Paige Cameron

by Commando Cowboys Find Their Desire

  “Yes,” they both said.

  “When it’s done, I want you two in the room with the rest of us. She needs to feel all our love.”

  “I agree. We waited out here so as not to get in the way while they worked on her,” her dad explained.

  “There’s Garth. I’ll go tell the others to come out here while they work on her. And I’m going upstairs to check with Ellen and see what’s happening with my blood.”

  “Stay here. I’ll go for you,” Hakan said. “You’re exhausted.”

  “Wait, I’ll call Ellen, but you can get the others out of Averil’s room.” Kira hated to admit he was right about her fatigue, but she did sit down by her mother. They held hands as the others came into the room to join them.

  Kira dialed Ellen’s number. “Hi, what’s happening?”

  “The antibodies are gradually developing, but it’s taking much longer than with the blood in you.”

  “I’m dizzy. I need a transfusion. Mother and I are the same blood type. I’m bringing her up. You can transfuse her blood to me. Then you can give me my own blood back that has the antibodies developing in it. The numbers will increase faster that way.”

  “I can’t endanger your life.”

  “I’m taking an acceptable risk. If I can help it, my sister is not going to die at twenty-seven. It takes a lot to kill me. I’m coming to the lab.” She clicked off her phone.

  Hakan gripped her hand tight. “You can’t do this. You’ll both die.”

  “Trust me, I won’t.”

  “As a doctor, I can’t allow you to do this. I’m calling Mitch.”

  “In this instance, I’m in charge.” She took her mother’s hand and started toward the elevator.

  Mrs. Bevyns looked back over her shoulder. “My daughter is right. This is the last resort.”

  “But you might lose them both,” Hakan protested. He followed them out of the room. Cody and Payton followed, too.

  “Can’t one of us do this for her?” Cody asked. “Check our blood to see if one of us is a match.”

  Kira touched his arm. “You will make her fine husbands. We have a rare blood type. It’s best she get my blood. There are a few blood types that we can receive in an emergency. We’ll have Ellen pull up your files and check.” She nodded to Hakan, Cody, and Payton. “I might be able to use one of you for my transfusions after Ellen takes the pint with the increased antibodies to Averil.”

  They all got on the elevator and started up to the floor the lab was on. “I know one more person to be checked, my best friend, Dr. Rexford. We have different blood types, and he’s been told his white blood cells are a bit larger. His ability to recover from any illness is even better than ours,” Hakan said.

  “Call him. If I can, I’ll use his blood for my transfusion instead of my mother’s. Then maybe the antibodies will be stronger and help fight whatever’s in the poison.” She looked up at Hakan. “Do you think this poison is attacking like a virus, too?”

  “I studied Averil’s reports, and I’d say yes, only many times stronger. To be honest, I’m not sure she can hang on much longer.”

  The elevator door opened and Kira strode out and down the hall with the others hurrying to catch up to her. “We don’t have any time to waste.” She turned in to a door with Ellen’s nameplate on it. Ellen turned from her work to greet them.

  “My, we have a large group.”

  Kira explained what they’d discussed on the elevator. “Can you check Dr. Rexford’s blood type first?”

  “Sure.” She led them into a large room where there were several beds. “Payton, find some chairs from the other rooms. This is the room where we treat outpatients. Kira, lie down on the bed with the IV hanging beside it. I’ll start the IV and then give you a transfusion first from your mother or Dr. Rexford. You need to be as strong as possible before your body gets hit with the blood we’ve been working on. I’ll pull up records and see the blood types for everyone. You should all be in the files.”

  Cody had gone with Payton and they returned with two chairs each. With the chairs already in the room, that was enough.

  Kira put out her arm, and Ellen got to work. She’d just started the intravenous saline solution when Dr. Rexford came striding in. He was a commanding presence, even in the way he walked.

  “What’s going on in here?” he asked in a stern tone.

  Ellen calmly told him their plan. He glanced at Kira as Ellen explained the dangers. Then he strode to her bedside.

