Healing Their Mate (The Love of a Shifter) (23 page)

“
She is our sister.  I can feel it here.”  Star pointed to her heart.

“
I will need more than a feeling to believe my mate is your sister,” Reece’s voice was lethal sounding as he spoke.

Star cleared her throat before she spoke. 
“River can heal people, correct?”  Reece looked at Jonas.

“
What can you do?” Jonas asked, cutting her questions off.  He wanted some answers now.  If they could help, then he wanted to get started looking for River.

“
We both are healers and I know how to use some magic.  We just don’t know what else we can do yet.  We try to keep it on the down low so nobody asks us any questions.  But the moment I saw River in town, I just knew she was our sister,” Star explained.

“
Magic?  Do you think you could help us find her?” Reece asked.

“
We will do whatever you need us to do.  I can try, but you need a powerful wizard or witch to do a finding spell,” said Star.  Reece looked over at Jonas and Larken. 

“
Damn.  Get Jansen in here.”  Larken ran out of the room to find Jansen as Reece got up, pacing the floor. 

“
You love my sister, don’t you?” Star asked as she watched Reece.

Stopping in front of Star, Reece turned to face her. 
“Yes, I do.  I love her so much it hurts and like you, I can feel it in here.”  Reece pointed toward his heart.  Star smiled then looked over at Sky who stayed quiet the whole time, staring at him.

“
We both love her.”  Jonas smiled at Reece for including him.

Larken ran in the room with Jansen. 
“Can you do a finding spell?” Reece asked as they all stared at the wizard. 

“
Damn.  I didn’t think of that.  Yes, I can do it, but I will need some of her hair to really do it right.”  Jansen glanced over at Star and finally noticed her and the young man standing beside her. 

“
You look like River,” Jansen commented.

“
This is her sister and brother.”  Jansen looked up at Reece because he was told that River was an orphan. 

Peeling his eyes from Star, Jansen looked at Reece when Reece said,
“We don’t have any.  She packed all her stuff and took it with her before she left.”  Jansen nodded trying to think of something else he could use.

Reaching out and grabbing Reece
’s arm, Jonas spurted out, “Her hat, the lime green hat.  She left it in your car.”  Reece ran out the door to his vehicle looking for River’s hat and coat.  He ran inside and handed the hat to Jansen. 

“
This will do.  I found a couple of them.”  Jansen pulled the hairs he got from River’s hat and placed them in a glass bowl.  “I need some apple vinegar, a sprig of rue, some lavender, mint, and wormwood.  And some salt too.”  Jansen asked for the ingredients like they were every day products.

“
Wormwood?” Larken yelled.  “Where the hell do I get that?” 

“
I have some here.”  Star grabbed her pocketbook off the floor and rummaged around in it then pulled out some bottles.  It looked more like a suitcase instead of a pocketbook.  “I don’t have any apple vinegar with me.”  Larken and the others just stared at Star.  Wondering why she carried around those ingredients in her pocketbook. 

Looking up, Star looked back and forth at Larken and Reece. 
“What?  I told you I could do some magic.  They use a lot of the same ingredients in a lot of the spells.” 

Ash called and asked the staff to send some apple vinegar to the conference room immediately.  Jansen smiled as he put the ingredients in the bowl then pulled out a lighter.  A few minutes later, a staff member ran in with a bottle of apple vinegar.  Jansen poured the vinegar into the bowl.  Looking up at
Star, Jansen asked for her help.  “When you see my hands light up, light the ingredients in the bowl.  Please don’t talk to me while I’m doing the spell.”  Jansen didn’t wait for anyone’s answer.  He placed his hands over the bowl and started chanting. 

Nobody had a clue what Jansen was chanting.  The words were not English and sounded like Latin.  They all watched curiously as Jansen
’s hands glowed over the bowl.  Star did what Jansen asked and pushed the lighter, holding it to the flame.  Smoke and flames flew up as Jansen chanted.  As the flame grew higher a cloud of smoke appeared.  Inside the flame a picture started to appear.  At first the picture was distorted and unfocused.  Everyone moved closer to the flame as the picture became clearer.  Ash put her hand to her mouth as River appeared tied to the bed.  Her shirt had been ripped from her body with bite marks all over her upper body.  Her face was bloody.  She lay lifeless tied to the bed.

