Star's Storm(41)

“What is a Fast Patch?” Star asked when she heard the hesitancy in Dakar’s voice as he spoke to Jazin.

Dakar reached into the bag he was carrying and pulled out a container of water and a small package. He ripped the package open, revealing a small round yellow patch. He held the water to Jazin’s mouth, letting a small amount flow into it before repeating the procedure until about a quarter of the container was gone. Once he felt Jazin had enough water to handle the dose of medicine his system he was about to receive, he moved to place the patch in the center of Jazin’s chest over his heart.

Star’s hand shot out stopping him before he could place it. “What is a Fast Patch?” She asked again, this time there was a trace of steel in her voice.

Dakar glanced at Star before he looked down at Jazin’s still face. “It will accelerate the healing process. Within minutes of being absorbed into the system, his body will begin healing itself,” Dakar stated grimly.

“What are you not telling me?” Star asked tightening her grip on his wrist.

“What he is not telling you is there is a side effect,” Madas said quietly. “The medicine will cause him to become very, very aggressive. It will give him added strength and will inhibit pain. I have seen it used only once before because of its side effects. It took many men to restrain the man given the dosage and he had to be contained in a cage for many hours until the medicine was completely out of his system. This is why it is banned.”

Star looked at Jazin’s labored breathing. Her hand trembled as she touched his cold, clammy skin. She let her gaze moved down over the torn flesh of his shoulders, chest, and stomach. A large discoloration around his ribs stood out, telling her he probably had several broken ribs.

“Will it kill him?” She asked quietly, refusing to look at the two people waiting for her decision.

“No,” Dakar said with quiet confidence. “But, I can’t promise he won’t try to kill us.”

Star’s head jerked up and she glared at Dakar. “He would never hurt me. I’ll keep him under control. You just get us the fuck out of here as fast as you can,” she said as she released Dakar’s wrist.

Dakar nodded before slapping his hand down on Jazin’s chest. He stood up and moved back toward the door. Madas laid her hand on Star’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze before she stood and moved toward the door as well. They both turned and looked warily at Jazin.

Almost immediately, Star could see a change in Jazin’s breathing and color. His skin grew warm then almost hot to the touch. His breathing became steadier, faster. Her eyes widened as smaller cuts and bruises began to disappear right before her eyes. One minute she was kneeling next to Jazin’s still body, the next moment she was lying on her back under it.

A deep, animalistic snarl echoed around the cell. Madas let out a cry of protest and stepped forward only to be stopped when Dakar wrapped an arm around her waist. Jazin’s eyes flashed at Madas as he pressed his body down over Star’s smaller one, pinning her to the floor under him.

“Don’t,” Dakar murmured urgently in Madas’ ear. “He is marking her as his. If you try to stop him, he will attack and kill us both. He does not recognize any of us but he recognizes her scent. He will do anything to protect her.”

Jazin’s low growled reverberated as his eyes swung to Dakar. “Mine!” He snarled, wrapping his arm around Star’s tiny waist and pulling her up against his body. “Mine!” He repeated turning to look at Star’s wide, frightened eyes with a fierce possessive look.

“Star,” Madas whispered. “We need to leave. I hear footsteps approaching.”

Star turned her head even as Jazin stood with her still trapped against him. Her body hanging against his like a rag doll. She nervously licked her dry lips. She needed to get through to him that they were not the ones he needed to fight.

“Jazin,” Star said, slowly raising her arm up so she could lay her palm against his hot cheek. “Sweetheart, we need to leave. The bad guys are coming and they want to hurt you again. I won’t let them ever hurt you again but I can’t fight all of them. We need to follow Dakar and Madas. They are our friends. Can you do that?” Star asked in a trembling voice.

Jazin turned his head and sniffed Star’s wrist before he opened his mouth and ran his tongue over the rapidly beating pulse. “Mine,” he purred.

“Yes, I’m yours but the bad men will hurt me, kill me, if they catch me,” Star whispered desperately as she saw Dakar and Madas motioning for her to hurry. “Please, help me. I’m scared.”