  “You’re willing to take such a risk for your sister?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I don’t like it. You might die.”

  “Whether you like it or not, I’m going ahead. Will you help me and my sister, Averil?”

  “You can have a transfusion of my blood if it’s compatible. Is it, Ellen?”

  Ellen checked her computer. “Yes, thank goodness it’s compatible enough.”

  “Good, our chemical makeup allows us to have up to an extra pint of blood for a short time. After the antibodies develop sufficiently, you can donate a pint of blood to Averil, and you should be all right. If the poison doesn’t kill you.” Rex glared at her.

  “You can’t frighten me out of doing this.”

  “Then so be it.” He rolled up his sleeve. “Where do you want me, Ellen?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Averil was vaguely aware, at times, that people surrounded her. When their hands touched her, warmth chased away the cold and fear. Her hands tore at the darkness around her. Sometimes she’d see a speck of light in the distance, but it was so far away, and her energy was getting weaker and weaker.

  Once she thought she heard Payton and Cody calling her name, and their warmth spread from her hands to her heart. “Keep fighting.” She had heard Cody’s words.

  She wanted to sleep but somehow knew if she did she would never see her loved ones again. Where was Kira? She tried desperately to move her body, to open her mouth and scream. Nothing worked. And the blackness sank heavier on her.

  * * * *

  “We’re losing her, Garth. Let’s start.” Garth’s mother went to one side of the bed and he to the other. They each put one hand on her head and held one of her hands. Then Garth and his mother started saying the magic words that had brought Rae around when he’d used them. They repeated the magic over and over. Finally Garth looked across at his mother.

  “It’s very bad stuff. Is there anything else we can do?”

  He watched his mother’s face. He saw her determination and her worry.

  “Not that I know of for poison. It helped Rae when you did it because of the way the poison affected her body. It didn’t ravage every vital organ. We’ll try again when she’s getting the blood transfusion. If she lives that long.”

  “We’ll stand here and hold on to her. At some level maybe she’ll know not to let go.” Garth tightened his grip on Averil’s hand.

  “This person isn’t going to stop. Who do you think will be the next victim?” his mother asked.

  “If we could figure out why they are determined to kill Averil, then maybe we’d know the answer to your question.”

  * * * *

  Averil sensed hands pulling at her and heat again pushing the cold back. A tiny pinpoint of light flickered in front of her eyes. She tried to help the hands holding on to her. But as the hands pulled, the darkness sucked on her from the other direction, and she was losing ground. Not as fast as before, but still, gradually, she was losing. Cody’s and Payton’s faces appeared in her mind’s eye. They were sitting with their heads down. No, no, she wasn’t going to die. She fought harder and harder with all the strength she had left.

  * * * *

  “Did you feel that, Mother?” Garth had felt a tiny squeeze on his hand.

  “Yes, and look, she’s perspiring.” His mother put her hand on Averil’s chest. “Her heart’s racing. Let’s try the chant again.”

  “Averil, if you’re in there somewhere, squeeze my hand again.” Ga
rth waited. Silence filled the room as he and his mother stared at Averil.

  He’d started to give up when a flicker of movement touched his right index finger. Her mouth started to move and he bent close against her lips.

  “Tired, fighting.” The words were a faint whisper. He raised his head.

  “Let’s continue. We’re getting through, and she needs our strength.”

  * * * *

  When Kira had received Rexford’s blood, she immediately became stronger. “Your blood is like getting a shot of my own blood. I’ve stored some in the past, and this feels the same, good and warm.”

  “Hakan, call and see how her sister is doing and put it on the speakerphone so Kira can hear,” Rex said, ignoring Kira’s comment. Hakan dialed the ER.

  “This is Dr. Connor. Are any of Averil Stanwic’s doctors around?”

  “Dr. Talisman? Yes, I’ll talk with him.”

  “Hi, Hakan. What’s going on up there?”

  Hakan quickly filled Jack in and then asked, “How’s our patient?”

