Viper Game

“Walk away, Zeke,” he said quietly. “Step back and walk away.”


Ezekiel blinked rapidly, as if trying to come out of some hypnotic trance. He stood, almost mesmerized by the woman, unable to look away. “Holy crap, Wyatt.” There was awe in his voice.

Wyatt fought the urge to pull his grandmother’s knife out of his boot and slice him from his belly to his chest.

“Step back, Zeke,” he repeated, and this time he put command in his voice.

Ezekiel obeyed out of respect for rank. He stepped back, still blinking rapidly. Wyatt knew they were all in trouble. This woman was dangerous to all of them. She could tear them apart without even trying – and what would happen if she tried?

He began to wash the wound carefully. Her skin had gone clammy. She was very pale. He tried not to notice that her skin was softer than anything he’d ever felt in his life.

“I don’t have a lot of time before I get very sick. Give me your word you’ll protect her.”

Again he had to shake off the seductive sound of her voice. He seemed particularly susceptible to it, although when he glanced at Ezekiel, he noticed the man was still staring at Pepper as if he might devour her.

“Why would you believe me? You just put a knife to ma grand-mere’s throat,” Wyatt said. He had no idea why he was so affected by her calm demeanor, by her insistence they save the child that had put her life in jeopardy, but he was. He wanted to save this woman. She was worth it. He didn’t know how he knew that, or why he felt it, but the need was the strongest emotion he’d ever felt.

“Where the hell is that snakebite kit, Malichai?” He kept the urgency he was feeling out of his voice.

“Because you’re a Fontenot. I’ve been in the bayou a little while now, and you have a reputation for keeping your word.” She coughed. Her eyes drooped more.

The venom was moving quickly through her system in spite of the fact that she had slowed her heart rate. She had tremendous control.

“Ginger can’t see this,” Pepper reiterated. “She’s been traumatized enough. Take me out of here.”

It wasn’t prudent to move her around. “Malichai! Where the hell are you?” Wyatt glanced at his grandmother. Did he dare leave her alone with a child who could kill with one bite? A baby who didn’t know what she was doing?

“She’s extremely intelligent. Her emotions are baby emotions, but she understands…” Pepper coughed. Tried to clear her voice. “I’m feeling nauseous.”

“You know that’s just one of the symptoms.” Wyatt poured a soothing note into his voice. He’d always been gifted with a voice that could mesmerize if he needed it – although hers had his beat by a mile. When she spoke in that soft, husky, barely there tone, he felt her moving right through his body.

He’d always been particularly careful of using his gift – especially after he was enhanced. He used it now. “We’ll get through this.”

“There’re two more. Two babies.” She coughed, tried to clutch her throat. “God, it’s going to be bad this time.”

He kept possession of her arm to keep her from raising it above her heart. “Stop talkin’. Just stay calm.” She was becoming a little agitated, another symptom.

She tried to talk. The words came out garbled. Her eyes went wider than ever. She shook her head and tried again.

Wyatt had to take control or he was going to lose her. “Look at me, Pepper. Only at me.” He poured command into his voice. “Eyes to me, now.” He waited until the strange, dark purple eyes jumped to his face. He could see the fear finally. It was there in her eyes. This wasn’t going to be a picnic. She’d been through it before and knew what was coming.

“I’ll get you through this. We’ll take care of the little one, that’s a promise. Nonny’s goin’ to find a bottle and give her somethin’ warm to help her sleep. And then she’ll be right in the other room rockin’ her.”

Pepper nodded. She didn’t try to talk. Her face was slowly becoming paralyzed. He could see the evidence. Her breathing was very shallow.

“Malichai will find the kit. The nasal spray is new, but it works. In the meantime, I’m goin’ to try somethin’ else.” He explained, keeping his voice low and gentle. “You’re goin’ to feel me inside you. Open your mind to mine as best you can.”

He laid his hand over the wound, not quite touching, but only a paper width from the bite marks. He had healed this way before, but wounds of the flesh, wounds that needed repairing from the inside out. He’d never tried to stop a fast-acting toxin from attacking the nervous system.