Page 44 of Wanted By the Cartel

"The Vipers," I ground out between contractions. "They're making their move. Now." I could feel the chaos of emotions beyond our walls—fear, determination, bloodlust. They weren't going to stop for anything. They wanted to cause pain and suffering.

Zoren turned to the security feeds, but didn't let go of my hand. "Chen, report!"

"Multiple breaches at the perimeter," she responded through the comm. "They're targeting the medical wing. They must know about the birth."

Of course they did. They were coming for me. What better time to strike than when we were vulnerable? The thought sent ice through my veins, but I forced myself to focus. "Let me—" I started to extend my abilities, to reach for the emotional signatures of our attackers.

Anything I could help with, I was going to do, even though it was dangerous.

"No!" Both Zoren and Mae shouted. I knew they were right, but I still had to do something.

Mae's monitors were beeping frantically. "Your blood pressure can't take any more strain. The twins are already stressed enough."

Another contraction hit, harder than before. I cried out, feeling something shift inside me. The twins' distress peaked, their emotional signatures screaming in my head.

"Mae," Zoren's voice was tight with fear. "Something's wrong."

"Baby B's heart rate is dropping," she confirmed, moving quickly. "We need to deliver now. Lyrian, on the next contraction, I need you to push."

Another explosion, closer this time. Gunfire echoed through the corridors.

"Zoren," I gasped, "the southeast corridor. They'll try to flank our defenses. Tell Santos—" The contraction cut me off, forcing me to push.

Instead of dismissing my warning, Zoren relayed it immediately through his comm while supporting my back. "Santos, watch the southeast approach. Chen, reinforce the medical wing's defenses."

"Baby A's crowning," Mae announced. "One more push, Lyrian."

I bore down, screaming as our first child entered the world. The sound of his cry mixed with distant gunfire.

"It's a boy," Mae said, quickly checking him over before passing him to a nurse. "But we're not done. Baby B's stats are still dropping."

The room spun as another contraction built. I could feel our second child's fear, the struggle. "Something's wrong," I repeated. "They're scared. They're so scared."

Zoren's face was pale but determined. "Tell me what you need. Both of you."

"Talk to them," I pleaded. "They can sense emotions too. They need to feel safe."

Without hesitation, Zoren leaned close, one hand on my belly while the other still gripped mine. "It's okay, little one," he murmured. "Your fathers are here. You're protected. You're loved. Just follow your brother out."

Whether it was his words or just time, something shifted. The next contraction brought our second son into the world, silent at first, then wailing as Mae cleared his airways.

"Both boys," she announced, relief clear in her voice. "They'll need monitoring, but they're fighters. Just like their fathers."

Thank goodness. For a moment, I thought there was going to be tragedy.

The sounds of battle were fading. Through the haze of exhaustion, I heard Chen reporting victory—the Vipers' attack repelled, our defenses holding strong. It was all thanks to our collective effort.

Zoren helped me sit up as Mae brought our sons to us. They were tiny and perfect, their emotional signatures already distinct and strong. One calm and watchful, the other fierce and protective—just as I'd sensed during pregnancy.

"They're beautiful," Zoren whispered, touching each tiny face with wonder. "And safe. You're all safe."

I leaned against him, studying our children. "We did it. All of it. The cartel, the babies, everything."

"We did it together," he corrected. "And I love you so much."

Mae cleared her throat. "As touching as this is, all four of you need rest. Especially you, Lyrian. No more excitement for at least a few days."

I smiled, my exhaustion evident in the lines on my face. "No promises. But I'll try."

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