  “I just knocked and stepped inside. Garth and Mother Aileen had been doing their magic. They stopped when I entered. I checked her vitals and am waiting for another blood test. But it’s not looking good. Her heart rate is in overdrive. She’s struggling to breathe. The only good news is that Garth said she moved her finger against his and gave his hand a very light squeeze. When will the blood be down here?”

  “Not for a while yet. Tell them to try and keep her alive until we get there.”

  “Will do.”

  Hakan hung up. “Well, you all heard, the good news is she managed to lightly squeeze Garth’s hand. The bad news is her system continues to deteriorate. We’ve got to get the blood there as soon as possible.”

  “Turn up the rate of my transfusion. I need to get this batch of blood in me so it can be attacked by my and Rex’s white blood cells. The fastest way is to let it occur in my body at least for a few minutes.”

  “Are you trying to kill yourself?” Rex yelled at her.

  Ellen put her hand on his arm. “Calm down, Rex. You’re scaring her mother and upsetting the others.”

  Rex cussed under his breath and paced the room. Hakan took his arm. “We’ll go outside.”

  Once they left, Cody and Payton decided to go back downstairs to be closer to Averil.

  Kira gave a weak grin to her mother. “Thank goodness we got rid of all that testosterone. Now we three ladies can take care of this problem.”

  As the blood she’d donated first was given back to her, Kira hurt inside. A cramp hit her stomach and her body was wet with perspiration.

  “Let me slow it just a bit,” Ellen pleaded.

  “No, don’t stop. Not even if I lose consciousness. I can feel it working. Take a chance and give her a pint of my blood after this blood has been in my body for thirty minutes. Promise me you’ll do as I say.” Kira held on to Ellen’s arm. Her head was spinning. “Promise. My mother will tell you about me. You’ll understand. I’m going to survive.” She closed her eyes and lay back, taking deep breaths. Kira forced her body to relax and let the blood do its job. In the background she heard her mother explaining who she was and how she could shape-shift. Ellen’s husband, Dr. Jack, entered the room as Mrs. Bevyns was talking.

  “I’ve read up on our history. I know what you’re describing. But how?”

  Her mother told them Mitch’s and the Priestess’s idea of how it all happened. Kira’s consciousness was going in and out now.

  “Kira, can you hear me?” Dr. Jack asked.

  She nodded her head. Anything else took too much energy.

  “I’ve told Ellen to do as you asked. I agree with you. I don’t think you’ll die. And with Rex’s blood in your body, you can fight harder. But I’m going to stay here and be with Ellen, your mother, and you until this is over.” He took her hand, and she squeezed it, then let go.

  When she did, she fell down a dark tunnel. Curtains of blackness stroked across her skin. She shivered, thinking she heard a harsh laugh.

  Kira moved her head restlessly. A strong voice and a firm hand held on to her.

  “I’m back, Kira. You will fight this thing. My blood and yours will win.”

  Rex? Or was her mind playing tricks on her? He annoyed her, and yet his hand and voice pushed off the heaviness of the dark drapes, and the voice was gone. She clutched his hand tighter.

  * * * *

  “How long has she been unconscious?” Rex asked Jack.

  “A few minutes. Her breathing and heart rate are up. She’s fighting, and she’s calmer since you took her hand.” Jack glanced at where Rex held on to Kira. “I think I’m not needed at the bedside. I’ll go see what Ellen’s finding in the first blood draw she did.”

  He left the room. Rex looked at Kira’s mother. “Averil favors you more.”

  “Yes, I think Kira gets her differences from some of my ancestors.”

  “Tell me about her and why does she think she’s invincible?” It was both a question and a command.

  “You must promise to keep her secret until we find out who our enemy is, and I am telling you not because you demand it but as thanks for your help.”

  “I see they get their feisty spirit from you.” He couldn’t stop a slight smile from curving his lips. He liked their mother, and Hakan had been right. Kira was the only woman for them. She’d fight them, but they’d win in the end.