“
I’m going to kill him.  I’m going to kill him,” Reece roared.  Reece’s and Jonas’s bodies shook with rage as they watched their mate’s lifeless body.

Then the picture ran up the stairs out the door to the yard then toward an old broken down farmhouse. 
“That’s the old Sutter’s Farm house,” Larken advised.

“
Let’s go get our girl,” Jonas growled to Reece.  His eyes changed to a vibrant yellow color.  Glowing with rage, Jonas started for the door. 

Jansen threw his hand to the door as it slammed shut. 
“First we need a plan before you go running in without knowing what we are up against.  They have been taking her blood and now they are stronger than you will be.  We will be slaughtered.”

Sky put his hands over his ears as Jonas growled so loud the tables shook. 
“Calm down, Jonas,” Larken yelled. 

“
We are going to get our mate and nobody will stop us,” Jonas growled out.

“
Nobody is trying to stop you, but we want to do this the right way because you getting yourself killed isn’t going to help River.  She would be pissed knowing you were going off half-cocked,” Larken muttered.  He put his hands on Jonas’s shoulders as Jonas closed his yellow eyes trying to calm down.

“
Okay let’s make a plan,” Jonas whispered as he inhaled deeply.

*****

River opened her eyes then closed them again.  Her body ached but she couldn’t move.  She fought to keep them open but she was so tired she slipped deeper into sleep. 

Jacky Boy could hear Paddock telling Ricky they were going to drive to the county line to get some of his clan members.  They had driven up from New Mexico for the battle Paddock was going to start. 

Jacky Boy held his head up trying to see through one eye.  He looked over to check on River.  The change should have taken affect, but her body didn
’t look better.  She should have healed some but her body still looked the same.  Her face was pale because she didn’t have a lot of blood in her.  Her body was running on Paddock’s blood.  Jacky Boy couldn’t see any movement from her as he tried to stay awake, but the darkness eventually overtook him. 

Some time later, Jacky Boy wasn
’t sure how long he was out, but he was awaken to Paddock’s fist slamming into his face.  He was having a problem spitting the blood from his mouth as Paddock untied his arms and legs then jerked him up from the seat.  He was able to look over and see that River was awake, finally. 

“
Just to let you know what will happen to you if you try to escape again,” Paddock said to River as she watched Paddock’s nails turned to claws.  He grabbed a hold of Jacky Boy’s head and dug deeply into his neck with his claws then jerked his hands until she heard a pop then blood poured out around Jacky’s neck.

Screaming at the top of her lungs, River begged Paddock to stop.  Paddock smiled then jerked one final time until Jacky Boy
’s head came off.  Throwing his body to the floor, Paddock left it there for River to look at. 

Shaking her head back and forth crying uncontrollable, River screamed as Paddock walked out of the room.

*****

“
You will need to drink some of my blood to get stronger,” Star advised Jonas and Reece.

“
What…I can’t drink your blood,” Reece said angrily. 

“
You can if you want to get your mate back alive.  She will need our blood to help her survive.  She will need you to keep it together and use your head.  So you will drink my blood to make that happen,” Star advised.

“
We want our sister back,” Sky whispered.  Everybody turned to stare at the young man.  He hadn’t spoken a word since he walked into the lodge. 

Reece and Jonas looked back at Star.  Something had passed between the mates.  No words were spoken but they knew what they needed to do. 
“Okay, Star, how do we do it.”  Star blew out a breath.  She was relieved they had finally come to their senses.  She could feel their anger flowing through the air.

“
When you are ready, I will let you bite me.  I will let you know when it is enough.  While you are gone, I will eat and sleep until my sister gets back and we will set up an IV so Sky and my blood can replenish her body.  It will take some time but we can do it.  We have to do it,” Star whispered the last part but everyone heard how scared she was if this didn’t work.  The tension was so thick in the air one could cut a knife with it.  Star went and sat down.  She pulled her hair to the side.

