Shadow of the Eclipse

Chapter 7

Silas stepped back and wiped the blood off of his knuckles. The rage inside of him was only growing. No matter how many times he hit the prisoner before him, it didn't ease the anger and hatred he bore for this man.

His adopted daughter, no- his daughter, was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life because of this scumbag. The piece of trash hadn't offered any information even after hours of interrogation, but Silas was a patient man. He would break this worthless being. It was just a matter of time.

"Since you don't want to chat about your employer, how about we change subjects? " He raised an eyebrow, not bothering to look in the direction of the prisoner. "Tell me about the poison."

A smirk appeared on the man's slender yet rugged face. His dark eyes followed Silas' every move. "And why would I do that?" he taunted. "If I tell you nothing- you will kill me. If I tell you what you want to know, others will kill me, assuming I am released and not killed for the hell of it. So...tell me Beta. Why. Should. I?" he punctuated each word. A sly smile played on his lips.

"Ah. So you can speak. And here I was beginning to think someone had cut out your tongue." Silas chuckled. The prisoner eyed him, watching his every move closely. Silas motioned for a guard to come over. The guard handed him a syringe. "This little concoction I really had hoped we wouldn't have to resort to..." He stood and took a step forward.

"You think your little truth serum scares me?" the man cackled. "Tell me, how are your two warriors from the woods? Or..." He sucked his teeth for effect. "...have they passed on?" He sneered, fake concern lingering in his words. "What a pity." he taunted. Silas clenched his fists as the bear continued. "Though it intrigues me that such a supposedly fierce pack would allow females in their ranks. And a panther..." His dark eyes met Silas', and they held a devilish gleam. "Perhaps you should be more careful with the company you keep, Beta."

"Look at that." Silas retorted. "I didn't even have to give you this, and suddenly you won't shut up." He smirked. He gestured with his hand for the bear to continue. He wanted to s***h the bastard's throat and be done with it but he had to remain calm. They didn't have the information they needed yet.

The bear chuckled. "Tsk tsk wolf. I fear you have sorely underestimated your opponent. And I don't just mean me. I'd watch your panther closely. She may be more than she appears-" Silas' fist connected with the bear's nose with a loud crunch. The prisoner spat out blood and sneered. "Seems I've hit a nerve. How...interesting. "

Silas' eyes glowed as Ash tried to take control. A guard came up to him and whispered in his ear. He nodded slightly in response.

"He's all yours for now boys. Use this if you must. I will check in later on." Silas handed the vile back to the guard and turned to leave.

"Leaving so soon?" the prisoner goaded.

"Don't you worry. These boys will take excellent care of you." Silas countered sarcastically, he didn't bother to turn around.

********

"Here is your discharge summary miss." the blonde nurse handed Van some papers. "Take care and come back if you need anything. " She smiled sweetly and left the room. River and Rei were waiting for her in the waiting room. Rei had brought her some new clothes to change into. A simple form fitting light purple v-neck tee and some comfy jeans. She fixed her hair and slowly slid off the bed and slipped her shoes on. Her stomach was still a bit tender but it was almost fully healed now.

Van walked into the hallway and started to head for the waiting room. She had only gone halfway down the hall when she froze in her tracks. The door to her right was slightly ajar. Jax lay on the bed. Wires and tubes seemed to come from everywhere. Her heart skipped and she covered her mouth to stifle a gasp. She knew what would happen if Garth saw her there. But something made her want to go in. She peeked around the door to make sure the there was no one else in the room and silently stepped inside.

Van made her way to the bedside and looked down at Jax. His face was still badly bruised and swollen. He had on an oxygen mask covering his mouth and nose. The only sign of life was the steady rise and fall of his chest with each breath.

A tear made its way down her cheek. Ugh, stupid. she thought as she angrily wiped it away. Why would she waste tears on her rival? He certainly would do no such thing for her. She was sure Jax would throw a party to celebrate her death. Still she couldn't help but reach down and gently brush back the stray pieces of hair that had fallen onto his face. She sighed and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Jax was a fighter. She knew he would make it. He had to.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone." She whispered. She couldn't help but feel responsible for his condition. If she had stayed and fought with him instead of going for help then maybe...

With one last glance at him, Van turned to leave. Suddenly, she felt someone grab her. She spun around to see Jax holding onto her wrist, his green eyes watching her. She didn't know what to do. Normally she'd punch him for touching her but that seemed unfair at the moment.

Jax looked up at her. He was trying to find the right words. All this time he had seen her as an enemy. Yet without thinking she had been willing to sacrifice herself...for him? The last thing he remembered seeing was her diving in front of him to spare him the lethal blow. He should be dead. He thought she was dead. And he didn't like the feeling that accompanied that knowledge. He pulled her closer and wrapped her hand in his. His eyes searched hers. He could tell she was wary of him. Jax pulled down the oxygen mask and cleared his throat.

Just then there was a knock at the door and a nurse entered. Van quickly slipped her hand out of his and with one last glance hurried out into the hallway.

"Oh! You're awake! Wonderful! I'll have your father notified immediately. And have the doctor come in to talk with you." the nurse said in an all too chipper tone before walking right back out. Jax sighed. Damn . he thought. What was happening to him?

****

Van made her way to the waiting room where her friends greeted her.

"Ready to go?" River wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"You have no idea." Van muttered. Rei hooked an arm around hers as they walked back down the long hallway that led to the packhouse. They must have looked odd but Van didn't care. She was ready to get to her room, dive into her bed, and never come out. Exhaustion didn't begin to cover how she felt.

Her mind wandered back to Jax. His hand on hers. The tingles that went up her spine. The look in his eyes. What the hell was all of that? Surely, he was just trying to find the words to cuss her out for being in his room uninvited. But that look. It was warm and soft, almost begging for her to- nope. She shook her head to clear away the thoughts. What was wrong with her? They hated each other. That was how it would always be. She told herself it must have been the blows to his head causing him to act weird. He'd be back to normal soon enough.