  Her mother started to speak. When she told him who Kira really was and what she shape-shifted into, he was totally stunned for the first time he could remember. Maybe she wasn’t for them. Her bloodline was of royalty. Who were they to assume she’d choose them or anyone?

  Mixed emotions swirled around in him. His attraction to her overwhelmed him at times. Her beauty, her scent, her spirit and courage. He wanted her to be the mother of his children and so did Hakan.

  Rex had fought for everything he’d wanted, and he’d succeeded. Looking down at her white face, her hair damp on her forehead from perspiration, her lean but curvy body made him more determined he wouldn’t give up. It would take time. He’d never accepted failure. He had no intention of starting now.

  “Here’s the results, and it’s been thirty minutes.” Jack handed the reports to Rex and went to sit beside Kira’s mother.

  “The antibodies are growing much faster than they did before. Ellen’s going to take a pint of Kira’s blood and rush it down to Averil. We’re going to save them both.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Bevyns wiped her eyes and unclenched her hands. “Thank you all.”

  Ellen returned and hooked up a bag to collect a pint of Kira’s blood. “This won’t take too long. Once I’ve got the blood we’ll start a transfusion on Kira of the pint of blood you donated earlier, Mrs. Bevyns. That will help Kira regain her strength.”

  “Hopefully, she’ll begin waking soon. We’ll take another pint of her blood in a few days, and I’m certain it will be even stronger. She’s done it again, saved her sister and given us an antidote for other victims.” Ellen excused herself and went back toward her lab.

  Mrs. Bevyns studied Rex. “You care for my daughter?”

  “Even if I did, she’s of royalty. I’m not.”

  “That has never mattered in this world we live in. Our men need only be strong, wise, and love us. But I see a deep sadness in your eyes. You must resolve whatever makes you sad, because it also makes you angry. You keep others away with your sharp tongue. I have heard of you. She”—Mrs. Bevyns nodded at Kira—“deserves better than what you are now.”

  Rex flushed with anger. No one had dared to insult him. She was right, and that only made him angrier. He started to comment when Kira’s hand moved in his. He looked down at her.

  Her eyes had opened. “Are you two arguing?”

  “No, dear.” Her mother came to the other side of her bed. “We were having a most interesting discussion.”

  * * * *

  “Is the blood ready?” Cody asked as Ellen and Jack
hurried into Averil’s room. Garth and his mother, Cody, and Payton stepped away from the bed.

  “It’s better than the last time.” Jack took her arm with the IV and cleaned off the end of the rubber tubing with an alcohol wipe, where he would insert the needle. Ellen hung the blood beside the IV, and a nurse came in to help. Once it was all ready, the nurse started the blood at a slow rate.

  “Everyone say a prayer she doesn’t have a reaction to the transfusion,” Jack said.

  No one sat. Cody pushed away the nauseous feelings that had rushed over him as they started the blood going into Averil. He loved her, and she was going to know he and Payton were here for her. He glanced at Payton. They moved back to her side. Each took a hold of one of her hands, and Cody put his other hand on her forehead. Payton rested his other hand over her heart.

  “We’re here, Averil. We’ll help you fight your way back to us,” Payton said.

  The others stood around or near the bed watching Averil’s pale face. At first it was barely noticeable, but slowly color came back into her cheeks. Her labored breathing slowed, and when Jack checked her heart rate, it was normal.

  “It’s working,” Jack said, and a cheer went up in the room.

  Mother Aileen wiped her eyes and sat down. Her strength had almost gone from the number of times they used the magic to keep Averil holding on.

  Garth went to her side. “Are you going to be all right?”

  “In my youth this wouldn’t have fazed me, but it did weaken me today. Will you take me home? I need to rest.”

  “I’ll take you home with me until you’re stronger. Rae will cook you a good hot meal while you nap in our guest room.”

  Jack came to their side. “You both helped save her. I don’t know how you kept her from slipping away, but you did.”

  Mother Aileen motioned toward Cody and Payton. “When they came in and held on to her, too, the job got easier. Whether she knows it or not, they have a strong influence on her.”