“
It is closer to my heart and it will flow into your system quicker if you use the neck vein.”  Reece blew out his breath and looked over at Jonas who nodded.  Reece walked closer and Star moved her hair away from her neck.  Pulling her closer, Star looked at Reece and smiled.  “It will be okay.  I promise.”  Jansen was standing now and when Reece put his arm around Star, the growling started.  Star turned and glared at the wizard.  He walked closer until he was behind Star.  She could feel him behind her but didn’t mind.  Star turned her neck then Reece bit down.  Her gasp was of shock and not of too much pain.  Jansen had moved to the side of her.  His eyes stared back at her.  He was the most handsome looking man she had ever seen.  Watching him didn’t make it so bad as Reece drank from her.  She could tell Jansen didn’t like the fact that Reece was sucking her blood.  She had just met the man, but she felt close to him already.

Jansen felt the urge to protect this woman.  He didn
’t understand why, at least that was what he was telling himself.  Watching, Jansen placed his hands on her back so she wouldn’t fall over.  Star padded Reece on the back telling him it was enough. 

Her blood was like River
’s and it was the best thing he ever tasted.  He thought of River as he drank her sister’s blood.  He never would have done such a thing unless it was an emergency.  This would consist of an emergency.  Reece released Star immediately when she patted him on the back.  He licked the wounds closing the holes he had made.

“
Thank you, Star.  I’m sorry I had to do it so quickly.  I didn’t want to cause you more pain.” 

Star smiled at Reece
’s concern.  She never had that with anyone except Sky.  Her sister had picked well.  Reece was one of a kind. 

Before Reece backed away he kissed Star on the forehead.  Feeling a little lightheaded, her knees buckled as Jansen caught her before she could hit the ground. 
“I’m okay.  Just need something to eat and some orange juice.  Then Jonas can—” Star tried but Jonas interrupted her.

“
No, Star.  I can’t take any more of your blood.  It’s not right and my bite will hurt unless you are my mate.  I don’t want to hurt you.”  Jonas backed away as Star tried to get up.  She fell back into Jansen’s arms from getting up too quickly.

Sky jumped up and walked over to Jonas. 
“You can take my blood.  I can handle the pain.  I’m used to it.”  The pain could be heard in Sky’s voice.  It broke everyone’s heart in the room to hear the young man speak.  He had a scar that started from his left eye to ear.  Somebody had cut him deliberately.  The cut had to hurt while it was being done.  The pain the young man had to go through during his young life.   

“
No, no, no—” Jonas said as he shook his head.   

“
Yes, Jonas.  My sister’s life and your mate need you and this is the only way.”

Jonas lowered his head.  He didn
’t know what to do.  He wanted to be strong when he met Paddock and his men, but he couldn’t take blood from his mate’s younger brother.

“
For once, I want to help and if this the only thing I can do that makes a difference then you have to take my blood.”  Jonas still shook his head no.  “Please, Jonas.  Please.  Do it for River.”  Jonas stepped forward before he lost the edge to change his mind.  He grabbed Sky then let his wolf take over and lowered his teeth then bit into Sky’s neck.  No sound could be heard from Sky.  He had trained himself to not make a noise.  Seeing the pain edged on his face brought tears to Ash’s and Star’s eyes.  The kid had been through the ringer and everyone in the room knew he had probably been beaten, most likely tortured, in his life. 

Sky allowed his body to relax letting Jonas drink his blood.  He wanted them strong for the battle he knew was going to happen.  Sky tapped Jonas on the arm and Jonas immediately released him.  Jonas helped him to the chair to sit down.  Ash had already called for some food and orange juice. 

Reece and Jonas felt the surge of strength flow into their body as they drank their mate’s sister and brother’s blood.  Ash and Larken looked over at Reece and Jonas who appeared to look bigger with even more muscle mass showing. 

“
Now we go get our mate.  Is Larsen ready with the pack and guards?” Jonas asked. 

“
Yes, we are ready,” Larken said then kissed his mate before he left with them out the door. 

Looking at each other, Ash knew her mates would be careful but she feared for them all. 

“Go to the command post and keep us posted.  We will take the cameras and place them so you can see what is going on.  If you see or hear anything let us know,” Larken said then walked out the door before he kissed his wife again.  He could see the fear in her eyes for him and his brother.   

Jansen reluctantly put Star down in the chair and walked out the door.  He did it with such care that her heart beat faster as she felt his embrace leave her.  Ash asked if they wanted to go with her to the command post.

“Yes, we do.  We want to know what is going on,” Star added.

