“I took Jill’s blood samples to the hospital,” Slade began, his fingers tightening on her shoulder. “Dr. Vaughn, who is a highly acclaimed hematologist...”
“Is he going to start talking doctor talk?” Sid whispered to Jared.
Slade glared at them both. “He studies blood.”
“I knew that.” Jared winked at Jill who was half-smiling up at him.
“Bullshit.” Sid snorted.
Slade tried to keep his shit together and knew that Sid and Jared were trying to lighten the dark mood, but he was on a dangerous spiral and honestly didn’t know if he could take much more. Anything could set him off and he knew it. Jill in truth was slowly dying and until he had a definite answer on how to save her, he was on the edge of destruction, and anyone in his way was in grave danger. Gazing down at Jill, he saw her attention was back on him. She knew him well. Well enough to know he was close to losing it.
“What did the doctor find?” Jill’s voice was strong, but her eyes showed the fear she couldn’t hide, and it killed him.
“Your human leukocytes are attacking and destroying—”
“You already lost me?” Jill said before Sid or Jared could say anything.
Slade kneeled down in front of her. “Whatever they gave you...” he then glanced at Duncan and Adam, “...gave all of you is failing. The human body is a force to be reckoned with and is finding a way to fight against what’s foreign in your body, which is the serum you were given.”
“But that was so long ago.” Jill said, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Why now?”
“That’s something I can’t answer.” Those words were bitter on his tongue. “But the human body is constantly trying to find ways to fight off disease, infections or whatever is foreign. You all were given a manmade drug, which we’re still trying to decipher exactly what it contained. Without knowing what the serum consists of, we don’t know what to look for to reverse this process, or if there is a way to reverse it.”
“Okay, so what you’re saying is my...” Jill frowned. “What did you call them?”
“Leukocytes, which is your white blood cells that seek out and fight off disease-causing organisms or substances.” Slade’s fist tightened in anger, but he kept his voice calm.
“So my body is fighting for me to be human again.” Jill’s voice cracked.
“In a sense, yes.” Slade looked away from her as his mind bellowed for him to lie, but his loyalty to her refused. She deserved the truth, but the truth was enough to bring him to his knees, which was exactly where he was—on his knees in front of the woman he loved more than his own life.
Her small hand touched his cheek bringing his face to hers. “But I don’t want to be human,” she whispered for his ears only, but everyone in the room heard her words.
Slade felt her pain and fear in each word. His eyes searched hers and without him saying another word, understanding flashed across her face.
“I won’t be human, will I?” Jill didn’t take her eyes off him as they opened wider with realization. “Neither will I be a half-breed. Hunter’s right. I’m dying, aren’t I?”
Head bowed for a split second, the tick in Slade’s jaw beat fast and hard as he slammed his eyes shut, getting himself under control. With a fluid motion, he swept her into his arms and stood. “No, you are not going to die.” His voice rose with each word as he turned toward Sloan. “I want a meeting with whatever asshole I need to meet with in the human government.”
Sloan nodded, silent for once.
“Go take care of Pam and I will be up there in a half an hour, but do not under any circumstance let her feed from you.” Slade ordered Duncan before turning to Adam. “I need you in my office to take blood.” After Adam nodded, Slade turned and walked out the door, holding Jill close.
For the first time, every Warrior in Sloan’s office was silent as the grim reality of what was happening shadowed their world.
CHAPTER 7
Caroline sat on the rotting roof of her new house, a notepad in her hand wondering if this was indeed going to trump Rod and be the biggest mistake she had ever made in her life. Looking around the property, all she saw was thick lush woods. It was absolutely beautiful. So what if the house was about to fall apart around her; she could always pitch a tent.
Lana and her parents thought she was nuts and did everything in their power to talk her out of the purchase, but nothing they said could sway her. She wanted this property and it was now hers.