The Shadows in the Hills: Triple Threat

Chapter Thirty One

I waited and waited, expecting Brodie to be right behind him. I couldn't believe he would let Marcus come down to me alone. Regardless, he never came. I stood and put myself between Marcus and the babies. It wasn't much but it was all I could do. There was no way I was going to trust him anywhere near them. "What are you doing here? Where's Brodie?"

"I just came to talk." He put his hands up as though he was surrendering to me, but it didn't make me feel any better at all.

"There's nothing to talk about."

"You said in the woods that we could be family."

"I said if you stopped trying to kill me we could be family. You didn't stop."

"I've stopped now. I helped Brodie find you, so he could protect you."

"Too little, too late."

"I just want a chance to explain." I couldn't really work out what he thought he could say to make up for everything he had done, let alone why he cared what I thought about him. Responding to him even felt too much like giving in. I couldn't stop him from talking, but that didn't mean I had to listen or believe him. I had heard his lies before and I wasn't any more likely to believe them.

"I love your mother and when she left with him, I was filled with pain and confusion. I lashed out and made it my mission to tear them apart. That included destroying the evidence of what they had done to me, you. It was wrong and I'm sorry."

"What brought you to this sudden epiphany?"

"You did. Seeing the good in you. Your willingness to forgive me after everything. Seeing her again." I didn't know he had even seen my mother and I wondered if their meeting was alone or with my dad there too.

"What did she say to you?" I hadn't planned to ask him anything but I was desperate to know if she had gone to him.

"That I needed to stop. That you were the product of greatness. I decided to concentrate on her half of the mix rather than your father's. I saw myself in you." It was the most repulsive thought I had ever heard.

"A murderous monster?"

"An idealist. I used to be like you before everything happened. I used to believe that blood was everything. That the ties that bind us together are the most important thing in the world. I just want you to give me a chance to make up for everything I did."

"Because of you, I was locked up for most of my life. I was lied to for my entire life. You can never make up for that." His eyes wondered to the ceiling. He couldn't look at me and I knew it was because of the shame he felt. It gave me hope that he might be telling the truth, but I still couldn't forgive him. I hoped it meant that we could coexist at least.

"There's something wrong!" His eyes sparked red and I could see the concentration and concern furrowing his brow. Suddenly, he moved towards the cot. I tried to push him away, but he was too strong for me without my powers. As I tried to pull him back again, he pushed me harder, landing me hard against the wall in the hallway.

He was in the cot with the babies and there was nothing I could even do about it. "Go and get Mikkel, now!" There was no way I was leaving them alone with him. In my mind, I was screaming out to Brodie and asking him to bring Mikkel quickly, over and over again. I didn't know what was going on, but no matter what, I needed help.

I saw him starting to lift Theo out of the cot, except it wasn't Theo at all. It was a tiny werewolf. All grey and white fur, but his eyes were closed. I was still on the floor, but I no longer had the ability to get up. I was frozen in fear as I realised his little chest wasn't moving. When Brodie and Mikkel appeared, they seemed to realise what the problem was within seconds and jumped into action.

I just sat there. Staring at them as they worked. Marcus was giving him mouth to mouth and Mikkel was checking at the side of his neck. Brodie was pushing way too hard on his chest and I was sure I had heard the cracking of bones. What was probably only a matter of minutes seemed like hours. The constant uncertainty and fear forced me to stay in the moment.

When Brodie finally sat back on his heels, I thought they had given up. Then I saw that tiny rise in Theo's chest. "Pulse is strong," Mikkel announced.

"What the hell happened," I demanded the answers I needed.

Brodie came to me and kneeled down in front of me. "He's got powers, but he's too young. His body couldn't cope with the change. He will be alright now, the first time is always the worst." When I looked around Brodie, I could see him gingerly getting up on all fours and starting to feel his way along the ground. It was official, I was out of my depth completely. Most mothers of newborns didn't need to worry about them getting up and walking off.

I also realised that I had to give Marcus the benefit of the doubt for the time being. He had sensed there was something wrong and acted fast. If he hadn't, who knew what would have happened to little Theo? I couldn't even consider the possibilities. I couldn't do anything to repay Marcus for what he had done, but I could give him a chance to prove he had changed.