Someone knocked on the door as Ash opened it.  It was the food and orange juice for Star and Sky. 
“Bring it to the command post.”  The waiter and member of Larken’s pack acknowledged Ash as they followed them to the next room.  Star waved for her to go ahead then followed Ash out of the room.

*****

Jonas placed the trail camera to the tree.  He placed it over his head so the camera could be move up and down or side to side.  Pushing the mike in his ear, Jonas asked Ash if she could see them. 

“
I’ve got a clear view,” Ash whispered.  She knew no human could hear her voice coming out of the small mic but a vampire or werewolf could. 

They had just passed the old barn headed toward the farmhouse.  No sound was made as the men moved closer setting up cameras as they went.  Another team stood on standby waiting in case they were needed.  They didn
’t know how many men Paddock had.  They didn’t want to deplete all of their manpower until they needed them.  Jonas lifted his nose in the air smelling for any scent.  They didn’t detect any scent or see any vehicles in the driveway as they edged closer to the house.  Jonas and Reece were on edge waiting to rescue their mate. 

Reece, Jonas, and Larken ran to the front door and kicked it in.  Jonas had already half
-shifted, making him taller and bigger.  As they checked each room, they didn’t find River.  Then Larken muttered, “Remember the spell showed going upstairs.” 

Reece and Jonas split up looking for a basement door.  Going into the kitchen then to the laundry room where a door was located, Reece jerked it open.  Jonas and Reece carefully walked down the steps.  Jonas didn
’t smell any vampires but he could smell his mate.  Running the rest of the way down, Jonas turned the corner and a small bed was in the corner.  Looking pale as a ghost, River laid unconscious, and in the corner lay a dead vampire.  He looked like a young kid.  Jonas shook his head at how brutal his death must have been. 

Reece and Jonas reached the bed and dropped to their knees.  Bite marks were all over her body.  The bastard bit her over and over but never licked the wound so they could heal.

Reece jerked the chains out of the wall and broke the ropes that were tied around her wrists.  Feeling of her pulse, Jonas knew that time was not on their side.  Her pulse was weak.  He picked River up, taking two stairs at a time to the top level.  He held her close to him, but she showed no sign of life.  Jonas, Reece, and the team ran through the woods trying to get River to her brother and sister quickly before she died.  Laying her down in the back of the SUV, Jonas and Reece got in with her.  Before they could go, Larken told Nash to drive as fast as he could back to the lodge. 

Larken and the team would take care of the rest.  The plan was to place cameras all over the place then leave the house until Paddock returned.

Reece reached down, trying to feel for a heartbeat.  It was there but it was weaker than before.  She was cold as ice when they touched her.  Reece grabbed the blankets and wrapped River up then Jonas and Reece wrapped themselves around her trying to get her body heat to come back.

Nash drove as fast as he could, breaking every speed limit, to get River back to the lodge. 

“River, can you hear me, baby?” Jonas whispered in her ear.  He nuzzled his face all over River’s check.  It was a form of love wolves showed each other.  At first there was no response then her eyes tried to open.  Moving her head, River breathed in deep breaths.

“
We love you, baby.  Hang on.  We almost have you home.”  River thought she heard Jonas’s voice.  She thought she was dreaming until she felt something rubbing her face.  It felt wonderful, whatever it was.  She hoped she was dead so she never had to feel the pain anymore.  She tried one more time to open her eyes, blinking to keep them open.  She couldn’t focus but she knew someone was beside her. 

“
It’s us, baby.  We got you back.  We love you, baby.  Please don’t leave us.”  River could feel the pain in his voice as he spoke.  It was Jonas beside her. 

“
I’m sorry,” River painfully whispered.  River cringed from the pain she felt to her face when she tried to talk.  Paddock had hit her several times in the face.

“
You have nothing to be sorry for.  It was my fault.  I love you, angel,” she heard Reece whisper.  Both her mates were here.  She didn’t know where she was, and then River remembered Paddock and Rick biting her over and over drinking her blood.  River whimpered thinking about Paddock and Rick.

Kissing the top of her hand, Reece whispered in her ear,
“Sleep, baby, and when you wake up, you will be home.  We will take care of you.  Nothing will ever touch you again.  I promise.” 

River couldn
’t hold her eyes open any further.  She wanted to stay awake with Jonas and Reece but to no avail, her eyes closed as she drifted back into the black.