Suddenly Ryder is at my side and draping a small sheet over Taryn’s body. “We need to move her.”
“No,” I say as fear rips through me and I grip her tighter in my arms.
“Merick, I know the plan was to avoid the hospital, but I think in the current situation its best.” Looking away from my beautiful girl, with the full intention of arguing with him I stop immediately. I see the worry and determination in his eyes. I also understand that Ryder would never attempt to override my authority when it came to Taryn unless he felt there was good cause to do so. “Let’s go.”
He begins to pick her up, and I move him out of the way, lifting her on my own. I don’t want anyone to touch her, the worry I feel is crippling me.
Taking one step toward the door, I look back over my shoulder and see Amelia holding my daughter securely in her arms.
“Ryder,” that's all I have to say, he knows I am entrusting him with Olivia. With nothing more than a nod, he takes my daughter in his arms and together we move through the store and out onto the sidewalk. Carefully loading Taryn into the back of the ambulance, I hurry inside and lower her to the gurney. Ryder sticking close, he sits at my side holding a bundle of pink in his arms.
Looking out I see all the women standing close, Jonathan remaining strong as he assures them all that everything will be okay. It has to be okay, I won’t accept anything less.
The ride was long, or so it felt. With each passing second, I swear I felt myself die a little more. The fact that I had no idea what had taken place, no clue as to why Taryn passed out, was overwhelming.
I can’t fix this, and that’s what kills me the most.
Once we arrive at the entrance of the hospital, everything happens quickly. They rush Taryn inside, along with my daughter.
I can feel it as one by one my family begins to arrive. Some that I’ve seen almost daily and others that have arrived in town. They now know that the protection of Taryn and Olivia is needed more than ever.
The rebirth of a new generation, one that holds the power to bring us all together. The gift opens the world for us, awakening everything that has remained hidden for far too long. The birth of our daughter, just her existence alone is the key to everything we need to become the most powerful force.
Olivia is our anchor. And that makes her our enemies biggest target and biggest threat.
“The pain was too much.” I stand guard at Taryn’s bedside. Our daughter is in a small bassinet at her side. Near the door not one but three shifters, all standing with their arms crossed and chests puffed. Dominant and protective, they are all around us. I feel them, without even taking the opportunity to see for myself.
The connection is stronger already, with Olivia’s birth. I turn my focus back to the doctor.
“The adrenaline she was riding kept her alert, but after the birth, once that wore off,” the doctor pauses, and looks around the room. I can visibly see his throat bob as he swallows hard. He is intimidated. “She gave in to the pain and passed out.”
“And now?” My body is strung tight with nerves, feeling powerless which is an emotion I don’t deal well with.
“She is resting.” He clears his throat and again focuses on me. “I’ve given her a small dose of pain medication, and her vitals remain strong. She will fully recover with a little rest and your daughter too.”
A small suckling sound pulls my attention from Taryn. I watch as Olivia brings her hand up to her mouth and begins sucking on her fist. For the first time since Taryn passed out I take a moment to watch our daughter. So small and so perfect.
I don’t know how much time passes but I briefly hear the doctor excuse himself as I reach out and gently run my finger along Olivia’s arm.
“We’ll be outside,” I look toward the door right as all three men exit. I still wasn’t completely sure of their names, but I knew their purpose. I’d been warned by my father, hell by all of my ancestors that have already arrived in Stone Ridge. The birth of my daughter would open up the arrival of many. They would come to protect our legacy, they would stand strong at my side to ensure that Olivia is guarded and safe.
They weren’t lying.
I can feel them, there are so many. Strong powerful forces, they were here.
“Merick?” For a moment I thought I’d imagined her whispering my name. I long to hear her, to know that she was okay. I hear her voice in my head often, when I need it the most I see her smile and imagine that this is again one of those times.
Until I hear it again. “Is she okay?”
Staring at Taryn, I blink a few times in disbelief. My chest grows tight and I feel the tension in my legs give a little. Wobbling on my feet I reach out to brace myself on the edge of the bed and watch as Taryn slowly opens her eyes in search of me. A lack of focus is obvious as she blinks multiple times and then I notice when I become clear.
Her eyes fill with tears and she lifts her hand, reaching out for me.
Part of me wants to snatch her up and hold her close and tight, but I know that I can’t. So instead, I lower myself to her side with ease and thread my finger through hers. “Hi beautiful,” I fight my own urge to cry. I had never in my life felt fear, then excitement followed by crippling agony in such a short time frame. My emotions were
