetheart. The babe is early, but he’s strong.”
Janie tried to take comfort from her mother’s soft words. But had the baby’s early exposure to the virus weakened him? Or the falls she’d just taken during the fight? Now she lay in an unfinished facility, half-nude, covered by a sheet, because they didn’t even have hospital gowns. “Don’t you have anything to stop the contractions?”
“No.” Emma felt for Janie’s pulse and looked at the ceiling. “You need to take several deep breaths and try to slow your heart rate. It’s way too fast.” She eyed Cara. “A stethoscope won’t work on the baby, and neither would a monitor. If we had one.”
Cara nodded and patted Janie’s arm. “I know. Vampire babies are too well insulated.”
So there was no way to see if he was doing all right. Janie tried to hold still and not move. Maybe if she stopped moving, then the contractions would ebb. “Where’s Zane?”
Emma wiped Janie’s brow with a wet towel. “He’s getting patched up in the next room and will be here soon. We can’t have him bleeding all over everything.” Her smile trembled on her lips. “Women have been giving birth in fields forever, Janie. This is fine, and your son will be perfectly healthy.”
Janie nodded. “If there’s a problem? What do we have here?”
“The lab is stocked,” Emma said. “We were moving on to the medical facilities next.”
So basically . . . no medicine.
Cara leaned in and grasped Janie’s hand in hers. “I gave birth to Garrett in an underground jail cell. Remember?”
Janie forced a smile. “That’s right. Simone and Moira helped you.” Maybe they should get a witch in the room. Although manipulating quantum physics wouldn’t help right now. A contraction ripped into her, and she cried out.
Emma cleared her throat and reached for the sheet. “Let me just take a gander, Jane.” She looked for a moment and then gently felt Janie. “You’re dilated at about a four.” Emma stepped back to the narrow counter to wash her hands in the small sink. “This little guy is showing up today.”
Zane kept his face stoic and tried to concentrate on a tiny spot on the rock wall. The needle dug in again.
“You doing okay?” Talen Kayrs asked, his thick fingers working the thread through Zane’s flesh.
“Yes.” Although he might pass out from loss of blood. He sat on an old folding chair in a large, empty cavern in the rock. The emergency headquarters lacked pretty much everything. “Thank you.”
Talen chuckled, his gray head bent at the task. He looked like a ninety-year-old human, and he moved as slowly. “Thank you for saving Janie. It’s a miracle you were able to teleport.”
“Or fate.” There was no way Zane had made it on his own, was there?
“Or you.” Talen slapped a bandage over Zane’s chest wounds. “There’s no stronger drive in the universe than the need to keep a mate safe.” He stood and straightened his back, the vertebra popping loudly.
Zane nodded, trying once again to force his wounds closed. Nothing happened.
Sam and Logan hastened into the room.
“Mom’s secure with a couple of the witches closer to the center of the mountain,” Sam reported.
Logan frowned, worry glinting in his eyes. “Are you okay?”
No. In fact, Zane could feel the energy leaving his body. He had to live. Just long enough to see his kid.
Dage strode into the room followed by Conn, Kane, Jase, Max, and Garrett. The king’s gnarled hands shook on a stack of papers. “How is Janie?”
“Getting settled,” Zane answered. “Emma is coming to get me as soon as they have her in place. The baby is coming today.”
Dage smiled cracked teeth, lifting new wrinkles at his eyes. “Good. I’d like to meet your son. Before . . .”
“Before what?” Garrett shoved away from the wall, panic filling his tone.
Talen turned toward his son. “We’ve had reports of five vampires across the world dying during the last week. Apparently the virus works very quickly once death is close.” He turned, and a crack echoed through the room. Shock opened his mouth, and he fell flat on his butt.
Garrett rushed forward. “Dad?”
Talen growled and grabbed his hip. “Broken.”
Shit. That easily? Zane wanted to get up and offer his chair, but his legs refused to move. He ran a weak hand through his hair. Strands of gray fell to the floor. “I’m almost dead, and now I’m balding?” He snorted. “Apparently I am a superficial bastard. The hair loss bothers me almost as much as death.”
Talen leaned his head against the wall and barked out a laugh. His nearly colorless gaze met Zane’s. “Me too. I would’ve liked to have known you over centuries, Kyllwood, not just a few short months.”
Zane nodded. “Ditto.”
Garrett growled and shook his head. “We’re not giving up. Please don’t tell me we’re giving up.” He looked around wildly at the group.
Conn, Kane, Max, and Jase all leaned heavily against the wall, death dancing on their pale faces. Their eyes had lost all color, and their bodies all strength.
Talen reached out a hand for his son. “I’m sorry, G. I need you to be strong.”
Garrett blinked, tears in his metallic-colored eyes. He looked so much bigger and stronger than the indomitable Talen that something in Zane’s gut hurt. Bad.
Dage hobbled toward Zane and handed him a stack of papers. “Treaty.”
Zane took the pages and a pen. His head hurt, and his vision sucked. “Tell me it’s fair.”
“It’s fair.” The king wiped sweat off his sagging chin. “Treaty between the Realm and demon nations, sharing all information, and banding together against any enemies. If the Prophesy of Arias is ever found, we share it.” He pointed to a second page. “This page turns over your rule to Sam.” The king glanced at his nephew. “I’ve transferred mine to Garrett. The Realm is yours, kid.”
That quickly and in front of Zane’s eyes, Garrett Kayrs changed. His head lifted, and his shoulders went back. A wounded desperation filled his gaze, while pure Kayrs power tightened his jaw. “I’ll protect the Realm.” The pain fled his eyes, leaving a hard determination that made him look centuries older.
Zane nodded at his brother. “Sam?” he gasped.
