Void (The Youngest, Book 3.B.)

Chapter 十九 (B)

The pack faced a passed-out Stiles. Kylie was sitting on the floor, her teddy bear at her feet. She seemed distant, her small fingers reaching hesitantly for the bear, almost as if touching it might help her remember something—something lost in the chaos.

"Okay, if we're not going to kill him, then why aren't we at least tying him down with really big chains?" Aiden asked, his frustration breaking the tense silence.

Deaton approached with his bag. "I might have something more effective." He then pulled out a vial, holding it carefully as if it contained something far more dangerous.

Scott recognized what Deaton intended. He looked at Aiden, who nodded. Together, they held Stiles' cheeks and forced his mouth open. Kylie shifted, her eyes narrowing as she watched them. Her fingers tightened around the teddy bear, her instincts screaming to protect Stiles. But she hesitated—Stiles had told her to wait.

Deaton uncapped the dropper lid of the vial and let a few drops of the clear liquid fall into Stiles' mouth. A second later, Stiles' eyes shot open, and in an instant, his hands flew up, grabbing Aiden's wrist and throat with a vice-like grip. The sudden movement made Scott and Deaton jump back. Kylie dropped the teddy bear, her eyes glowing faintly as she growled, ready to defend him.

"Watch her!" Deaton warned, glancing at the child. "We don't know how she'll react!"

Kylie's growl deepened, her eyes flicking between Deaton and Scott. Her small form tensed as she prepared to pounce, her instincts fully taking over.

Aiden gasped, his face contorted in pain as he struggled against Stiles' grip. "Get him off me... get him off me!"

Scott quickly moved to pull at Stiles' arms, trying to break the hold. Stiles grinned, his eyes glinting with a twisted sort of amusement as he resisted. Kylie's growl grew louder, her body shifting forward in preparation to strike. But as Scott continued pulling, Stiles' grip began to weaken—his arms growing limp as the venom took effect, paralyzing him completely.

"Kanima venom," Stiles spat out, his tone dripping with disdain. "Nice touch, doc." Aiden roared in anger, but Stiles merely looked amused. Kylie, on the other hand, bared her teeth, a snarl rumbling in her throat.

"Down. Wait," Stiles commanded sharply, his voice authoritative. Kylie stopped, her body going still. She settled back on the floor, her eyes filled with uncertainty, her gaze darting between Stiles and the others.

"You know," Stiles continued, looking directly at Aiden, a mocking expression on his face, "they say twins can feel each other's pain. You didn't lose that talent too, did you? Oh, I hope not. You're going to need it." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Ethan's at the school."

Aiden's eyes widened in horror, the implication sinking in.

"Go!" Scott urged without hesitation.

Aiden didn't waste a second—he turned and sprinted out the door.

Stiles leaned back against the chair, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "Oh, I hope he gets there in time. I like the twins—short tempers, homicidal compulsions. They're a lot more fun than you bakemono trying to save the world every day." His gaze turned toward Scott, his eyes dancing with malice.

Deaton stepped forward, rolling tape between his hands. "Doc, you brought something to paralyze his body; got something for his mouth?" Melissa asked, her eyes cold as she stared at the fox wearing her son's face.

Deaton nodded, moving quickly to tape Stiles' mouth shut. He took a step back, and they all watched as Stiles let out an angry, muffled shout, his eyes blazing as he struggled against the tape.