Retaliation

Chapter 18 Home Sweet Home

*Warning* Minor gore and mentions of suicidal thoughts and rape* 

During the entire duration of the flight, I had my face buried deep into Jasmine's back and had my arms tightly squeezing around her neck. I still don't like heights but true to her word, she didn't go full speed so I didn't fly off. 

If she felt my arms about to give out she would slow down to a smooth glide so I could rest for a little bit. Even though I was smushed between them, I did feel safe with the big feathered wings around me. Every time she brought them up it felt like I was being cushioned from the high winds and was secured in a blanket. Before I knew it, Jasmine was beginning to descend.

"Z'cardan's been here. I'm picking up his scent."

"Is he still here?"

"I don't think so, the smell is faint, but hold onto Ryan for a moment so I can do a sweep."

Jasmine's wings retracted into her back as she stealthily snuck into our house. She returned after a few minutes with a worried expression on her face. "The safe containing the laptop and Bombshell files was broken into. They're gone. This isn't good."

"This isn't a completely bad thing, is it? You said it yourself, only Folxex and Zromatz could physically control you if the code numbers didn't work. There was nothing in those files about the control device other than some mentions to it so it's not like the answer to unlocking it was in there."

"I can think of another reason. Those things contained the information about the formula solution they used on me along with the experiments they did. He willingly injected himself with the space stone stuff Dr. Zromatz gave to Ryan. I think he's trying to give himself the power stone formula as well."

"Great. It's not like we were having a hard time with him already. Did he take anything else?"

"The ship is also gone."

"For fucks sake. Shit. Let's head inside and talk then if the coast is clear. Ryan needs to lay down and rest."

It took a couple of hours for Jasmine to fully patch up Ryan's arm. The procedure included Jasmine generating electricity from her fingers, similar to an electric eel, and using enhanced vision to cauterize the wound. Because Jasmine made such a clean cut, there was no shattered bone or dead tissue she had to remove. 

She tried her best to pull the remaining skin over the wound to close it off but there was still a little bit of raw flesh still exposed at the tip. I didn't realize when she said she had a bunch of medical supplies that included a whole surgery kit but it paid off in the end. Once Jasmine finally finished and started to clean up was when I finally brought up the question.

"So, Z'cardan is your son?" My voice was cold and stern. She didn't respond right away, eyes concentrating on the blood-covered tools and gauze.

I was honestly pissed off as this was something too big to just sweep under the rug like it never happened. Not to mention the extreme anxiety I was feeling right now. Has everything been a lie up until this point? What else has she not told me? Did she and Folxex have a relationship this whole time? Was she just using me to save herself? 

"Yes. Both Dramik and Z'cardan are."

"So, you and Folxex were a thing at one point?"

"No." She said sternly. "I didn't give birth to any eggs. What Folxex did to me... I didn't consent."

Immediately my expression changed as I realized what she was implying. This honestly makes more sense given the circumstances she was under. I was mentally kicking myself for not even thinking about this being the case.