Sam stepped toward him and dropped to one knee so they could see eye to eye. “Thank you for being my brother.”
Tears pricked the back of Zane’s eyes. “I couldn’t have made it without you and Logan.”
Logan knelt by Sam. “You protected me. Thank you.”
Zane blinked, not caring that tears slid down his face. “Take care of each other, and protect Mom, Janie, and my son.”
Sam held a hand over his heart. “With everything I am.”
“Me too,” Logan said, choking up.
Zane tried to hold his shoulders up. “My child.”
Sam’s and Logan’s heads snapped up, while Garrett pushed off from the wall. “My life,” they said in unison, their deep voices a vow to protect and defend.
Tears clouded Zane’s vision. He’d never thought he’d request the oath, but as it was given, something eased inside him. They’d take care of his son.
Jase cleared his throat. “I’m going to spend my last moments with my mate. Somebody text me when the baby is born.” He moved toward the doorway and stumbled. Conn reached for him, while Kane and Max assisted each other, and the four inched their way into the hallway.
Fuck the virus. Zane scrubbed his face with both hands. One little bug had taken the toughest predators in the universe and turned them into old men. The Kurjans should all be shot for creating the virus.
The queen hustled into the room, her gaze landing on her mate. “Dage?” she asked, her voice breaking.
“I’m fine, love.” The king slowly lifted his hand.
She ran to him, snuggling into his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
Dage ran a hand down her dark hair. “You gave me joy for longer than I deserved.” He slowly put her away from him. “Janie?”
Emma swallowed and turned toward Zane. “The baby is coming. Now.”
Panic and hope flamed through Zane. He struggled to stand.
Emma hurried for him and slipped a shoulder under his arm. “Let me help.”
Dage padded across the room and slid down to sit by his brother. Two skinny former warriors during their last moments. “We’ll be here. Let us know the good news.” He slung an arm around a swaying Talen.
Talen exhaled and leaned his head back on the stone, his eyes closing. “I’m almost a grandpa.”
Emma swallowed and turned to stare at her mate. “I’ll be back. Please be . . . here.”
Dage slowly winked.
The room spun. Zane caught his breath and tried to remain upright.
A scream rent the day. Janie!
Emma tightened her hold. “We need to hurry, Zane.”
He stumbled along next to her into the hallway and toward the makeshift medical room. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I think maybe the baby is breech.” Panic filled Emma’s voice.
They reached the room, and Emma helped him into a chair by Janie’s head.
Pain filled Janie’s face and blood scented the room with sulfur and copper. Her sable hair was plastered against her forehead, and tears streaked down her pale face.
She truly was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Zane clasped her hand in both of his. “Belle?”
She turned toward him and sobbed. Her back arched, going rigid. With a cry, she closed her eyes and seemed to push.
Cara fumbled beneath the sheet, her hair a wild mess, her eyes a panicked blue. “Don’t push yet, Janie. I think I can turn him.”
Janie groaned and subsided into the bed. “Oh God.”
Helplessness coated Zane’s throat, and his body trembled. “You’re so strong, baby. You always have been and always will be.” He leaned his face closer to hers. “Trust me.”
Her eyes widened, and then she nodded.
“Okay. Push now, Janie,” Cara urged.
Janie drew in a deep breath and bore down. A vein filled with purple in her neck.
Zane whispered soft words without meaning, trying to stay conscious. Just to help Janie through the storm and to see his son. Just once.
Janie flopped back onto the bed, gasping for air.
“Again,” Emma said. “Whoa. Tons of black hair on this little guy.”
Janie’s eyes widened, and she hissed out air before bearing down again. Zane counted seconds to her until she sank onto the barely padded table.
“You’re doing so well,” he murmured, drawing in her scent. “Think how special he will be. Human, vampire, demon, and several shifter species. Plus, you’re enhanced, so you’re a cousin to the witches.”
Janie gave him a pained smile. “He’ll be a man of the world.”
From the world and to the world. Zane rubbed his cheek on hers. “I’m proud of you.”
“One more time,” Cara said, her hands full of a towel.
Janie shook her head. “I can’t. No more.”
Zane kissed her hand. “One more time. For me. So I can meet him.”
Tears spiked into her eyes, changing them to a dark, desperate blue. “Don’t leave us.”
He closed his eyes against the reassurance she needed. Not once would he lie to her, not even now. “I love you, Janie Belle.”
Her mouth opened, the cords in her neck stretching. A contraction gripped her stomach hard enough Zane could see it. Crying out, she sucked in air and bore down. Hard. For what seemed like minutes.
Cara ducked low and reached out.
Janie fell back to the bed, a sigh of relief echoing on her scream.
Cara cooed and wiped off a little bundle.
A gurgling cry came from the towel. Not a scream so much as an interested hello.
Zane chuckled into Janie’s neck, tears sliding down his chilled face. He turned his head to see his child.
Cara wiped and wiped. “You have a beautiful . . .” She paused on a gasp of air.
Zane lifted his head. “Cara?”
Her eyes went wide, and she swayed. “Emma?” she asked.
Panic filled Zane.
Janie struggled to sit up. “What is it?” she asked, her voice cracking.
Emma shook her head and frowned, looking closer. “Ah. It’s a girl.”
Zane coughed. “No. That’s impossible.”
The baby gave another gurgled sigh.
Emma smiled and rubbed the babe’s head, quickly snipping the umbilical cord to place on a tray. “Possible or not, this is a girl.” She took the bundle and laid the babe on Janie’s chest, covering her with a fresh towel. “Oh my.” Emma wiped off the baby’s back. “A baby girl prophet. Interesting.”
The blue prophesy mark wound over her little neck and down her back. Zane blinked. “That’s impossible,” he repeated.
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