Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

“Do you want some ice chips, baby?” Trap asked, as Amaryllis handed him a glass filled with the chips.

Cayenne nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” Her eyes met Amaryllis’s.

Malichai couldn’t help but feel proud of his woman. She had no real knowledge of childbirth either, but she’d thought to break up ice for Cayenne.

Suddenly, Cayenne gasped and clutched at Malichai’s leg and Trap’s arm. “I have to push. Right now.”

Ezekiel shook his head. “Joe, take her right leg up and out of the way. Trap, her left. Drop your chin and breathe him out as you push. Focus. Don’t waste a push. Make each one count. You can do this, Cayenne. This is you and your baby. Help him get out.”

He continued to encourage her, telling her he could see hair. The baby had a lot of dark hair with a hint of red in it. “There’s his little head. Don’t push, Cayenne. Pant for a second while I clear his mouth. Okay, push. That’s it. You have a baby. A boy. Your son has arrived and he’s looking good.”

Joe had immediately released Cayenne’s leg and rushed around Amaryllis to get to the baby. It was his job to make certain he was breathing fine and everything looked good. Ezekiel clamped off the cord, made the cut and handed the boy to Joe.

Cayenne and Trap both burst out laughing. Trap leaned down and kissed her. “That was amazing, sweetheart. I can’t believe you did that. He didn’t look as small as I thought he’d be.” He looked up at Ezekiel. “There was no way to see with that shield, but with everyone having multiple births, we were concerned that it was a thing with GhostWalkers.”

Malichai’s stomach dropped. Zeke. He whispered his brother’s name into his mind.

Ezekiel closed his eyes briefly and then glanced at Joe. Draden, Shylah, you need to get me a warmer for a preemie. I don’t care how you do it. Steal the fucking thing but get it now. We’re going to need it. We can’t take them to the hospital, that would tip Whitney off immediately. Arrange for around-the-clock care with the best neonatal nurses possible. All the equipment. We can set up in the basement. It’s the best location. Trap has the money for whatever’s needed. Joe, how’s that one doing?

He’s fine. I’d say a nine on the Apgar. I’m guessing he’s weighing in at a five. That’s a good size. His lungs are great. This one is going to be fine. Are you certain there’s a second one?

Malichai answered for his brother. I’m certain. All along I thought it was me, or some conspiracy plot in the bed-and-breakfast, but it was Cayenne. Even Trap thought there might be but dismissed it because he didn’t want there to be.

Need scrubs for everyone as an explanation for why we’re here. Gives a much better cover, Joe added.

Trap was included in the circle. All of the GhostWalkers heard the alarm with the exception of Cayenne. Very slowly Trap moved back to position himself by his wife’s head. He took her hand.

She looked up at him, her expression darkening. “I don’t feel very good, Trap.”

“Do you feel the need to push again?” Trap asked.

Cayenne shook her head. “I just feel sick.”

“Prep,” Ezekiel ordered his team. “Right now. Rubin, I need you to see past her shield to tell me what’s happening. Amaryllis, you provide as much light as possible.”

Amaryllis didn’t argue that Joe would be the better choice. He was needed for the baby. She glanced once at Malichai as if for strength and then she placed both palms over Cayenne’s mostly flat stomach. “There’s a thin barrier here. Woven tightly.”

“Get past it,” Ezekiel ordered tersely. He had delivered the first placenta and caught blood clots in a bowl.

“I’m trying,” she answered, without raising her voice.

“Don’t yell at her, Zeke,” Rubin said softly. “I see her now. She’s very small. She’s alive. Moving. She looks like she’s reaching for her brother.”

“Direct me. I need to hear her heartbeat,” Ezekiel said.

“No, no, more to your left. Right there. She’s turned upward so you should hear it.” Rubin fell silent to give Ezekiel the chance to listen.

Abruptly he raised his head. “We’ll have to get her out now. Let’s go.”

Joe wrapped the baby boy in warm towels and handed him off to Malichai. Fortunately, they had been using IVs on Malichai, so they had the equipment they needed on hand.

Cayenne looked as if she’d gone to sleep. She had slid down in the bed and the moment Ezekiel seemed finished with her, she’d tried to turn onto her side into the fetal position.

“Sorry, baby.” Trap bent close to her, holding her head, looking into her eyes. “Joe needs to get a line into you. There’s another baby. She’s not responding, and we need to get her out of you. Do you understand what I’m saying? They’re going to put a needle in you.”