Page 9 of Act of Brotherhood
Hans shuddered. “My guess is they’ve been given varying doses of it over the course of their time here. The scientists did something similar to us long ago. They made sure we had a constant level of it to keep us compliant and easier to control. If we acted out, they would increase the level. If we didn’t learn that lesson, they administered enough to kill. Trust me when I say it does not take one long to learn to obey. Being unable to fight back or function as you normally would because your body is too drugged to do anything is something you never forget.”
Auberi twisted and nodded, his gaze holding concern. “Additional medics are en route. As soon as we secured the labs, I had Landros request all PSI and Para-Regs with medical training in the area. They’re on their way. For now, we’ll use the resources provided here. The lab is fairly well stocked. Blaise is starting a number of IVs for those I feel need it.”
Rurik stepped forward, making his presence known. “Is Blaise qualified to give small children intravenous fluids?”
Landros responded. “There is much about Blaise that he keeps to himself. You can trust that he’s more than qualified to assist. He may act and look like he doesn’t care about anything in the world, but that’s not the truth of it.”
Garth looked around the lab. “I need to reach out to the other teams that are doing raids today. They need to be sure to look for any hidden labs. I’d like to think this is a one-and-done thing, but since PSI is doing a massive sting on linked crime organizations today, it’s best we make sure.”
Landros cleared his throat. “When I phoned for backup medical personal, I was told the other teams have already discovered the same thing at their locations. The operative I spoke with said PSI was in the process of dispatching medics to Team Eight’s location. From my understanding, Corbin Jones and his men uncovered a similar lab as this one at their bust location, too. It sounds as if there are a number of expectant mothers there as well as children. Their condition is as dire as here. Maybe even more so.”
“Other labs?” asked Hans, his voice catching.
Landros nodded. “Details are scarce. This is all unfolding as we speak, and my guess is that all of the other teams are doing the same as us, trying to make sense of it all and trying to save lives.”
Auberi walked over to Landros and bent slightly to look at the little girl the man was holding. Auberi smiled and did his best to appear non-threatening.
Normally, all Garth wanted to do was hit Auberi. Now, he wanted the vampire to ensure the little girl was well and would live.
She put her arms out to Auberi and he took her gently. She instantly wrapped her frail arms around his neck and held tight for dear life. Auberi turned with her, closed his eyes, and patted her back with great care. It was easy to see he was as emotionally affected as the rest of the operatives over the state of the children. The vampire then began to sing softly in French to the little girl. Garth recognized the song as an old French nursery rhyme.
The little girl closed her eyes as she continued to cling to Auberi. He rocked her in place, singing, his tone low. Strangely, in that moment, Garth could imagine the vampire as a parent as well. As if that was even possible. Vampires couldn’t have children, could they?
Rurik went to the bedside of another little one. He tipped his head and then ripped off the top of the crib’s cage-like dome. He lifted the child from the crib tenderly. “Auberi, this one has a rasp to her as she breathes. It’s faint but there.” With their sensitive supernatural hearing, they could pick up on things most couldn’t. “I think she labors for air, and she smells of the chemicals.”
Reluctantly, Auberi handed the little girl back to Landros—but not before stunning the hell out of Garth by planting a kiss upon the child’s forehead. Auberi actually seemed reluctant to let her go. As if he too was drawn to her.
Landros took her once more and she settled against his shoulder. Her little hand darted out and caught Auberi’s before he could pull away fully. She held Auberi’s finger and stared up at him, her gaze as blue as the vampire’s.
The Frenchman leaned close, still permitting her to hold his finger. He kissed the top of her head and whispered in his native tongue, telling her that he would not go far and that he needed to see to her friends before returning to her.
Oddly, the child nodded as if she understood everything Auberi had said. Maybe she did. All Garth knew was there was something about her that had three alpha males worrying over her and hovering.
“Mon petit chouchou,” Auberi said softly to the little girl. “Uncle Landros will watch over you while I help the others.”
That was strange.
“Uncle?” questioned Garth. “And did you just call her a food product in French?”
Auberi ignored him as he stepped away from the little girl.
Landros gave Garth a hard look.
Tossing his hands in the air, Garth shook his head. “Fine. Uncle. Food product. Got it. Someone tell me if she’s okay or not. I feel a bit like I’m standing in quick-dry cement right now. I need to know she’s going to be fine before I can do anything else. I can’t explain why. It just is.”
He wasn’t lying. He did feel stuck.
Rurik returned and looked Garth up and down. “What is wrong with you?”
“I’m not too sure,” said Garth, rubbing the center of his chest with his thumb as pain began there. “Do shifters have heart attacks?”
“I wish,” said Auberi from the sidelines.
Garth nearly gave the vampire a piece of his mind. Little ears were present, so he refrained.
Auberi’s attention was now on the other child. He checked the tiny one over thoroughly and rattled off a list of instructions to Rurik. All Garth caught was “airway” and “fluids.”
The bear-shifter followed the instructions to the letter.
